Playlists

Posted by: Plant Pot on 25 August 2018

Hello,

I am having a problem with a playlist that I have compiled on the Naim app. Over the months I've added my favourite tracks as a sort of go-to folder that I use when I'm not sure what I want to listen to (one of the joys of streaming).

Recently, about 90% of the tracks (there are probably about 200 in the playlist) are showing a blue exclamation mark with the note that they can't be found. I only have one server (a QNAP NAS) so it can't be that otherwise I wouldn't be able to play any tracks. This has happened numerous times in the past but with only a few of the tracks proving problematic at a given time - so I've just deleted and replaced them. I don't really want to do this with the number I'm talking about now. I am using a registered version of Assett (which is well worth the payment, by the way)

I've done a search of the forum but haven't really found a conclusive answer. 

I just wondered if there was a quick fix (clicking "rebuild" doesn't work) - or is there an alternative way to save playlists using Assett (I couldn't see one). 

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Matthew

Posted on: 25 August 2018 by TallGuy

IOS ? Then wait. Then wait longer. I find my playlists don’t show when starting the app and appear after 15-20 minutes (iPad Mini  Mk4, 128Gig version) 

First the playlist shows, then is populated with titles, then pictures and eventually they are available to play, but not all tracks at once: I get what you describe. After some time all tracks appear ok and will play fine. It’s very annoying and I’d assumed it was just my iPad as my iPhone doesn’t do it and no one else has reported it until now. 

I think it’s caused by the app being a memory guzzler as it can be taking over 3.5Gig of the available 4Gig memory (not storage) on my iPad.

If you’re on android then I’ve no idea !

Asset can do playlisting, but I’ve not tried it. 

Posted on: 25 August 2018 by Adam Zielinski

Generally it is best to create playlists on a server as opposed to an app. Server will run backups (if set up to do so); the app has no backup feature.

I don’t know Asset to advise if iOS playlist can be saved to a server. With Minimserver and Naim UnitiServe that was not possible.

But I’m sure more knowledable Forum members will be along shortly to help.

Posted on: 25 August 2018 by Plant Pot

I am using an iPad. The waiting game doesn’t seem to be working. I think I’ll do some more digging about  Asset and see where it gets me. It’s a shame if it is a flaw in the app as it seemed a very useful feature. 

Posted on: 25 August 2018 by Adam Zielinski
Plant Pot posted:

I am using an iPad. The waiting game doesn’t seem to be working. I think I’ll do some more digging about  Asset and see where it gets me. It’s a shame if it is a flaw in the app as it seemed a very useful feature. 

I wouldn’t really classify it an app flaw, more an inconvenience that there is no backup (as there cannot really be one).

Posted on: 25 August 2018 by ChrisSU

The corrupted playlist issue you mention has existed since the Naim app was first released. It used to be possible, in theory at least, to restore them from the old iTunes backup, I’m not sure if there’s a way to do it with the iCloud backup that replaced it. 

A better plan would be to create playlists in Asset, where they are likely to be reliable, and access them through the UPnP input. Managing the playlists is less convenient though, as you can’t do it within the app. 

Posted on: 25 August 2018 by ChrisSU
Adam Zielinski posted:
Plant Pot posted:

I am using an iPad. The waiting game doesn’t seem to be working. I think I’ll do some more digging about  Asset and see where it gets me. It’s a shame if it is a flaw in the app as it seemed a very useful feature. 

I wouldn’t really classify it an app flaw, more an inconvenience that there is no backup (as there cannot really be one).

I beg to differ! As I mentioned above, the app playlists have been prone to corruption since it was first released, and if Naim could fix this, restoring from backup wouldn’t be necessary. 

Posted on: 26 August 2018 by Plant Pot

I tend to agree with you Chrissu. If something doesn't work properly then it should be described as flawed - without the punter who has stumped up the cash having to get into the technicalities.

I'm not sure where the fault lies as I'm not that computer literate, but the software that is not working as it should has Naim's name on it.

I must admit that I do get a little miffed at this sort of thing given the cost of the equipment involved. I just expect it to work as described.

Posted on: 27 August 2018 by Jack

Matthew....just a couple of things that you may already be aware of but thought I would mention:

- you do have Asset assigned a static IP address?

- you haven't changed any of the music storage folder structures at all?

I used to have a problem with certain songs not being found (but don't recall the problem being a blue exclamation mark) and if I remember correctly it may have been down to me tidying up my folder structures. There's no way that I'm aware of to convert your Naim playlists on iOS to a playlist that exists of Asset, so effectively you have to create the playlist again separately and then store it on Asset (very sub-optimal!!)

As Chrissu said you used to be able to backup and restore playlists stored on iOS via iTunes but I've not tried it for some time, not sure why that wouldn't still work, worth trying.

What we really need is a utility to convert the Naim playlists stored on iOS device into a playlist that can be stored on Asset or other servers........be nice if Naim gave us this capability, it can't be that difficult!  The ability to create playlists on iOS whilst listening is most useful, it's definitely my preferred method.