Streaming/Beaming Files all over the shop

Martynt74

Martynt74

Martynt74

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Hondon de las Nieves, Spain
I’m looking to start streaming my music/videos around but I don’t want to have my pc on whenever I want to watch/listen to anything so I’m thinking about either a Sonos/Squeezebox connected to a NAS.

Can I just post my plans and you can let me know if I’ve got things right in my head.

I’ve got my hifi for music and my tv/dvd etc separate from my hifi.

The brain behind all this I’m thinking will be a NAS server with all my files on it, am I right in thinking this will only turn on once something wants to access it? How long is the start up time for this?

I’m planning on building a HTPC, although I don’t want to be limited purely to media as I’d sticll like to be able to use word/excel and the internet on the big screen. For this would i be able to load Windows as the OS, and then have a media centre software come up on startup so that would be the default option but then be able to close this down to do other general things, whats the best way to do this?
Would this then read the video files on the NAS via WIFI and show them in the pretty ways that people on here show in their pictures where I can scroll through films and have information?

Then I plan on having something connected to my Amp for playing music files/internet radio. I like the look of the SONOS as I could control it with my iphone but it seems pricey as I’d need the sonos by my amp, then another module connected to my router I believe? What other options are there?

Then I also plan on having a SONOS type things (but with built in speakers) in the kitchen/back room. Again I’d like this to read the music on the NAS. How are the sound quality from these type of devices? (Possibly adding another of these in the bedroom aswell)

My other thought as I’d not very good with networks generally. Is how do I go about putting things onto the NAS? Would it be a case of having them on my current external hard drive and then copying them onto the NAS, would I then point itunes on my laptop to the files on the NAS for creating playlists/syncing for my iphone?
How about adding new cd’s and video files?

As you can guess I don’t know too much about all this so any advice would be welcomed

Cheers
 
Of all the music streaming systems available Sonos is perhaps the most complete, best integrated and easiest to use. That's why it's the price it is. It works, and works well. End of, really. :D

You don't need a Sonos player next to the PC/NAS. Use a Zone Bridge.

I've looked at alternatives to Sonos (I'm a dealer BTW) and although stuff such as Squeezebox looks appealing it does have a couple of major flaws - The most significant (or was when I last looked) is the need to have a host PC running the server software 24/7. Their alternative solution is to pay a subscription for online data storage and stream via the net.

Sound quality for streaming is only limited by the quality of the rip. I play FLAC files through my gear and they sound great to everyone that hears them. If you are a purist then you could pick faults I'm sure; but then why go for a streaming jukebox? ;) The player with speakers - it sounds as good or better than the little hi-fi's you find in most peoples living rooms.

As for the rest of the Sonos and NAS related queries, a decent dealer could help you through and it would be a lot quicker than struggling through on your own. Oldham/Bury is in my patch if you get stuck.

Others can help you with the media centre stuff. Personally I wouldn't rely on wireless for streaming HD Video content unless it is compressed down from the 1080p original to something smaller.
 
Be aware that the Squeezebox Touch can host it's own server. So you can simply stuff a (self powered) USB hard drive on the backend of it, i.e. no NAS required.
 
Thanks Me Sukebe, however i'm also planning on using the Nas to stream video files so it seems like a good option for me. (Along with the safety of having a backup)

I think my initial plan is to set the server up and then use streaming software and stream to my iphone in a dock to start with and then add squeezebox devices in at a later date as that way the initial outlay is considerably reduced.
(Plus is makes things a little easier as its not another box for the mrs to work out and she's been tempted to chuck my hifi out the window on numerous occasions so far)

I really do like the look of the Sonos however i think the cost involved (especially in a 3 room set up) is too much for me at the moment, although it does look very complete and simple.
 
If you make an informed decision for your NAS, it may run the Squeezebox server software. Be cautious though, my Netgear ReadyNAS Duo runs Squeezecentre for me but the entry level CPU in this NAS means browsing music is sluggish. So I'm currently ferreting away the pennies to get a low power server to run as a NAS.
 
Damn, i've just pressed order on a Netgear ReadyNAS as theres an offer for a free hard drive which runs out.

Hopefully it won't be too bad, i'll see how it goes
 
If only I posted quicker! I bought my ReadyNAS last year because the special offer was about to "run out"....

Is it a Duo you ordered or a higher spec one? Operation on the Logitech devices is absolutely fine by the way. When I mentioned sluggish browsing I mean via web portal or iPeng on the Iphone.
 
Oh, its a bit of a con then? Ah well. Live and learn

Yeah i ordered the 1tb Duo. You say its ok with Logitech devices but slow with Ipeng. I thought Ipeng was just a remote control for the squeezebox.

I had initially planned to stream straight from the NAS to something like Plugplayer on my iphone to start with.
 
Hm, I wouldn't say it's a con as Logitech don't make the ReadyNAS - it's sort of extra functionality.

I use a Boom and a Receiver. Using the Boom via it's own controls is great, responsive, and plays music flawlessly (some MP3, mostly FLAC). The Receiver has no controls on it, it's just a black box. So I need to use some form of remote control to use it. I can control the Receiver by local web server or using iPeng. The local server also supports 'small screen' skins so is also suitable for browsers on non Apple devices. I don't think there is an Android version of iPeng yet. I can also use these remote control devices to control the Boom if I wanted too. It is these remote control devices which are sluggish, and I blame the server software on the ReadyNAS. The same server software works fine from a spare PC, and you can definitely see the CPU spikes when using a remote control. Perhaps it's all the album art, I don't know, but they all sound really good and are pretty convenient. I'm not knocking the Squeezeserver/ReadyNAS combo - but it's not as slick as some systems.

It is pretty cheap though :)
 
Yeah, i imagine i'll get it all sorted, i don't really have much album art saved for most of my music so shouldn't be too big of an issue.
Now to make the effort to sort out all my music.

I meant a con refering to the "free" hard drive rather than any performance problems.
 
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