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With my old B&O CD player now considered "old news" (apparently) and a rather expensive repair job, I have been recommended the Essence.
I'm new to all of this streaming media business, so I wondered if I could seek your advice on a few matters.
Firstly. what kind of NAS is suitable for B&O products? I've been looking at a WD My Cloud, but I don't want to get that if it won't play ball with the Essence (or likewise).
Secondly, exactly what kind of connection configuration is needed? ie. Is the Essence better if directly connected to the NAS?
And thirdly, and a bit of a tangent, can you easily connect Beolab 6000s to a V1? I'm wondering this as if I decide against the Essence, I don't want the speakers to become obsolete.
Thanks in advance. :)
hello,
i've a WD my Cloud but sparely use it as a music server because the essence mediaplayer can't gapless. the server is not more than in the same network the essence is.
good luck
Wohnzimmer: BeoVision Avant 55", BeoLab 11, 12-2 und 12-3 für 5.1-Sound + appleTV 4K und Philips BluRay-Player; BeoSound 2, BeoSound 3000 (fast nur noch Deko)////Schlafzimmer: BeoEssence MkII, BeoLab 4000 + Samsung 46"-TV////Büro: BLC NL/ML, BeoSound 35, Thorens TD320MkII, Samsung 32"-TV, WesternDigital 4TB-Server////Bad: BeoLab 2000; alles CAT7 verkabelt////Küche: M5 (drahtlos) plus diverse apple-Geräte (imac, macbook, ipads, iphones, timecapsule, watch)
Beolab 28s Beolab 9s Beolab 12-3s Beolab 1s Beolab 6000s 2 pairs Beolab 4000s Beovision 7-55 Beovision 10-40 Beoplay V1 32 inch Beovision Avant 32 inch Beosound 1 (CD player) Beosound 3000 Beosound 5 Core Essence MKII Beoplay M5
Hi MonorailOrange and welcome to Beoworld,
Almost any NAS, that you can buy today, has a media server/a DLNA server installed.
Once you have configured the Essence (2nd gen), the NAS (including the server) and your router/homenetwork, you will be able to see and play back the content of the NAS in the BeoMusic app.
This however, is not all, that you can do with the Essence.
If you prefer (or just want to try out a music streaming service) Deezer or Spotify - these are supported by the Essence/the app too.
You also get access to netradio via TuneIN.
If you are using some kind of iOS device you can use AirPlay from your device.
If you are using an Android device the Google Cast support will be handsome.
But don't forget, that the Essence has a line-in connection, that has autosense.
I suppose that you still have some cd's - any cd player (with an analog out connection) can be used with the Essence.
Buy the way - if you have a V1 and an Essence, these can be linked together (NL) . This means that you can use e.g. Deezer or TuneIN from the Essence on both devices (multiroom or individually).
Feel free to ask more, if you need - a lot of the forum members have experience with both devices.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Thanks for the replies all.
I'm glad to hear that most NAS work with the system. Didn't want to buy one to find out it wasn't compatible.
Re: connecting the BL6000 to the V1 - is this an adapter that the local B&O shop can source, or is it an "after market" type thing?
I didn't realise that the V1 and the Essence can work together. Does that mean you can select the music via the traditional (TV) remote?
1: That is an adapter, that any B&O dealer should have for sale.
2: Yes and No!
On the V1 you can easily access the same content (from the NAS) as on the Essence.
You simply use the HomeMedia interface with your remote.
If some (NAS) content is playing on the Essence, you can easily listen in on the V1 too (and vice versa) - this is called 'Join'.
If configured correct, you can access the same netradio stations on the V1 as you have on the Essence.
If you want to use a Beo4 (ir control) with the Essence, you will have to add an ir eye (ask your dealer for that) to it.
AirPlay can not (due to restrictions of Apple) be distributed to multiroom.
A source connected to the line-in of the Essence (e.g a cd player) can be distributed.
Etc etc etc - Lots of things to explain!
Best start with some basics here:
https://youtu.be/wRubEBiGlj0
Thanks for the link.
I'll have to have a word with the local dealer then, I'm sure they told us the V1 just wasn't compatable with the speakers..
Hi,
Check out this page
http://soundsheavenly.com/43-powerlink-rj45-cat5-connection-models-from-2013
The RJ45 to powerlink is what you need for your V1 to BL6000
Are you sure that most of the NAS are DLNA compatible ? because that's not what the dealer told me.
Also looking at http://www.dlna.org/products/ it looks like there are few models certified.
@IA64
'Almost any NAS, that you can buy today, has a media server/a DLNA server installed.' is, what I wrote on my post above.
Surely not all media servers are DNLA certified, but that does not mean, that they won't do the job.
The specifications of DLNA are very wage - there are a lot of creators of media server software, who have choosen to save the money for this certification.
Some (good) routers even have a media server software built-in (for attached USB-storage).
The best server (for music) in my network is the Logitech Media Server - which certainly isn't DLNA-certified.
There are several open source/free (not-certified) media servers that can be installed on a NAS.
Media servers are all different - they serve you your files in different ways - some very basic, others with lots of options.
B&O mostly advise to use the Twonky server - mainly because they did/do testing with that for their devices ---- and it is well supported..
But do remember, that a media server/DLNA server will only work, if your files are tagged (including cover pics) properly.
Thanks again for all the replies.
I'm new to all this recent shift in streaming music, and I don't want to get something I think will work (ie a NAS) only to find that the B&O won't play ball with it - or visa versa.
I'll be honest, there's part of me that thinks there's a heck of a lot of setup envolved when you could just stick a CD in the player and press play. (simpler times I guess! haha).
That being said, I do see the benefits of having your collection at hand.
I've not done much research on it, but (and I may have misread) does this 'Twonky' server require the source to be on to access the music? or is that only if you have the fils on a PC rather than a NAS?
unfortunately the source that runs Twonky must be on to access your music - even if your library is on a NAS
MonorailOrange: I'll be honest, there's part of me that thinks there's a heck of a lot of setup envolved when you could just stick a CD in the player and press play. (simpler times I guess! haha). I've not done much research on it, but (and I may have misread) does this 'Twonky' server require the source to be on to access the music? or is that only if you have the fils on a PC rather than a NAS?
To be honest - the easiest way to have access to music, is to use a music streaming service (Spotify and co.).
Do your search and listen - no server needed, no hustle with ripping (or buying, storing) cd's/tagging files and NAS'es and servers running.
If the Twonky is installed on the NAS, it is already running, when you access your files.
Hmm the idea of having to have a computer on, even if the files are on a NAS, is pretty disappointing. In fact that sort of puts me off getting the Essence if that's the case.
This has nothing to do with the Essence as a device.
This is how DLNA/Media server works.
As noted above - get a NAS with Twonky install...
...or start streaming from a music service --- to the Essence ;-)
Right I see, so if this Twonky thing is already on the NAS, it can run virtually independent of a computer?
And, I'm not a fan of streaming - so I'll rule that avenue out. That (and the price) is why I'm not overly enamoured by the Moment.
Just do a search: 'NAS and Twonky'.
MonorailOrange: Right I see, so if this Twonky thing is already on the NAS, it can run virtually independent of a computer? And, I'm not a fan of streaming - so I'll rule that avenue out. That (and the price) is why I'm not overly enamoured by the Moment.
Or you can do what I did and connect the NAS ( external drive with all your music ) to your Wireless router that supports USB input ( And DLNA capable ) No running computers whatsoever is required...
Ahh now that sounds more feasable. I was starting to fail to see the point of any of these music streaming devices if you have to have a second system on to play content.
..
EDIT: I've just 'Search Engined' NAS Twonky and one of the first few lines that comes up is the question...
"I am keen to get a NAS that does not use twonky as it does not work"
Well that doesn't fill me with confidence.
MonorailOrange: Well that doesn't fill me with confidence.
Welcome to the world of DLNA - a life-long study.
And to think, just putting a CD in a drive and pressing play is "soooo complicated" (apparently).
Putting in the cd and press play shouldn't be too complicated.
It is the searching and finding of the cd in your hides, that could cause a problem.
It seems that - for most people - the more cd's they have, the difficulter it gets to find the one you want to listen too ;-))
And that's why you should have a collection stored properly and in order.
But alas, it seems that I'm an old fart in thinking that its easier. And I don't have much of a choice with B&O now. Its streaming all the way - and I understand that they need to keep up with the consumer.
That being said.... and to keep a positive tone. How is the Essence as a media device. Is it good enough?
1: As far as new devices are concerned, yes - but not quite true:
You can - if you already have a B&O cd player (e.g. the BS9000)- integrate that in the NL-network with the NL/ML Converter.
You can connect a cd player to the line-in of any of the new (NL) devices and hear - and distribute - the sound.
You can use a DVD/BluRay player connected to the newer tv's for playback of cd's - also on the network.
2: I haven't yet heard of an Essence owner, who was dissatisfied with that device.
But, I guess that would depend on what you expect from it.
Well its good to hear that its a well recieved product.
As for what I expect from it.. well I guess just the ability to play my music collection in glorious B&O sound quailty.
I must admit that I don't use my (NAS-stored) music collection very often anymore.
Mostly I use Spotify/Deezer.
But when I do it works as I had expected....'in glorious B&O sound quality' ;-)
Well I did a bit of research and discovered there's a fair few NAS that have Twonky built in - which is good. I'm not a huge fan of getting third party products to make something work the way I want it to.
Now forgive my ignorance, but lets say you have an Essence without the remote or a tablet to control it - are they actually any built in controls? (I assume that it would just start at album A and work all the way to Z/123?)
MonorailOrange: Now forgive my ignorance, but lets say you have an Essence without the remote or a tablet to control it - are they actually any built in controls? (I assume that it would just start at album A and work all the way to Z/123?)
Doing what you describe, would be to use the DLNA renderer function of the Essence (-box).
This process can only be initiated from a DLNA application of some kind - there is no way to control the volumen of the playback device ( = the Essence).
The box itself has no controls - it is a hideaway-box.
The 'wheely'/the remote or the Beomusic app does this job (and more).
What keeps you off from using the 'wheely'?
P.S.
The BeoMusic app is also a DLNA controller - this means, that you (from within the app) can connect to your DLNA (maybe Twonky) server in order to choose the music you want to play.