ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
I have all my music in an iTunes library, including the playlists. I like this a lot, because I have a complete copy on my iPad which I always take along when traveling. And I have a subset on my iPhone. So I always have my music off-line with me.
Now that I have a BeoVision Avant 55 I am looking for software such that I can access this Mac iTunes music library via the HomeMedia section. I guess this means that I need software which turns my Mac iTunes system into a DLNA server.
I do not want to use Airplay and Apple TV because that interferes with the quality and then I could not use the HomeMedia player section of the Avant.
What are the options, and what would you advice?
Thanks.
- Flere
smile and enjoy the moment
Make a search for 'dlna server on mac'.
I can't suggest any particular, because I don't have any running on my Mac - apart from my Logitech Media Server, which also acts as a DLNA server.
But it is very important, that your files are tagged in the way, that a DLNA server need - there are differences to the way iTunes servers work.
Maybe this could do the trick:
http://www.tvmobili.com/high-performance-media-server.php
And please do report back if you find a good solution.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
You can use:
Twonky
Minimserver
JRiver
XBMC
Plex.
For the moment I use Twonky and JRiver. I lost track, but I still presume the BV Avant cannot play Apple Lossless. Then JRiver or Minimserver will presumably be the best solution because you can output PCM formats to the Avant
About the tagging: if you embed the tags in the music files (also the covers) than if will work for iTunes and DLNA
Let me add Mediabrowser Server (MBS) to the list. I am using it and it works perfectly well. It also transcodes, so you can play any video and audio file as it allows you to transcode to whatever format the Avant supports.
Seriously Flere, the Apple TV box is a top quality product and supremely reliable with its streaming and a superb interface. It's been designed from the ground up for what you want to do. Good luck with the DLNA route but...
Though not running the 'complete' Mac solution myself (I never liked iTunes), I tend to agree with Paul W.
DLNA can be very tricky, indeed!
@Flere - Try out one of the suggested servers - I would pick the MinimServer for a start. Let it index some of your files (well tagged) - and make your experiences yourself, before you decide to retag/convert... all of your files.
One thing I don't like about the HomeMedia player of the BV's is, that - if you have a big collection - it is a pita to search for/find the music, that you want to hear. There is no real search function there.
I use - as the control point/the remote - the 8Player iPad app to find the files, and then play them to the tv (or to the Playmaker).
So....if you need to use an iDevice anyway, you'd probably be better off staying with your current solution.
The Android tablet users however have no choice - they can't airplay (not natively)
steve1977: Let me add Mediabrowser Server (MBS) to the list. I am using it and it works perfectly well. It also transcodes, so you can play any video and audio file as it allows you to transcode to whatever format the Avant supports.
Indeed a very good server, and free to use!
"Believe nothing you read and only half of what you see, let your ears tell you the truth."
Millemissen: And please do report back if you find a good solution. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
Paul W:Seriously Flere, the Apple TV box is a top quality product and supremely reliable with its streaming and a superb interface. It's been designed from the ground up for what you want to do. Good luck with the DLNA route but...
Carolpa:You can use: Twonky Minimserver JRiver XBMC Plex. For the moment I use Twonky and JRiver. I lost track, but I still presume the BV Avant cannot play Apple Lossless. Then JRiver or Minimserver will presumably be the best solution because you can output PCM formats to the Avant About the tagging: if you embed the tags in the music files (also the covers) than if will work for iTunes and DLNA
steve1977:Let me add Mediabrowser Server (MBS) to the list. I am using it and it works perfectly well. It also transcodes, so you can play any video and audio file as it allows you to transcode to whatever format the Avant supports.
Millemissen:Make a search for 'dlna server on mac'. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
Sorry
If you really want to dig deep (from a practical point of view) into the DLNA-thing, you should invest in the JRiver server.
Hi Flere,
Read your comment..
"The problem is that the Avant will auto dim the screen in two steps when the HomeMedia section is used.
When the ATV is used the Avant will not auto dim as it assumes the ATV is a TV source.
I like the auto-dim feature........."
BeoWorld is very lucky in the Geoff reads this. It's very very possible in the new face of B&O that Geoff will pass your comments on and B&O will implement this! Heck, a few years ago I requested on this forum ORANGE covers for the BS8/A8 and a few months later viola! I get the impression that THEY DO seem to take on board wishes from this site.
Now PLEASE B&O make an orange grille for the BV11 :)
Do you not like the cover art display on the Avant? I love it and I never worry about screen use as I'm sure that they have many years of life in them. In business I've now been using this MacBook for 5 years for 12-14 hours most days and the screen is as perfect as Day one - I'm thinking that this MacBook just has a basic LG or Samsung LCD LED Backlit screen.
Enjoy your Avant and I hope that you get around it all. (You could always try an Apple TV for £79 and return it within 14 days if it doesn't suit you :) All the best!
Paul W:Hi Flere, Read your comment.. " The problem is that the Avant will auto dim the screen in two steps when the HomeMedia section is used. When the ATV is used the Avant will not auto dim as it assumes the ATV is a TV source. I like the auto-dim feature........." BeoWorld is very lucky in the Geoff reads this. It's very very possible in the new face of B&O that Geoff will pass your comments on and B&O will implement this! Heck, a few years ago I requested on this forum ORANGE covers for the BS8/A8 and a few months later viola! I get the impression that THEY DO seem to take on board wishes from this site. Now PLEASE B&O make an orange grille for the BV11 :) Do you not like the cover art display on the Avant? I love it and I never worry about screen use as I'm sure that they have many years of life in them. In business I've now been using this MacBook for 5 years for 12-14 hours most days and the screen is as perfect as Day one - I'm thinking that this MacBook just has a basic LG or Samsung LCD LED Backlit screen. Enjoy your Avant and I hope that you get around it all. (You could always try an Apple TV for £79 and return it within 14 days if it doesn't suit you :) All the best!
Millemissen: I use - as the control point/the remote - the 8Player iPad app to find the files, and then play them to the tv (or to the Playmaker).
Some great points and ideas there Flere that I hope Geoff Martin will pass on to B&O. I know that they are supporters of Apple TV so let's hope that they can resolve your wishes.
I hope that you have a lot of pleasure with the Avant :)
Flere: if I get from the rain into the drip. (Dutch saying, meaning your solve some problems but get other problems back.)
Maar nadien alleen zonneschijn
@Flere
How about buying a AirPortExpress.
Connect it to the digital/spdif input of the Avant - you will of course need a simple optical to coax converter for that.
Then configure that input with the settings, you want/need - including using a stereo speaker group (the BL9's) as the default one. Choose a name for that source, and a 'button' on the BeoRemote One.
This way - when you want to listen to AirPlayed music - you will just have to hit that button, and choose the APE in the AirPlay menu on the iPad. No disturbing screen anymore
By the way - the wish for a better management of the muting of the screen has already been put on the update-wishlist for B&O. I suppose they will add a per source possibility for configuring the time-out/muting of the screen. Many people want the screen to stay on using Spotify/Deezer. We'll see, if that maybe will be part of a next update?
Millemissen:@Flere How about buying a AirPortExpress. Connect it to the digital/spdif input of the Avant - you will of course need a simple optical to coax converter for that. Then configure that input with the settings, you want/need - including using a stereo speaker group (the BL9's) as the default one. Choose a name for that source, and a 'button' on the BeoRemote One. This way - when you want to listen to AirPlayed music - you will just have to hit that button, and choose the APE in the AirPlay menu on the iPad. No disturbing screen anymore By the way - the wish for a better management of the muting of the screen has already been put on the update-wishlist for B&O. I suppose they will add a per source possibility for configuring the time-out/muting of the screen. Many people want the screen to stay on using Spotify/Deezer. We'll see, if that maybe will be part of a next update? MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
Very interesting thread evolving here. A few more thoughts.
ATV - I would agree with some of the previous posts that this may be the easiest way to go. Besides all mentioned, I would high-light that it allows you to use airplay mirroring, which is a great feature on its own. Also, airplay for audio can be multi-room already. I understand the short-comings though (dimming, stereo vs surround, etc.) and you may not want to wait for an Avant upgrade for this to be addressed ;-)
AE- in my experience, this solution is not ideal. While this may be subjective, I do believe there is a quality loss and also there are issues with this solution (stuttering, drops, etc.), which for whatever weird reasons do not occur when using ATV. If you search for AE droppingon google, you will know what I mean. I tinkered a lot with AE and B&O equipment and was never too happy with it.
DLNA - if you enjoy "tinkering", this is definitely a great way to go and I believe that DLNA will only increase with importance in the future. Also keep in mind that this is not even compatible with your Avant, but also with BS5E, Moment and about any music-related device you can expect to buy in the future. So, it may be worth to spend the time to set it up and the features are impressive. I found Mediabrowser to be the most advanced and flexible. You are right that itunes playlists are not supported yet, but I could see this to change and dropping a note in their forums may get this implemented in the matter of a few weeks. No promises, but their development is very fast and their developers very active. If some more of you are interested in this, let's start a thread on this topic in their forums.
Flere: steve1977: Let me add Mediabrowser Server (MBS) to the list. I am using it and it works perfectly well. It also transcodes, so you can play any video and audio file as it allows you to transcode to whatever format the Avant supports. Thanks for the list. But do these solutions support the iTunes playlists which are stored in the iTunes library? That is very important, otherwise I can also just use the media server running on the NAS working with the music file backup.
Thanks for the list.
But do these solutions support the iTunes playlists which are stored in the iTunes library?
That is very important, otherwise I can also just use the media server running on the NAS working with the music file backup.
Agree with you. Mediabrowser has a very active developer group. Importing playlists is not supported yet, but I can imagine that it will be implemented within a few days or weeks if there is sufficient demand for it. If you are interested in this functionality, you may want to reply in below thread:
http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/15898-mbs-importing-itunes-playlists/
i can also recommend Media Browser, been using it for years. I started off just using it for my TV series and movies, but have expanded into music. DLNA support is awesome, works on alot of my devices, xbox one, Samsung and LG TV, Onkyo AVR and my Sony AVR.
I can use my iPhone or iPad as a remote to send the music from the "Media Server" to any of the devices listed above plus others.
http://mediabrowser.tv/
Flere: Now that I have a BeoVision Avant 55 I am looking for software such that I can access this Mac iTunes music library via the HomeMedia section. I guess this means that I need software which turns my Mac iTunes system into a DLNA server. I do not want to use Airplay and Apple TV because that interferes with the quality and then I could not use the HomeMedia player section of the Avant
I do not want to use Airplay and Apple TV because that interferes with the quality and then I could not use the HomeMedia player section of the Avant
Hi,
I sort of go about this via two different paths at home.
We have a BV11 and our library is iTunes-ish... the music sits on a Synology NAS which can act both as a DLNA server for the TV HomeMedia Player and as an iTunes Server for the Mac's.
We have an Apple TV connected to the BV11, but I've never tried using that to play audio from one of the Mac's, since I only use the HomeMedia player for our local files on the TV (mostly because a growing part of our music collection is comprised of high-res files (mostly 96/24 FLAC). The Apple TV is typically used for NetRadio and Netflix - and streaming to the TV from things like ViaPlay, the Synology player on our iOS toys, and our laptop.
I'm not sure that this is the answer you're looking for, but I can say that I am really happy with our Synology NAS.
I am curious, however, about your statement regarding the Apple TV and it interfering with quality. Could you explain what, exactly, you mean by that?
Cheers
-geoff
I have about the same setup. I manage my music with itunes. The iTunes library is on a Synology NAS and shared via synolgy dlna server and Synology iTunes server. The BV11 homemedia player sees and displays the music, however cannot play it since I decided to rip my cd's in ALAC, which it cannot decode. In the end I decided to activate iTunes Match on the PC I manage my music from. I can now play my collection from any idevice including the AppleTV that's built into the BV11. The music I play is not lossless this way, but I have my collection in lossless for future use...
Sometimes I wonder if it was worth it ripping about 600 cd's since most of the time I just use the Spotify app from the BV11...
BeoVision 11-55, BeoLab 8000, BeoRemote One BT, AppleTV 4, 2x BeoPlay A2, BeoPlay A1
Amazone:Sometimes I wonder if it was worth it ripping about 600 cd's since most of the time I just use the Spotify app from the BV11...
We use Spotify for surfing - more like a radio than a music player. The kids use it a lot - however, my tastes in music are a little too weird for Spotify - so when I'm home alone, I'm almost always playing off the NAS.
On the other hand, I occasionally have fun surfing forgotify.com - but there is no app for this yet...
Geoff Martin: I am curious, however, about your statement regarding the Apple TV and it interfering with quality. Could you explain what, exactly, you mean by that? Cheers -geoff
Amazone:The music I play is not lossless this way, but I have my collection in lossless for future use... Sometimes I wonder if it was worth it ripping about 600 cd's since most of the time I just use the Spotify app from the BV11...
Flere: Hi Geoff, What I mean is the digital stuff Apple does to the audio stream in terms of volume control and AirPlay. I just want the digital audio source file to reach the B&O based audio processing. As far as I know AirPlay + ATV will not let me do that.
Hi Geoff,
What I mean is the digital stuff Apple does to the audio stream in terms of volume control and AirPlay. I just want the digital audio source file to reach the B&O based audio processing. As far as I know AirPlay + ATV will not let me do that.
If that is what you want, you should connect the digital output of your PC/Mac to the digital input of the BV with a cable.
You can configure that as a source and assign it to a button on the remote in order to turn it on with one click .
AND use a decent player software depending on the OS of your computer.
Millemissen:If that is what you want , you should connect the digital output of your PC/Mac to the digital input of the BV with a cable. You can configure that as a source and assign it to a button on the remote in order to turn it on with one click .AND use a decent player software depending on the OS of your computer.MMThere is a tv - and there is a BV.
Flere: Millemissen: If that is what you want , you should connect the digital output of your PC/Mac to the digital input of the BV with a cable. You can configure that as a source and assign it to a button on the remote in order to turn it on with one click . AND use a decent player software depending on the OS of your computer. MM Thanks for the advice, but if I wanted that I would not have bought this B&O installation.
Millemissen: If that is what you want , you should connect the digital output of your PC/Mac to the digital input of the BV with a cable. You can configure that as a source and assign it to a button on the remote in order to turn it on with one click . AND use a decent player software depending on the OS of your computer. MM
If that is what you want , you should connect the digital output of your PC/Mac to the digital input of the BV with a cable.
Thanks for the advice, but if I wanted that I would not have bought this B&O installation.
A direct connection will allways be the purest - if you use the right player-software, and a good cable.
Another question is, if one (you) will be able to hear any of these 'influences' using the streaming vs the direct connection method?
I am not the one to judge for you on that subject!
N.B. If you'd go for the direct connection, you would need the BV anyway - so it would still be a 'B&O installation'.
Above I did mention the JRiver player software.
If you use this AND a wired connection to/from your Mac, you can actually control it with your iPad.
The JRemote app is an excellent controller!
http://www.jremote.net/
Millemissen:What I meant was, that you will always have - let's call it - 'influencing', whether you use AirPlay or DLNA for streaming. A direct connection will allways be the purest - if you use the right player-software, and a good cable. Another question is, if one (you) will be able to hear any of these 'influences' using the streaming vs the direct connection method? I am not to judge for you on that subject. N.B. If you'd go for the direct connection, you would need the BV anyway - so it would still be a 'B&O installation'. Above I did mention the JRiver player software. If you use this AND a wired connection to your Mac, you can actually control it with your iPad. The JRemote app is an excellent controller! http://www.jremote.net/ MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
Millemissen:What I meant was, that you will always have - let's call it - 'influencing', whether you use AirPlay or DLNA for streaming.
Maybe this would help for a start - it is about how (well) the JRemote works with the Mac version of Jriver:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=81674.0
Here is more in general, that might help - even if it is based on an earlier Windowss version of the Jriver software as an audio player:
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/436-jriver-media-center-17-detail/
From there on you should be able to google for, what you need.
Flere: Millemissen: What I meant was, that you will always have - let's call it - 'influencing', whether you use AirPlay or DLNA for streaming. BTW, I updated my previous post to which you already replied. It was to short to explain.
Millemissen: What I meant was, that you will always have - let's call it - 'influencing', whether you use AirPlay or DLNA for streaming.
What I meant was, that you will always have - let's call it - 'influencing', whether you use AirPlay or DLNA for streaming.
BTW, I updated my previous post to which you already replied. It was to short to explain.
I did not notice that, when writing my post.
But I still think, that you have choosen the 'right 'installation - the B&O setup!
The only question - now - is, how do you use it in a way, that suits your needs and wishes.
I hpe my links can be of some inspiration - at least one can learn a lot about audio, reading these articles.
Flere: I just want to avoid the dithering and compression tricks Apple is probably doing when using iTunes+AirPlay+ATV.
I just want to avoid the dithering and compression tricks Apple is probably doing when using iTunes+AirPlay+ATV.
I am not aware, that Apple is using any kind of compression with Airplay.
The protocol used for AirPlay-audio is ALAC-16/44.1.
When it comes to 'dithering' using the ATV, I am not the one to answer that question - maybe someone else could.
I guess that is more about the quality of the hardware/the DAC solution used in the ATV.
Millemissen:I am not aware, that Apple is using any kind of compression with Airplay. The protocol used for AirPlay-audio is ALAC-16/44.1. When it comes to 'dithering' using the ATV, I am not the one to answer that question - maybe someone else could. I guess that is more about the quality of the hardware/the DAC solution used in the ATV. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
Millemissen: When it comes to 'dithering' using the ATV, I am not the one to answer that question - maybe someone else could.
Dithering is a good thing. I'm not sure if the Apple TV does it. However, dither should always be applied to any digital signal when you quantise or re-quantise it. This is partly because program-independent noise (dither) is better than distortion (quantisation error) but also because, when a signal is dithered properly, you are able to hear signals that are "below" the noise floor. (This statement isn't really true - but I won't bother explaining it unless someone asks...)
For a visual analogy explanation of this, please see this link.
BeoNut since '75
I am not trying to interfer - I am interested in hearing the answer from Geoff, too (if/when he has time for it).
But are you talking 2 channel audio (stereo/music) or multichannel audio?