Linn Forums

SoundAdikt · 2012-06-08, 10:28

David, would you be able clarify my understanding of the Linn Media Server: Is the point of this to allow people who have an iTunes library, view and play tracks from it via their preferred control point? Kinsky already allows users to select where their iTunes library is, but this requires the two to be running on the same system. I presume this circumvents this - is this correct?

Second, what do you mean be "browsing web apps" - can you give an example? I can already access BBC content via Kinsky, in what way does Media Server provide additional capabilities?

Many thanks, SoundAdikt.

grahamd · (This post was last modified: 2012-06-08 11:37 by grahamd.)

SoundAdikt,

You are correct in your understanding of the advantage of accessing iTunes via the Linn Media Server rather than through Kinsky. To reiterate, you run the Linn Media Server on the same machine as your iTunes library, and you are then able to access that library from any control point on your network, which will now include both non-Kinsky control points and iPad and iPhone versions of Kinsky.

It is really the same thing that goes for the Media Apps. It is preferable to have a single Media Server in your home, which keeps up to date information from, for instance, the BBC. The media is again accessible by all control points on your network, rather than having each and every control point individually collecting this information from the BBC every time the control point is started. You will also notice that the list of Media Apps available in Linn Media Server is much larger than the list provided by Kinsky, and the list of Linn Media Server Media Apps will grow over time as well.

When you install a Media App in the Linn Media Server configuration page you will notice that that Media App appears in the Linn Media Server browse tree. Once the Media App is fully installed, then its media becomes browsable and playable. Different Media Apps take various times to install. Some are very fast; the BBC takes 5-10 minutes, and Librivox can take several hours. But once this initial installation period has elapsed, up to date media should be continually available from then on.

Graham

Briain · (This post was last modified: 2012-06-08 12:51 by Briain.)

(2012-06-07 18:17)SaltyDog Wrote: Dear David,

Have Linn looked into jRiver Media Center v 17?

Any thoughts you'd care to share?

I have to say it is the best for me by a long shot. But I have no idea why others don't use it.

A script to configure it for Linn would be nice, since the program is so powerful it might be there is an intimidation factor. (This is another dare Briain.)

And Rik if you haven't noticed I have jRiver streaming redbook FLAC at 24bit to the DS. 24/192 stream without problems. Windows 7 version is the only do it all I have experienced. Sound is better, control is better.

Hi

One of my friends has been using JR for years and I've always thought it to be totally excellent. He uses it on a PC (it's under the floor to keep the noise down), with a wireless keyboard to drive things and it's video out fed up to his wide screen TV (with JR in 'theatre mode'); the PC feeds a DAC which then feeds into his amp. I've never looked at JR to see if it can be tweaked to use custom trees (as I find theses essential when browsing my own music collection) as the total show-stopper for me is that it would need a PC to be switched on all the time. To me, a media server must run on an energy efficient device like an ARM based NAS and thus be something which can be left on 24/7 (for instant availability), so to me, there are currently only two practical media servers on the market (for a Qnap NAS); Twonky and MinimServer.

Out of interest, at the moment I'm using Twonky for the vast bulk of my collection, and MinimServer for the hundreds of compilations that I want to keep, but don't want to have cluttering my main browsing experience. That works really, really well, but what I'd love is to use MinimServer for all my classical stuff and Twonky for everything else (even the app logos work really well for that idea); the only thing stopping that plan is that MinimServer has no user option to deal with the non-standard Twonky multi-genre system (which, unfortunately - for reasons outside the scope of this post - I need to keep).

It's absolutely great to hear that Linn are working on something, and I'll really look forward to trying it if a Linux version appears some time down the road.

Bri Smile

slacker076 · 2012-06-08, 13:07

It would be awesome if we saw a QPKG add on for QNAP at some point. Any chance of this?

grahamd · 2012-06-08, 14:36

(2012-06-08 12:31)Briain Wrote: It's absolutely great to hear that Linn are working on something, and I'll really look forward to trying it if a Linux version appears some time down the road.

Bri

Man, you are easily pleased. Linn are always working on something and there will pretty well always be something for you to try some time down the line. Smile

Graham

michel-rose · 2012-06-08, 15:09

Hi Linn,
Just installed the Linn Media Server on my laptop (windows 8 release preview).
Media server runs and I am able to browse it using KDT.

Can anyone estimate the amount of data needs to be downloaded for the BBC and Linn Records media apps. I have been waiting for quite some time now, but it is still 'refreshing'

Kind regards
Michel-Rose

Briain · (This post was last modified: 2012-06-08 15:17 by Briain.)

(2012-06-08 14:36)grahamd Wrote:
(2012-06-08 12:31)Briain Wrote: It's absolutely great to hear that Linn are working on something, and I'll really look forward to trying it if a Linux version appears some time down the road.

Bri

Man, you are easily pleased. Linn are always working on something and there will pretty well always be something for you to try some time down the line.

Graham

I Know that; I'm still waiting to be invited over for a dram of that McLinn whisky that you've been making in the illegal still at the back of the big blue shed!
Big Grin

grahamd · 2012-06-08, 15:35

(2012-06-08 13:07)slacker076 Wrote: It would be awesome if we saw a QPKG add on for QNAP at some point. Any chance of this?

I wouldn't hold your breath, although it is always possible that a third-party developer might do the work to get this together. It would depend on the mono qpkg.

Graham

michel-rose · 2012-06-08, 15:39

(2012-06-08 15:09)michel-rose Wrote: Hi Linn,
Just installed the Linn Media Server on my laptop (windows 8 release preview).
Media server runs and I am able to browse it using KDT.

Can anyone estimate the amount of data needs to be downloaded for the BBC and Linn Records media apps. I have been waiting for quite some time now, but it is still 'refreshing'

Kind regards
Michel-Rose

Ok all apps ready with refreshing, just be warned, it can take quite a while.

Linn, Sorry for the disturbance...

grahamd · 2012-06-08, 15:39

(2012-06-08 15:09)michel-rose Wrote: Hi Linn,
Just installed the Linn Media Server on my laptop (windows 8 release preview).
Media server runs and I am able to browse it using KDT.

Can anyone estimate the amount of data needs to be downloaded for the BBC and Linn Records media apps. I have been waiting for quite some time now, but it is still 'refreshing'

Kind regards
Michel-Rose

Hi Michel-Rose,

They each take about 10 and 5 minutes respectively here at Linn, but we do have a fast internet connection. Some of the Media Apps install very quickly (soma fm, for instance), but others are worth installing without really watching them for completion - they just become available some time later in the day. They then remain available for eternity, of course (hopefully).

Graham