NAS media players (for FLAC music and DVD) and connectivity
Discussion
I'm fairly clueless about modern technology, so go easy on me!!
I have a non smart TV, a Naim Uniti and Sonos play 5 and would like to get rid of all my physical DVDs and CDs and put all the content on a NAS drive.
I'm looking at something like http://dbmservers.tictail.com/product/3tb-dbm-prem... which seems to be fairly plug and play. In terms of music, I'd stream the digital FLAC files to the Naim and let the on board DAC do the rest. Can the SONOS do the same?
For the TV, this is bit where I get confused. Various people have suggested a wired connection to avoid dropout, but what happens if I upgrade my router to something very modern like: http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/18905-net... ?
Also, in terms of getting the DVD information off the NAS onto the TV, a) how would I achieve this and b) I presume I need an interface to be able to choose the DVD in the first place?
Apologies if this is obvious to those in the know.
I have a non smart TV, a Naim Uniti and Sonos play 5 and would like to get rid of all my physical DVDs and CDs and put all the content on a NAS drive.
I'm looking at something like http://dbmservers.tictail.com/product/3tb-dbm-prem... which seems to be fairly plug and play. In terms of music, I'd stream the digital FLAC files to the Naim and let the on board DAC do the rest. Can the SONOS do the same?
For the TV, this is bit where I get confused. Various people have suggested a wired connection to avoid dropout, but what happens if I upgrade my router to something very modern like: http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/18905-net... ?
Also, in terms of getting the DVD information off the NAS onto the TV, a) how would I achieve this and b) I presume I need an interface to be able to choose the DVD in the first place?
Apologies if this is obvious to those in the know.
Your Uniti is an audio player/renderer - to play movies to a 'dumb' TV you'll need a video version of the Uniti.
There is lots of choice over a wide budget - I've just recommended the model I use on another thread - WD TV live.
Around £60 if you shop around for a small fag-packet sized box that can handle almost all popular video files.
Ethernet or wirelessly connect (wireless should be ok for DVD rips but I always choose wired for BR rips) to your router and point it to where you store your files - it'll play from NAS, USB HDD's and network shared folders from any PC or laptop/tablet/phone connected to the network.
Don't let the low price fool you - an MKV file ripped from a bluray played via the WD can look excellent - once I ripped all my discs I sold my £1000 BR player.
The only thing I lost out on was the latest HD audio codecs - plain DD or DTS 5.1 still sounds great though.
There is lots of choice over a wide budget - I've just recommended the model I use on another thread - WD TV live.
Around £60 if you shop around for a small fag-packet sized box that can handle almost all popular video files.
Ethernet or wirelessly connect (wireless should be ok for DVD rips but I always choose wired for BR rips) to your router and point it to where you store your files - it'll play from NAS, USB HDD's and network shared folders from any PC or laptop/tablet/phone connected to the network.
Don't let the low price fool you - an MKV file ripped from a bluray played via the WD can look excellent - once I ripped all my discs I sold my £1000 BR player.
The only thing I lost out on was the latest HD audio codecs - plain DD or DTS 5.1 still sounds great though.
Don't want to be a party pooper.
I just know 2 people who did something similar one lost the lot when the drives failed. The other put all the cds / dvds onto spindles in the cupboard and dumped the cases (or so he thought) to his sister. A few months later he wished he hadn't as he missed the physical act of looking through them. Sister had anticipated this and he was happy when she told him they were all in the bin bags in her loft. So much so he decorated her lounge for her
On a practical level just try and check they all play in the manner you want them to ie do they search back and forth or just jump it can come down to the formats used.
Good luck however you do it.
I just know 2 people who did something similar one lost the lot when the drives failed. The other put all the cds / dvds onto spindles in the cupboard and dumped the cases (or so he thought) to his sister. A few months later he wished he hadn't as he missed the physical act of looking through them. Sister had anticipated this and he was happy when she told him they were all in the bin bags in her loft. So much so he decorated her lounge for her
On a practical level just try and check they all play in the manner you want them to ie do they search back and forth or just jump it can come down to the formats used.
Good luck however you do it.
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