'home media centre'

[eFestivals]

I've just put a USB TV dongle on my NAS (Synology DS214play), which i'm using to record TV programmes much like an old-style VHS recorder.

Last night was the first time I've tried playing back to the TV using Chromecast, but I couldn't get it to play for some reason - tho it would play on my tablet using Aria (a video playback app). Aria supports Chromecast, but when I tried to Chromecast it just hung there.

The TV recording is made in TS format (whatever that is). Chromecast doesn't support that format, so it needs transponding (which my NAS will do OK), but I can't work out where/how I do that.

Does anyone know what i might need, or might need to do, to get it to work with Chromecast?

[5co77ie]

I'd guess that a bunch of bluetooth speakers would be the best way to go for all speakers to be in-sync - unless you go the Airplay route, as that's designed for simultaneous playing (while DNLA isn't as far as i know, tho it can be made to work I think).

There was only one reasonably priced Bluetooth syncing speakers in Richer Sounds, called Pure Jongo, and they didn't sound great. Edited January 8, 2015 by 5co77ie

[5co77ie]

I've just put a USB TV dongle on my NAS (Synology DS214play), which i'm using to record TV programmes much like an old-style VHS recorder.

Last night was the first time I've tried playing back to the TV using Chromecast, but I couldn't get it to play for some reason - tho it would play on my tablet using Aria (a video playback app). Aria supports Chromecast, but when I tried to Chromecast it just hung there.

The TV recording is made in TS format (whatever that is). Chromecast doesn't support that format, so it needs transponding (which my NAS will do OK), but I can't work out where/how I do that.

Does anyone know what i might need, or might need to do, to get it to work with Chromecast?

Is it something to do with the fact you just point Chromecast as the file on the net and it reads it from there - I guess you need to have the files findable on the web rather than on your home network - I had similar issues using a photo programme to display galleries to Chromecast, but got it working eventuially - can't remember how I was in a Lemsip Max haze.

[eFestivals]

Is it something to do with the fact you just point Chromecast as the file on the net and it reads it from there - I guess you need to have the files findable on the web rather than on your home network - I had similar issues using a photo programme to display galleries to Chromecast, but got it working eventuially - can't remember how I was in a Lemsip Max haze.

Chromecast supports various file-types, but TS isn't one of those formats. So the file will need transposing on the NAS (which my NAS is capable of doing) before it's streamed to the Chromecast.

Either I've got to change some settings on the NAS so that it does transpose, or I need to access the file on the nas in a particular way or with a particular piece of software so that it gets transposed.

[5co77ie]

you'll need more than just a projector - it will need to be a 'smart' projector (eg: a computer), that's capable of turning a digital file into vision that is projectable.

Mind you, i'm not sure how well it would work outside. Every attempt i've ever made at watching moving picture in the outdoors has been a waste of time, because there's too much ambient light for the light in the picture to get above.

there's not a lot of ambient light here - I want to project onto the plain garden wall through an open window - what I haven't thought about is how late it gets dark in the summer. I thought perhaps I can use an app to control it and serve files from the NAS.

[5co77ie]

I'd guess that a bunch of bluetooth speakers would be the best way to go for all speakers to be in-sync - unless you go the Airplay route, as that's designed for simultaneous playing (while DNLA isn't as far as i know, tho it can be made to work I think).

Thinking of going with Polk Omni - anyone had any experience of them?

http://wireless.polkaudio.com/

Takes up to 16 wireless speakers on one Wi-Fi network at one time with up to 256 devices can be supported. Eight separate wireless sound devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.), each with its own source, are supported simultaneously, and any wireless device can stream up to 8 playback devices. Multiple streams to different zones can be streamed from one wireless source device.

[eFestivals]

got a bit further.

TS format means "transport stream", and it's merely a transport layer for another format, such as mp4. It supposedly works with Chromecast, using Synology's DS_Video app.

However, when I go to play the video thru DS_Video to Chromecast it errors.

[eFestivals]

there's not a lot of ambient light here

you live somewhere oin the ether, with no sunlight?

[eFestivals]

Thinking of going with Polk Omni

have you seen their prices?

For the price of each speaker, you could sort yourself a DLNA player of any sort (even just a Raspberry Pi) and hook up much better speakers and get a much better sound.

The only possible advantage of those speakers is the easy set-up and syncing them all at the same time - but how often will you want the same music in sync playing everywhere in the house?

Why not just buy a decent portable speaker (eg: a minirig) and stream to that from your NAS via your phone?

[5co77ie]

have you seen their prices?

For the price of each speaker, you could sort yourself a DLNA player of any sort (even just a Raspberry Pi) and hook up much better speakers and get a much better sound.

The only possible advantage of those speakers is the easy set-up and syncing them all at the same time - but how often will you want the same music in sync playing everywhere in the house?

Why not just buy a decent portable speaker (eg: a minirig) and stream to that from your NAS via your phone?

You can buy the speakers one/two at a time, from what I read Polk are pretty decent quality (I want them for my home system replacement) - but I want the living room, dining room and kitchen in the loop, and with wireless I can also put them in the garden/patio in the summer.

My last speakers I had were 3 foot hight cost me £300 each and the daughter 'lost' them while we were at a festival! Since then, and it's been a couple of years, I've had to use crappy bluetooth speakers, and DAB radio to listen to music. Having separates (stuck in the garage) and no speakers is a bit of a waste of time without some decent speakers.

Edited January 8, 2015 by 5co77ie

[eFestivals]

You can buy the speakers one/two at a time, from what I read Polk are pretty decent quality (I want them for my home system replacement) - but I want the living room, dining room and kitchen in the loop, and with wireless I can also put them in the garden/patio in the summer.

There's still much better ways to do it, that will give both a better sound and be cheaper.

My last speakers I had were 3 foot hight cost me £300 each and the daughter 'lost' them while we were at a festival! Since then, and it's been a couple of years, I've had to use crappy bluetooth speakers, and DAB radio to listen to music. Having separates (stuck in the garage) and no speakers is a bit of a waste of time without some decent speakers.

So buy some decent speakers. You can get very decent Wharfdale Diamonds for around £50.

I guarantee they'll sound better hooked up to a decent amp than any bluetooth speakers you might buy.

[5co77ie]

the Polk ones aren't Bluetooth, but I get your drift. Polk 'Omni' speakers were going for £90 on black Friday, not bad for a speaker company which at one time was voted the 'Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time' - i was thinking of getting them next year on Black Friday - I don't impulse buy very often .

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Omni-Wireless-Speaker/dp/B00NAMZA4Q

PLUS: Imagine having them in the van, rolling them out around the awning and immersing myself in them!

This bit sounds useful:

The speaker has an Aux jack (the play 1 doesn't). This comes in really handy because I can plug the speaker into my television via cord and actually hear the dialogue when i sit in bed. The speaker is also designed so that, whenever I connect to it via the app on my phone, the wifi will override the aux jack audio. And when I disconnect from the speaker via my phone, it automatically reverts back to the tv audio!

So I can use them for something else to play through, and then when I'm having a party I can take it over as a linked sound device. If I get them I'd probably get someone to buy them for me in the States, and breing em back

Edited January 8, 2015 by 5co77ie

[eFestivals]

i was thinking of getting them next year on Black Friday

you'll have a job I reckon. There won't be a black friday next year, the retailers have realised they mugged themselves.

PLUS: Imagine having them in the van, rolling them out around the awning and immersing myself in them!

but still not as good as a cheaper speaker like the minirig.

[5co77ie]

you'll have a job I reckon. There won't be a black friday next year, the retailers have realised they mugged themselves..

I meant the US online version - not the high street version

[5co77ie]

but still not as good as a cheaper speaker like the minirig.

I've got a couple of Bolse SZ-801 from my sister that NFC to my phone that aren't bad speakers, but annoyingly they don't have a display so I have to refer to my phone.

I meant to ask does the Minirig have a display detailing what it's playing?

[eFestivals]

I've got a couple of Bolse SZ-801 from my sister that NFC to my phone that aren't bad speakers, but annoyingly they don't have a display so I have to refer to my phone.

I meant to ask does the Minirig have a display detailing what it's playing?

I think you need to withdraw your current thoughts, to start again at the beginning whilst getting to understand all of the possibilities that a set-up around a NAS could have.

Why do you need a display on the speakers?

You're likely to have your phone with you, anyway - cos people normally do. But if you're playing stuff from your NAS, you'll need your phone (or similar) to do that playing anyway.

Wouldn't a set-up be better where you can play individually to any speakers AND in sync (as required), to give you maximum flexibility? This could be done far cheaper than what you're looking at, AND give greater flexibility than just to do those two things.

The number of times your likely to want music sync'd is tiny, i'm sure. This is something I started looking into, and thought it would be great to have .... but two years down the line there's not been a single occasion where i'd have used it if i'd have followed thru on getting it set-up.

[eFestivals]

PS:

Quality streaming hi-fi system: £219

http://www.richersounds.com/product/mini-hi-fi/marantz/mcr510-melody-stream/mara-mcr510-blk

Excellent speakers: £50

http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-speakers/wharfedale/diamond-9.0/whar-9.0-blk

Maximum flexibility: free.

[5co77ie]

PS:

Quality streaming hi-fi system: £219

http://www.richersounds.com/product/mini-hi-fi/marantz/mcr510-melody-stream/mara-mcr510-blk

Excellent speakers: £50

http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-speakers/wharfedale/diamond-9.0/whar-9.0-blk

Maximum flexibility: free.

like it thanks Edited January 8, 2015 by 5co77ie

[windy_miller]

I have some Wharfdale Diamond 9.1s (I don't think they make them any more) and they are the dog's doo-dahs.

Its a shame that they stopped making the Squeezbox Touch. I would instantly recommend it to anyone looking for a streaming solution. Actually you can still buy them on Amazon... for £500! I paid £160 for mine a few years ago.

[5co77ie]

anyone used one of these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009OBCAW2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

or this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MH74OEC

or this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JKD09B8/

I'm thinking - based on my use the speakers for other things idea - why not use the portable stereos around the house we already have - and stream the NAS to them. Any downsides on this?

Edited January 8, 2015 by 5co77ie

[eFestivals]

I'm thinking - based on my use the speakers for other things idea - why not use the portable stereos around the house we already have - and stream the NAS to them. Any downsides on this?

the only downside would be the sound quality limited by tyhe quality of those portables, as well as limited by the quality of the DAC in those bluetooth adapters - but if you're using those portables anyway, the sound quality must be acceptable.

I'd not seen those bluetooth adapters before - I've never used bluetooth at all, ever - but now I'm trying to think about how i might use them with kit i've got kicking around, to get more of a multi-room set-up.

[5co77ie]

I'd not seen those bluetooth adapters before - I've never used bluetooth at all, ever - but now I'm trying to think about how i might use them with kit i've got kicking around, to get more of a multi-room set-up.

That's what I'm thinking too.

I use NFC Bluetooth quite a lot, I've got NFC headphones and 2 NFC speakers - the back of my phone has an NFC chip in it - so I just touch it with one of the speakers/headphones and it's linked - then I run Bubble uPnP to play music from the NAS - sound quality if pretty good - I'm guessing that's down to the phone's spec. I notice the the third link I put upo says it's Bubble compatible (though I don't know whether specifically mentioning it means it does anything special)

Edited January 8, 2015 by 5co77ie

[eFestivals]

I notice the the third link I put upo says it's Bubble compatible (though I don't know whether specifically mentioning it means it does anything special)

I saw that too.

I'm presuming that it's merely saying that music can be sent to it via Bubble, rather than anything on the device actively working with Bubble (Bubble would be used on a phone, to render music to that phone, with the phone's 'speaker' output diverted to a remote stereo via bluetooth on the phone to the bluetooth device).

[windy_miller]

anyone used one of these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009OBCAW2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

or this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MH74OEC

or this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JKD09B8/

I'm thinking - based on my use the speakers for other things idea - why not use the portable stereos around the house we already have - and stream the NAS to them. Any downsides on this?

Note that the first two are different beasts to the last one. The first 2 are Bluetooth receivers, which would enable you to send your phone output to your stereo.

The third one is a DNLA and AirPlay player. So it connects to your DLNA or AirPLay enabled NAS and streams the music directly from it. You'd have to control it using BubleUpnp or something similar.

The advantage of the DLNA solution is that Bluetooth is a lossy compression, so it wouldn't sound as good as receiving the files directly from the NAS. I would check it has a digital output too (assuming you have digital input on your amp), as the DACs in these cheap devices is usually crap.

[5co77ie]

Note that the first two are different beasts to the last one. The first 2 are Bluetooth receivers, which would enable you to send your phone output to your stereo.

The third one is a DNLA and AirPlay player. So it connects to your DLNA or AirPLay enabled NAS and streams the music directly from it. You'd have to control it using BubleUpnp or something similar.

The advantage of the DLNA solution is that Bluetooth is a lossy compression, so it wouldn't sound as good as receiving the files directly from the NAS. I would check it has a digital output too (assuming you have digital input on your amp), as the DACs in these cheap devices is usually crap.

Ah thanks, no my amp is the old left/right red/white.