UPnP vs. SMB for home streaming

[Deleted member 89782]

I come from SqueezeBoxes being served by LMS running on an NAS and controlled via iPeng. This was brilliant. Every possible setting in the server software you can think of, fully customizable.

I have been looking into other platforms as my Squeezeboxes were begining to age and a replacement was only a matter of time. Obvoiusly UPnP is the most common and widely supported by the majority of network players. I‘ve been playing around with this for days on end and came to the conclusion that most UPnP servers are simply crap. Most of them are not capable of scanning and rendering the album artist tag, my most used browsing method, so useless. I know that minim or plex will do it, but I‘m not willing to pay for it.
Also the UPnP plugins of LMS didn‘t do the job.

So I tried other platforms based on SMB. First was Sonos, then came Raumfeld/ Teufel. They basically did what I wanted but both where instable and crowded with trash advertisments. A horrible experience if all you want to do is listen to your on music.

I finally landed with Bluesound, which is also SMB based. It‘s free of advertisments and the app and database setup are decent. Still not comparable with LMS, but ok.

What has been other poeple‘s experience? Please, no comments on Roon. I know how to handle my music library and don‘t need an overpaid nanny for that.

 

[Deleted member 89782]

A few days ago Foobar2000 (scanning my NAS library via SMB) has released a native UPnP remote control function, also for their mobile app. And it works!
So far the only downside is the lack of volume control from mobile devices. Using f2k on a desktop provides volume control, but this is not my application.
So I‘m currently trying to get my head around designing my own skin for f2k mobile in order to incorporate a volume slider.

 

[tw99]

If you like LMS, why not keep using it ? Many devices can act as LMS players if you are concerned about hardware failures of your Logitech stuff. I'm using it with two Logitech players, one AudioPro, one MiniDSP and a couple of PCs.

 

[Vincent Kars]

Most of them are not capable of scanning and rendering the album artist tag

Really?
Wonder what server you have been using and most of all what control points.
SMB is plain file sharing. Get any low powered laptop or a Pi and install the media player of your choice on it.

 

[Chr1]

Also, I didn't think that servers scan anything usually.

I use Minimserver and can see all my relevant artwork. Generally any scanning is outwith the job of the server software however.

 

[BillG]

Obvoiusly UPnP is the most common and widely supported by the majority of network players. I‘ve been playing around with this for days on end and came to the conclusion that most UPnP servers are simply crap.

I've never cared for UPnP-DLNA either and avoid it where I can.

If you're looking for network players that support SlimProto, the native streaming protocol for LMS, a number of WiiM products do. I purchased a WiiM Amp Ultra several weeks ago that works perfectly when streaming from my LMS when using its embedded Squeezelite client-player.

 

[Deleted member 89782]

Really?
Wonder what server you have been using and most of all what control points.
SMB is plain file sharing. Get any low powered laptop or a Pi and install the media player of your choice on it.

I am somewhat restricted in my choice as they must be able to run my QNAP NAS.
I know there are Minim and Asset and both will do what I want, but I am hesitant to spend any money on this. Call me spoiled by LMS if you like.

Shortly after my last post I discovered Linn Kazoo. It was actually offered to me by QNAP as an install option. It is VERY lightweight and simple. But it will output Album Artists instead of Track Artists and it is the fastest on scanning a library I have ever seen.

 

[kyuu]

I'm a lazy bastard who put the least amount of effort into my DLNA/UPnP streaming, so it's weird to me that you're having any issues with this. I have a Synology Media Server, and I can see the Album Artist on either the (extremely basic) JBL Premium app for my AVR or on the Wiim Home app for my Wiim Amp.

 

[linuxfan]

I come from SqueezeBoxes being served by LMS running on an NAS and controlled via iPeng. This was brilliant
...
I have been looking into other platforms as my Squeezeboxes were begining to age and a replacement was only a matter of time.

Easy - I suggest you buy a WiiM Pro to replace the Squeezbox. It's an LMS-compatible endpoint (the WiiM Mini is not LMS-compatible).
Keep using your NAS+LMS and iPeng.

I agree that LMS (now Lyrion) is the go-to local music server, but in the past I have tested several DLNA server apps which have been bullet-proof;
- minidlna (preferably with large cover-art modification)
- MinimServer
- Synology Media Server

 

[Deleted member 89782]

Easy - I suggest you buy a WiiM Pro to replace the Squeezbox. It's an LMS-compatible endpoint (the WiiM Mini is not LMS-compatible).

I believe you and have heard it mentioned before. But on the official website of WiiM I cannot find a single hint regarding squeezelite.

 

[kyuu]

How to Stream Music from LMS to Your WiiM Device with Squeezelite

TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview of Squeezelite Compatible WiiM Devices Before You Begin Steps to Stream Music from LMS to Your WiiM Device Troubleshooting: WiiM Device Not Found Tips This tutorial will guide you through the process of stream...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[Deleted member 89782]

Weird that they don't mention it on their product websites. Its a realy feature.

 

[terryforsythe]

I believe you and have heard it mentioned before. But on the official website of WiiM I cannot find a single hint regarding squeezelite.

As I write this, I am streaming from LMS, running on my NAS, to my WiiM Ultra using Squeezelite. It streams well and the album artwork is rendered on the WiiM's display.

Via the WiiM remote I can skip between tracks. But, I do not use my WiiM to browse my music content, and I am not sure whether it will support that. For browsing my music content I access the LMS web interface using my tablet, my phone or my computer.

 

[BillG]

But, I do not use my WiiM to browse my music content, and I am not sure whether it will support that.

No, WiiM products don't support browsing LMS. It's not listed as one of the Music Services one can activate in the WiiM Home app.

I would think it would be easy to add, as all it would need to do is open a web page in an embedded browser. However, WiiM may not wish to, due to how customizable LMS is and the added burden of potentially providing tech support for that.

 

[Deleted member 89782]

I‘d prefer to use iPeng as the control point anyway. As long as the streamer is recognised as a Squeezebox all should be fine.

 

[somebodyelse]

I would think it would be easy to add, as all it would need to do is open a web page in an embedded browser. However, WiiM may not wish to, due to how customizable LMS is and the added burden of potentially providing tech support for that.

@Rider just demonstrated the other reason they may not wish to - most people already using LMS will have their preferred way of controlling it already, and they probably account for most of the likely users.

 

[Burnside]

But, I do not use my WiiM to browse my music content, and I am not sure whether it will support that.

There is a very old (and unsupported) LMS plugin “UPnP/DLNA Media Interface” that would allow you to browse your Lyrion library from the WiiM app, but it’s very limited and I can’t think why anyone would use it when there are much better Lyrion alternative clients.

 

[Deleted member 89782]

I‘m currently listening on my new WiiiM Amp Ultra and I can report that LMS works extremely well on this unit.
You cannot control it in the WiiM app but all LMS compatible controllers incuding iPeng will take full control of the WiiM. I am very pleasantely surprised!

 

[Burnside]

I‘m currently listening on my new WiiiM Amp Ultra and I can report that LMS works extremely well on this unit.
You cannot control it in the WiiM app but all LMS compatible controllers incuding iPeng will take full control of the WiiM. I am very pleasantely surprised!

The WiiM Squeezelite client has worked out of the box with very few issues since it was first introduced. It is indeed very useful…

 

[Faker_Hifi]

So here's the question: Is there a difference in sound between SMB and UPnP? I can even hear differences when using different UPnP software players on the same device.