Squeezebox Touch-tips, tricks & tweaks

zingo

Vortexbox seems like a good way to go as it can be loaded on any old computer and stuck in the closet since it is headless.

My computer is off when I'm not using it because it's loud from the fans and 1KW power supply. Since it's in the same room as the TV and stereo, I don't want it on if it doesn't have to be. I think I may try the Vortexbox approach if I can find a cheap enough, old computer to use as the platform, then just network it.

steveinaz

Just bought some fuzzy dice for my Touch....kidding, but I did find a new Duet controller for my touch. yeah baby.

zingo

Just found two old computers that I should be able to combine into one working computer. They are the Lenovo ThinkCentre series which are small(er) and flat and should make for easy storage. I'll build them up tonight, install Vortexbox, and give it a whirl.

mdaudioguy

zingo wrote: »

Just found two old computers that I should be able to combine into one working computer. They are the Lenovo ThinkCentre series which are small(er) and flat and should make for easy storage. I'll build them up tonight, install Vortexbox, and give it a whirl.

I think you'll like it. It automatically integrates with your network, and after installation, no monitor or keyboard is necessary. It really couldn't be easier. I've had it running for a couple of weeks now, and it's perfect.

I run it on a low-power Intel Atom-based PC that I put together.

zingo

I assume you can access the media that is on the vortex box from another PC on the network? Most of the music I acquire these days is from HDTracks, and I want to be able to drag and drop from my PC to the Vortexbox.

mdaudioguy

zingo wrote: »

I assume you can access the media that is on the vortex box from another PC on the network? Most of the music I acquire these days is from HDTracks, and I want to be able to drag and drop from my PC to the Vortexbox.

Yes, check out the Documentation page for specific details here: http://vortexbox.org/documentation/
Read through the first few links under "Get your VortexBox up and running".

Syndil

No need for a plug computer. Many current-generation NAS devices have more powerful processors and more RAM in them than a plug computer, so there's no advantage to it.

In particular the ReadyNAS Ultra series runs Intel i3 processors, the same as in many budget laptops, and will run the Squeezebox server directly from the NAS. This gives you the advantage of having expandable storage, storage that is protected by RAID redundancy, and not needing to keep a PC running 24/7. Plus there is the bonus that it can be used for the more traditional NAS uses as well, such as backup target for your computers.

I myself am in the process of re-wiring my house (ethernet, CATV, audio, HDMI, security, etc.) and will be using a central closet as my primary equipment room in which a ReadyNAS Ultra 2 will be performing various tasks, including operating as my Squeezebox server.

steveinaz

I'll likely go Nas later down the road.

steveinaz

The more I research, the more I think building a vortexbox is the way to go. Free OS, no need for any under-lying OS.

Check this out: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VSY66O/ref=nosim?tag=vort-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380549

Or you can simply load the free OS on any computer.

Here's more info, interesting---I like it: http://vortexbox.org/documentation/

Syndil

The Vortexbox runs a custom distro of Linux, as does the ReadyNAS Ultra and most any other NAS appliance, so the OS is not a factor.

The VortexBox appliance you linked to at Amazon is much more limited than most any other NAS as it only supports one hard drive, and is therefore not expandable nor does it support RAID. The only feature it has that most NAS devices do not is the presence of a CD-drive, which is quite unnecessary. Once a NAS is properly set up on a network, you can map drives from your PC to the NAS and rip your music directly from your PC to the NAS, without having to physically go to the NAS an put the music CD in it. LG makes expandable, RAIDable NAS devices with a CD-drive, should you really want that drive.

The VortexBox appliance has an Intel Atom 1.6 GHz CPU (most commonly found in netbooks), 1GB of DDR2 RAM, and of course that single hard 1TB drive is a huge limitation for a NAS. For $10 less than the price of that VortexBox, you could get a ReadyNAS Ultra 2 with a single 2TB drive installed, room to add another for expansion or redundancy, and a 1.8GHz Intel processor and 1GB of DDR3 RAM. It lacks a CD drive, but again, unnecessary.

Now if you have hardware sitting around you want to put VortexBox on and create your own NAS, that's another option altogether, but if you're going to buy something, I would recommend against the VortexBox.

steveinaz

Great advice! I don't need the drive. So ReadyNas Ultra 2 huh? Lemme check that out. Thanks.

nspindel

The mrs. and I are looking to downsize from a house to an appartment in about three years. At that point, I'll probably be giving up the computer-based dvr that I'm running (SageTV) as well as the home automation stuff I installed, at which point the only thing left on my server would be the Squeezebox. At that point I'll probably be very interested in running Squeezecenter on a NAS. I have the ReadyNas NV+ right now, but it's not nearly powerful enough to do a good job at running the server. I think you can get it to run, but there's no way I'd be able to stream decompressed PCM the way I do now. So I'd probaby be upgrading the NAS at that point, or stick with the current NAS and go with one of those plug things. Who knows, the technology will change a lot over the next three years....

SCompRacer

Just curious, how does the VortexBox handle tagging/album art? Or must you do that after it rips? Myself, I like to control tagging before ripping. Fill that 1TB drive up and your first complete backup will take hours with USB out. Fortunately I have eSata ports on my PC for backup to an external drive.

Syndil

SCompRacer wrote: »

Just curious, how does the VortexBox handle tagging/album art? Or must you do that after it rips?

That is a valid question. I can't imagine that it would be any easier or better than using MediaMonkey. Since the ripping is done by the NAS itself, I would assume that the interface for controlling the ripping process and adding tags would be served from the NAS via HTTP, which is... well, far less than ideal. Even on the faster ReadyNAS Ultra 2, using the HTTP interface requires a bit of patience. But it only need be done during the initial setup of the device.

steveinaz

Maybe this helps? http://vortexbox.org/documentation/changing-how-your-vortexbox-rips-files/

Syndil

That describes the autoripper, which basically is ripping without any controls at all. No mention of tags. Searching the site, the only mention of ID3 tagging I can find is a firmware update from 2009 that adds:

MusicBrainz and CDDB used for automatic ID3 tagging

I am assuming from this that VortexBox gives you zero control over tagging and assumes you are OK with whatever CDDB decides the tags should be. So in the end, you'd probably end up having to re-tag a good portion of your library via software on your PC anyway.

Syndil

Ah, here is the smoking gun:

If you want to edit the ID3 tags on your music you can use the free program mp3tag. if you have a mac use PicardTagger.

So you're going to have to go back over your library to make sure everything is properly tagged. It's far easier to keep track of that sort of thing when you make sure everything is properly tagged as part of the ripping process.

steveinaz

I think i'd just do my ripping on my main computer, then copy the files over.

heiney9

steveinaz wrote: »

I think i'd just do my ripping on my main computer, then copy the files over.

If you use a NAS and it's networked then you can re-tag before you rip. Eliminate the extra step of copying files over. K.I.S.S. otherwise some of the convenienc goes away. I suppose it's proportionate to the amount of music you have. If you don't have a lot of music the extra steps probably won't bother you. For me and others with 1K cd's to rip the extra step(s) is a real time waster.

H9

steveinaz

Yep, but they are talking a Vortexbox, which rips automatically.

heiney9

I'm speaking in general. Again there are more solutions than there were even a year ago. I looked at the Vortex box and I don't see what the advantage is for someone like me. After Xmas I am getting a NAS that can run the SQB software which is networked to my main computer. Small foot print, quiet, powerful and with RAID 5 no more backing up. This way I can access my entire music catalog over the internet anywhere I am.

H9

mdaudioguy

If you're particular about your tagging, rip and tag elsewhere and transfer completed files over your network. That's what I do. I do all the work from my main PC anyway, since my PC with VortexBox is monitor and keyboard-free and located elsewhere in the house altogether.

mdaudioguy

steveinaz wrote: »

Great advice! I don't need the drive. So ReadyNas Ultra 2 huh? Lemme check that out. Thanks.

You can put together your own PC with specs similar to or better than the VortexBox Appliance for quite a bit less than what Amazon was selling them for. Mine has a 1.67GHz dual core processor with 2GB of RAM, and support for RAID (although I'm currently just running a single 750 GB drive). I borrowed a DVD drive from another PC for installation. Uses something like 13 Watts, so who cares if it's always on...

Syndil

mdaudioguy wrote: »

If you're particular about your tagging, rip and tag elsewhere and transfer completed files over your network.

What is the advantage to doing this instead of mapping the target location as an extra drive on your PC and ripping them there directly?

heiney9

Syndil wrote: »

What is the advantage to doing this instead of mapping the target location as an extra drive on your PC and ripping them there directly?

There isn't one, that was kind of my point in post 230 and 232. It's an extra step that depending on how much music you have to rip can take longer. Me personally, I don't want to take a one step process and make into 2 or 3. With technology today you should be able to network or map a target drive or whatever to rip it once the way you want it.

But, I understand we all have different ideas, about what works best in our individual situations.

H9

gdpeck

heiney9 wrote: »

I'm speaking in general. Again there are more solutions than there were even a year ago. I looked at the Vortex box and I don't see what the advantage is for someone like me. After Xmas I am getting a NAS that can run the SQB software which is networked to my main computer. Small foot print, quiet, powerful and with RAID 5 no more backing up. This way I can access my entire music catalog over the internet anywhere I am.

H9

Which NAS are you getting? I'm planning a NAS purchase in 2012, but haven't decided on which one yet.

heiney9

Qnap is what I'd like to get because they have an excellent track record, and I know they work well the the SQB, but they are pricey. I need to do some more investigating, if I can save some coin going with another company I may go that route.

H9

mdaudioguy

Syndil wrote: »

What is the advantage to doing this instead of mapping the target location as an extra drive on your PC and ripping them there directly?

Yeah, I could do that too, but I'm real particular about how I work. I like to have a separate workspace and then ship completed packages over to their final resting place. Perhaps I can train myself to be more efficient.

Syndil

Qnap indeed makes some good stuff, but their cheapest 2-bay enclosure costs about the same as the ReadyNAS Ultra 2 but has a slower processor and half the RAM.

I know I sound like a broken record and I apologize for that, but it's because I've researched the bejeezus out of this already. With the Ultra 2 selling at right around $300 shipped, there is really nothing else that I am aware of from the usual competition (Qnap, Synology, Buffalo) that comes close to matching the ReadyNAS' performance without spending significantly more money.

heiney9

I was looking at the 4 bay Qnap last time I priced it, over a year ago, with the drives it was right about $700. 2 bays isn't enough for me. I am also purchasing a WD Live player and most likely will use the NAS for that as well.