just curious, i checked out the user manual but it isnt very clear as to how exactly one sets up the nevo to use as a music server.

exactly what components are required?

i get the nevo can communicate with my PC via the wiresless router, but how does the nevo get this info to my reciever?

Hey Stealth

I'm looking into this too, as this is what I see as the good thing about the Nevo.

Here's where I'm at so far: You will need to connect your PC to your receiver. It looks like you're already set up there with an HTPC. You'll need to run some sort of media server on the PC. Either the Nevo one or Twonkyvision, both of which are supported according to Dave's white papers. From what I can see NevoMedia Server organises your media and NevoMedia Player allows you to view and play the media. I get the impression these two programmes aren't up to the level of Twonky though, which is solely made to provide a media server on many different platforms, is regularly updated and supports many different formats.

Hope this helps, but don't quote me ;-)

so if i have to have the PC hooked up to the reciever, then why wouldnt i just use MCE or Itunes, and skip the wifi downfalls altogether? as it stands i actually gave my HTPC (hp 559z) to my step son. i dont find anything convenient about waiting for it to power on, then having to pull out the wireless mouse, navigate menu's, etc, every time i want to watch a dvd or listen to music. i found since i got a laptop i NEVER used it.

right now i have an ipod dock for my reciever, and listen to 90% of my music that way. in order for me to navigate the menus though, the tv has to be on. so i was thinking the nevo may add something here, but it doesnt sound like it would add much.

The Nevo SL is an uPnP AV controler.
In the configuration (Nevo Studio) you define a zone.
A zone must contain a media server and media player (can be the same device if it acts like a server and player). Both must work using uPnP AV for the Nevo SL to work with it.
Server and player could be software or hardware devices (or combination).
The NevoMedia software works correct but you need PC's to run it.
Other software (like TwonkyVision) may be needed to support other file formats or other hardware platforms.
For server is use a NAS with TwonkyVision (QNAP TS-101). As player i use the Roku Soundbridge (audio only).
You select the music on the screen from the Nevo SL
Rob

rkotemp

Are you able to select music and playlists on the Nevo and do you get album art etc as visuals? Do you use Itunes with Twonky and does it allow you to use the playlists created for the Ipod over the Nevo?

KB

great questions kitsboy, and thanks alot for the help rkotemp!

i'm still having a hard time understanding what the huge appeal is to using the nevo as a server? i can see not turning on the TV is an advantage. and i suppose if you want to walk around the house and select songs from your PC... but whats the point? you have to have the PC hooked to your reciever, so if you're on the other side of the house, this means you would have to have speakers running from your reciever all over your home... and i've never liked that idea.

i must be missing something.

Yes, i can select music on the Nevo SL.
Album art is visual (if it has album art).
I do not use playlists yet (to busy to update my audio collections tags and album art). But Twonky wil present it like any other tracks so it must work. I just tested it with some old playlists already stored on the NAS and they worked fine. You can even see it is a playlist by the icon used.

I don't use Itunes. Twonky has options for iTunes library files. Besides the Twonky configuration there is also a seperate option to enable an iTunses Service. But never used it.

Rob

Yes you are missing something. I don't use a PC. I only use the NAS and Soundbridge. In the future more Soundbridge like players (also using wifi) for other rooms.

Rob

i dont even know what those are. : (

NAS:
Netwerk Attached Storrage.
A harddisk connected to the netwerk.
And some NAS devices (like the QNAP TS-101 i own) have mediaserver functions.
See for examples the TwonkyVision side:

[Link: twonkyvision.com]

Netwerk mediaplayers:
Devices that play music (or vidieo) from other network devices like a NAS with mediaserver functions.
See for examples the TwonkyVison side for some available producs:

[Link: twonkyvision.com]

Warning, not all devices will work correct with the Nevo SL.
Some will work with limitations.

Rob

Thanks for the info rko.

Here's the setup I'm looking at:

Zensonic Z500/Ziova Clearstream CS505 DVD/media connector to connect my music/media to my receiver.

Synology DS 101 (NAS) running TwonkyVision as a mediaserver

Nevo SL to access music files with TV off, including album art and playlists.

The Z500 is uPnP and can interface with Twonky, the DS101 is uPnP and can run Twonky, the Nevo SL is uPnP and can access Twonky so I'm hoping I'm in the clear!

Using the Z500 instead of the Roku would also allow playback of other media like video and pictures...

The only issue for me is the compatability of the Z500 with the Nevo. Anyone with any experience there?

I'm afraid this may be trial and error here but you have a setup that is at least similar to what I'm looking at.

The Synology DS 101 has no media server default installed as var as i know.
The DS 106 or the new DS 107 do have one default (not TwonkyVision as far as i know).
The DS 106 or DS 107 have almost the same options as the QNAP TS-101 has.
I did buy the QNAP because it is very silent. It has no fan. The Synology does have a fan.

The Ziova Clearstream CS505 can access uPnP servers (PC version of TwonkyVision is also supplied with it).
But i don't know if it can be controled by uPnP. Have not found anything about it in the past.
But if it works with the Nevo SL i can tel you next week.

Rob

Thanks Rob

The DS 101 has a version of Twonky made to install on it, so there shouldn't be any problem there (the 101 also has no fan ;-)

I've just found out there is NO upnp control on the Z500, therefore making it useless with the Nevo, unless you use the on screen display.

A company called KiSS (now Linksys) has just brought out a very exciting looking media renderer that does allow upnp control (www.kiss-technology.com)... the DP-1600. It should work with the Nevo.

I think I will go for a simpler but sure option and use a Roku like you. They are proven to work and I can then wait until the renderer market matures.

Thanks for the info

The first DP-1600 are arrived in the Netherlands (where i live) yesterday.

I did go for the ziova because it fits with my other hifi equipment (size etc). It has to replace my old DVD player.
The ziova can also use SMB to access storage and is not limmeted to uPnP. The DP-1600 can not. The ziova is also supporting ISO images and can handle subtitles. The DP-1600 can not show subtitles if working with uPnP servers.
In the comming weeks there wil be a lot more info on both players to compare them.

>>I've just found out there is NO upnp control on the Z500,
But maybe in the current or next firmware i hope.

Rob

Hi!

I´m using the media zones since some weeks, perhaps my setup is interesting, too.
I´m running a PC in my office at home (not the PC I work with, but a seperate one. Old 500MHz or something with XP running) Nevo Media Server is installed on this PC. A linksys AP is connected and communicating with NevoSL and a D-Link DSM320RD in my livingroom via WLAN. It´s working quite good. The livingroom ist the only zone I have till now because I wanted to test it some weeks before buying more UPnP-Devices for more rooms/zones.
But I guess I will, I like that very much. Right now I work on ripping my CD-collection and after that I think the CD´s will be stored in the basement...