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9. Uniti Series Network Audio Streaming
9.1 UPnP™ Streaming
Uniti Series products can play audio stored on any device
that incorporates UPnP™ server software (provided that
device is on the same network as the Uniti Series product).
The UPnP™ server is usually a Windows or Apple home
computer, although some Network Attached Storage (NAS)
drives incorporate a UPnP™ application.
Note: The Naim UnitiServe and HDX hard disk music
players can operate as UPnP™ servers.
Windows Media™ Player version 11 or above incorporates
UPnP™ support and a variety of third party UPnP™
applications are also available that are compatible with both
Windows and OS X operating systems.
In the case of the Windows UPnP™ server the following
steps must be taken before music can be streamed to a Uniti
Series product:
•
Ensure Windows Media™ Player version 11 or above is
installed.
•
Enable Windows Media™ Player file sharing. From
the Media Player Options dialogue select Library >
Configure Sharing… then select Share my media.
•
Ensure the firewall is configured to allow file sharing.
9.1.1 Audio File Compatibility
The audio files stored on the UPnP™ servers attached to the
network may be in MP3, M4A, ALAC, AAC, LPCM16/24,
FLAC, WMA, WAV, AIFF or Ogg Vorbis formats. Files
must be free of any digital rights management playback
restrictions such as the Apple iTunes FairPlay system.
9.1.2 Scanning Servers and Playing Files
When the Uniti Series product
UPnP™ input is selected a list of
available UPnP™ servers on the
network will be displayed. The
display will automatically enter list
mode so the handset up (
5
), down (
6
) and ok/list keys can
be used to browse and select the desired server.
Note: Allegro Media Server
(shown in the illustrations) is a
UPnP™ Media Server application
that runs on OS X or Windows
computers and provides access
to media files and iTunes library
content from UPnP™ media players.
The manner in which the UPnP™
server is set up will define how the
audio files and playlists it holds are
listed and displayed. In most cases
the default setup will list and display
files by artist and album, but list by genre and predefined
playlists may also be available.
Note: Playlists cannot be generated or stored on the Uniti
Series product. To play a playlist it must reside on the
UPnP™ server.
Selecting one of the playlist
categories using the up (
5
), down
(
6
) and ok/list keys will display a
menu showing items that fall into
the selected category. An entire
category can be selected for playback by using the up (
5
),
down (
6
) keys followed by the play/pause ( ) key.
Alternatively, selecting a category using the up (
5
) and
down (
6
) keys followed by the ok/list key will display the
full list of tracks contained within the category. Tracks can
then be selected for playback by using the up (
5
), down (
6
)
and ok/list keys.
In long lists the handset numeric/text keys can be used to
jump through the list alphabetically.
Once playback is underway the Uniti Series display will
exit from list mode and revert to normal mode where the
handset transport keys (
) can be used to control
playback. To re-enter list mode for further list browsing and
selecting press the handset ok/list key.
During playback, pressing the handset info ( ) key will
sequentially display the server name, buffer level, track
elapsed time and stream (audio file) information.
Note: Buffer level indicates the quantity of stored data
and reflects the ability of the network to provide data at
the necessary rate.
In addition to enabling internet radio to be played, a Uniti Series network connection enables audio files stored on UPnP™
servers, audio streams from Spotify
®
Connect devices and audio streams from other Naim streamers to be played. Your Uniti
Series product must be connected, either wirelessly or via network cabling, to a network router. If the router provides an
internet connection it should incorporate a firewall.
UPnP 1/2
4
Allegro Media Server
NAS Disk
Allegro Media Server 4/4
Albums
Artists
Genres
4
Playlists
Playlists 1/12
90s Music
Audiobooks
4
Favourites
Party
Favourites 3/22
Ball and Chain
Cycle Song
4
Motel Lullaby
Vacant Chair