Sgr:
I don't think our plans need be foiled. We just have to find a viable solution. “Universal Plug and Play” (UPnP) is a type of operations protocol that allows devices to communicate with one another – in that any UPnP devices should interact with all other UPnP devices. Not all NAS devices are necessarily UPnP compatible. Originally, PS Audio stated that the required protocol (for communicating with the Bridge) would be DLNA. They’ve now expanded that requirement to include the UPnP protocol (All DLNA devices are by nature also UPnP compatible). This said, any UPnP NAS (think of it as a storage device with a built in server) should communicate with the Bridge.
My concern has to do with the way in which the “server” functions as a “music server” (not merely communicating with the Bridge, but managing music files, including and tagging album art and metadata, supporting a variety of codecs and hi-rez files, etc.). If you are familiar with other music servers such as, Sonos or SqueezeCenter, then you understand how these proprietary servers “serve” the music. From my recent understanding, there aren’t many optimal UPnP NAS solutions available (NAS devices which incorporate the server “Twonky” have been said to provide decent functionality – but not ideal functionality). The trick is going to be finding a compatible NAS (UPnP compatible) that also “serves” (manages) the music well.
It’s my gut feeling (I may be wrong) that PS Audio jumped the gun in promoting the NAS solution as simple (in that all a new Bridge owner would need to do would be to incorporate a DLNA NAS into their network…and then everything would be great). In fact, now PS Audio is developing their proprietary UPnP server software and NAS. Their NAS (the PML) will be on the pricey side (I have not seen it published, but I have heard it said – by outside sources, that the retail price tag could be as high as $2,000).
Using a NAS allows one to “take the computer out of the equation” because with a NAS, it is not necessary to run a computer. You would still use your computer to rip your files (although the new PML NAS will also include a built in ripper). I prefer not to (have) to turn my computer on every time I want to listen to my music server. I (we) could simple install the new PS Audio UPnP server on a computer and all will work exceptionally well. Again, the computer would need to be on. You can also purchase the new PML, which will no doubt be the very best solution available – by far. But, if you are like me and have a limited budget to spend on a NAS, then you…like me, must come up with another viable solution.
And this, my friend, is why I started this thread…..
I will very much appreciate more advice.
Thanks.
