Logitech Media Server, how intrusive is it?

[batfastad]

Hi everyone

I've been looking for a network player / radio that can just stream tracks from a network share, no server software required. I've found a few (like the Revo Pico Radio Station) but they tend not to support FLAC/WAV, presumably because of the higher processing and buffering requirements.
So I've started looking more at dedicated network players and the Squeezebox Radio has come up. It's a real shame it doesn't have a DAB receiver, proper li-ion battery pack for better portable use and a bit of splash proofing. Then it really would be ideal to be carried around from kitchen to bathroom to bedroom.

I see that I'll need Logitech Media Server running on my machine. I have a custom-build HTPC that I leave on 24-7 (it's a mini-ITX Zotac ION and only draws 20W idle and 40W under full load). But I have concerns about all media software that promises to scan my media and create a library etc.

All my music is mainly FLAC / WAV with some V0/320CBR MP3. It's all de-tagged and stored in A-Z directories by artist, with sub-directories for each album. I don't use the "My Music" folder, all my stuff is stored on an external drive (RAID 1 eSATA). All the files are un-tagged, I found tags just an extra thing to keep in sync, as with any meta data. Instead my file naming is rigorous and all follows the same format.
All I'm looking for is a way of choosing my root music folder then browsing the directory structure and playing particular files, or queueing them up in an ad hoc playlist. Searching by partial file name would be great as well. No searching by genre, year, artist or any other clever nonsense using file meta data.

I'm basically looking to find out how intrusive the server software is. I don't mind a small daemon just running in the system tray and doing it's job but I don't want it taking over like iTunes would and threatening to help me organise my music.

1) To what extent does it try and integrate into your system?Does it set itself as the main media player application, ripper application etc? Change file associations and auto run preferences?

2) Would my music and directory structure work with a Squeezebox Radio?
Or do all my files need to be tagged?

3) I don't use m3u/pls playlist files. But for many CDs I keep a cuesheet in case I need to reconstruct the original CD. This acts just like a playlist. For DJ mixes I often keep the CD audio as a single .flac file and the cue sheet acts as an index.
Does Logitech Media Server support the playback of .cue files as a type of playlist?

4) I've read various reviews that the Squeezebox Radio isn't great when used as an alarm clock, what exactly is the problem there?

In the end though I'll probably go with something that has DAB and is a bit more robust but I just wanted to check how the media server software would affect my system in case I decided to take the plunge.

Cheers, B

[bluegaspode]

1) it's a program that runs as a demon/service and comes with its own web interface and a tray icon. It does scan your library for tags but is not intrusive.

2) you can browse by directory.

3) it should support the cue files. But just try it out before buying a Radio. Install the server, have it scan your library then download 'SqueezePlay' from downloads.slimdevices.com/nightlies
It's the firmware of the Touch/Radio running on your desktop machine so you can check out if everything works to your expectations.

4) as you are planning to host your own 24/7 server you shouldn't face trouble with alarms on the Radio (if you don't choose some unreliable radio station which might provoke you hearing the fallback alarm tune a little bit more often)

[SuperQ]

1) To what extent does it try and integrate into your system?Does it set itself as the main media player application, ripper application etc? Change file associations and auto run preferences?

It does none of that. It is specifically designed to be read-only. It will not move or modify any of your files. YAY!

2) Would my music and directory structure work with a Squeezebox Radio?
Or do all my files need to be tagged?

It would probably be better to be tagged, but there is an option called "Guess Tags Formats" in the advanced settings.

You can specify things like this to automatically guess track names from un-tagged files:

/ARTIST/ALBUM/TRACKNUM. TITLE

3) I don't use m3u/pls playlist files. But for many CDs I keep a cuesheet in case I need to reconstruct the original CD. This acts just like a playlist. For DJ mixes I often keep the CD audio as a single .flac file and the cue sheet acts as an index.
Does Logitech Media Server support the playback of .cue files as a type of playlist?

Yup, cue sheets are supported.

4) I've read various reviews that the Squeezebox Radio isn't great when used as an alarm clock, what exactly is the problem there?

I don't own a radio so I can't say for sure what the "problems" are.

The best thing I can say is give the server software a try. It's free and open source so you don't need to buy anything to test it out. Since it's explicitly designed to NOT write or re-organize your music it will be safe. Basically there are two things it writes:

* A few database files to cache all the information about the tracks you have. This is stored outside your music collection and is automatically removed on un-install
* A directory is needed to store saved playlists. This can be anywhere you want outside the actual music collection.

[Mnyb]

It really works much better with proper tags, it also has a browse by folder function where you can follow the file and folder structure ( but slow and unreliable and cue won't work inn that mode )
The tags would be scanned to a dB where the server can get artists and album and genre info etc this would populate the artists and album menus for example and power the search function.

But it can guess tags from file names with some nifty settings .

LMS is one the few programs that actually can read WAV tags ,but not many tag apps can tag WAV files and it's largely unsupported ?
So I understand that you find tagging a mess if using WAV . FLAC is superior regarding metadata.

You can even have your files read only .

You can just try server for free .

There is also a desktop player called SqueezePlay that emulates the Touch/Radio it is beta and not as good as real hardware player , but it is good proof of concept

[batfastad]

Great news, good old open source. I wasn't sure if Logitech would have got their grubby hands on the software and ruin it.

I like the sound of this, software that doesn't try to take over everything. I will definitely give it a try.

If only the Squeezebox Radio had a DAB receiver though

Thanks for the info

[Mushroom_3]

If only the Squeezebox Radio had a DAB receiver though

That would be great but it's never going to happen because of the differing DAB standards, and I don't think the good old US of A even has DAB radio.

[Grumpy Bob]

That would be great but it's never going to happen because of the differing DAB standards, and I don't think the good old US of A even has DAB radio.

I'm in the UK and bought one of my Squeezebox Radios specifically to replace a DAB radio because DAB reception where I live was so poor. Much happier with streamed radio.

R

[Mnyb]

DAB is dead , but somehow linger on in GB where it got some traction.
So GB seems to be the only DAB Market left ?

It never hit off anywhere else SR wasted millions on DAB here in Sweden :-/

Internet radio basically replaces DAB making it obsolete .

A combined internet radio and DAB tuner would be very expensive nothing you sell worldwide.

What is the cost of a dab radio ?

[emalvick]

It sounds as if without tags you'll have to rely on the browse by folders options (unless the guess tags option works for you).

The problem you may have with the browse folders menus is that playlists won't work, and this may include cues? Although I suppose cue files may get red in as playlists under that menu.

The suggestion to setup LMS and use Squeezeplay is a good one. It's kind of a try before you buy situation.

[brucegrr]

The software isn't like iTunes or Windows Media Player. The software doesn't do anything you don't tell it to do.

As far as the Radio? My son bought one a year ago for his room.....has never missed an alarm. It has worked as advertised.