noob questions on SSODS, whitebear and NAS-only operation

[gozer]

New to the squeezebox world, read lots of stuff, but I don't feel comfortable I "get it" concerning what several applications or plugins allow me to that I cannot do otherwise, and what I applications or plugins I need to do certain things.

First case: Compared to using LMS from a computer that is running all the time and streaming to one or several Touches, what exactly can I not do if I don't use whitebear? Same question concerning SSODS. Yes, I've read what they can do, but I'm not expert enough to translate that into what I cannot do without each compared to just running LMS on my PC.

Second case: Can I install just LMS on a NAS like a synology 212 and stream to my Touches without a PC running? If not, what application(s) or plugin(s) do I need instead of or in addition to LMS to stream from a NAS to my Touches without a PC running?

In both cases, I strongly prefer gapless streaming of FLAC or mp3 files via wired or wireless networks without any quality-degrading transcoding, and be able to use tablets or smartphones as Touch control points. Thanks for any thoughts.

[garym]

New to the squeezebox world, read lots of stuff, but I don't feel comfortable I "get it" concerning what several applications or plugins allow me to that I cannot do otherwise, and what I applications or plugins I need to do certain things.

First case: Compared to using LMS from a computer that is running all the time and streaming to one or several Touches, what exactly can I not do if I don't use whitebear? Same question concerning SSODS. Yes, I've read what they can do, but I'm not expert enough to translate that into what I cannot do without each compared to just running LMS on my PC.

Second case: Can I install just LMS on a NAS like a synology 212 and stream to my Touches without a PC running? If not, what application(s) or plugin(s) do I need instead of or in addition to LMS to stream from a NAS to my Touches without a PC running?

In both cases, I strongly prefer gapless streaming of FLAC or mp3 files via wired or wireless networks without any quality-degrading transcoding, and be able to use tablets or smartphones as Touch control points. Thanks for any thoughts.

first case. nothing as far as I know unless you're trying to stream to NON-Squeezebox devices that use DLNA (DVD players, xbox, etc.). Edit: I am a long-time user of LMS with a large library of mostly FLACs and I don't use whitebear or ssods or anything other than plain LMS with some of the available plugins (mostly erland's dynamic playlists and sql playlists stuff).

second case. yes, LMS will run on some NASes. not sure about synology 212, but search this forum for synology and you'll likely see if it is possible. I use a headless vortexbox, stuck in a back closet connected to router as my "NAS" for streaming audio via LMS (and storing network accessible files, etc.).

LMS out of the box is gapless for FLAC or mp3 and there is no transcoding unless you turn on bit rate limiting in the LMS settings. If you send a FLAC file to the SB via LMS, it will be delivered bit-perfect to the player. And yes, you can use a great variety of smart phones and tablets to control everything. I use iPeng app on iphone, iPengHD on ipad, and SqueezePad on ipad. All excellent. In all three of these cases, I can also stream music to my iphones and ipads with these apps (that is, the iphone/ipad is actually seen as a hardware SB player, including ability to synch with other SB players).

[gozer]

Thanks for the response, especially the clarity on whitebear. A followup question: while iPeng seems a popular choice for controlling from iwhatever devices, is there a consensus preference for controlling from Android tablets/phones? I looked around and could not tell what was really the best choice.

[garym]

Thanks for the response, especially the clarity on whitebear. A followup question: while iPeng seems a popular choice for controlling from iwhatever devices, is there a consensus preference for controlling from Android tablets/phones? I looked around and could not tell what was really the best choice.

Not sure. I'd start a new thread with very specific heading.

[aubuti]

First case: Compared to using LMS from a computer that is running all the time and streaming to one or several Touches, what exactly can I not do if I don't use whitebear? Same question concerning SSODS. Yes, I've read what they can do, but I'm not expert enough to translate that into what I cannot do without each compared to just running LMS on my PC.

Second case: Can I install just LMS on a NAS like a synology 212 and stream to my Touches without a PC running? If not, what application(s) or plugin(s) do I need instead of or in addition to LMS to stream from a NAS to my Touches without a PC running?

SSODS isn't a plugin. It is a means of getting LMS installed and running on certain Linux-based NASs that don't have more specific support for LMS from either Logitech or the NAS manufacturer (or other third party). If Synology provides support for LMS then it would probably be better to use that instead of SSODS. If Synology doesn't provide that support and if SSODS supports that particular NAS, then SSODS may be the only way to go for installing LMS on the NAS.

[erland]

Second case: Can I install just LMS on a NAS like a synology 212 and stream to my Touches without a PC running? If not, what application(s) or plugin(s) do I need instead of or in addition to LMS to stream from a NAS to my Touches without a PC running?

If you run LMS on a NAS, please be prepared that the performance on most NAS boxes is a lot slower than it is on a normal PC, I don't think it will affect performance of playback much but it will definitely affect performance when browsing your library unless you have a very small library.

[erland]

Thanks for the response, especially the clarity on whitebear. A followup question: while iPeng seems a popular choice for controlling from iwhatever devices, is there a consensus preference for controlling from Android tablets/phones? I looked around and could not tell what was really the best choice.

I don't have much own experience of Android controller but I think the best ones are:
- Orange Squeeze: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....orangesqueeze
- Squeeze Commander: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ueezecommander

Based on forum posts during last months I think Orange Squeeze currently is more actively maintained.

[DubMarc]

I've got a DS212, running LMS directly on it. I have had no issues with it serving up FLAC to my Squeezebox Touch or my iPhone (using iPeng) via wifi on the same network as the NAS. The DS212 does not do a good job for me transcoding, but it doesn't seem like you need to do that.

No problems browsing my library either, but it's not very big yet (have not re-ripped many CDs).

[sherington]

I have been using Orangesqueeze for a few weeks now - would highly recommend it - rather better than Logitechs own - first time I have been able to browse my library properly when not in front of the PC & I don't have to go and peer at the Touch screen anymore.