Accessing MP3 files on a NAS

[tlp95129]

Is there a way to get the TiVo (Series 2 and 3) to read MP3 files and M3U playlists from a NAS, rather than from a computer running TiVo Desktop. I'm looking for a simple, low power solution that doesn't require any TiVo hacking.

[CuriousMark]

Is there a way to get the TiVo (Series 2 and 3) to read MP3 files and M3U playlists from a NAS, rather than from a computer running TiVo Desktop. I'm looking for a simple, low power solution that doesn't require any TiVo hacking.

Several people have installed servers on a few NAS devices. Take a look at Installing pyTivo on Linkstation Live (http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Installing_pyTivo_on_Linkstation_Live), Debian Galleon Media Server (http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Debian_Galleon_Media_Server) and ByRequest - Mediaserver for Tivos (http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/ByRequest_-_Mediaserver_for_Tivos) for three examples from the Buffalo NAS hacking wiki.

None of these require TiVo hacking, but they all require some minimal hacking of the NAS. If that doesn't work for you, you could put a server on your PC and just point it at the NAS storage location or consider getting a windows home server box which can have TiVo Publisher for WHS (http://durfee.net/software/2007/07/tivo-publisher-for-whs.html) very easily installed on it. Neither of those options will give quite the power saving that using a real NAS such as the Buffalo devices will. But at least you have options and can trade off based on your hacking skills.

[DrewS3]

Getting the NAS to work with Tivo is highly dependant on the NAS. I have an older Linkstation Pro that I just can't get to work because of the Tivo #3-5-6 error. See http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=415318

If you are going to be spending money on new equipment you are probably better off getting something like a SqueezeBox or Soundbridge, these are more compatible with NASs, have thier own display so you don't need to turn the TV on, and have better manufacturer support for music playback than Tivo.

[CuriousMark]

Getting the NAS to work with Tivo is highly dependant on the NAS. I have an older Linkstation Pro that I just can't get to work because of the Tivo #3-5-6 error. See http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=415318

I believe the 3-5-6 error is limited only to pyTivo, Galleon is reported to handle audio properly, as far as I have seen so far. Galleon is an HME server, rather than HMO, so that may be why. If galleon can be gotten to work, it may also be possible to get Harmonium and Audio Faucet working too, but I am not aware of anyone having tried with either of those. (All are HME applications)

I think even pyTivo could be fixed with enough information from network captures, and comparisons to TiVo Desktop, but I don't think it will be easy and there doesn't seem to be much interest. Using HMEs works and provides superior results, such as cover art display.

[fyodor]

You could also get one of those low-power atom net-tops and run linux/pytivo on it. It's a little more expensive, but more robust/flexible.

Is there a way to get the TiVo (Series 2 and 3) to read MP3 files and M3U playlists from a NAS, rather than from a computer running TiVo Desktop. I'm looking for a simple, low power solution that doesn't require any TiVo hacking.

[wmcbrine]

I think even pyTivo could be fixed with enough information from network captures, and comparisons to TiVo DesktopSpeaking from experience, I don't. But you're welcome to try.

I can make the output of pyTivo as identical to TiVo Desktop's as you like, but it doesn't help. The problem, AFAICT, is at a lower level... and appears to be a timing problem... that I can't fix. :(

[CuriousMark]

Speaking from experience, I don't. But you're welcome to try.

I can make the output of pyTivo as identical to TiVo Desktop's as you like, but it doesn't help. The problem, AFAICT, is at a lower level... and appears to be a timing problem... that I can't fix. :(

Because you had tried is why I said I thought it would be hard. If it were anything less than exceptionally hard, you would have solved it, of that I am very confident. I believe you when you say it could be timing. JRiver had the same problem with media center and fixed it, but didn't say how, but that was on Windows, not Linux. For those reasons and that fact that Galleon works, I think just going straight to HMEs is probably a more sensible way to proceed.

[wmcbrine]

Yeah, the problem doesn't seem to happen with HME.

The thing about the 3-5-6 errors is that they go away, completely, on a faster server. Yet the output does not change. Hence... a timing problem. I think.

[DrewS3]

I stopped looking into Galleon because I couldn't find a JRE 1.5 for the Arm9. I just looked again and see this:
Java SE for Embedded 6
ARM Linux - Headless (Early Access)
EABI, glibc 2.5, Soft Float, Little Endian
EABI, glibc 2.5, Hard Float (VFP), Little Endian

at http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/embedded.jsp

I assume the soft float version would be right but would lil' endian work?

[theviaumaster]

Is there a way to get the TiVo (Series 2 and 3) to read MP3 files from a NAS, rather than from a computer running TiVo Desktop. I'm looking for a simple, low power solution that doesn't require any TiVo hacking.

Maybe this is too simple--I don't think it'll work with playlists--but I can access and listen to all of my MP3 files stored on my network-attached HP Media Vault just by putting a shortcut to the NAS music folder into the Windows My Music folder. When I access music from my Tivo, it drops me into My Music on my PC and I simply select the shortcut which allows me to drill down into the entire Music directory on the NAS. Same exact process works for images stored on the NAS, too. One thing that's nice is there's no hacking involved. If you can create a shortcut, you can set this up!