DS And Apple

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Contents

DS System Setup

Linn supports the following Mac system:

  • Linn DS
  • DS and Apple Mac connected to your home network using one of the recommended network Routers or Switches
  • Controller - Nokia N800 or N810 running Media Streamer, or Cidero running on Apple Mac
  • Twonky Media Server running on one of the recommended NAS devices

Software for Your Mac

  • Mac UPnP control solution http://www.cidero.com/
  • Turn iTunes into a UPnP Media Server with EyeConnect. EyeConnect also implements transcoding, allowing you to play back AAC and ALAC files on your DS.
  • Play lossless FLAC audio from iTunes

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2008/06/03/play-lossless-flac-audo-files-in-itunes-with-fluke-for-mac-os-x/

Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble running the DS control interface from your Apple product there are a number of common configuration settings that are worth checking. Typically problems areas are the Mac firewall, multiple network interfaces, poor wireless connectivity, and interference from other applications.

  1. Check the firewall is allowing incomming connections from the DS.  You can do this by closing Kinsky, then going to "<Apple Logo>" | "System Preferences..." | Security | Firewall" and select "Allow All Incomming Connections". Exit "System Preferences...", and re-load Kinsky.
    Image:Mac_Apple_Menu.pngImage:Mac_System_Prefs.png......Image:Mac_Firewall_dialog.png
  2. Check only 1 network is active. This is done from the Network preferences dialog. Make a new network location using Network Preferences (in System Preferences) and enable only the Airport interface if you are connected wirelessly, or enable only the Ethernet connection if you are connected with ethernet cable.
    Image:Mac_Apple_Menu.pngImage:Mac_System_Prefs.png......Image:Mac_Airport_dialog.png

Further Hints and Tips

(Following information derived from original article written by GarnerA, on the Linn Forum)

  1. Don't run TwonkyServer on a Mac with Parallels installed on it. Parallels creates multiple virtual network interfaces and the DS seems to get confused as to which IP address to reach it on. I have successfully run TwonkyServer on a Mac without parallels and now run it on my QNAP-209 NAS box.
  2. Kinsky on the Mac is also fussy about network interfaces. There is a command to tell it which one to use, but Linn has only posted the DOS command, not a Mac equivalent. Anyway, once again I have found issues if you have Parallels installed. The key thing is to make a new Network Location using Network Preferences (in System Preferences) and only enable the Airport interface (no others). (Symptom for this issue is Kinsky listing no devices)
  3. Audio streaming and control on WiFi networks. This is not a bandwidth issue (particularly not on 802.11n), but isdependent on the ability of the WiFi network to delivery sustained and low latencyservice.  The poor quality of some consumer grade routers can also cause problems.  Symptoms you see - cannot click play/pause buttons even though you can add tracks to the playlist. Every now and again the DS would play perfectly over my Airport Express network (802.11n). Then it would stop responding to the play button. WiFi is fine to the laptop running LinnGUI/Kinsky, but put a wired connection between TwonkyServer/NAS and the DS.  (Note: Another alternative to pulling blue cable through the wall is an "ethernet-over-power" solution - which is in fact what I use, but be aware that these are susceptible to interference. If my wife uses the microwave my music stops!)  (See also audio drop out)


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