Accessing content created outside of Qmultimedia folder
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:42 am
All; I am not sure if this topic has been discussed before, and I did search the forums to see, and I could not find anything directly related. I just wanted to get people’s thoughts and start a conversation on what you all are doing to get around some limitations that I have encountered.
Here is my current setup;
Share folder created on the NAS called iTunes. I redirect the iTunes library on a MAC and PC to that shared folder on the NAS. This allows me to have 1 iTunes library to be shared among multiple computers and across multiple platforms. The goal is to be able to centrally store all music, movies, apps, ebooks, etc. in one location and reduce redundancy and allow multiple devices to connect and access that content. I currently use iTunes as the portal of all multimedia contact (iphones, ipads, apple tv, etc.)
Limiting issues with this current setup is that I cannot update the library at the same time and have encountered corruption at times when two separate machines have the library open and try to update it. In addition, I have to have iTunes (the same version) installed on all machines that I want to access the content.
Here is what I am trying to accomplish;
I would like to see the ability for the Media Center to be able to scan the entire NAS device and reference content outside of the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder structure. This might be accomplished somehow by allowing reference points (shortcuts to be created within the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder) to reference content outside the structure. By allowing this, I would be able to use the iTunes Service service to share out content that is outside of the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder structure. To take this a step further, any device that supports UPnP would be able to see that content too.
The goal is to be able to access any type of multimedia content (in a number of different formats) from either a web browser using the Multimedia Station or handheld device (qmoble for iphone) regardless of location of the content on the NAS without the restrictions of having to place the that content into the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder and be limited to only a select few file format extentions that are currenltly supported.
Here are some questions and limiting factors that I see;
1. iTunes Server / UPnP Media Server - currently all music uploaded to the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder of the NAS can allow iTunes or a UPnP Media player on the LAN able to find, browse and play shared music files on the NAS.
Is there a way to allow music, movies, etc. outside of the Qmultimedia/Multimedia to scanned and viewed by iTunes or a UPnP Media service? I do not want to have to copy the data and duplicate it in a specific folder structure.
2. Can qmobile play .m4a and .m4p formats. At this point, I cannot get the qmobile to play these formats, however it does see them properly.
3. The Media Center (Qmultimedia/Multimedia) looks as if the Media Center does not support .m4a and .m4p. Again limiting if you want to connect to your NAS and play content that was created / managed by iTunes. Are there any future revisions that will allow for additional formats to be viewed and played from the Media Center?
4. Is there any plans for qmobile native app for the iPad in the future?
5. Securely be able to browse https to the NAS using qmobile. I have not figured out a way to accomplish this. http works great. Currently I am using a VPN connection into my network and then allowing the qmobile to connect via local addressing.
I understand that a lot of individuals would suggest that I move to a more universal format (for movies, music, etc.) and discontinue using iTunes (or at least discontinue iTunes from converting the data), however at this time, the investment with iTunes and Apple is far too great to change. If any one has found a soltuion for my goal, please let me know. Thanks for your thoughts.
Here is my current setup;
Share folder created on the NAS called iTunes. I redirect the iTunes library on a MAC and PC to that shared folder on the NAS. This allows me to have 1 iTunes library to be shared among multiple computers and across multiple platforms. The goal is to be able to centrally store all music, movies, apps, ebooks, etc. in one location and reduce redundancy and allow multiple devices to connect and access that content. I currently use iTunes as the portal of all multimedia contact (iphones, ipads, apple tv, etc.)
Limiting issues with this current setup is that I cannot update the library at the same time and have encountered corruption at times when two separate machines have the library open and try to update it. In addition, I have to have iTunes (the same version) installed on all machines that I want to access the content.
Here is what I am trying to accomplish;
I would like to see the ability for the Media Center to be able to scan the entire NAS device and reference content outside of the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder structure. This might be accomplished somehow by allowing reference points (shortcuts to be created within the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder) to reference content outside the structure. By allowing this, I would be able to use the iTunes Service service to share out content that is outside of the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder structure. To take this a step further, any device that supports UPnP would be able to see that content too.
The goal is to be able to access any type of multimedia content (in a number of different formats) from either a web browser using the Multimedia Station or handheld device (qmoble for iphone) regardless of location of the content on the NAS without the restrictions of having to place the that content into the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder and be limited to only a select few file format extentions that are currenltly supported.
Here are some questions and limiting factors that I see;
1. iTunes Server / UPnP Media Server - currently all music uploaded to the Qmultimedia/Multimedia folder of the NAS can allow iTunes or a UPnP Media player on the LAN able to find, browse and play shared music files on the NAS.
Is there a way to allow music, movies, etc. outside of the Qmultimedia/Multimedia to scanned and viewed by iTunes or a UPnP Media service? I do not want to have to copy the data and duplicate it in a specific folder structure.
2. Can qmobile play .m4a and .m4p formats. At this point, I cannot get the qmobile to play these formats, however it does see them properly.
3. The Media Center (Qmultimedia/Multimedia) looks as if the Media Center does not support .m4a and .m4p. Again limiting if you want to connect to your NAS and play content that was created / managed by iTunes. Are there any future revisions that will allow for additional formats to be viewed and played from the Media Center?
4. Is there any plans for qmobile native app for the iPad in the future?
5. Securely be able to browse https to the NAS using qmobile. I have not figured out a way to accomplish this. http works great. Currently I am using a VPN connection into my network and then allowing the qmobile to connect via local addressing.
I understand that a lot of individuals would suggest that I move to a more universal format (for movies, music, etc.) and discontinue using iTunes (or at least discontinue iTunes from converting the data), however at this time, the investment with iTunes and Apple is far too great to change. If any one has found a soltuion for my goal, please let me know. Thanks for your thoughts.