Streaming audio from a DROBO

[steviej233]

Right next stupid question.....

As some of you may have read, i purchased a DROBO unit a little while ago to store all of my music on and other valuable data. I am now looking for a way to get it connected to my system so that i can listen to all of that music. At the moment i am having to connect my iPod touch with a 3.5 mini jack into my amp and i don't think the sound is that great, i have to turn the iPod right up and then the amp as well, there must be a better way? I was looking at audio streamers.... Suggestions???

[Tim]

That's a hugely open ended question Steve, but yes what you are doing at present is an extremely basic and rough way to get digital audio reproduced in your system.

Might I suggest you have a look here http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/ and then perhaps come back with some more specific questions? At the moment there are too many variables to your current question, which is possibly why the replies are a little scant ;)

Ideally you will want to use your DROBO as a NAS, so hopefully you have bought one with an Ethernet connection and its capable of being accessed via a home network?

[steviej233]

Hi Tim,

Yeah i had a feeling that would be the case, DROBO's apparently aren't sold with an ethernet connection so i was thinking of buying: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Network-USB-Hub-Ethernet/dp/B000WJP8FQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top and using this to get it on my network. The next thing is then how best to connect it to my system. I will have a look at the link you have sent and come back to you!

[Canetoad]

I'd get one of these Gigabit (http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Desktop-TL-SG1005D/dp/B000N99BBC/ref=pd_cp_computers_2)

I have 2 and they work fine.

[Mark Grant]

DROBO's apparently aren't sold with an ethernet connection

I never new that, is it this one with firewire and USB 2.0 but no network connection:
http://www.drobo.com/products/professionals/drobo/

Another way to get it on your network would be to buy a router than has a USB socket for connecting drives such as some of the drayteks and probably other makes.
Most of the USB to network adapters have slow write speeds which might be annoying when ripping stuff or moving large files to it etc. read the specs and online reviews before buying one.

You really want the drobo on your network and accessible from any computer in your house before you buy any streaming devices.

Endless options with streaming.:)

[steviej233]

Hi Mark that's the one, it's a great device that my mate got for me. Only problem is that he didn't get the one with the ethernet port (which was one of the main things i asked for) but i got it cheap so if i have to spend another £30 then so be it.

Bernie, that looks like a good option but i don't think it has any USB connections?

[Tim]

Bernie, that's a switch, Steve needs something to get his DROBO attached to a network.

Not wanting to put a dampener, but attaching your DROBO to a USB hub and then to the network will really make the whole thing extremely slow. You can try it, but I wouldn't mind betting you get dropouts and breaks in your music if you stream from it :( What you are trying to do is not really ideal to be perfectly honest. By all means try it and see if it works, but its not something I would recommend.

[Alp]

Lack of a network interface seems to be a real shortcoming on your DROBO. Firewire is essentially obsolete leaving you with USB 2.0. The Squeezebox Touch has a USB connection so you could attach your DROBO to that - if you have one. Other (lower cost) media streaming devices might also allow you to do much the same. My Netgear WAG320N router has a USB port to allow external storage to be attached and then act as a media server, which could be another option for you. Good luck!

[Marco]

Hi Alastair,

Welcome to AoS :)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17333

:read: the above and act upon the instructions therein.

Churz!

Marco.

[Canetoad]

Bernie, that's a switch, Steve needs something to get his DROBO attached to a network.

Not wanting to put a dampener, but attaching your DROBO to a USB hub and then to the network will really make the whole thing extremely slow. You can try it, but I wouldn't mind betting you get dropouts and breaks in your music if you stream from it :( What you are trying to do is not really ideal to be perfectly honest. By all means try it and see if it works, but its not something I would recommend.

Sorry, I didn't think a NAS wouldn't have an ethernet port. :scratch:

[Ali Tait]

To turn your Drobo into a NAS you need one of these-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Drobo-Share-/190682976252?pt=UK_Computing_Home_Network_Storage_ NAS_2&hash=item2c65974ffc#ht_500wt_922

alternatively you could buy a Squeezebox Touch and connect the Drobo directly via usb.

[Tim]

Sorry, I didn't think a NAS wouldn't have an ethernet port. :scratch:
Unfortunately it looks like he's bought the cheaper version without an Ethernet connection (although there's not much cheap about a DROBO!!!). TBH I'm not a fan of them as any sort of backup device, too gimmicky and if the unit dies you lose everything - but that's just me and I know lots like them.

Not sure what the best advice is at this point really, I would try and exchange it if I'm honest, especially if its going to be used to stream media, unless of course its plugged directly into whatever player is used :scratch:

EDIT: I see Ali has just mentioned that - that's what I would probably do, get a Touch and plug it straight in..... job done :)

[Ali Tait]

I've had mine for a good while now. It's not given me any problems.

[steviej233]

I have been reading about squeezebox, this is the Logitech one we are talking about?

[Ali Tait]

Yes. The direct connection works well if a little slowly until your music collections grows larger than the SB is happy handling on it's own, then it starts stuttering. The other problem is you needs to disconnect the Drobo to attch it to your computer to add new music. It can be done via the Touch over your network but it takes AAAGGEESS.

The solution I use at the moment is connecting the Drobo directly to my laptop which then sends the music via my network to the Touch, running Squeezecenter on the laptop. This works very well, though it means I always have to fire up the laptop when I want to listen to music. The longer term intention is to get or build a dedicated media pc as a fit n forget solution which will mean music is always available at the touch of a button.

[steviej233]

I think thats the route i am going to go down, making a dedicated music server with the drobo attached shouldn't be to difficult.

[dave2010]

Right next stupid question.....

As some of you may have read, i purchased a DROBO unit a little while ago to store all of my music on and other valuable data. I am now looking for a way to get it connected to my system so that i can listen to all of that music. At the moment i am having to connect my iPod touch with a 3.5 mini jack into my amp and i don't think the sound is that great, i have to turn the iPod right up and then the amp as well, there must be a better way? I was looking at audio streamers.... Suggestions???
Steve

Since the unit you have doesn't have an ethernet port one option is to connect it to your computer, and access your music from your LAN (Wired or wireless). The chances are that you will get faster transfers this way in any case, but the downside is that you have to turn the computer on for this to work.

I had a couple of NAS drives once, but compared with USB2 or USB3 drives they were slow. Your Firewire connection should be very fast.

Is this a possible applcation for Raspberry Pi? http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi&cm_mmc=UK-PPC-0212-_-02_Raspberry_PI-_-Raspberry_PI-_-Raspberry_Pi

You might be able to access your drive using a Raspberry Pi as an interface device.

[steviej233]

Cheers for that Dave, thats not a bad idea at all. My laptop has an HDMI port so i might just plug that in to my TV and amp and leave it there and get a wireless keyboard and mouse.