Move iTunes media directory to NAS? Any problems with this setup, esp. with AirTunes?

[Eug]

I have my iTunes directory on my iMac, but I no longer keep my iMac on 24/7, so I'm thinking of moving it to my NAS.

Synology has instructions on how to do this:

http://www.synology.com/support/tutorials_show.php?lang=us&q_id=521

Specifically, I'd like to be able to access the files from my Airport Express units for audio playback through my stereo, so I'm wondering if there are any issues with doing this.

Synology does have an iTunes Server app, but I've never used it.

http://www.synology.com/dsm/home_home_applications_itunes_server.php?lang=us

However, I'm gathering by the fine print that it isn't a full iTunes implementation, so ideally I'd still be better off administering it through the iMac... which is a problem for Airport Express since it's not on 24/7.

Or am I just overthinking this?

 

[vbuggy]

I don't understand why people enter the Apple world and expect stuff to still work reasonably when you mix in stuff from other makers. That is Windows.

If you want it to 'just work' and still stay iTunes-centric, get a Mini. Keep that on 24/7 along with the NAS.

Or get a Sonos network, which will read SMB shares just fine.

 

[Eug]

Thanks, but I'm sticking with this hardware, and looking for advice from people with real world experience with this sort of setup and this sort of migration.

As for the mini idea, I've considered that, but I don't want to spend hundreds on it, especially since I wouldn't need it for anything else.

P.S. I use iTunes on Windows too. Some Apple hardware and software is cross platform, including both iTunes and Airport Express. I actually have a Windows machine that's lower power than a mini, with iTunes installed, but I'd rather not use that either.

I think what I'll do is move the directory to the NAS, but continue to administer it from the iMac. However, I will install the NAS's iTunes server to have access to it 24/7 at least from some hardware.

 

[vbuggy]

... then it's not going to be a 'just works' solution.

As I said, if you're determined to keep your computing hardware exactly as is, in that case get a Sonos setup.

You won't thank me for it, since my better-informed opinions here are clearly divergent to yours, but a simpler solution in use you are unlikely to find. I've tried practically every other arrangement and ended up carpet-bombing my homes with Sonos. Now I listen instead of nerd.

 

[Eug]

Sonos is a consideration in the future, but not at this time, due to cost.

 

[b_scott]

I have tried what you want to do in the past but didn't really press it too far. I would imagine you could just share out the folder on the network and use it as your default iTunes location. However I'm not sure about Airport Express and how that works.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

You can point the iTunes application at the folder on a NAS/SMB share, sure. Works fine. But drive spin-up time and network lag will sometimes make iTunes think the files are missing sometimes. (When you're using iTunes on the Mac to change files around, etc.) So you'll be slightly annoyed by it from time to time.

The Synology will work fine as the iTunes server for the Airport Express units, but you have to be careful with that - updates to iTunes or firmware updates to the Airports can break streaming on third-party iTunes servers.

If you really want to use iTunes in a shared library environment seamlessly, you should have a Mac or PC running iTunes with sharing on, imo. The NAS boxes always seem to have a couple caveats.

 

[manly]

Thanks, but I'm sticking with this hardware, and looking for advice from people with real world experience with this sort of setup and this sort of migration.

As for the mini idea, I've considered that, but I don't want to spend hundreds on it, especially since I wouldn't need it for anything else.

P.S. I use iTunes on Windows too. Some Apple hardware and software is cross platform, including both iTunes and Airport Express. I actually have a Windows machine that's lower power than a mini, with iTunes installed, but I'd rather not use that either.

I think what I'll do is move the directory to the NAS, but continue to administer it from the iMac. However, I will install the NAS's iTunes server to have access to it 24/7 at least from some hardware.

everything you proposed except Airport Express is trivial.

iTunes Server has been around since v4.0, background info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Access_Protocol

I don't believe you'll be able to get audio output from a 3rd party server (i.e. Synology or other NAS) to the AirPort Express. Chances are Synology would have to pay Apple a license fee to offer this feature.

Apparently there's a library out there that can serve AirTunes if the NAS integrated it:
forked-daapd

 

[Kadarin]

Well, one problem would be if your girlfriend decides to steal your NAS while becoming your ex girlfriend, but that's not a technical issue.

 

[Eug]

everything you proposed except Airport Express is trivial.

iTunes Server has been around since v4.0, background info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Access_Protocol

I don't believe you'll be able to get audio output from a 3rd party server (i.e. Synology or other NAS) to the AirPort Express. Chances are Synology would have to pay Apple a license fee to offer this feature.

Apparently there's a library out there that can serve AirTunes if the NAS integrated it:
forked-daapd

OK, I'll look into that, but I'm no terminal jockey.

In the meantime, I just have my iMac on Wake-On-LAN, which works, but takes a while.

Well, one problem would be if your girlfriend decides to steal your NAS while becoming your ex girlfriend, but that's not a technical issue.

Heh. I guess it's easier to steal a NAS than a 27" iMac, but the good news is we're pretty stable, with a kid, and she wouldn't know what to do with a NAS anyway. Still, I have a daily backup on a second NAS in a separate location, and I've even backed up my iTunes directory to BD-R. Which reminds me. It's time to do that again, but I'll have to find some good quality BDs on sale somewhere.