Using MM(A&W) to play QNAP NAS music to Sonos(S1) setup [#14301]

[windbag]

I have all my music in a folder on my QNAP NAS in directory; NAS\path1\Multimedia\MusicMM
It has taken several years & will be expanded for many years to come.
I don’t want anything to modify what I have set up there.

I would like to use several Nexus2 tablets to use MMA to play NAS music to Sonos (S1), to avoid Sonos limitations.

Have installed MM5W on Win10 PC (powered down much of the time).
In the install, I set up the library index to just .mp3 files (count=21k)
Created OK, moved MM5.db to NAS\path2\ folder.
Modified MMW .ini to use the NAS folder.
Works good.
Can do Play/”Play to” & it shows all my Sonos units OK.
(I note the command shortcut uses the “cast” icon)

Installed MMA (free) to 1st tablet.
Getting stuck how to tell MMA to use NAS\path2\MM5.db as index.
Also how to “play to Sonos”; Can’t see MMA equiv of MMW “Play/Play to”
(Can find “Cast” in settings, but only my TV’s show as options. Sonos units missing)

As a test, I managed to add the existing Twonky as UPnP server, and can browse to folders with the music & can play NAS tracks to tablet locally – but not to Sonos.
Also, Twonky is complicated as it has indexed EVERYTHING on the NAS (I have never set it up directly).
The path2\MM5.db file would be smaller & cleaner.

Only other server MMA picks up is the PC version, which won’t be there when the PC is powered down.

Advice sought re how to get MMA to use the NAS for both index database and music file source.
Not that familiar with network terminology – please be gentle !

[Lowlander]

MMA can't use the MMW5 db. You can only connect via UPnP to MMW5.

This means that the MMW5 PC needs to be running.

You could Sync to the devices and play the Synced files.

Otherwise you'll need a DLNA Server running directly on the NAS.

[windbag]

that raises several more queries, but I'll only post the first as without it, I can't use MMA:

1) (The most important):
I can use MMA Via Twonky (presumably counts as a "DLNA Server running directly on the NAS") to play music files locally (albeit messily) to to the tablet.
How can I get MMA to "Play to" one of the networked Sonos Units like MM5W can?

I'll come back with 2/3 if this can be sorted

[Peke]

Hi,
ATM moment you can't (at least in our tests), BUT (big one) developer of https://mmremote.net/ asked us about control selection of MM "Play to" feature in API to expand MM5 work viewtopic.php?t=99481 and we are still investigating it for future implementation.
I guess that would be the solution for you?
For Now you can also set MM5 to Play To Sonos but that would still need access to PC.

So basically you will have MM5 server set and control it over MMremote.

EDIT: What ROM/Firmware you use on Nexus 2 (2013) tablet?

[windbag]

What ROM/Firmware you use on Nexus 2 (2013) tablet?

I am looking to use this on 5 or 6 different Nexus 2 (2013) units, scattered round the house where the Sonos Units are sited.
They have slightly different levels of Total ROM on each, but are all on the last Android available for them, namely 6.0.1

Sonos "upgrades" have sought to make those controllers obsolete - and it is my reluctance to dump them that means I am on the old Sonos (S1) setup.

The first Lexus I'm trying out MMA on has a 2GB ROM, if that is what you mean.
It has Kernel 3.4.0.gad29d11
Build # MOB30X
The MMA version that has installed is 1.4.4.0956
Does that give the details needed?

How can I get MMA to "Play to" one of the networked Sonos Units like MM5W can?

ATM moment you can't (at least in our tests), BUT (big one) developer of https: // mmremote .net/ asked us about control selection of MM "Play to" feature in API to expand MM5 work viewtopic.php?t=99481 and we are still investigating it for future implementation.
I guess that would be the solution for you?

I think that would be the solution, yes - and the lack of it appears to be the obstacle, then.
I did look at your (helpful) links, but the need to keep a PC "awake" 24/7 pretty much kills immediate progress, especially with today's energy usage considerations.

It is a pity, as the Sonos community (inc me) are constantly tearing their hair out about being stymied by the Sonos apps that constantly try to make redundant otherwise useful hardware, plus limit the track+playlist reference count to 65k - which is easily broached if you have stuff on a NAS.

BUT: If Twonky/similar is on Most NAS, and then if MMA could "Play to" one of the networked Sonos Units like MM5W can, then that should solve my problem AND MM5A could be promoted as a new Sonos/NAS-music-source controller.

[Peke]

Hi,
I also referenced this Topic in https://www.ventismedia.com/mantis/view.php?id=14301 for faster check and analyze.

[Jantzer]

I downloaded MM5 this morning and at first was not able to get my music to stream to Sonos but was able to figure it out after a few beers. Originally it did not work then I:
1) Opened Control Panel
2) Click on Network and Internet
3) Open Network and Sharing Center
4) Click on Change Advance Sharing Settings
5) Click "Turn on Network Discovery" and the box underneath it Turn on Automatic Setup of Network Connected Devices
6) Turn on "File and Printer Sharing"
7) Click on Arrow below to Open "Guest or Public"
Repeat steps 5 & 6 and click Save Changes
9) Choose Arrow to expand "All Networks"
10) Choose Media Streaming Options (Under Media Streaming)
11) Select "Turn on Media Streaming"
12) Use the icon in the bottom right of MM5 (Just to the left of the Volume Slider) to send your music to the desired source
This will allow you to share your media Library with other devices
Make sure your computer stays on during streaming
Hope this helps

[windbag]

I downloaded MM5 this morning and at first was not able to get my music to stream to Sonos...
...
Make sure your computer stays on during streaming

As in my OP, I got MM5(W) to play to my Sonos. I got it to work via Play/”Play to”, as it shows all my Sonos units OK.
But there is no equivalent on MM(5)A on my android devices.
Until MM(5)A can do what MM5(W) does - ie stream to Sonos units, my problem remains unsolved
- as I cannot leave my PC on 24/7, as said in OP.
The NAS is the thing that is on 24/7

...
Hope this helps

Sadly not.