Headless Linux UPnP Music Server - help with looking for one

[Cebolla]

I don't get the question, especially with you referring to those UPnP renderers. I believe what you are actually after is a UPnP media server.

 

If that's the case, then you'd be pushed to find a better UPnP media server for music than the audio file dedicated MinimServer:

http://minimserver.com/index.html

 

I've run MinimServer headless before, without any issues, on a Raspberry Pi under Raspbian (Jessie) - so I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to do the same on a NUC. It does require the Java runtime to also be installed. Plus, to configure remotely, you need to install its own configuration software (MinimWatch) on the other machine, rather than configure it via a web browser.

 

BTW, try not to think that UPnP renderers can somehow be served like a DAC connected to an audio system by a 'traditional' computer based music server running audio file playing software. Hence don't expect "Music Server experts" to know anything about UPnP media servers.

 

Also, you'll likely get more relevant replies if you post any UPnP/DLNA streaming related queries in the 'Networking, Networked Audio and Streaming' section, rather the 'Music Servers' section.

[Cebolla]

None of the suggestions so far provide a native UPnP/DLNA media server, apart from Volumio. Even then, Volumio is intended to be mainly used as a UPnP renderer in its own right, with the built-in UPnP/DLNA media server, MiniDLNA, provided as an afterthought/convenience for those that wish to run an all in one device - so don't expect any serious support for it.

 

VortexBox, Daphile and any other distro that contains the Logitech Media Server (normally used with Squeezebox type streamers) may well prove problematic. LMS is not a native UPnP/DLNA media server and requires the long unsupported old UPnP/DLNA Media Interface LMS plugin to be enabled to provide a true UPnP media server.

Alternatively, using LMS with the excellent UPnPBridge LMS plugin would normally allow you to connect a UPnP renderer and therefore use the UPnP renderer as if it were a Squeezebox. However, specifically HQPlayerd has problems being used as a UPnP renderer with the UPnPBridge plugin  - @shadowlighthas recently given up trying:

 

The MPD + Upmpdcli (another UPnP renderer) based suggestions still require you to somehow install and run a UPnP/DLNA media server.

 

The Wtfplay suggestion - never heard of this audio file player having anything to do with UPnP streaming!

 

 

Since you have already mentioned the DietPi distro - have you thought about installing MinimServer on DietPi? DietPi is supposed to be Debian based like Raspbian - see:

DietPi/Fuzon Forums - MinimServer on DietPi

[Cebolla]

5 hours ago, Dan Gravell said:

@Cebolla what are the issues using LMS as a UPnP Media Server? I continue to use VB day-to-day as I still use the LMS ecosystem, but the UPnP server still pops up when I happen to do a UPnP scan.

It's quite buggy, the issues range from not working at all, to not allowing basic playback functions to work properly (especially pause) and depends on the UPnP renderer & control point you are using it with. If you don't require LMS's default UPnP media server to appear on your network, you can disable it by unticking the UPnP/DLNA Media Interface plugin, in LMS's plugin settings page.

 

The Whitebear Media Server / Renderer helper software works much better than the UPnP/DLNA Media Interface plugin at providing LMS with a working UPnP/DLNA media server front end, but unfortunately it runs as a separate application and only on Windows:

http://www.whitebear.ch/mediaserver

[Cebolla]

19 hours ago, zackthedog said:

Those are three pretty decent options that involve almost no Linux skills and afford very good sound.

 

Whether a distro's as an audio file player produces a good sound is irrelevant as far its provision of a UPnP/DLNA media server is concerned. UPnP/DLNA media servers do not play audio files - they just provide them for other devices on the network (ie, UPnP renderers) to play them.

[Cebolla]

Deleted (double post).

[Cebolla]

The OP is looking for a USB bootable distro for the Intel NUC that comes specifically with a headless autostarting UPnP/DLNA media server, or is capable of having one easily installed, to provide audio files over the network for standard UPnP renderers.

 

Are you certain this is also what you require?

[Cebolla]

1 hour ago, Em2016 said:

Is this a question for me?

 

My apologies, Em2016 - took OP to mean original poster (rather than original post), didn't look at the member avatar/name properly and thought some one else was posting!

 

Please ignore.