Can't connect to 'Home Music Server' via 'Wiim Home' Android app.

[HarounHaroun]

Hi there,

recently bought a WiimUltra that goes directly via RCA into my PrimaLuna tube amp.. Set up fine, I can stream directly from Spotify, and managed to connect via Plex to stream off my Buffalo LinkStation LS-QVL/R5 (that is 10 years old!)..

I just cannot connect directly to the NAS via the latest Wiim Home app for Android on both my Pixel 6 pro AND my Lenovo Tablet.

I have contacted Wimm Support and they said the device has to be on the same network as my NAS.. they BOTH are via Wifi, I even check their IP addresses.

Now here is the frustrating thing.. I can map the drives fine on the WiimHome (beta) for Windows 11 desktop !!!

The thing is I need to have my PC online in order to stream files off my NAS which is always on. I have tried having the WiimUltra connect via Ethernet and Wifi but that didn't make a difference, the shares would not map on the phone/tablet app!!

The WiimHome desktop app has it's DLNA server enabled and the files appear on my device app, but once I shut down my PC, I cannot see the files anymore.

This is a complete pain in the @rse! I have previously used the Volumio app on my Raspberry Pi4 streaming DAC, Volumio is basically a 'headles's app and if found the NAS shares fine, as it maps directly to the NAS Operating system (using path \\192.168.0.22\share\music). Unfortunately the Wiim Home app isn't headless, so the settings from my Desktop App do not 'sync' to the phone or tablet app.

The Linkstation NAS has it's own DLNA server, which the Wiim finds no problem but it only maps it to one drive - and I have my audio files spread across 4 different drives.

Has anyone found a workaround for this problem, or do I need to wait for Wiim to issue a fix?? Thanks!

 

[Burnside]

Given the age of the Buffalo, I guess it only supports SMB v1 which has been deprecated - iirc, WiiM samba shares need at least v2/v3.

See https://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=25107.0 or this comment/thread https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/beta-test-samba-feature-now-publicly-available.3875/post-88006

Consequently, I expect WiiM (like many others) won’t issue a fix to allow SMB v1.

 

[HarounHaroun]

Given the age of the Buffalo, I guess it only supports SMB v1 which has been deprecated - iirc, WiiM samba shares need at least v2/v3.

See https://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=25107.0 or this comment/thread https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/beta-test-samba-feature-now-publicly-available.3875/post-88006

Consequently, I expect WiiM (like many others) won’t issue a fix to allow SMB v1.

Thanks for that reply.. SO my Buffalo is running the latest firmware 1.75, so according to that forum I should have SMB2 on it..not sure how to check.. I have also enabled SMB1 and 2 on my PC and CIFS.. and as I stated I can connect via the WiimHome DESKTOP app.. I just can't connect via the ANDROID app!

 

[simbun]

The Linkstation NAS has it's own DLNA server, which the Wiim finds no problem but it only maps it to one drive - and I have my audio files spread across 4 different drives.

Surely this is a DLNA Server configuration problem? If you browsed using another control point (BubbleUPnP/mconnect) I'm sure you'd see the same.

Can't you use Volumio to index the NAS and make it available over DLNA/UPnP, as it'll give a much richer browsing experience than going the SMB route.

 

[Burnside]

When you contacted WiiM support, was it thru email or the WiiM app? If the latter, they should have been able to inspect your device logs and identify why the connection attempt fails - I’d maybe go back to them and ask if there was evidence in the log that might shed further light on your issue

 

[harkpabst]

Thanks for that reply.. SO my Buffalo is running the latest firmware 1.75, so according to that forum I should have SMB2 on it.

According to this page (it's in German only, use an online translator) ...

Buffalo Linkstation LS-QVL SMB 2 aktivieren – computerkram.net

... you don't get SMB2 automatically with firmware 1.75. But you can enable it. Unfortunately, this requires root access to the LS-QVL and editing one or two config files manually.

If the LS-QVL was running its own DLNA server (properly configured), then SMB shouldn't matter at all. The DLNA server started by WiiM Home Windows beta obviously picks up all the available locations of media data (drives connected to your PC using SMB) and that's why it works.

WiiM also do support SMB shares for those cases where not DLNA server is available, but it doesn't support SMB1 for good reasons.

 

[HarounHaroun]

According to this page (it's in German only, use an online translator) ...

Buffalo Linkstation LS-QVL SMB 2 aktivieren – computerkram.net

... you don't get SMB2 automatically with firmware 1.75. But you can enable it. Unfortunately, this requires root access to the LS-QVL and editing one or two config files manually.

If the LS-QVL was running its own DLNA server (properly configured), then SMB shouldn't matter at all. The DLNA server started by WiiM Home Windows beta obviously picks up all the available locations of media data (drives connected to your PC using SMB) and that's why it works.

WiiM also do support SMB shares for those cases where not DLNA server is available, but it doesn't support SMB1 for good reasons.

Hi thanks, yes I understand that, but my issue is why doesn't this work on my phone/tablet version of the App?? Or does that infer than when I select the DLNA or UpnP option from the 'Browse' option on the WiimHome app it will sync the data off the DLNA server on the desktop? Does the desktop need to be online for this to work, or the data locations will be synced to my phone/tablet?

 

[HarounHaroun]

When you contacted WiiM support, was it thru email or the WiiM app? If the latter, they should have been able to inspect your device logs and identify why the connection attempt fails - I’d maybe go back to them and ask if there was evidence in the log that might shed further light on your issue

Both.. they just pointed me to one of their FAQ's saying the App needs to be on the 'same network' which it is, go figure...

 

[harkpabst]

Hi thanks, yes I understand that, but my issue is why doesn't this work on my phone/tablet version of the App?? Or does that infer than when I select the DLNA or UpnP option from the 'Browse' option on the WiimHome app it will sync the data off the DLNA server on the desktop? Does the desktop need to be online for this to work, or the data locations will be synced to my phone/tablet?

The Windows app (beta) implements a DLNA server. The WiiM Ultra implements a DLNA server (for USB storage devices connected to it). The smartphone/tablet app does not, it expects a running DLNA server to connect to.

Honestly speaking I'm not sure how SMB support has been implemented, because I have no use for it.

The more I think about it, this ...

The Linkstation NAS has it's own DLNA server, which the Wiim finds no problem but it only maps it to one drive - and I have my audio files spread across 4 different drives.

... is the problem that needs to be resolved. I'm struggling with your (or Buffalo's) terminology. Usually the NAS software should build an abstraction layer, completely hiding the physical drives. Four (identical) drives would most likely be used in a RAID10 configuration, providing fault tolerance and performance improvements. Even if you'd be using four different drives (I hope not) these would most likely be configured as JBOD (just a bunch of disks), so they would look like one drive to the outer world (absolutely no fault tolerance, but maximum storage capacity from different drives).

On top of that you should be able to configure different file shares e.g. home shares for multiple users or shares for music or for backup purposes. The DLNA server might just be able to serve the contents of one media share, but if so, simply copy all your music files to this one share.

 

[HarounHaroun]

The Windows app (beta) implements a DLNA server. The WiiM Ultra implements a DLNA server (for USB storage devices connected to it). The smartphone/tablet app does not, it expects a running DLNA server to connect to.

Honestly speaking I'm not sure how SMB support has been implemented, because I have no use for it.

The more I think about it, this ...

... is the problem that needs to be resolved. I'm struggling with your (or Buffalo's) terminology. Usually the NAS software should build an abstraction layer, completely hiding the physical drives. Four (identical) drives would most likely be used in a RAID10 configuration, providing fault tolerance and performance improvements. Even if you'd be using four different drives (I hope not) these would most likely be configured as JBOD (just a bunch of disks), so they would look like one drive to the outer world (absolutely no fault tolerance, but maximum storage capacity from different drives).

On top of that you should be able to configure different file shares e.g. home shares for multiple users or shares for music or for backup purposes. The DLNA server might just be able to serve the contents of one media share, but if so, simply copy all your music files to this one share.

i am using the JBOD config, each drive 3TB independently, and appearing as independent shares (eg: F: = \\192.168.0.22\share1, G: = \\192.168.0.22\share2 etc..etc..) on my PC which map directly like network shares on the Windows11 desktop . DLNA works for one share, but I cant fit 10TB of files onto the one selected JBOD drive/DLNA server path! That is the $50 question! The WiimHome mobile app just doesn't play the same way as the dekstop app. I just want to map multiple paths direct to my NAS via the WiimHome mobile APP and leave it at that! The Bubble UPnP doesnt work either, but the Volumio one does. Hrrmph!

 

[harkpabst]

I am using the JBOD config, each drive 3TB independently, and appearing as independent shares (eg: F: = \\192.168.0.22\share1, G: = \\192.168.0.22\share2 etc..etc..) on my PC which map directly like network shares on the Windows11 desktop.

In retrospect, certainly not the most flexible configuration. I have no idea what this NAS could or couldn't do back then.

DLNA works for one share, but I cant fit 10TB of files onto the one selected JBOD drive/DLNA server path! That is the $50 question!

Bummer. And just a confirmation that the old config is pretty limiting.

The WiimHome mobile app just doesn't play the same way as the dekstop app.

Probably not going to happen.

The Bubble UPnP doesnt work either, but the Volumio one does. Hrrmph!

Just like the WiiM Home app, Bubble UPnP is not a Digital Media Server, but a Digital Media Controller (and - contrary to the WiiM Home app - a Digital Media Player).

WiiM did even take care of you people without a proper Digital Media Server by implementing SMB support. But enabling SMB1 support really isn't an option at all. If you cannot get SMB2 enabled using the article mentioned above there is no good and easy solution I could think about.

Not sure what volumino does and how they do it. Can you search and filter music by tags (like artist, album, track number) or are you limited to browsing folders?

 

[Burnside]

The WiimHome mobile app just doesn't play the same way as the dekstop app

What you are really saying is that your mobile/WiiM device just doesn’t play the same way as Windows where you have enabled SMB1, and as @harkpabst has said, it’s extremely unlikely and unwise for security reasons that WiiM will provide support for SMB1. It’s not really an app issue.

Given the shortcomings of the Linkstation DLNA server and your desire to keep your PC out of it, I guess you need to pursue the SMB2 route for the NAS as mentioned above.

Another potential solution might be to use your Raspberry Pi 4 if you still have it, enable SMB1 for it and use a UPNP server like Minimserver which does allow multiple media folders, not just one like your NAS’ DLNA implementation.

 

[simbun]

Not sure what volumino does and how they do it. Can you search and filter.music by tags (like artist, album, track number) or are you limited to browsing folders?

@HarounHaroun,

Volumio does index network shares for use with its own UI but also has a plugin architecture that allows you to install JellyFin/Lyrion/MiniDLNA. You do need to create an account, but once you've logged in they're available from 'Plugins > Music Services'.
Certainly a better option than SMB browsing in the WHA which is just folder/filename browsing.

If the WiiM is set to replace Volumio then another option - if you don't want an OS to maintain - is to install DietPi on the Pi4 and choose a media server from there; if DietPi supports SMB v1!

 

[HarounHaroun]

Thank you @harkpabst !! That method worked..

I needed to get a Buffalo utility called ACP Commander to turn on SSS and set a root pwd. I was then able to putty to the device, modify a config file and 'voila' SMB2 was enabled. I do have Firmware 1.75 installed which was the 'last' firware released back during COVID!

Anyway it works perfectly via the app, one question is how to I then index and search on files on app? I can just add the folders as bookmarks within 'Home Music Share' how then can I see artwork, play, shuffle etc?

 

[simbun]

Anyway it works perfectly via the app, one question is how to I then index and search on files on app?

It doesn't index SMB shares, just folder/filename browsing, that's why I said enabling a DLNA Server on Volumio would be a better option.

 

[HarounHaroun]

It doesn't index SMB shares, just folder/filename browsing, that's why I said enabling a DLNA Server on Volumio would be a better option.

Not via another app? Can't Plex or whatever map and index them?? Ahh, but then you need to Run the Plex server to access!! Dang! Can Volumio connect to the Wiim?

 

[Burnside]

Not via another app? Can't Plex or whatever map and index them?? Ahh, but then you need to Run the Plex server to access!! Dang! Can Volumio connect to the Wiim?

You’re confusing SMB shares which are just like a drive mapping in Windows - it’s a route to a file structure, little else - with media server software like Plex or DLNA which can sit in front of such a repository, index its contents in a non-file system manner using tags like artist, album etc and then deliver its contents via requests from client devices over the network. In the latter case, the media server is visible to those clients so if Volumio had such a DLNA server, it would be visible (but not strictly “connected to”) to DLNA clients like the WiiM app which in turn sends the audio to a DLNA renderer/player like your WiiM device.

 

[simbun]

Not via another app? Can't Plex or whatever map and index them?? Ahh, but then you need to Run the Plex server to access!! Dang! Can Volumio connect to the Wiim?

Do you have Volumio Premium as it looks like that supports casting to Chromecast.

You can install another server in Volumio which would be picked up by the WHA as I explained here (not Lyrion if you want to use it within the WHA).

 

[HarounHaroun]

You’re confusing SMB shares which are just like a drive mapping in Windows - it’s a route to a file structure, little else - with media server software like Plex or DLNA which can sit in front of such a repository, index its contents in a non-file system manner using tags like artist, album etc and then deliver its contents via requests from client devices over the network. In the latter case, the media server is visible to those clients so if Volumio had such a DLNA server, it would be visible (but not strictly “connected to”) to DLNA clients like the WiiM app which in turn sends the audio to a DLNA renderer/player like your WiiM device.

Yep, got it! The DLNA server on the Buffalo is pretty crap! SO no metadata is kept in the Wiim Home app for instance? I was just wondering aloud whether the network path reference would be availalbe on the phone even if the Plex or WiimHome 'server' is offline but no...Would be good if an app on the Wiim device itself kept those references/meta data!

 

[cc_rider]

Yep, got it! The DLNA server on the Buffalo is pretty crap! SO no metadata is kept in the Wiim Home app for instance? I was just wondering aloud whether the network path reference would be availalbe on the phone even if the Plex or WiimHome 'server' is offline but no...Would be good if an app on the Wiim device itself kept those references/meta data!

Streamers are generally low storage capacity devices, while NAS servers generally have billions or trillions of bytes. It has always made far more sense to store the metadata on the server with the music files. Doubt this will change.