Nuvo Music Port MPS4

[Swancoat]

Anybody having any trouble playing Sirius on their MPS4?

If I reboot the MPS4, I can go to a keypad, stream some Sirius, no problem. But then sometimes it stops working (not mid-stream though. I'll stop it and then it won't start). Basically, I can use the keypad and try to make it play Sirius, but it doesn't. The station name will come up, then 'buffering...' then it just does nothing and goes back to what it was doing before.

Anyone else get this? If not, anyone got any ideas?

 

[Neurorad]

I have occasional song drop-outs streaming through RadioTime. I have similar drop-outs playing music on my PC. I think it's a disruption in the audio stream, from the station's streamer.

I'm considering using an iPad as a dedicated in-wall for the GC and MPS4. Anyone running either of the apps have any input? How functional is the app? I currently don't own an iPad, so not sure of the logistics of using it as a dedicated touchscreen. Used/refurbed iPad prices will drop sharply when the iPad2 ships, maybe April.

 

[Swancoat]

I only know of the one app that actually works, which is NuVo's. I think it's pretty good, but it's an iPhone app, and on iPad it just runs in pixel-doubled mode. Not native iPad.

My understanding was that the other app for Autonomic Mirage Servers would work, but it didn't for me. Connects to MPS4 long enough to tell me it wont' work and that I need to by NuVo's overpriced app (which I COULD justify for me and my wife, but we have separate iTunes accounts, and would have to pay 2 x $99.) As it is, I'm down $30 on the stupid Mirage app that doesn't work with MPS4.

Anyway, Until it comes out as a Native iPad app, I'd wait.

 

[Traderbc]

Let me share my experience with the NuVo iPhone app.

First I have to say the cost of the app is way too much but.....

Before I brought the full NuVo app I tried the free version first. First time hook up it took forever for the app to find the server.
The free version will only control Zone 1 or All Zones.
You can search the music library on the MSP4 as well as access RadioTime.

I have a lot of chinese songs on the MSP4 which is unreadable from the control pad or the Music Port Client on PC. They will show ???? which is totally useless.
I emailed NuVo support but they said they have no plans to support chinese language in the near future.

However the iP app will allow me to read all the chinese characters so to me its indispensable.
Once I tested the trail version I was hooked and paid for the full app right away.

I would recommend getting the free version to anyone with MSP4 first. The least you can control Zone 1.

You can load the app to unlimited iP/iT as long as they are on the same account. I hope NuVo would make a proper version for iPad too for the $$$ they are charging.

Hope this is helpful for anyone considering the app.

 

[Neurorad]

Thanks guys. That is very helpful. Much appreciated.

 

[Neurorad]

Anyone try the Mirage app on an iPad? Similar limitations?

 

[AceCannon]

I'll chime in to say the iPhone app is a REALLY GREAT way to control the GC. Much much easier to scroll through lists of songs, pandora stations, artists, etc as compared with the GC keypads.

Setup for me was extremely quick, server was recognized instantly. Really, there was no setup to speak of, come to think of it.

I too am using the free version. Works fine for party mode and to control one source. Even though it only does one zone, if you have other zones tuned to the same source, it will essentially "control" all those zones. In party mode, it controls the volume in all zones, as well.

I can't seem to find podcasts via the app, which is my only gripe. Other than the cost. I have not yet paid for the app, choosing instead to use CQC (which I have to do anyway for two zones powered by surround receivers).

CERTAINLY worth the free trial version.

 

[Neurorad]

I've slowly been installing my Nuvo GC retrofit, over the last year or so. I set up my 10th zone last night, and I think I've hit a wall.

The limitation on keypad distance is 1000' total, and I think I've exceeded that.

When I programmed the 10th zone, one of the other KPs flaked out - some kind of error message; that was the KP on my longest run.

I can lose 100 feet of 'service loops', at the rack, but I doubt that will be enough.

I'm considering controlling my longest run with an iPod touch, using the Nuvo or Autonomic app.

Anyone else tried an iPort product, for in-wall mounting of an iPod Touch or similar?

Sorry to derail, looking for control solutions. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Related Q - how does the Autonomic app compare with the Nuvo app?

 

[Neurorad]

Here's a pic of the iPort product that can be used for the iPod Touch:

It would be a few hundred dollars less than the Nuvo wireless remote, and would use wifi rather than dedicated Nuvo RF. I could just put that zone's KP in the rack, shaving 175' off the total KP cables.

 

[AceCannon]

The limitation on keypad distance is 1000' total, and I think I've exceeded that.

When I programmed the 10th zone, one of the other KPs flaked out - some kind of error message; that was the KP on my longest run.

I can lose 100 feet of 'service loops', at the rack, but I doubt that will be enough.

Interesting. I know I've got more than 1000' of cat5e for all my keypads. What are the chances there is a bad run of cable? A short?

I'm sure you've already tried unplugging the newest zone to see if the now-flaky zone returns to life? You could then plug in one or both of those zones temporarily into a short, 1-2' patch cable right at the ez-port (I think that is what they call that concentrator thingie).

Just seems a little weird. .

 

[Neurorad]

You're right, Ace. I should try to troubleshoot, before looking for a different solution.

I know it's not a short - tested it with the cheap Ideal cable tester. Real certification testers start at $300, I wonder how my installed cables are performing. Might be nice to show that the cables I installed passed some ETA/EATI/T&A qualifications.

 

[AceCannon]

You're right, Ace. I should try to troubleshoot, before looking for a different solution.

I know it's not a short - tested it with the cheap Ideal cable tester. Real certification testers start at $300, I wonder how my installed cables are performing. Might be nice to show that the cables I installed passed some ETA/EATI/T&A qualifications.

Just like a radiologist: always looking for better quality imaging. .

 

[Neurorad]

:lol:

Like a surgeon, I should have just immediately cut out the offending keypads, and sent them to Nuvo for path.

And I can always blame my crimper and wire cutters, for a kinked cable behind the drywall.

Maybe a few days of 'cable rest' will let the system cool off.

I know, my favorite bush is the hedge, and to hide a dollar from me you can tape it to the patient. :rofl:

I'm killing me here. :blink:

 

[AceCannon]

I know, my favorite bush is the hedge, and to hide a dollar from me you can tape it to the patient.

You forgot:

Favorite food is waffle.

:horse:

 

[Neurorad]

I heard Steven Wright say that he was getting an MRI, to test him for claustrophobia.

I replaced the problem KP, with an unused one - no fix.

I re-terminated the cat6 cable ends - problem persisted.

I cut out 25 feet of 'service loop' at the rack - problem solved!

I guess the real problem was the length of that 1 run; must have been 200+ feet total. Up the wall, to the attic. Run along the periphery of the attic, up one floor to the second attic, long run along the roof, prob 50 feet, then drops down 2 floors to the basement through a chase. Then, another 25 feet to the rack.

I left myself 6 feet of service loop at the rack, should be plenty for any future changes.

Thanks for your help, Ace!