Question Would WD My Cloud do the job?

[DefDave]

At the moment I can listen to the FLAC ripped cd's on my laptop, on a UPNP enabled M&J WLD+211T net player. I can also watch downloaded movies stored on same laptop on a DLNA enabled Yamaha BD477S blu ray player. Thinking ahead, laptop storage is going to become an issue in the not too distant future. As I see it, the WD My Cloud would offer an inexpensive solution. However, I'm not 100% on a couple of points. Firstly. am I right in thinking that no additional software would be necessary as the Yamaha and M&J both read and play stored files? And secondly, at the same time, would I be able to listen to music while the Mrs is watching her chick flicks? Confirmation or suggestions on my thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[RBZ5416]

Firstly. am I right in thinking that no additional software would be necessary as the Yamaha and M&J both read and play stored files?

Depends. If you're intending to keep the laptop running & index the WD then it should be fine. If you're wanting a standalone device to stream from the the WD isn't it. You need DLNA server software running somewhere & AFAIK, that WD is just storage

 

[DefDave]

Thanks for prompt response. Excuse my ignorance, but isn't that the laptops role in my current set up, storage?

 

[DefDave]

I was hoping to use as storage that my players could utilise without any messing about with software, as they do now. I've read reviews of the My Cloud and the general consensus is that they are a female dog to install and set up software on. So perhaps not for me then.
Maybe his and hers laptops is the way to go.

 

[mseve1]

Might be worth considering an entry-level 2 bay NAS from Synology or QNAP. Both brands have very user friendly operating systems and easy to install apps including UPNP media servers. Not only would this give you the ability to stream independently of your laptop but a 2 disk RAID configuration would provide extra security for your file storage.

 

[DefDave]

Yeah, I think I need to review and digest what's out there. Head's spinning in unfamiliar territory at the moment.

 

[Cebolla]

Thanks for prompt response. Excuse my ignorance, but isn't that the laptops role in my current set up, storage?

No - a UPnP/DLNA media server application is also required to provide the stored files for UPnP/DLNA streaming over the network. If you didn't install one yourself, then it's likely the (Windows) laptop is automatically running the built-in Windows DLNA media server service process that comes bundled with Windows Media Player.

 

[DefDave]

I see. That's why WMP didn't appear to be playing when streaming to M&J. I'm getting there - slowly.

 

[DefDave]

Right then, My Cloud Home, comes with Plex built in. Never used this before so installed on laptop and added some FLAC's and videos. The M&J found Plex and played the FLAC's and the Yamaha played the video's. Bit of a faff adding files without 'drag n drop' but probably get used to it. So, at £149 for 4TB at Curry's, thinking of giving this a go. I was sort of on the right lines with My Cloud, but you guys made it clearer, thanks.

 

[mseve1]

@DefDave - whilst the £149 WD MyCloudHome device with Plex should satisfy your requirements please be aware that it is a barebones NAS solution which is rather inflexible and may not be performant. User reviews are, on the whole, positive but many have a few issues with it.

 

[DefDave]

Right, can answer original post myself now - NO! After consulting with 'Expert' at Curry's, who assured me the MyCloud Home would stream my movie files to blu ray player, and music files to net player, I wasted 6 hours installing, reinstalling, configuring and loading not many files on a MCH.
Got the FLAC's to play on both machines via the Plex server, but the Mp4 and MKV files couldn't be added to Plex library. Online support for both Plex and MCH comes in the form of 'Fans?' forums. Here I learnt that the MKV's are not compatible with Plex server, but the MP4's should be. Not on this one.
Hence to say, I'm £149 better off , and the dog WILL get walked today, after a return trip to Curry's.

 

[FeldmanHaim]

I was thinking of getting a WD My Cloud (possibly the older version rather than the updated Home version) purely to stream my own music library music whilst at home and out and about. Would it be suitable for this purpose?

 

[mseve1]

It all depends how you plan to stream. As you'll have seen from @DefDave's experience you may run into issues getting the WD My Cloud to do exactly what you require.

 

[FeldmanHaim]

I was assuming it could be done through an Android device using the My Cloud app then from there via bluetooth to a speaker?

 

[mseve1]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the My Cloud app and whether it has audio streaming capabilities. If not you should be able to use the Android BubbleUPnP app as per this thread

 

[FeldmanHaim]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the My Cloud app and whether it has audio streaming capabilities. If not you should be able to use the Android BubbleUPnP app as per this thread

Neither am I! I'm a complete newbie to this. I was hoping the WD My Cloud would be a simple solution?

 

[mseve1]

I was hoping the WD My Cloud would be a simple solution

Sadly not! I guess that remotely accessing your My Cloud may give further problems. Might be less hassle to use Spotify when you're 'out and about'

 

[FeldmanHaim]

Sadly not! I guess that remotely accessing your My Cloud may give further problems. Might be less hassle to use Spotify when you're 'out and about'

I considered it but I don't want the on going cost of a subscription service to listen to music I already have. Would a Synology NAS be a better option for my needs?!

 

[mseve1]

Would a Synology NAS be a better option

In a word 'Yes'. Whilst what you're proposing might well be possible on a WD My Cloud device I'm not sure it would be very successful as it's not really designed for remote streaming. On the other hand a 'proper' NAS such as a Synology or QNAP will have well documented (and well supported) software products which provide a wide range of functionalities including remote access services.

 

[Expostie]

Hello
I have a wd my cloud, can access files off mobile or ipad,but cannot set it up so i can access it through my TV , I use it on a mac mini.