[eclein]

Last night at like 4am I'm updating apps on my ipod and ipeng pops up with a little note that for $4.99 I can add "Playback" to ipeng which makes Squeezeserver see you ipod as another device and you just select it and now my whole library of music, wav, flac, the list goes on and on can be streamed to my ipod. I'm sitting here with headphones on right now listening to Steely San "Gaucho" the HD Tracks FLAC version through my ipod...this is huge for me. So here is the link to ipengs website for more info....
 http://penguinlovesmusic.de/2011/02/08/playback-comes-to-ipeng/
 

[mfsoa]

Hi Ed,

I too saw this feature, but noticed that WAV is not listed as a supported file format.

Have you tried this with a WAV file?   99% of my stuff on my drive is in WAV.

I'm eager to hear more about this - The ability to do this in software for $5 sure beats having to get a Squeezebox receiver (I know, not the same functionality but still cool!)

I'd be using the wife's IPad.

Be well,

-Mike

[eclein]

Mike...go to the website and it tells you everything....I'm going to try a wav file now..will let you know...LOL...this is fantastic, I can go anywhere in my apartment, smoke outside on the deck and still be listening to flac files...be right back with the scoop on the wav...

[sts9fan]

FLAC?

[eclein]

Yep==FLAC!!!!  Mike wav works also...Radiohead King Of Limbs baby...catcch the wav....Mike as long as the app is open on my ipod it does wav and I'm assuming as they mention on the ipeng website that the ipad home button has to be hit twice to really quit an app...correct?? The website has all the info....

[MaxCast]

This is pretty cool.  Makes the touch a squeeze box.

[eclein]

The following is from the website:


Playback Comes to iPeng!
10:16 AM in Uncategorized
Happy 2011, iPeng Users!

Here’s the first new release in 2011 and it brings you a long-awaited functionality for iPeng: Playback.
How Does it Work?
iPeng Playback will make your iOS device show up on a Squeezebox Server like any other Squeezebox Player and you control it just like that, too. With iPeng Playback your iOS device will have essentially the same music management capabilities as all your other players, so you can queue up tracks for a playlist or just play an album or even use plugins like Dynamic Playlists.
What Does it Support
iPeng Playback supports Squeezebox Server versions 7.3 and newer (previous versions back to 7.0 might work but are untested).
It plays the following file formats natively (that means: on the device itself):
MP3
AAC
FLAC*)
ALAC*)
Other formats can be used if your server supports transcoding and can encode them to FLAC. This depends on the available processing power and the file format involved.
*) Cellular Network Operation
When you use iPeng playback outside a WiFi network, over the cellular network, the “lossless” formats FLAC and ALAC will not be available to limit the bandwidth requirements. In this case, your server will have to support transcoding to MP3, which generally requires more processing power than FLAC encoding and you will have to have the necessary encoding software installed.
What are the Limitations?
iPeng Playback does NOT work directly with MySqueezebox.com. MySqueezebox.com is a service offered and run by Logitech in support of their own hardware and Logitech had to get approval from all of their content partners supported by it to use their services. This does not cover use on iOS so it’s not possible for us right now to use that service.
Also, we don’t believe this will be a big limitation since most of the services available through MySqueezebox.com can already be used through existing radio Apps for iOS or by the respective iOS Apps that these services provide themselves.
We believe, the biggest value of this feature lies in the capability to use your own library on the iOS device without having to sync it to the device.
Do I Have to Pay for Playback?
If you own only one iPeng version: yes.
Providing this capability along with continuing development of iPeng’s users interfaces and other functionalities (there’s a lot more exciting stuff coming up in 2011!) simply is too much work to be ever done for free.
In this particular case we used an implementation by a partner, James Fearon, who’s responsible for the whole feature and of course he wants to be rewarded for his hard work, too. We definitely can’t afford to pay him for all the users who have already purchased iPeng in the past, so this feature is only available as an “In App Purchase”.
Get Playback for Free on iPad if You Own iPeng for iPhone and for iPad
There’s one exception: Those users who bought both the iPhone and the iPad version of iPeng can get the playback feature for free on iPad. It technically also works to transfer this to iPad if you follow the process below but be warned: it’s a bit awkward.
We regard this as a little “kickback” to our true customers. As I’ve written before, we would have loved to be able to give discounts to those who purchase both Apps but due to the structure of the App Store we can’t do that and we also could not afford to make the iPad version a completely free update. So this is how we want to give you a little delayed discount.
How do you get it?
Install both Apps (iPeng for iPhone and iPeng for iPad) on your iPad. If you have not used iPeng for iPhone on your iPad: As long as you are using the same iTunes account as for your original purchase on iPhone or iPod, downloading it again on the iPad will be free; you can generally use App Store purchases on several devices. This is also true for In App Purchases (for the same App).
Start iPeng for iPad and go to “Settings->Enable Playback->You own both iPeng for iPad and iPeng for iPhone? Get Playback for free!”.
Press “Create Code”. This will create a voucher code that is valid in the OTHER App. Note: this code will only be valid for a limited time but you can create a new one at any time.
When the code shows up in the entry field at the top of the page, “hold” the code text for a second and release to get the popup menu, then select “Select” and “Copy” to copy the code to the clipboard.
Leave the App and start the OTHER iPeng App (iPeng for iPhone) on the iPad. Go to the same menu and do the “hold” in the empty text field, then select “Paste” from the popup menu.
Now press “Validate Code” and the playback feature will be enabled. Enabling the feature in one App will enable it for both Apps on that device.
Restart iPeng for iPad (the one where you generated the code). You need to “really” restart it, leaving to the home screen is not enough under iOS 4. You quit an App under iOS 4 by doubleclicking the “home” button on the iPad until the task bar shows up; then “hold” the App icon until it wobbles and press the red “-”. Then restart the App.
Back Up your App Data with iTunes. We don’t guarantee that this offer will be available in future versions of iPeng but once enabled, Playback will stay activated.
If you want to use the feature on other iOS devices, too, you need to first backup your App data on the iPad by synchronizing it with iTunes. Then you have to restore your other iOS devices using the backup you created from your iPad. This will work but you will have to re-install Apps that are different to the ones on your iPad and you will lose Music, Videos and other content stored on the second device in the process. I know this is complicated but we currently don’t have a different idea about how to solve it; the App Store only restores purchases that actually have been done through it.

[eclein]

Yep---it makes an ipod, iphone or ipad a Squeezebox and you can run all together at the same time, or just one...LOL....
You can stream to your phone I think (iphone) if not right away, soon as they mention it...

**Check the part about a discount if you have both apps...

[mfsoa]

From the Q+A at the end of the link Ed posted:

"I also answered your mail but for all: Yes, WAV is currently not supported but will be in the next release"

Maybe you have the "next release" already?  Or maybe the WAV are being transcoded to FLAC before being sent?


Ed, not only can you use this within range of your wireless network, but apparently you can log into your network remotely and use it anywhere, though this is beyond my networking knowledge (for now...)

-Mike

[eclein]

I got access now and options-I love options, I'm listening to a Concert I bought from HD Tracks(Hi rez FLAC) while walking around my apartment and doing whatever I need to do--smoke--my ipod/Fiio E5/Woodees "Blues" rig just became part of my wardrobe---LOL!!!

It supports FLAC natively so I do not think any transcoding is going on...

[eclein]

The fact that these guys have this working is incredible, now all they need to do is refine as issues come in and my experience with ipeng has been great. I had an issue and the software designer himself helped remedy it via email over the course of an hour one night...two days later there was an update.

Minor dropouts so far in my setup anywhere from 1/2 sec. to 10 or so sec. I wouldn't usee it to stream music to a party yet but soon it will be the standard I think....

[JEaton]

Wow. How amazing is that? It's just like having an.... iPod. Except that you can't leave the coverage of your wifi network with it.

Ummm... 

[mcgsxr]

I suppose there are those for whom this is valueless, but for those of us who have used their iPod for either controlling a Squeezebox, or playing whatever you have loaded on it, it offers an extra value untouchable for $5.

I can now use my iPod to stream all 1TB of my FLAC to my headamp as an example.  I have been using my Bolder SB3 in both my main system, and in my headphone system up in the office during work from home days.  Predictably, moving the SB3, and the PS is a PITA, so I have just left my headphone system connected, and ignored my main system since Xmas.

Now I can return the SB3 to the main system, but still hear all my music.

I have been considering buying a USB DAC to use in my headphone system, but now I can just use this. 

Now, as for sound quality, well I am sure that even a $50 USB DAC would outperform it ultimately, but as a fast solution, and for $5, I may give it a run.

Sure, all those FLAC tunes won't be available outside my wifi, but I rarely use my iPod outside my wifi to be honest.

Also a great way to just connect your main music PC to your home stereo for parties etc.

[eclein]

Wow. How amazing is that? It's just like having an.... iPod. Except that you can't leave the coverage of your wifi network with it.

Ummm... 

If you have a cell phone you'll be able to stream your entire music library to your phone....did you read the website link I posted.
 

I was using my ipod into my Fiio E5 then IEM's all morning and its very convenient, you enjoy your music at whatever volume you choose and its with you as you go about your daily thing. These guys that made ipeng possible will tweak this into various apps that will work even for folks that see no value in it now.

[sts9fan]

It will be good for me while doing yard work. I hate iTunes and only rip some things to put on my phone. This way I do not have to rip twice for local listening. Plus a have a little Bluetooth speaker that connects to my phone. Nice

[jkelly]

I was on the same path last night and also purchased iPeng and the local player.
I am running Vortexbox for the Alix and set up the squeezebox server and
have that working with iPeng (as well as sb2).

I then started to think that I can build a whole house audio system with
iPads using iPeng.  The speakers aren't that bad on the iPad for background
music.  Intercom and other apps could be added to make a sweet room
system.  And the basic iPads are $350 reconditioned.

Anyone do anything like this?

Jeff

[mcgsxr]

I spent the 20 minutes, and $4.99 to figure out how to get this up and running for me. 

Listening to Hotel California via FLAC on my iTouch via my Millett Max Hybrid and Grado modded SR60i's now.

Musically rewarding, if not up to the standards of the Bolder SB3.  Very convenient for me to setup though, and I can return my Bolder to the main system, and use this as my headphone source for now.  I will likely still pursue a cheapie USB DAC, but for the money it is an absolute no brainer.

I had been posting in the past 2 months, looking for a streaming solution to my iTouch since VNC was pulled.  THIS IS IT.

Perfect for use on the treadmill with my iTouch and my Shure iems.

Thanks for the pointer eclein!

[eclein]

That little Fiio( E7?? I think), the USB DAC might be perfect for you. I'm waiting for the E11 amp to strap to my Droid Eris until upgrade to iphone in August.
Mark did you read the webpage at ipeng-looks as if soon if not now for some you can stream your stuff to cellphone so access from anywhere is possible...its definitely a no-brainer for me...I feel asleep in my recliner last night with a huge playlist going via Playback and woke up to "Every Breath You Take"...LOL....no interruptions.

[bprice2]

Just an FYI:  Squeezepad will do the same.  I don't know about Internet streaming, though.

[firedog]

FLAC?

Yes, b/c I assume SBS is doing the conversion.