Naim Audio UnitiServe - Manual (Page 3)

1
Introduction
1 UnitiServe Hard Disk Player Introduction
Your UnitiServe hard disk player will completely change the way you access and listen
to your music collection. While UnitiServe may look like a CD player and can play CDs
conventionally, it is intended to operate in a fundamentally different way.
• Rather than simply reproducing the audio on a CD inserted in its transport, UnitiServe
automatically reads and stores the CD data for replay at any later time.
• The UnitiServe can store CD data in FLAC and WAV formats and in parallel create
and store lower resolution MP3 copies for use in applications where smaller files are
advantageous. It can also store and play audio data copied from external sources
in a variety of formats and resolutions (including high resolution).
• In addition to storing audio on its internal hard disk, UnitiServe can store and play
audio on network connected hard disk drives. Network stored files can be either
audio files ripped from CD or compatible audio files created by other means.
• UnitiServe can operate as a UPnP™ server providing audio files to any UPnP™
compatible playback hardware connected on the same network.
• In addition to its conventional digital audio outputs, UnitiServe can provide up to six
NaimNet/StreamNet network streams for playback in multiple remote areas.
• When UnitiServe first reads the data from a CD, it automatically accesses an internet
music database and downloads the information held for that CD. The information
can include title, tracks, artist, composer, genre and numerous additional details.
This can then be used by UnitiServe to select or search for material and to build
custom playlists. The CD cover artwork will also be downloaded if available for
display by the UnitiServe user interface. Artwork is downloaded and stored at up to
1280 x 1280 pixel resolution for use on UnitiServe interface hardware, such as an iPad
and the n-Serve app, able to display high resolution images.
• UnitiServe is able to operate as a conventional CD player. A CD inserted in the
transport can be played immediately with audio routed to the digital audio outputs.
• The UnitiServe can play internet radio streams and access a list of available stations
from the vTuner.com internet radio server. Up to 99 iRadio stations can be saved as
favourites. iRadio streams can be played via the UnitiServe digital audio output.
The mode of control and operation of your UnitiServe will depend upon the type of system
with which it is integrated. These different “user interfaces” are introduced in Section 1.1.
If UnitiServe is your first experience of a network connected product you may find
it worthwhile to read the glossary in Section 9 before moving on to installation and
operation.