HomePod HomePod streaming local music library

[cutter74]

I'm thinking of going Apple only and switching from Sonos to HomePods. One thing I would miss is streaming music from my own local library, currently stored on a NAS server, which sadly HomePod does not support and I have the following questions:

1. As a workaround, I'm thinking of setting up iTunes on a Mac mini, have it point to my shared NAS folder and use AirPlay to stream my local music to the HomePods.Will this work?

2. If the above workaround works, can I use an Apple TV 4K as my iTunes server instead of a MacOS device? The reason for this is that an ATV can be controlled by an iPhone meaning that I believe I can start streaming of my local library to my HomePod through the ATV without having to be in front of my ATV.

3. My audio files are currently stored losslessly in FLAC format. Is there a solution that will enable me to stream my local collection to HomePod through any device that will not require me to convert everything from FLAC to Apple Lossless?

Thanks for your time.

 

[cutter74]

Guys, anyone?

 

[DFWHD]

I'm thinking of going Apple only and switching from Sonos to HomePods. One thing I would miss is streaming music from my own local library, currently stored on a NAS server, which sadly HomePod does not support and I have the following questions:

1. As a workaround, I'm thinking of setting up iTunes on a Mac mini, have it point to my shared NAS folder and use AirPlay to stream my local music to the HomePods.Will this work?

2. If the above workaround works, can I use an Apple TV 4K as my iTunes server instead of a MacOS device? The reason for this is that an ATV can be controlled by an iPhone meaning that I believe I can start streaming of my local library to my HomePod through the ATV without having to be in front of my ATV.

3. My audio files are currently stored losslessly in FLAC format. Is there a solution that will enable me to stream my local collection to HomePod through any device that will not require me to convert everything from FLAC to Apple Lossless?

Thanks for your time.

I'm by no means an expert here, but here is what I believe based on my experience with my HomePod I purchased at Thanksgiving:

1. This is possible as iTunes has the option to output to the HomePod if it is on the same network (at top of window, the "choose what speakers" option). iTunes is on my MBP with the music library on a Thunderbolt connected set of drives.

2. This should be possible if the ATV can see your NAS when using the "Computers" option to get to your local library. If so, you can choose to output the ATV to the HomePod. To do this, press and hold play on the Siri remote (or any other universal remote, I use a Harmony 665).

3. Not sure on this... Can iTunes play FLAC files when pointed to your NAS? If so, I'd think option 1 would work here to. If ATV can do the same, you're good. Sorry, never dealt with FLAC files...

Again, I'm no expert and others may have better information.

 

[cutter74]

Thank you for your answers, DFWHD.

One thing I've discovered by searching relevant topics is that I should able to play music from my local iTunes library remotely without having to buy an Apple TV. In theory, Apple's Remote.app should be able to give me the option to control my iTunes library stored on my Mac mini with my iPhone or iPad.