Time Capsule -- Sonos

[Ellen]

My apologies if I am in the wrong forum, it's been a while since I posted here.... I'm redoing the current setup in my apt. (4 year old iMac - 3 year old Macbook - Time Capsule) and am planning to replace the 2 computers with a new 15" Macbook + eventually an iPad. The Time Capsule is about 3 years old but it works fine. It's connected to a FIOS modem but I use the Time Capsule as my router.

This is my question: I also plan to buy a Sonos music system that will stream from iTunes to the Sonos speaker system (S5) in another room. When using a Time Capsule, Sonos recommends copying your Music folder to the Time Capsule (or hardwiring the computer to the router, which I won't be doing) instead of relying on a wireless connection. Is that an issue if I am also using the Time Capsule for Time Machine backups (space should not be a problem)?

Alternatively, could I copy my Music folder to a USB hard drive and connect that to the Time Capsule? Would the USB drive be part of my network and accessible when the computer is not turned on?

I realize that under either scenario I'll need to sync or recopy the Music folder whenever I change my iTunes Library, but I don't think that will be unmanageable for me.

Thank you!!!!

 

[Ellen]

According to Sonos, either config I mentioned in my question - copying Music folder to Time Capsule or using external drive attached to Time Capsule - would work. Has anyone here ever configured Time Capsule so that the drive stores both the Time Machine backup and other (nonbackup) files? Thanks!

 

[coops]

I have a Sonos system running off my Timecapsule....

I keep various other data on my Timecapsule apart from just the backup data for my Macbook Pro and wife's Macbook - no problem.

I don't use iTunes - but anyway, just copied all my music onto the Time Capsule. In my case I copy it in two folders (one 'mp3' and one 'flac', for the 2 different formats) under one main directory/folder called 'Music'.

Point Sonos at the parent 'Music' directory and away it goes, indexes and works a treat (the Sonos 'transmitter' box is connected to Time Capsule via ethernet ). No need for any PC etc to be on, just the Time Capsule and Sonos units.

Coops

 

[blueroom]

Have you tried using an iPhone, iPod touch or better yet an iPad with an Airport Express and small amp & speakers. The remote app and AirPlay are pretty amazing apps. Only downside you need iTunes running at the time or put your library on the iPad.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks coops.

Are there any issues if I periodically update the Music folder on the Sonos? I envision that I'll want to keep my iTunes Library on my Macbook, but add a copy to the TimeCapsule. I don't buy songs all that much but from time to time I'd had to replace the iTunes copy on the Sonos.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks blueroom. THe reason for the Sonos woudl be portability and not needing other speakers -I'll be using the S5 which is integrated with speakers and gets good reviews.

 

[Ellen]

I had a followup question -

In order to get a backup of my iTunes library on the Time Capsule do I just copy the Music Folder to Time Capsule or is there something I need to import from iTunes? I wasn't sure what I would see via the Sonos interface, and so if one approach preserves info that is what I would prefer. Thanks.

 

[CHSeifert]

I had a followup question -

In order to get a backup of my iTunes library on the Time Capsule do I just copy the Music Folder to Time Capsule or is there something I need to import from iTunes? I wasn't sure what I would see via the Sonos interface, and so if one approach preserves info that is what I would prefer. Thanks.

Ellen - I'm about to purchase the Sonos system too - and have also just bought an AirportExpress, a MacBook Air 13 Ultimate and a 2 TB TimeCapsule - and use a Selfbuild PC as my home computer.

Also own an iPad and an iPhone 4 and my plan is to use the iPad with the SonosApp as the remote player for the Sonos system, but I also have 2-3 GB AAC files, which I have bought in the iTunes store, which I would like to also be able to listen to through my HiFi system (The Sonos will be connected to my HiFi system) and according to the advice I've been given, Sonos does NOT support iTunes - so I think you are in for a surprise, if you think you can use iTunes and your dedicated iTunes music library through the Sonos system

I bought the airport express so I will be able to play my iTunes songs on my HiFi system.

I hope I'm wrong, but according to the advice I've received, Sonos will only be able to play music through its own software player and NOT through iTunes !

So you need to place the tracks you want Sonos to play in a folder described by Coops above.

Tracks bought in the iTunes store can therefore not be used by the Sonos system - unless you find a program that can rip your iTunes songs 'out of itunes' so to say

----
Vh/Regards
Claus [iPhone

 

[Ellen]

I believe that Sonos and the iTunes library are compatible as long as the songs are not DRM protected.

https://sonos.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/sonos.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1049