how do i access a shared itunes server using ipad?

Question

Level 1

0 points

how do i access a shared itunes server using ipad?

Ok, i'm new to the I-world so bare with me.

I am using a WD My Book World edition (white light) NAS drive.

It's configured and works fine. I have it setup to act as an itunes server. My Laptop's (XP) itunes can recognize the shared server just fine.

IPAD itunes is different, it doesn't have a way to see shared drives automatically, instead in the IPOD settings there is a place to enter apple ID and pword for Home Sharing. Problem is, the WD NAS drive doesn't have a place to enter an Apple ID.

I see a few threads describing how itunes 10.0 interrupted their ability to access nas drives.

Unfortunately, I don't understand how to configure IPAD to even see if 10.0 is causing a problem.

iPad 2

Posted on May 30, 2011 12:39 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

May 30, 2011 12:56 AM in response to oscar_e_c

to access the media stored on the NAS from iPad, you need a 3rd party tool such as FileBrowser.

Reply

Answer 2

oscar_e_c Author

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2011 3:19 AM in response to Jolly Giant

Ok. I can see and play all of my files now thanks. But is there a way to use the iPod app or does everyone use this app (or something similar) to playback files?

Reply

Answer 3

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

May 30, 2011 3:29 AM in response to oscar_e_c

oscar_e_c wrote:

But is there a way to use the iPod app or does everyone use this app (or something similar) to playback files?

as long as the content is in iTunes, you will be able to access it via home sharing. it doesn't matter where the physical files are stored as long as iTunes is running and can see them.

Reply

Answer 4

oscar_e_c Author

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2011 9:36 AM in response to Jolly Giant

First of all thank you for the help. Ok, getting iTunes to see anything is my problem. When I open the ipad2 iTunes app I just get the online store. I don't see a way to point it to the shared drive. I don't see any mention of home sharing there. At least the iPod app settings ask for a home sharing appleId. Thank you again for any help anyone can provide.

Reply

Answer 5

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

May 30, 2011 9:50 AM in response to oscar_e_c

you'll have set up home sharing on the iPad (and enable it in iTunes, of course).

iOS: Setting up Home Sharing on your device.

then you'd use the iPad's videos app to watch movies and tv shows, and the iPod app to access music files.

Reply

Answer 6

Ge0ph

Level 2

426 points

May 30, 2011 9:55 AM in response to oscar_e_c

First, you need to be using the iPod app instead of the iTunes app.

Second, you need to have an instance of iTunes running on a Mac or PC with Home Sharing turned on. The iTunes server on the WD My Book World will not work as an iTunes server because it really isn't iTunes.

The solution is to have iTunes on a Mac or PC pointing to the files on WD My Book World, then have iTunes running on the Mac or PC with Home Sharing turned on.

Reply

Answer 7

oscar_e_c Author

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2011 10:22 AM in response to Ge0ph

Thats the problem. I don't want to run another computer. Arrgh.... Based on other threads it appears as though others were able ton stream directlybfrom their nas to their iPad. I can get it to work from the nas directly to a pc, but iPad iPod iTunes doesnt recognize the drive automatically. Let's say I was sharing from a laptop to iPad, would the laptop music just appear seamlessly under iPod>music? Or is there another location to look for shared data?

Reply

Answer 8

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

May 30, 2011 10:26 AM in response to oscar_e_c

oscar_e_c wrote:

Thats the problem. I don't want to run another computer.

then your only option is an app such as the one i suggested above. FileBrowser does not require a computer to run to access files stored on a network share.

Reply

Answer 9

phl8pg

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2011 3:47 PM in response to oscar_e_c

I have been struggling with this too. Having to leave a pc on to have iTunes running somewhat defeats the purpose for me. Have only just begun looking into this but found a free app called 'mediaconnect' which allows me to leave the computer off and connect to my WD my book world (white light) and all the music files contained within. Downsides are It's not a very sophisticated media player (though at least it is a media player unlike filebrowser) and I can't see how to connect to my stereo through an airport express device. Not sure about shelling out for a paid for media player as I'm not sure which one will solve the airport express issue. Any ideas gratefully received...

Reply

Answer 10

Nov 24, 2013 4:22 AM in response to oscar_e_c

I use the app Airplayer (not free, but cheap), which streams from the MyBook Live Public folder. It supports a range of audio formats (including FLAC), and works well through Airplay. It also handles video and photos.

Reply