NV-MPS4 Music Port Server

User Guide

3

Table of Contents

I. Overview Page 4II. Opening and Running the Client Interface Page 4Components of the Client Interface Page 5Selecting and Activating a Zone for Control Page 7Selecting and Changing Your Music Source Page 7 Navigating the Music Library of Your Music Source Page 8Selecting and Playing Your Music Page 11Changing the Volume Level of Your Music Page 11Pausing Your Music Page 11Skipping Tracks Page 12Shuffle Mode Activating/Deactivating Page 12Repeat Mode Activating/Deactivating Page 12System Mute Activating/Deactivating Page 12Party Mode Activating/Deactivating Page 12III. Managing Your Music Library Page 13Automatic MonitoringManually Managing your Music LibraryIV. Mac Support

Page 13Page 17Page 18

4

I. Overview

One of the many benefits of the NuVo Music Port Server is its Client Interface, which can be installed on an unlimited number of computers on your home's network to allow access and control of your NuVo multi-room audio systems music zones and sources. Optimized for the Music Port Server, the Client Interface offers full control of your music files on the server and Internet radio.

The ability to manage your music library is also a important aspect of the Music Port Server. Using the Music Port Sync Tool you can automate this process, automatically keeping your server up to date with all your latest music. Manually managing your music files is also possible with the Music Port Server.

II. Opening and Running the Client Interface

To open the Client Interface from your PC, click on the Music Port Client shortcut on your main computer screen. If a shortcut was not established, select the startmenu, select programs and browse to NuVo, Music Port Client. A connectingwindow (Fig. 1) will appear before the screen defaults to the Now Playing window.

The Music Port Client may also be accessed through a web browser. Open the browser and type the Music Port Server’s name in the address bar. The default name is ‘music-port’. You can also type the Music Port Servers IP address in the webbrowser to access the Music Port Client.

Fig. 1

5

Components of the Client Interface

a. Source Control ButtonsThese buttons allow you to navigate through your audio library content on the current source. They will be grayed out if album information for thesource you are playing is not available through the Music Port Server.

b. Status BoxThis box, located below the ZONES and SOURCES tabs, displays the current active zone and source, along with additional messages when the changes are made.

c. NuVo LogoThis button is located in the upper left corner of the Client Interface window and allows you access to setup preference options for your PC by pressing and holdingon the logo.

d. System Control TabsThese tabs allow you to toggle between the Now Playing, Zones, and Sourcesscreens of the Client Interface.

e. ActionsWhen listening to a digital music file, clicking Actions will allow you to create aPandora channel based on that artist or track, or save that artist or track as aFavorite. You may also save a Queue as a playlist with this options. If listening toInternet radio, you will have the option to save the artist or track as a Favorite, plussome additional Internet radio options.

f. Now Playing AnimationThe Now Playing section displays song specific metadata, as well as album art (if applicable).

g. Now Playing Control TrayThis tray provides audio controls (Power, Play, Pause, Track Forward, Track Backward, Shuffle, Repeat, Volume and Mute) for the current audio selection.

h. Forward and BackwardThese two buttons allow you to return to a previous screen or jump forward to the next one.

6

b

e

h c

g

f d

a

Selecting and Activating a Zone for Control

The NuVo multi-room audio system is designed to bring your favorite music into your home and cater to the many different audio tastes of the members of your family. That is why the system has distinct rooms and zones capable of playing different music simultaneously to all areas. You may want to play your music selection only in your current room, or you may want to control the audio in other rooms/zones of the home as well.

Powering the Zone On/OffFrom the ZONES tab , to turn a zone on/off, click on the power button to the left of the zone name in the Client Interface. The power button will glow red when the zone is on and will be black when the zone is off.

Additionally you can power the current zone on/off from the “Now Playing” screen in the lower dashboard control by clicking the power button . The button will glow red when the zone is on.

Changing Zones/RoomsFrom the ZONES tab, to change the zone/room you want to control, click on the corresponding zone name from the list . That will command the Client Interface to take control of that zone and any subsequent commands.

Selecting and Changing Your Music Source

The NuVo system has the power to integrate your iPod, tuners, music servers, PCs and more of your favorite audio sources and make them available for your listening enjoyment at just the touch of a button. You can choose which of your favorite sources you want to hear music from at any time.

Selecting a SourceFrom the SOURCES tab , click the name of the source you want to listen to in the active zone. You can change sources in the same manner.

7

8

Navigating the Music Library of Your Music Source

The Music Port Server was designed to be your one stop for all your digital music content and Internet radio, such that it aggregates every track from both Windows Media Player and iTunes into one main audio library, from which you can select your music. To make navigating your music content easier, the Music Port organizes it by album information.

Searching by AlbumThe Albums button displays all of the albums associated with the Music Port source . (Note: This button will be grayed out when album information is not available for the current source.)

From the Album screen, you can scroll through all available albums by clicking on either the up and down pointer on the scroll bar to the right of the Client Interface screen, or you can click anywhere along the scroll bar. To go directly to an album by name, click on the corresponding letter of the album in the alphabet across the top. (Tip for use with touch screens: press and hold the letter to view the selected letter in larger format.)

alphabetically by name

You can easily search for a particular album, artist, genre, playlist or Internet radio channel from the Source Control Buttons on the left side of the Client Interface window or you can browse any playlist. To access these controls you must select Source then choose one of the available Music Port sources.

Play an album by clicking the to add it to the playing queue or click and hold to move it to the top of the queue and play it immediately.

Click on the album art to view and select that album's tracks individually.

Searching by ArtistThe Artists button displays all artists in the library associated with the Music Port source alphabetically . (Note: This button will be grayed out when album information is not available for the current source.)

From the Artists screen, you can scroll through all available artists by holding down the pointer on the scroll bar on the right side of the Client Interface screen, or you can click anywhere along the scroll bar. To go directly to an artist by name, click on the corresponding first letter of the desired artist in the alphabet across the top.(Tip for use with touch screens: press and hold the letter to view the selected letter in larger format.)

Play all tracks of an artist by clicking or click on the album art to view and select the artist's tracks by album. Click and hold on this button to move the artist to the top of your queue.

Searching by Genre The Genres button displays all music in your Music Port library alphabetically by genre. (Note: This button will be grayed out when album information is not available for the current source.)

9

10

From the Genres screen, you can scroll through all available genres by clicking and dragging up/down on the scroll bar on the right side of the Client Interface screen, or you can click anywhere along the scroll bar. To go directly to a particular genre, click on the corresponding letter of the genre in the alphabet across the top. (Tip for use with touch screens: press and hold the letter to view the selected letter in larger format.)

the pointer

You can add all music in that genre to the queue by pressing or you can click on the album art to select specific artists, albums or tracks within that genre.

Playing a PlaylistBy selecting the Playlists button you can search and select any of the playlists within the Music Port source. Playlists are organized alphabetically and can be added to the queue by pressing to the left of the playlist name.

You can also search and jump to a playlist using the alphabet across the top of the Client Interface.(Note: This button will be grayed out when album information is not available for the current source.)

Creating/Editing a PlaylistOne of the many benefits of the Music Port Server is the opportunity to automatically transfer and monitor your music libraries from Windows Media Player and iTunes when using the Music Port Sync Tool. Any playlist created in either player will automatically appear as a playlist with the same name and contents in the Playlists library of the Music Port Client Interface. To create a new list, build it in Windows Media Player or iTunes and it will automatically show up in the Client Interface when using Music Port Sync.

You may also save a Queue as a playlist by selecting Actions on the Now Playing Screen. Here you can select Save Queue As Playlist.

11

Selecting and Playing Your Music

Adding and Deleting Music from the QueueThe Queue is a jukebox function that allows you to play music in a certain zone/room and make a list of what you want to play next. Any content you select will automatically be placed to the queue in the order it was added. By selecting the Queue button , you can view all music currently in the playing queue in the order that it will play. You can add music to the queue by track, artist, album, genre or playlist and the queue can be as large as you make it.

Adding music to the queue is easy, just click the button next to your desired music from any of the artists, albums, genres or playlists in the Client Interface and your selection will be placed in the queue in the order it was added. Pressing and holding the button adds your selection to the top of the queue and plays it immediately. When your selection is added, the total number of tracks in the queue will flash in the Status Box section of the Client Interface.

Deleting or clearing music in the queue is easy too. To delete music just go into the queue and click next to the music to take it off of the queue list. To clear the queue completely, press the clear queue button located at the top of the queue screen.

Changing the Volume Level of Your Music

To change the volume level, slide and release the volume pointer left or right on the volume level indicator in the tray of the Client Interface screen. Or you can click and hold on the speakers to the left and right of the volume level indicator until the desired volume is reached. The volume will adjust accordingly in the currently active zone.

Pausing Your Music

You can quickly pause your music in the active zone by clicking the Play/Pause button in the Client Interface tray. The zone is paused when the play button appears and can be returned to play mode by clicking the Play/Pause button again.

12

Skipping Tracks

To skip to the next track or back up to the previous track in the queue, click on the backward and forward arrow buttons located along the bottom tray of the Client Interface.

Shuffle Mode Activating/Deactivating

To play all items in the queue in no particular order click the Shuffle button in the tray of the Client Interface to activate/deactivate shuffle. Shuffle Mode is activated when the button glows red.

Repeat Mode Activating/Deactivating

To play and repeat all items in the queue click the Repeat button in the tray of the Client Interface to activate/deactivate repeat. Repeat Mode is activated when the button glows red.

System Mute Activating/Deactivating You can mute the audio in a particular zone by clicking on the Mute button in the tray of the Client Interface window. Mute is activated when the button glows red.

Party Mode Activating/Deactivating

A very useful function has been built into your NuVo system, which is perfect if you're entertaining or if you're moving from room to room and want to listen to your music without being interrupted. The Party Mode allows you to control ALL zones simultaneously so the same selection plays in all rooms in unison. From the NOW PLAYING tab, to activate/deactivate Party Mode, click the Party Mode button at the top of the Now Playing screen. The active zone being controlled when Party Mode is activated will be the “Host” zone. The Host zone controls all other zones.

13

III. Adding Music to Your Music Port Server Library

Your Music Port Server library can contain music from multiple computers in your home. To contribute music to the Music Port Server a tool called Music Port Sync may be used. Music Port Sync can remotely monitor and copy music from your computer to the Music Port Server using the homes network to transport the digital files. Music Port Sync will also automatically monitor music folders, iTunes libraries, and Windows Media Player libraries. When new music is added it will automatically copy that file to the Music Port Server. Music Port Sync is designed to run on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

If you prefer to manually add and delete music you have the opportunity to use that method my copying music into the Music Port Servers shared folder.

Automatic Monitoring with Music Port Sync

Open Music Port SyncA shortcut may have been established on your computer screen. If so, select the Music Port Sync icon to open the software. If there is no shortcut select Start on your computer, then Programs. Select NuVo, then Music Port Sync to open the software.

Once Music Port Sync starts it should automatically find your Music Port Server on the network. Your Music Port Server will appear in the right side of the screen, in the drop down menu. If your Music Port Server was not found click the arrow in the drop down menu. Select “Add a server” and a box will appear. Enter in the IP address of the Music Port Server to establish a connection.

The first screen to open will be the Summary page (Fig. 2). No adjustments will be made on this screen, rather it is a page that displays settings for the Music Port Server.

14

Fig. 2

Adding Windows Media Player MusicSelect the box labeled Windows Media. A new screen will display all playlists created in Windows Media Player (Fig. 3). If using Windows Media Player to catalog all your music files, you can choose to have all music files and playlists synced to the Music Port Server. You may also choose to only sync playlists you have manually selected. Once you have chosen the option that best suits your needs you may exit the Music Port Sync software. The Music Port Server will automatically monitor Windows Media Player and update its contents accordingly.

Fig. 3

15

Adding iTunes MusicSelect the box labeled iTunes. A new screen will display all playlists created in iTunes (Fig. 4). If using iTunes to catalog all your music files, you can choose to have all music files and playlists synced to the Music Port Server. You may also choose to only sync playlists you have manually selected. Once you have chosen the option that best suits your needs you may exit the Music Port Sync software. The Music Port Server will automatically monitor iTunes and update its contents accordingly.

NOTE: Music Port Sync Tool will only sync unprotected iTunes music files. You may use iTunes to convert protected content to an unprotected format for a small fee. Fig. 4

Monitoring a music folderYou may prefer to monitor a music folder, rather than a music catalog software program like iTunes or Windows Media Player. This is likely in that scenario that you have all you music on NAS (networked attached storage) or if you do not use Windows Media Player or iTunes. Select the box labeled Other Content. A new screen will display a section labeled Additional Folders (Fig. 5). Click the text ‘Add’ and a new window will appear (Fig. 6). You may expand the options given until you find the folder you would like to monitor. Once you have chosen a folder, select OK, then exit the Music Port Sync software. The Music Port Server will automatically monitor the chosen folder and update its contents accordingly.

16

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

17

Manually Managing your Music Library

The Music Port Server has a Music Folder that is shared and viewable on the home’s network. a- Click Run or Search from the Start Menu.b- In the text box (Fig. 7) you will type \\ followed by the name of Music Port Server. The default name is music-port. Select OK. You may also enter the IP address in place of the name of the server, ie: \\10.10.105.94c- Select the Music folder to view the music files currently on the Music Port Server. d- While viewing the Music folder you may drag and drop or copy and paste any new music files you would like to add to the Music Port Server. e- You may want to set up a shortcut for easier access to adding music. Right-click on the Music Folder and select Create Shortcut to add a link on your desktop.

Fig. 7

18

IV. Mac Support

The Music Port Server is designed to work with both PC’s and Mac’s. However the automated synchronization software tool, Music Port Sync, is not Mac compatible. So music files playable on the server must be manually added from computers around the home connected to the network.

Managing Music Library from a Mac ComputerThe Music Port Server has a Music Folder that is shared and viewable on the home’s network. Accessing the shared music folder is very straightforward on a Mac based computer. a. Click Finder.b. Select the Music Port Server in the Shared box of the Finder window (Fig 8). The default name is music-port.c. Select the Music folder to view the music files currently on the Music Port Server. d. While viewing the Music folder you may drag and drop or copy and paste any new music files you would like to add to the Music Port Server.

Fig. 8

19

Mac Music Port ClientIf you would like to access your NuVo system and sources from a Mac computer you will not use the Music Port Client stand-alone application. This application is for Windows only. However The Music Port Client is available to be viewed in any Internet browser on your Mac computer.

To do this you must know the IP address of the Music Port Server, and both the server and the Mac computer must be on the same network. Your installer should have provided you with the IP address for this product. If not, you may find the IP address through a Control Pad connected to the system, by following the steps below:

a- Select the Music Port Server as your music source from the Control Pad. b- Select Menu. Scroll down using the down arrow on the Control Pad and highlight Source Options. Select OK. Scroll down and select Source Info. Select OK. c- Select IP address and press OK. Write down the number shown, including the periods.

Once you have the IP address for the Music Port Server, open your preferred Internet browser on your Mac computer. Enter the IP address in the browser and the Music Port Client will load. Once complete you will have access to your NuVo system and full control of the Music Port Server (Fig. 10). You may want to bookmark this page for future use.

20

Fig. 9

NuVo Technologies Hebron, KY USAwww.nuvotechnologies.com MPSUG 0952