connected home

Connected Home, Technology

How To: Synology DS1821+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) & DSM 7.0

We just upgraded our Synology NAS units from Synology’s prior model, DS1817+ to their latest model, DS1819+. In my previous article, I reviewed not just the DS1817+ chassis but also the M2D17 M.2 SATA SSD expansion card. I also covered software features including downloadable Synology and third-party applications, the file system, file sharing, synchronization & backup, and security. Continue reading How To: Synology DS1821+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) & DSM 7.0

Mike Connelly
Connected Home, Motorcycles

How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR Updated

If you read my two previous articles about using your smartphone to run Android Auto on your motorcycle, you know that I consider the Garmin BMW Navigator VI a poor alternative to a smartphone. I recently upgraded the smartphone that I use with my S1000XR to a Motorola G6. Continue reading How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

How To: Synology DS1819+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) Review & Migration

We just upgraded our Synology NAS units from Synology’s prior model, DS1817+ to their latest model, DS1819+. In my previous article, I reviewed not just the DS1817+ chassis but also the M2D17 M.2 SATA SSD expansion card. I also covered software features including downloadable Synology and third-party applications, the file system, file sharing, synchronization & backup, and security. Continue reading How To: Synology DS1819+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) Review & Migration

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

How To: Configuring MPV for Best Video Quality Including 4K Upscaling Updated

As of Fall 2023, the the best graphics subsystem for the MPV media player is a combination of vo_gpu_next, libplacebo and Vulkan. This includes recent Windows-based PCs, Linux-based devices, and Android-based devices. Although Apple devices running macOS, iOS, and tvOS prefer Metal 3, currently, there is not a Metal backend for MPV. Previously, that meant that MPV had to use Apple’s deprecated OpenGL subsystem. Now, it is possible to use MoltenVK for significant performance gains over OpenGL. Continue reading How To: Configuring MPV for Best Video Quality Including 4K Upscaling Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Synology DS1817+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) Review & Configuration Updated

It is amazing how much data our family generates. We record our home videos in 4K resolution. We have scanned over 100 years of our family photo albums and slides in TIFF format for permanent archival. I shoot high-resolution images on my Nikon D500 and Fuji X100F cameras in RAW format. I ripped hundreds of CDs that I bought over the decades in lossless audio format. We have constructed a multi-room DVR solution for our home, time-shifting cable and local OTA content. I run my application development environments in virtual machines. And, we back up all of our Macs using our NAS’ Time Capsule service. Continue reading Synology DS1817+ Network Attached Storage (NAS) Review & Configuration Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Google Home: Configuring and Using It with a Logitech Harmony Hub Updated

In early December, Google announced ‘Conversation Actions’ and ‘Direct Actions’ for Google Home. Today, Google announced interoperability between Google Home and Logitech Harmony, similar to Harmony’s integration with the Amazon Echo. Google Home also added support for the Anova sous vide cooker, August locks, Electrolux Frigidaire Gallery Cool Connect, First Alert thermostat, Geeni LED lights, Insignia Wi-Fi smart plug, Lifx Plus Wi-Fi smart bulb, Rachio smart sprinkler controller, TP-Link Wi-Fi LED, Vivint security platform, and Wink Hub. Continue reading Google Home: Configuring and Using It with a Logitech Harmony Hub Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Nvidia Shield Android TV: 2017 Hardware & Shield Experience 5.1 Review Updated

The Shield TV continues to be an anomaly: it is by far the most powerful media streamer and a capable gaming platform though not as advanced as the Xbox One or Playstation 4, while costing nearly as much. While Google focuses on stripped down Chromecast devices and Chromecast-enabled TVs, Nvidia singularly showcases the advanced functionality of Android TV including DVR, media serving, gaming, and now smart home capabilities. Though Nvidia is touting the Shield TV and AI home, Google is the AI element and Nvidia is the hardware manufacturer.
Continue reading Nvidia Shield Android TV: 2017 Hardware & Shield Experience 5.1 Review Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

How To: Upscaling Lower Resolution Video to 4K Updated

So you just bought an expensive new 4K (UHD) television set. The issue is that most live and recorded video distributed today is less than 4K (2160p) resolution. Blu-rays are 1080p format while DVDs are only 480i/p. TV broadcasters use either 1080i or 720p. Some cable and satellite companies are downscaling 1080i to 720p format. Although some over-the-top video service providers like Amazon and Netflix have select content in 4K, most of their content is in 1080 resolution. To solve this, UHD TVs include upscalers for lower resolution content originating from cable/satellite settop boxes, Blu-ray and DVD players and gaming consoles. Continue reading How To: Upscaling Lower Resolution Video to 4K Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Logitech Harmony Hub and Voice Control Updated

Thus far, Logitech has partnered with Amazon. By connecting the Harmony Hub with Alexa, you can start or stop Harmony activities such as “Watch TV”, “Play a Game” or “Listen to some Music”. You can also power on or off your TV, change your stereo settings, or trigger connected home activities that are controlled by the Harmony Hub. For any Harmony Hub activity, you can create a friendly name that’s easier to say. You can also tune specific channels on your cable/satellite with voice commands such as “Alexa, turn on sports”. Continue reading Logitech Harmony Hub and Voice Control Updated

Mike Connelly
Autos, Connected Home, Music

How To: Listening to your iTunes Music Collection in Lossless Format in Your Car Updated

Export for iTunes does a great job of exporting your iTunes collection to a USB stick but it assumes either (1) that you wish to transcode your music collection to a lossy format like MP3 or AAC, or (2) that your music player can play Apple Lossless format. Continue reading How To: Listening to your iTunes Music Collection in Lossless Format in Your Car Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home, Motorcycles

How To: Using Android Auto v2.0 on a Motorcycle Updated

At the 2016 I/O conference, Google announced that Android Auto would expand from a headend unit-centric solution to a mobile phone-centric solution. This will let drivers whose cars do not support Android Auto to have a similar experience directly on their mobile phone. For motorcyclists, there’s a similar benefit because Android Auto now can be used on the motorcycle. Continue reading How To: Using Android Auto v2.0 on a Motorcycle Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home, Motorcycles, Music

How To: Listening to Your iTunes Music Collection on Your Android Phone While Motorcycling

Yes, it’s possible to import all your iTunes collection into Google Play and then stream those songs on your Android phone. But since I use my motorcycle on back country roads and 128GB SD cards are ridiculously cheap, I just copied my entire collection to the local SD card. Continue reading How To: Listening to Your iTunes Music Collection on Your Android Phone While Motorcycling

Mike Connelly
Connected Home, Motorcycles

How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles

First, let’s acknowledge up front that all motorcycle-specific GPS units are both obsolete technologically and horribly overpriced. For years, I had a Garmin Zumo 650. The screen was dull and slow to respond to touch. The processor was very slow to process that input or to recalculate routes. The Bluetooth audio pairing was always flaky, particularly for phone integration. The software was antiquated even compared to cheap Garmin car units. Online trip planning integration tools were primitive. Exporting routes from Google Maps required a hack to GPX waypoints that never routed the same way in the Garmin. The included audio app is near useless. Continue reading How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review Updated

Google’s multi-room audio distribution technology is based on the success of their video casting platform, Chromecast. In its second iteration, Google upgraded the video version of Chromecast to include Wireless-AC technology. Additionally, it released a new, audio-specific Chromecast device. Like the Airport Express, it supports both optical and analog audio out. Unlike the Airport Express, it is based on Wireless-AC audio and is much more error-resilient. And, it costs as little as $25 on sale, a quarter of the price of the AE.
Continue reading Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Nvidia Shield Android TV Review Updated

Since its first release in May 2015, the Nvidia Shield Android TV has been billed as the world’s best Android TV settop box. That continues to be the case as of December 2016. The Shield Android TV is also more powerful, technology-wise, than the Apple TV Gen 4, Amazon FireTV 2, or latest Roku. That said, the Apple TV is undeniably a better solution for Apple ecosystem users like my parents. Amazon’s ecosystem is a cost-effective solution, especially for Amazon Prime members; and the FireTV is also bolstered by Amazon’s investment in exclusive content. Meanwhile, the Android gaming ecosystem isn’t advanced enough to sway hard-core gamers from their Xbox One or PS4 game consoles. Continue reading Nvidia Shield Android TV Review Updated

Mike Connelly