Add folders on other volumes to media server

[dude75]

Hello

"Update: This method is now out of date, the means to add other folders is built into the DLNA media server as of DSM 3.2, look under control panel\media server\indexed folder."

As of today: brand new DS212 with latest DSM software. This method doesn't work with USB drive, it works only with shared folders you have to create first on any internal volume. I'm a bit frustrated as I bought this NAS to leverage 2 x 1 TB external USB drives I already have loaded with with videos....
I can't really see the point here from Synology to restrict media renderer client access to internal storage only...

Regards
Hervé.

[dude75]

Support told me they are aware of this "limitation" for USB external drive and that they are working on this...

Regards
Hervé.

[JohnConnor]

...and that they are working on this.

I have been really disappointed, finding out that external drives and volumes aren't supported by UPNP.
Hope they will fix this soon.

[dude75]

By the way symbolink links work somehow (i.e. redirecting an internal volume folder to an external USB volume folder) but not really convenient as the media indexing service won't pick up automatically changes in the USB drive...need to launch manually the indexation each time you drop a new file in your USB drive...so not really an option for me as I'm looking for an hassle free solution...

[MaxZoom]

By the way symbolink links work somehow (i.e. redirecting an internal volume folder to an external USB volume folder) but not really convenient as the media indexing service won't pick up automatically changes in the USB drive...need to launch manually the indexation each time you drop a new file in your USB drive...so not really an option for me as I'm looking for an hassle free solution...

My findings are very mixed. I symlinked 2 external (USB) drives and re-indexed.
So my folder structure looks like...
/volume1/video/TV_UK -> /volumeUSB1/usbshare/TV_UK
/volume1/video/TV_US -> /volumeUSB2/usbshare/TV_US
On the folders which are the USB drives, all the .avi files seemed to be picked up OK but most of the .mp4 and .mkv files failed. So synoindexd seems to be able to work with .avi but not the other formats. synoindex (-A or -a) won't pick up the missing files. Renaming a .mkv file to .txt and then back to .mkv will cause synoindexd to report "cant retrieve metadata from file...", moving the file to /volume1/video and everything is OK again, which is not surprising since synoindex/synoindexd seem to have no problem with folders actually on /volume1.
I also tried mount --bind and its no better.
Hopefully Synology will fix this real soon.

[Muratti]

Oh I see. I am not alone:) I thought I was a dumbass not knowing how to index the external drive folders. I bought the DS212 just for THIS purpose, to play movies from my ext.hard drives via a media player...what should I do? I cannot put 3 TB of content on the internal drive of te NAS. should I sell it and get something else??? come on synology FIND A SOLUTION!! Otherwise you will get bad reputation.

[zhouxice]

Yes, I have the totally same problem too. I want to reach my media files from external USB HDD by UPNP/DNLA. Please resolve it as soon as possible.
Somebody can describe the symlink workaround? Thanks.

[Muratti]

I am so ashamed of Synology. I posted 2 new posts about indexing folders and they deleted both of them. I mean I will sell everything and buy a HP proliant media server. It will actually WORK! Customer support par excellence!

[MaxZoom]

Yes, I have the totally same problem too. I want to reach my media files from external USB HDD by UPNP/DNLA. Please resolve it as soon as possible.
Somebody can describe the symlink workaround? Thanks.

Symlinks don't seem to work that well although I'm a great fan of them. I think this might be a useful thread for you. LINK

[bryb01]

Just noted Media Server has an update v.1.0-2252...and it said something about external drives being supported for DLNA, leading me to believe we can have folders on external drives now, and have them indexed!

But I can't seem to find it just yet, or how to do it just yet. Anyone ideas?

[bryb01]

Just noted Media Server has an update v.1.0-2252...and it said something about external drives being supported for DLNA, leading me to believe we can have folders on external drives now, and have them indexed!

But I can't seem to find it just yet, or how to do it just yet. Anyone ideas?

nevermind found my own answer. it's forthcoming with install of DSM 4.1. Hope this gets out of beta fast!!!

[ChHawk]

Just noted Media Server has an update v.1.0-2252...and it said something about external drives being supported for DLNA, leading me to believe we can have folders on external drives now, and have them indexed!

But I can't seem to find it just yet, or how to do it just yet. Anyone ideas?

nevermind found my own answer. it's forthcoming with install of DSM 4.1. Hope this gets out of beta fast!!!

thought the same. just bought my new ds212+ and have that crappy little problem. so pleeeease add this feature to the next release of the media server or at least ds 4.1 !

[vinesh8716]

i also bought my ds212+ in the hopes that i can hook up my external to it and stream all my content to my PS3. I really hope that this is infact going to be a new feature of DSM 4.1....i gotta look into this

edit: found link here: http://www.synology.com/releaseNote_enu ... p?lang=enu

i cant wait for this!!