User guide

Composer Pro User Guide

Saved: 4/14/2011 4:10:00 PM

200-00005 Composer Pro

User Guide Part 2

Page 80 of 179

5.4.11 Using External Storage Devices

You can access digital music from an external storage device in your Control4

system. External

storage devices include USB flash drives, USB external hard drives, or a shared network storage area

(for example, a computer’s hard drive).

The following applies when setting up an external storage device:

• USB flash drives or USB external hard drives must be formatted as FAT32 devices.

• Shared drives on a Windows system cannot contain a space in the directory/pathname.

Set up the external storage device or networked file storage as described in this section.

Note: When you disconnect the external drive (USB, network, etc.) from the system, the music is no

longer available. Reconnecting the external drive makes the media available again.

5.4.11.1.1 Attach and Scan External Storage Devices

To attach and scan external storage devices using a USB connection:

Note: External storage devices must have media stored in unprotected MP3 format.

1. Power up the external storage device.

2. As appropriate, use the documentation provided with your Control4 Controller to attach the

external hard drive using the USB port.

3. Start Composer and connect to a Director.

4. Click Media.

5. In the project tree, select the external device.

6. Click Scan in the device's pane.

You can add media from the external storage device when it is connected to the Controller.

However, it is recommended that you connect your external drive directly to the PC where you

want to copy the media. When scanning, the media appears on the device.

5.4.11.1.2 Access and Scan Network Storage Devices

To access and scan network storage devices:

Note: The network location must be an open share location (no password required).

1. As appropriate, use the documentation provided with your operating system to create a shared

network drive.

Example: Using Windows XP to make a local C:/ Drive directory available on the network, right-

click the folder and select Sharing and Security. Click the Share this folder button.

2. Click System Design.

3. From the My Drivers tab, double-click Network File Storage to add it to the project tree.

4. Highlight Network File Storage in the project tree, and configure the username, password, and

workgroup (or domain) for the network file share, and then browse to its network location.