usb drive with infrared control
 

Looking for some ideas ...

I am in the process of converting a large collection of CDs, tapes (7.5" and 10"), and LPs to digital form (using flac), with the idea of controlling everything from my stereo system.

So far I've converted about 300 or so albums and placed them on an old spare hard drive in an old USB enclosure which is connected to my main amplifier.

Everything seems to work great, BUT the old drive is filling up fast, and I need to manually turn the power to the enclosure on and off when I wish to listen to music on the drive.

What I'd like to get is some sort of usb drive (or enclosure) that can be powered on and off using infrared signals from my Harmony remote, since the amp has a USB port. Or, if there is such a thing as a drive or enclosure that only powers itself on when the Amp tries to make a connection, that would probably be ok as well. The amp also has an ethernet port, though I haven't tried using it since I use its wi-fi for listening to some sites and I would expect conflicts with the USB.

I've trolled various sites and - as far as I can see - there don't seem to be any devices that would be suitable for either of those ideas. I'm aware that I can convert a machine to be a media server using VLC and other such apps, but I would then have to control things from the computer, which is not what I want to do. The other consideration is that I listen mostly to so-called "classical" music, where a single piece of music might occupy several tracks (e.g. the movements of a symphony), so facilities for random play and such things are not at all important, nor do I need to access any on-line databases for artist and track information and such.

Does anyone have any suggestions or other approaches I might take? Thanks ....

You skipped over a LOT of detail!
What is this USB enclosure connected to and why are you using an external drive instead of internal (DASD) storage or NAS?
How are you securing or backing up your data?

Clearly there are limits or restrictions here we do not understand and that you have not discussed. If you could consider, and mention those to us it may help us determine how best to advise you.

My understanding of the OP is the USB drive is connected to a home audio system and would guess any limitations would be due to the amplifier.

I am not aware of a commercial remote controlled USB enclosure but that does not mean one does not exist.

There are power outlet strips that turn on based on the master outlet but that would always turn on the drive when the amp is on.

There are remote power outlets but not sure about one that uses an IR remote. You could build one if so inclined.


I am a bit offended that you will classify Mozart or Haydn as so-called "Classical" music...

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough, but michaelk's reading is absolutely correct.

The usb drive is connected to the amplifier in my main stereo cabinet; that's what I meant by "an old USB enclosure which is connected to my main amplifier." I suppose I should have considered that it might not be obvious that I was mixing audio and computer technologies on a computer-only forum.

The amplifier can read (.fat formats only, of course) the directories (i.e. albums) on the attached USB device and display them on the television screen; choosing one of them with the remote opens that album to display its tracks (files, which in my case are always flacs, although the amp seems happy with a number of other formats as well).

Since everything else in the stereo system can be controlled remotely either through an infrared remote control (in my case a Harmony-One) or through a phone/tablet app (which most hi-fi equipment manufacturers have made available for several years now), it seems somewhat archaic to have the USB drive's power controlled manually. I should mention that I currently swap non-powered small USB drives (I've only gone as high as 128G though) without any concern for power, but the manual for the amp suggests that there is a limited size it can power.

I don't need or want to back up the data on this drive; it's merely a copy, and already exists on one of my PCs, where all the files are backed up through my normal processes.

I mentioned that I did NOT want to set up a machine as a media server, and really don't wish to have any reliance on other devices just to play music. Setting up a NAS, therefore, isn't really an appropriate solution for me. Even in the unlikely event anyone knows of a NAS enclosure with remote control capabilities, that wouldn't really help, since all I need is storage; the amp serves as the disk controller and the NAS would be redundant.

And, please accept my apologies for the generic term 'classical'; I would have been more specific (e.g. Baroque, for instance). Even so, while I would have placed Bach, Scarlatti, and Vivaldi in the Baroque category, I'm afraid I would have placed both of the gentlemen you mention in the "Classical" category. Or were you objecting to the "so-called" portion of the designator?

Thanks to you both for the comments.

Yes, just the so-called part.

I have been unable to find such a device, or an easy work-around device. Smart outlets are common now, that you can control remotly using your smartphone, but remote USB hubs do not seem to be a thing (at least where I have searched so far). Perhaps we should invent one.

I might consider a NAS instead. Low power arm's tend to draw minimal power, can be woken up easily, have raid to help secure your hard work.

I am not aware of a commercial remote controlled USB enclosure but that does not mean one does not exist.

There are power outlet strips that turn on based on the master MyFirstPremierCard outlet but that would always turn on the drive when the amp is on.

There are remote power outlets but not sure about one that uses an IR remote. You could build one if so inclined.

I use a remote controlled 4-point power board in my lounge for shonky stuff that might need to be power-cycled - works a treat. "Click" - had it for ages, and just started to use it. Haven't bothered mapping it to my harmony, but I'm sure you could train it easily enough in need.
Haven't seen one in years.

What size of drive and how much of it are you using? Would you consider replacing the HD with one of the "self powered" portable drives that takes the power off the USB instead of needing mains?