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[Thouston]

What is the difference between decoded and not decoded?

Thanks

[JimH]

Try a google search for "codec".  It's something like zipping a file.  You can compress audio and decompress it, hence the term co/dec.

[jmone]

So you have the choice of:
- Normal file playback (eg read the FLAC file from the HDD, decode, render etc)
- Load Full File (eg copy FLAC file from HDD to Memory from where it is then decoded, rendered etc)
- Load Decoded file into memory (eg read the FLAC from the HDD, Decode, copy the decoded file to memory, then render etc).

Some argue one option will sound better than the others.

[JonnyRedHed]

My install defaulted to load decoded into memory.  I had the memory option checked before.  So my question is, if one has lots of spare fast ram which of the two load options would be best.   

[Matt]

if one has lots of spare fast ram which of the two load options would be best.

I like loading the decoded file because then a WAV and APE and FLAC file are exactly the same.  At that point talking about sonic differences is just silly, and that's a plus!

[Manfred]

If you have your files stored on a NAS, the method loading full file (not decoded) into memory takes a certain time for up to 30 sec for large dsd files. I use the method decoded into memory. I can not hear any differences between the three methods. NAS->MC->AIR using Ethernet->Devialet D220 PRO.

[dtc]

Decoding before loading is the best way to minimize computer activity during playback, which is the purpose of playing from memory. However, there are a couple of issues that can arise from the MC implementation. First, it starts playing before the file is fully decoded and loaded. That can cause hiccups on some systems. Second, since the decoded file can be large, it does not always load the whole file even when memory is available. That means that during playback it has to decode and load the rest of the file, which also can cause hiccups on some systems.

Loading the compressed file into memory means that there is some CPU usage during playback, although it is minimal even on very slow machines. However, it loads the whole file into memory and does so before it starts playback. That minimizes the possibility of hiccups at the start and during playback.

Either option works pretty well for 16/44 files. These differences appear in large hi rez or DSD files and when a usb drive or NAS are used.

[tyler69]

Second, since the decoded file can be large, it does not always load the whole file even when memory is available.

I do not understand this argumentation. Why does MC not always load the whole file even when memory is available?

[kr4]

Either option works pretty well for 16/44 files. These differences appear in large hi rez or DSD files and when a usb drive or NAS are used.

All that is consistent with my findings, especially with multichannel files.

[millst]

I do not understand this argumentation. Why does MC not always load the whole file even when memory is available?

One possibility, the decoded file is too large. MC is 32-bit and can't address more than 2GB.

-tm

[tyler69]

Of course  : http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,105994.msg738761.html#msg738761

[jesseinsf]

I have 128GB of DDR PC3200 RAM. What is the least intrusive option? Least intrusive meaning the option that uses more RAM and less on "other "resources".