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Raspberry Pi4 8GB - does it handle multi-channel FLAC / DSF files
stevemac:
Hi,
Not sure if this should be here or in the PC hardware section. Wondering if anyone can confirm that their Raspberry PI 4 is playing multi-channel FLAC / DSF files OK with the Linux version of JRiver MC (via HDMI to a receiver)?
I'm thinking of getting the model 4. Currently using a low spec'ed machine with the windows version and it mostly copes with multi-channel FLAC (6 channel, 24bit, 96kHz)
Current set up is
* MC (Linux) running as server on VM
* Media files on NAS
* MC (windows) as client on multiple PCs
* multiple DLNA clients - which unfortunately do not do multi-channel FLAC
* Controlled by JRemote / JRemote2 app on tablet]
Plan to add the PI4 as follows
* 8GB version
* MC (Linux) installed running as client
* wired Ethernet connection
* HDMI connection to receiver
Appreciate your input,
Steve
Awesome Donkey:
If you're converting DSD to PCM (which is the only option, since DSD via HDMI from a computer including a Pi isn't possible), then no a Pi 4 VERY likely isn't powerful enough to handle multichannel DSD to PCM conversions on-the-fly.
DSD to PCM conversions, especially multichannel, are one of the most resource (CPU) intensive tasks Media Center can do. Using a Pi for this task is a terrible choice, as even though the Pi 4 is a major improvement over the Pi 3B+, it still isn't powerful enough to handle those type of on-the-fly conversions (and Pis in general likely won't be for at least a few more years). I wouldn't be surprised if the Pi 4 would have lower performance than your current low spec'd Windows machine.
stevemac:
thanks for the information on DSD conversion.
With regards to the PI4 doing multi-channel, does anyone know if the kernel is coded to handle multi-channel over HDMI? See https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,97510.0.html for information for a much earlier attempt at multi-channel using a PI (Model 2B). @Hilton did an awesome job working out why the Pi Model 2B couldn't do it.
thx,
Steve
bob:
--- Quote from: stevemac on August 18, 2020, 05:50:40 pm ---thanks for the information on DSD conversion.
With regards to the PI4 doing multi-channel, does anyone know if the kernel is coded to handle multi-channel over HDMI? See https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,97510.0.html for information for a much earlier attempt at multi-channel using a PI (Model 2B). @Hilton did an awesome job working out why the Pi Model 2B couldn't do it.
thx,
Steve
--- End quote ---
It is still not there yet. I don't know what the delay is in getting that support into ALSA since supposedly the chip can do it.
Kimota:
--- Quote from: stevemac on August 17, 2020, 05:43:16 pm ---Hi,
Not sure if this should be here or in the PC hardware section. Wondering if anyone can confirm that their Raspberry PI 4 is playing multi-channel FLAC / DSF files OK with the Linux version of JRiver MC (via HDMI to a receiver)?
I'm thinking of getting the model 4. Currently using a low spec'ed machine with the windows version and it mostly copes with multi-channel FLAC (6 channel, 24bit, 96kHz)
Current set up is
* MC (Linux) running as server on VM
* Media files on NAS
* MC (windows) as client on multiple PCs
* multiple DLNA clients - which unfortunately do not do multi-channel FLAC
* Controlled by JRemote / JRemote2 app on tablet]
Plan to add the PI4 as follows
* 8GB version
* MC (Linux) installed running as client
* wired Ethernet connection
* HDMI connection to receiver
Appreciate your input,
Steve
--- End quote ---
I have a Pi 4 with 4GB memory running Linux, and I can confirm that it can play back multi-channel DSF and send multi-channel 5.1 Surround PCM over HDMI. It's NOT in native DSD format over HDMI, however. The MC26 converts the bits into PCM before sending it over HDMI. I've also been able to play back DVD-Audio and Blu-ray 5.1 Surround Sound Audio I've ripped from disks ("The Yes Album" and "Fragile"). However, I have NOT tried playing back multi-channel FLAC files.
I just now was listening to these DSF files I ripped from SACD: "Life in the Fast Lane" from the Eagles ("Hotel California") and "Walk Between Raindrops" by Donald Fagen ("The Nightfly"). They have really nice instrument separation that makes the stereo versions sound flat in comparison.
A couple notes on my set up:
* The Pi 4 is hooked up to a 2TB music file disk directly via USB 3.0
* The MC26 is acting as the NAS and DLNA server so I can hook other apps (like MC26 I have running on my Mac) up to the Pi 4 server
* I use JRemote on an iPhone and iPad to control MC26
So, in my opinion, if you have a robust hardwired network, I would guess that the Pi 4 will be able to handle the decoding and playback over HDMI.
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