Topic: DLNA problems with some audio files (Read 7428 times)

sandrei · « **on:** June 29, 2015, 12:10:45 pm »

I am using DLNA to play flac files on my Sony STR-DN1050 receiver, over network. Some of the files simply won't play. After opening the file in the information window I am getting "Waiting" message, and stays there forever. The same files used to play well at some point, but not anymore. The same files are playing fine with no problems when I use local player from MC and/or other software, so I think the files are not damaged.
I am using Windows 7 and MC 20.0.115
Anybody knows what might be the problem?

Thanks.

bob · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2015, 04:53:17 pm »

Quote from: sandrei on June 29, 2015, 12:10:45 pm

I am using DLNA to play flac files on my Sony STR-DN1050 receiver, over network. Some of the files simply won't play. After opening the file in the information window I am getting "Waiting" message, and stays there forever. The same files used to play well at some point, but not anymore. The same files are playing fine with no problems when I use local player from MC and/or other software, so I think the files are not damaged.
I am using Windows 7 and MC 20.0.115
Anybody knows what might be the problem?

Thanks.

What kind of files and what are your MC DLNA server settings?

AndrewFG · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2015, 10:27:35 am »

Try downloading my renderer test application from the link in my sig, and post the report here or send it to me by PM.

sandrei · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2015, 01:13:04 am »

Bob, I have trouble with some of the .flac files, usually the first song of an album, the rest are running fine. I am using .wav files too but never had any trouble with them.
Andrew, Here is the test application report.

DMR Report (by Whitebear) for STR-DN1050
========================================

Device Description Url=http://192.168.1.21:8080/description.xml
Description=MULTI CHANNEL AV RECEIVER
Friendly Name=SONY STR-DN1050
Manufacturer Name=Sony Corporation
Manufacturer Url=http://www.sony.net/
Model Name=STR-DN1050
Model Number=JB3.2
Model Url=http://www.sony.net/
Presentation Url=http://192.168.1.21
UPnP Device Type=urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1
UPnP Media Renderer version=1
Unique Device Name=uuid:5f9ec1b3-ed59-1900-4530-fcf152765a01
X_DLNADOC Element=DMR-1.50
Service Url for RenderingControl=http://192.168.1.21:8080/RenderingControl/desc.xml
Service Url for ConnectionManager=http://192.168.1.21:8080/ConnectionManager/desc.xml
Service Url for AVTransport=http://192.168.1.21:8080/AVTransport/desc.xml
AVT:SetNextAVTransportURI (gapless play)=Supported
AVT:SyncPlay (synchronous play)=Feature not available on this DMR version
RC:GetVolume action=Supported
RC:SetVolume action=Supported
HTTP User Agent (client)=WinampMPEG/2.8
Play test file result=Play success => Start Ok / Stop Ok

Media Center DLNA Server Advanced Settings
==========================================

DLNA=Checked
DLNAExtra=Checked
Enable bitrate Field=Checked
Filter international characters=no
Include session Id=no
Playstation 3 compatible=no
Present Caption Resources=Checked
Present Small Artwork=no
Present Subtitle Resources=Checked
Skip child count=no
Use flat URLs=no
Use full URLs instead of relative URLs=no
WMC compatible=no
MPEG video mimetvpe override=tbd / per track setting
Video MimeType Override=tbd / per track setting
Video DLNA Override=tbd / per track setting

Declared Supported Audio, Image & Video Formats
===============================================

http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=44100;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=44100;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=48000;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=48000;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=11025;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=11025;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=12000;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=12000;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=22050;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=22050;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=24000;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=24000;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=32000;channels=1:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/L16;rate=32000;channels=2:DLNA.ORG_PN=LPCM_low;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mpeg:DLNA.ORG_PN=MP3;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ADTS;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ADTS_320;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/3gpp:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO_320;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/3gpp:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO_320;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAAC_L2_ADTS;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAAC_L2_ISO;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAAC_L2_ADTS_320;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAAC_L2_ISO_320;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAACv2_L2;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAACv2_L2;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAACv2_L2_320;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAACv2_L2_320;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ADTS_192;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=AAC_ISO_192;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAACv2_L2_128;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/vnd.dlna.adts:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAACv2_L2_128;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/mp4:DLNA.ORG_PN=HEAAC_L2_ISO_128;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/x-ms-wma:DLNA.ORG_PN=WMABASE;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/x-ms-wma:DLNA.ORG_PN=WMAFULL;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=9D300000000000000000000000000000
http-get:*:audio/m4a:*
http-get:*:audio/wav:*
http-get:*:audio/x-m4a:*
http-get:*:audio/x-wav:*
http-get:*:audio/flac:*
http-get:*:audio/x-flac:*
http-get:*:audio/aiff:*
http-get:*:audio/x-aiff:*
http-get:*:audio/aif:*
http-get:*:audio/x-aif:*
http-get:*:audio/x-alac:*
http-get:*:audio/dsf:*
http-get:*:audio/diff:*
http-get:*:audio/dsd:*
http-get:*:audio/x-dsd:*
sony.com:5f9ec1b3-ed59-1900-4530-fcf152765a01:audio:localRender

Evaluated Supported Audio Formats
=================================

audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   44100   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   44100   2   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   48000   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM   Dlna   48000   2   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   11025   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   11025   2   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   12000   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   12000   2   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   22050   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   22050   2   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   24000   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   24000   2   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   32000   1   16   Yes
audio/L16   LPCM_low   Dlna   32000   2   16   Yes
audio/mpeg   MP3   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   AAC_ADTS   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   AAC_ADTS_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   AAC_ISO   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/3gpp   AAC_ISO   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   AAC_ISO_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/3gpp   AAC_ISO_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   HEAAC_L2_ADTS   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   HEAAC_L2_ISO   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   HEAAC_L2_ADTS_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   HEAAC_L2_ISO_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   HEAACv2_L2   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   HEAACv2_L2   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   HEAACv2_L2_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   HEAACv2_L2_320   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   AAC_ADTS_192   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   AAC_ISO_192   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   HEAACv2_L2_128   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/vnd.dlna.adts   HEAACv2_L2_128   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/mp4   HEAAC_L2_ISO_128   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/x-ms-wma   WMABASE   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/x-ms-wma   WMAFULL   Dlna   *   2   *   No
audio/m4a   AAC_ISO   Fuzzy   *   2   *   No
audio/wav   WAV   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/x-m4a   AAC_ISO   Fuzzy   *   2   *   No
audio/x-wav   WAV   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/flac   FLAC   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/x-flac   FLAC   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/aiff   AIFF   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/x-aiff   AIFF   Fuzzy   *   *   *   Yes
audio/aif      Undefined
audio/x-aif      Undefined
audio/x-alac      Undefined
audio/dsf      Undefined
audio/diff      Undefined
audio/dsd      Undefined
audio/x-dsd      Undefined

AndrewFG · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2015, 03:21:20 pm »

Thanks for posting the report.

The report indicates that the receiver's maximum capability for playing PCM files (L16) is 16 bit, 2 channels, 4800 Hz.

The report does not say anything about its capabilities playing flac files (other than that it can play flac), but one might assume its capabilities on flac is the same as its capabilities on PCM. So I wonder if those of your flacs which do not play are perhaps ones with a higher bit depth, higher channel count, or higher sample rate ??

sandrei · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2015, 05:54:32 pm »

Below is a quote from SONY manual, it claims to support flac files, both 16 and 24 bit from 44.1 to 192 kHz.
My files that do not play are at 16 bit and 44.1 kHz, other files from the same album, encoded using same parameters are playing with no problem , but these ones no. Initially I thought that my files are corrupt or something, but if that would be the case they would not play locally without problems, right?

DLNA section
Supported format*
MP3 (MPEG 1 Audio Layer-3):
32 kbps – 320 kbps, VBR
AAC:
16 kbps – 320 kbps, CBR, VBR
WMA9 Standard:
40 kbps – 320 kbps, CBR, VBR
WAV:
32 kHz – 192 kHz, 16 bit PCM
32 kHz – 192 kHz, 24 bit PCM
FLAC:
44.1 kHz – 192 kHz, 16 bit FLAC
44.1 kHz – 192 kHz, 24 bit FLAC
AIFF:
32 kHz – 192 kHz, 16 bit PCM
32 kHz – 192 kHz, 24 bit PCM
ALAC:
32 kHz – 96 kHz, 16 bit ALAC
32 kHz – 96 kHz, 24 bit ALAC
DSD**:
2.8 MHz, 1 bit DSD
* Compatibility with all encoding/

JimH · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2015, 06:41:18 pm »

Files that have cover art stored in the tags (or not) might behave differently. Size of art or file type might also make a difference.

MC can remove embedded art if you decide to test.

sandrei · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2015, 11:25:24 pm »

I removed the cover art for the files in question, and no result, they still do not play .

bob · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2015, 02:30:21 pm »

Is it always the same files? If you put them in a playlist in a different order does the failure follow the songs order in the playlist?

sandrei · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2015, 11:45:23 pm »

OK, I think I found a pattern, in general the files that are not playing are .flac encoded and very long, longer than 30 minutes. Any song shorter than 30 minutes is played without problems or delays, the ones longer than 30 minutes "Waiting" is displayed in the status window. I tried to open the files from the receiver interface and the behavior is the same, the receiver is waiting forever to load them.
I have a few .wav files encoded DTS 5.1 longer than 30 minutes, some even longer than one hour, and they are played nice, with no delay. I have to down-mix to two channels though on the MC 20, which is fine, I have the receiver configured with 2 speakers anyways (plus subwoofer).
And another thing, when I try to open the long .flac files MC 20 window is freezing for a few seconds and do not accept any command, after that I regain access to MC 20 but "waiting" message is still there.
Any idea?

AndrewFG · « **Reply #10 on:** July 15, 2015, 01:00:05 am »

Perhaps the receiver simply does not have enough RAM to buffer big files ??

sandrei · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2015, 01:14:29 pm »

I tend to agree with you.
I was hoping though for something better from a SONY flagship product

AndrewFG · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2015, 02:49:26 pm »

Try streaming to it in PCM 16 bit no header (L16). When a renderer is streaming Flac it will need to buffer the incoming compressed Flac and decompress it into a second PCM buffer before playing it out. Whereas if you let MC do the decompressing, the renderer may be able to play out the incoming stream straight without much intermediate buffering. And also L16 is the native format of DLNA so renderers will certainly be better optimized to play that format best.

sandrei · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2015, 02:59:56 am »

If I use PCM L16 or PCM L24 it does not work at all with any file.
But thanks for the suggestion... I solved it another way: I reduced the sampling rate to 48 kHz, using PCM 24 Bit (PCM 16 Bit works also). Initially I was using 192 kHz sampling rate, and reducing it progressively I was able to play longer and longer files. At 48 kHz I was able to play any file I have.
Thanks for help, works fine now.

AndrewFG · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2015, 08:40:43 am »

Quote from: sandrei on July 16, 2015, 02:59:56 am

If I use PCM L16 or PCM L24 it does not work at all with any file.
But thanks for the suggestion... I solved it another way: I reduced the sampling rate to 48 kHz, using PCM 24 Bit (PCM 16 Bit works also). Initially I was using 192 kHz sampling rate, and reducing it progressively I was able to play longer and longer files. At 48 kHz I was able to play any file I have.
Thanks for help, works fine now.

Yeah. Your renderer only supports L16 (16 bit) but not L24; and it only supports sample rates up to 48 kHz

audio/L16 LPCM Dlna 44100 1 16 Yes
audio/L16 LPCM Dlna 44100 2 16 Yes
audio/L16 LPCM Dlna 48000 1 16 Yes
audio/L16 LPCM Dlna 48000 2 16 Yes

sandrei · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2015, 01:03:28 pm »

I do not necessary agree with you on this one. If what you say is true than how you explain that smaller files are played at 24 bit and 192 kHz with no problem?
The table you quote is what that software was able to read/test, not what the renderer is capable of.
I think the renderer is able to read both 16 bit and 24 bit files up to 192 kHz sampling rates, as advertised by SONY, but it has limitations of the buffer memory and cannot handle the amount of data transferred at higher sampling rates.
I just did a test: instead of using 24 bit I reverted to PCM 16 bit, and on this setting I can go up to 96 kHz sampling rates.
So, in conclusion, for files up to 30 minutes I can set PCM 16 bit or PCM 24 bit at 192 kHz sampling rates both, but if I want to play longer files I need lower settings, either 16 bit and 96 kHz maximum or 24 bit and 48 kHz maximum. From these two settings which one do you thing is better? Higher sampling rate or higher bit depth?
And another thing, I use "Mode: Specify output format only when necessary" but I do not really know what that means. What is the difference between this and "Mode: Specify output format"? In my mind the first setting "only when necessary" is less restrictive and the output can go higher if possible, is that right?

ssands · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2015, 01:42:27 pm »

This may not apply to your product, but I have seen Sony treat the same format differently (that is, not supported) when played via DLNA vs. a more direct connection (for example, USB). It was stated in the manual.

It's frustrating enough that I would not buy or recommend Sony products again.

Another thing to try to ensure that you are running the latest Sony firmware - check if there are any updates for your product.

bob · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2015, 03:03:21 pm »

Quote from: sandrei on July 16, 2015, 01:03:28 pm

....
And another thing, I use "Mode: Specify output format only when necessary" but I do not really know what that means. What is the difference between this and "Mode: Specify output format"? In my mind the first setting "only when necessary" is less restrictive and the output can go higher if possible, is that right?

Only When Necessary means to convert when the original format is not either MP3 or L16 since L16 is required to be supported and everything we have seen supports MP3.

Perhaps your issue has to do with the file size of the transcoded file? You'll have trouble if a wav file exceeds 2 gigs (not true of headerless PCM).

sandrei · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2015, 03:24:50 pm »

Well, I am using this receiver as a DAC only because it was sitting there in the house unused and I did not see justified the investment in another box, aka a dedicated DAC. So I tried to make a good use of this one.
On the paper it has good capabilities and probably at some extend it is right. The audio engine is pretty good I think, but that's not everything, it does not have the connectivity to make use of it. I cannot imagine what was in the mind of the "engineers" that designed and built this device: it has a USB inlet, but it does not allow you to connect it to a PC, it supports only memory sticks and some SONY portable music players. It has wireless but is at 2.4 MHz, and slow like a snail. It has a wired network connection but it is at 1 Mbps. In our world now it is pretty difficult to find a wired network card that works at below 100 Mbps, so probably they looked very hard. It has all the Dolby's and DTS's decoders possible in our days but are accessible only through HDMI.
So yes, it is frustrating to know that you have a Ferrari engine in your car but you cannot use it because your transmission has only 2 steps: slow and very-slow.

JimH · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2015, 03:41:45 pm »

Your wired connection is probably 10Mbps, and both the wired and wireless connections should be fine for music.

AndrewFG · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2015, 05:11:44 pm »

Quote from: sandrei on July 16, 2015, 01:03:28 pm

The table you quote is what that software was able to read/test, not what the renderer is capable of.

No. The table that I quote are the formats that the renderer itself declares that it is able to play.

Maybe it can play formats beyond what it declares. But that is hardly what I would call a reliable specification.

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Author Topic: DLNA problems with some audio files (Read 7428 times)