INTERACT FORUM
More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: lalittle on August 09, 2004, 04:44:30 pm
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I just noticed that when using Media Server to play songs over a network, wave files do not play back gapless. When I play the files "directly" by navigating to the same songs in the same folder using the "My Computer" branch of the MC tree, however, I don't get any gaps. In other words, this is not a network issue -- it's specifically a Media Server issue.
Based on the behavior, it appears that Media Server does not pre-cache the next track in the sequence, therefore causing it to pause in between tracks as the next song loads. This does not happen when playing the same files over the same network without using Media Server. I tried playing with the buffering setting, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on this. When using Media Server, the buffering setting seems to actually be ignored.
I have no idea how long this has been an issue, but it's forced me to stop using Media Server to play certain albums since even tough I took the time to rip as waves (specifically to avoid gaps), Media Server still pauses between songs.
Thanks,
Larry
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Is this something that can be fixed, or is there possibly a setting I'm not aware of that would make make wave files play gapless over Media Server?
Thanks,
Larry
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I have no idea how long this has been an issue, but it's forced me to stop using Media Server to play certain albums since even tough I took the time to rip as waves (specifically to avoid gaps), Media Server still pauses between songs.
Wow ripping to WAV for playback is some dedication !!
Since storage space and consequently bandwidth isn't an issue why not use APE+APL ?
You might even save a little :) this way.
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APE is actually something I've considered. I wanted native iPod compatibility, which is why I stuck with wave for the moment. That aside, would APE even solve this issue? I have a feeling that I'd have the same issue I do with waves when playing over Media Server.
Larry
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would APE even solve this issue? I have a feeling that I'd have the same issue I do with waves when playing over Media Server.
My guess would be yes.
It's more a matter to do with one file coming across, than several. With Ape you would rip as one large file (same would apply to mp3). So the buffering you use in the client would help.
Give it a shot and let us know how it goes.
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I confirmed that this is still an issue with version 161. Based on the behavior of the time counter, it appears that when playing songs via Media Server, MC waits to get the song until the new song is supposed to be starting, THEN it gets it. This causes a delay when the song starts.
Normally, the time counter switches to the next track during the last 5 seconds of a song. When using Media Server, however, the time counter stays on the current song all the way to the end. I think this may point to the problem.
Larry
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Could someone confirm whether or not I should continue to hold out hope for getting this issue fixed? Given my recent installation changes (hooking up MC computer to stereo) along with my taste in music (a lot of albums that require gapless playback) this issue has rendered Media Server somewhat useless for me personally -- the gaps added between wave files on many of my albums are simply deal breakers.
Thanks,
Larry
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No. I'm not sure what the problem is, but please try APE or MP3.
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No. I'm not sure what the problem is, but please try APE or MP3.
It doesn't look like we're on the same page here. We already KNOW that mp3s don't play back gapless, so I don't need to even try this to let you know what will happen -- i.e. they won't play back gapless over Media Server. The problem is with wave files, which DO play back gapless normally, but not when using Media Server.
I'll try an APE if you like, but since APE is unlikely to ever be supported by the iPod, this isn't a format that I plan on using right now.
Larry
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Sorry, Larry. We're not going to work on this at this time.