Obviously, high res files require greater network bandwidth than regular CD redbook resolution.
SB touch works very well for CD resolution. Have not tried hi res yet, so I can offer ideas only.
SB normally converts stored file formats to lossless compressed FLAC format. The compressed format helps get more data over the wire faster. Make sure your TOuch is configured to do that for the format you are using. FORmat conversions will add processing overhead to the file server device, so make sure that is running efficiently as well. More memory on board might be needed to help make the server run faster with larger files in general. FOr high res files, I'm thinking 4GB minimum with server device mostly dedicated to running SB server software with minimal contention from other programs.
Also, if your network is shared among family members or by devices other than those used to run server and SB, do what you can to make sure other applciations/users are not consuming bandwidth on the wireless network that otherwise would go to the music server and player.
That plus strong 100% signal from both server to router and router to Touch device should much help put things in the best position for good performance with hi res files.
If all else fails, and the network bandwidth is still a bottleneck, a wired connection rather than wireless G should help. |
Questions for you...is your new wireless router N? What wireless type is the Squeezebox? If its not N I dont know if it has the speed to stream high res. Also, since your router is dual band I would put all my household items on one band and the Squeezebox by itself on another band. The reason is that the router will slow itself down to slowest device on the network/band.
I stream 1080p movies wirelessly in my house with my wireless router upstairs and my HTPC downstairs. |
I think I did the math a while back and determined that bandwidth of wireless G was potentially problematic for high res files, which is one reason I have not tried it. I do not think SB touch can use newer higher bandwidth wireless protocols, but a newer faster router might help if contention with other network traffic is an issue. ANything that can be done to isolate the music server and players on teh network from other devices, including use of dual bands if possible, can only help. |
Unless I'm mistaken, the SBT only does "G." It won't do "N." You also have to consider that much of that bandwidth is being eaten up by security packaging.
I've found that running hi res works best if you use a wired connection.
I really don't think it's your computer. I mean, yes, there can't be any hiccups in the computer's running the SB server, but it doesn't take a whole lot of horsepower to do that.
I'm running SB Server on a Synology NAS and it only has a 1 ghz processor with 256mb of ram. |
The other option is use powerline networking. That should give you higher bandwidth and a more reliable wired connection. I used it for a while to stream 1080p movies until I got my wireless N router and HTPC. Be careful though, there is a lot of junk powerline network adapters out there. |
Hi Matt,
Good points by the others, especially about the possibility that other wireless devices may be competing for bandwidth. If you haven't already, try turning off all other devices in the house that may be wirelessly communicating with the router, or else putting them on the 5 GHz band if possible. For that matter, try turning off all wireless devices in the house that may utilize the 2.4 GHz band, regardless of what they may be communicating with.
Also, try changing the wireless channel that is being used, within the 2.4 GHz band. The manual for the router should explain how to do that.
Also, try disabling encryption if it is presently enabled.
Regarding wireless-G compatibility with 96 kHz/24 bit/2 channel music data, if that is what you are trying to play, the corresponding rate for the music data itself is 4.608 megabits per second. Error detection and correction information, packet headers, control words, encryption, and packet retries when and if needed, all consume bandwidth in addition to that. An optimally functioning wireless-G link, IME, will typically provide rates in the 12 to 20 mbps area, which should be adequate. But there isn't a great deal of margin to accommodate bandwidth competition, RF interference, or less than optimal performance by any of the hardware that is involved.
A point of information regarding one of the earlier comments: If a wireless-G device, such as the Squeezebox, is connected to a wireless-N router, the speed with which the router communicates with other wireless-N devices will not slow down to wireless-G rates. It will communicate with other N devices at N rates, while communicating with G devices at G rates. Although of course the G device will tie up the network for a greater amount of time than it would if a given amount of data were communicated at N rates. N is different in that respect than wireless-G, where the presence of a slower wireless-B device will cause all communications on the network to slow to B speeds.
Regards,
-- Al
|
Al,
Thanks for providing the bandwidth details for Wireless G relative to high res audio format. I did those estimates awhile back and reached a similar conclusion, though the numbers had long since gone in one side and out the other of my head.
SO there is hope perhaps, but things must be running fairly optimum end to end, not a lot of margin for error or inefficiency.
Making sure the SB is configured to use lossless compressed FLAC format for transmission should only help further. I think that is the default for example for CD resolution .wav files that I use regularly, but not sure if that is the case for high res file formats having not tried. All should be configurable as needed using SB system administrative/configuration tools provided. |
2 things I found interfered with wireless is my old home cordless phones and when microwave oven running.
I bought a DECT 6.0 cordless phone system and problem solved. |
You can also hang a wireless N bridge off the back of the Squeezebox. |
Thanks for all your responses. I am not sure if the SBT is G or N. How do I tell ?? Lots to ponder here. I guess this brings up another axiom of the digital age we live in: "Your need / appetite for bandwidth will always exceed the available bandwidth ". I am away for a bit, so it may be a while before I update the condition of my network, but I will keep you posted. Once again, A'gon is great. It's terrific having a way to chat with fellow audiophiles all over the world. |
I am not sure if the SBT is G or N. It is G, per various literature Logitech had issued on it. Best regards, -- Al |
Mabonn I just went through the exact same thing with my Duet and have a thread posted here,
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1365269626&openmine&zzJond&4&5#Jond
but the upshot is this, Squeezbox will not do 5G only 2.4G. If you are getting dropouts go to your routers admin page and change the channel it's broadcasting on. I did this and since I did basically no dropouts. When they do crop up again I just change the channel again. There are 11 channels so just see what works. It was a very easy fix once I found out about it. |
Jond, are you streaming 24 bit 96 kHz files with no dropouts ? |
I had similar issues, and purchased a network over powerline adapter kit from TP-Link. It send the signal over you homes house power line, and then a wired connection from the adapter to the squeezebox.
Very inexpensive fix, easy to et up, and no problems since.
network cable from your router to first adapter plugged into wall - second adapter plugged into wall near squeezebox, and a network cable from adapter to squeezebox. Follow simple instructions for pairing the adapters. Then turn off the wireless on squeezebox.
Amazon sells them - search for "TP-LINK TL-PA211 KIT AV200 Mini Powerline Adapter Starter Kit, up to 200Mbps" |
Mabonn yes I have streamed 24/96 files fine. I stream a variety of wav and flac files with no dropouts whatsoever. |
