raspberry pi 2 as media player

[saikatbiswas82]

Enable DLNA in moOde and you can stream to your AVR with any Control Point like BubbleUPnP.

I think it won't be possible. When renderer is rasp pi, the output still be HDMI to AVR. And in case of moode, HDMI Audio is not available.

 

[regeHA]

I think it won't be possible. When renderer is rasp pi, the output still be HDMI to AVR. And in case of moode, HDMI Audio is not available.

Set Renderer to your AVR, set Library to moOde.

Works just fine, I've used it a lot.

Ditto with other distros like RuneAudio, Volumio, and even with MinimServer.

PS: Connection/output will be wireless, you can remove HDMI cable.

 

[saikatbiswas82]

Set Renderer to your AVR, set Library to moOde.

Works just fine, I've used it a lot.

Ditto with other distros like RuneAudio, Volumio, and even with MinimServer.

PS: Connection/output will be wireless, you can remove HDMI cable.

In that case I can remove raspberry pi from chain as well. Because my AVR can read directly from network and in that case I don't even need bubble as well. But I don't want to do that. I need to connect raspberry pi with my dac ... Then dac to AVR. Unfortunately my dac has not arrived yet and need to limit myself with HDMI only for this time being.

 

[rikhav]

As I type this I am listening to music on my setup. Raspberry pi is working as a transport and its in turn fed by a media server

For me the difference is very apparent. OK, not a day night difference but after a certain level changes are only incremental.

Macro and micro dynanmics are much improved then before. Overall tonality improving a lot and sound is much more richer

I am not sure how this is achieved but for me sound is surely changed and changed for good

Thanks again Sam and regeha

 

[regeHA]

In that case I can remove raspberry pi from chain as well. Because my AVR can read directly from network and in that case I don't even need bubble as well. But I don't want to do that. I need to connect raspberry pi with my dac ... Then dac to AVR. Unfortunately my dac has not arrived yet and need to limit myself with HDMI only for this time being.

Yes you could. But there are "musical" advantages to the Raspberry Pi as a transport/media player and not as a source. I agree that an all in one solution including source, transport, and media player is a better solution, and with less moving parts in the chain, however not always a possibility.

In my case moOde would not index my library of nearly 1900 albums (nearly 30,000 files). Something to do with MiniDLNA error. I had to resort to something like MinimServer to index my library and function as a NAS/media server and use moOde only as a front-end player.

Which obviously led me to the question why not dispense with the Raspberry Pi completely? Especially since I am assembling a Synology NAS which will function as a NAS, media server/streamer/player plus a whole lot more.

I guess it all comes down to how much we are willing to go "audiophile" in this hobby of ours.

PS: In fact I can safely say I cannot hear a difference between DLNA streaming without moOde vs using moOde audio player. However, I will defer the final results till I have done more critical listening, but all said and done eliminating the PC and going Raspberry Pi/NAS/DLNA streaming has done a world of good for me personally, I'm enjoying some of the best music ever.

In your case you can wirelessly stream to the Raspberry Pi and also connect the Raspberry Pi to a DAC. I am doing the same thing, but wirelessly with the introduction of the Chromecast Audio. Without the Chromecast Audio I would need to keep the Pi, the DAC, and the amplifier clubbed together, however, the present arrangement lets me keep the NAS + the Pi in a separate room and stream to 3 different locations where the DAC, amplifier, and speakers are located.

 

[sam9s]

In my case moOde would not index my library of nearly 1900 albums (nearly 30,000 files). Something to do with MiniDLNA error. I had to resort to something like MinimServer to index my library and function as a NAS/media server and use moOde only as a front-end player.

Which obviously led me to the question why not dispense with the Raspberry Pi completely? Especially since I am assembling a Synology NAS which will function as a NAS, media server/streamer/player plus a whole lot more.
.

I am also using MoOde the same way, as a front end DLNA player. As I mentioned somewhere at the back as well, I also have used my Synology NAS with E10 DAC, exempting the Rasp Pi all together, and the music quality was more or less same, BUT again as I mentioned using it with Rasp Pi provides me more options to stream from my laptop specially from Spotify and iTunes, since its a renderer any control point that supports UPnp/DLNA/Airplay is able to stream music, including the best like Foobar and Jriver. It also makes a pretty handy tool for multiroom audio if you have multiple Rasp Pi connected to different zones in your house .....

 

[terrible]

I am doing the same thing, but wirelessly with the introduction of the Chromecast Audio. Without the Chromecast Audio I would need to keep the Pi, the DAC, and the amplifier clubbed together, however, the present arrangement lets me keep the NAS + the Pi in a separate room and stream to 3 different locations where the DAC, amplifier, and speakers are located.

Just so i understand this completely. My Raspberry Pi is next to the router for wired connection and nowhere close to the CXR200. And as you and sam9 instructed all my components are on the same network. I am able to access Raspberry Pi wirelessly through CA Connect. Why and where would I require a Chromecast Audio (I mean where would it get plugged?)

 

[saikatbiswas82]

Just so i understand this completely. My Raspberry Pi is next to the router for wired connection and nowhere close to the CXR200. And as you and sam9 instructed all my components are on the same network. I am able to access Raspberry Pi wirelessly through CA Connect. Why and where would I require a Chromecast Audio (I mean where would it get plugged?)

I think you are confusing different systems.

Let me give a bit clarity on this.

Any pc based digital audio chain contains this typical path

Data storage > Transport (pc or SBC) > DAC > Pre-amp > amp > speakers

Any AVR has dac+preamp+amp in one box

Now there are few ways by which you can bypass avr's any processing unit.

To bypass AVR dac:
Transport > dac > avr's analog in > speakers

To bypass AVR's amp:
Transport > AVR's digital input > Avr's pre outs to external amp > speakers

If AVR is in the chain, I think the preamp section cannot be bypassed.

Chromecast can either be used as wireless streamer (as transport) or as an external dac

Now you have to take a call which device should go where in chain.

All the best! [emoji4]

 

[regeHA]

Just so i understand this completely. My Raspberry Pi is next to the router for wired connection and nowhere close to the CXR200. And as you and sam9 instructed all my components are on the same network. I am able to access Raspberry Pi wirelessly through CA Connect. Why and where would I require a Chromecast Audio (I mean where would it get plugged?)

The use of Chromecast Audio is actually to enable "wireless capability" in old hi-fi equipment. In particular AVR's over 5 years old without HDMI and no ethernet/Wi-Fi connectivity options. Chromecast Audio has digital output (Toslink), so simply plug it into an AVR and instead of streaming to the AVR stream to the Chromecast connected to the AVR.

Also, not all stereo receivers are Wi-Fi enabled and certainly not DACs. CCA is extremely useful if you want to keep the source/music server separate/in a different room.

Another scenario is to play the same music in multiple rooms. I have 3 CCAs and I can play the same music in 3 different rooms connected to 3 different speakers. Or my wife can listen to different music streaming from the same server, but to the Chromecast Audio in her room/kitchen, etc. Lots of scenarios become possible with the CCA.

Think of it as a device that will give Wi-Fi connectivity to any hi-fi equipment that has either optical input, 3.5mm stereo input, or RCA input.

 

[arnprasad]

Need help for a media center

Hi All,

With 25 pages on this post alone, am sure all the answers I need is already there, but since I am not a techie and also because I am a bit lazy would appreciate if you could help me on my questions below. Thx in advance for all your help.

What I currently have on ground floor:

1) Hathway 50 mbps modem and router (both are separate)
2) Desktop CPU connected to my TV via a Pioneer AVR (1020)
3) WD My cloud Ex 2 8 TB.
Amazon.com: WD 8TB My Cloud EX2 Network Attached Storage - NAS - WDBVKW0080JCH-NESN: Computers & Accessories

What I want to do
1) All my files including films, music, personal videos..etc is on my desktop. Once I figure out how to use the WD EX2 - will copy files so that this will be my master repository and also backup.
2) I plan to buy a cheap big tv for my first floor room - mostly micromax 40 or 50 incher.
3) I am very happy with my desktop connected to my big TV on ground floor as it is my media center, computer, I edit my home videos...super happy
4) Now for first floor i want something similar - a computer connected to my prospective TV purchase.
5) This computer should be able to (a) let me connect to the internet and play you tube videos apart from typical surfing (b) play media files from my WD Ex2 using wifi - maximum is 1080p videos. (c) Play non media files..mostly MS office files apart from generic ones like PDF - can I install free office suit on pi?

What I have currently for the first floor computer:
Amazon.com: Raspberry Pi Model B 756-8308 Motherboard (RASPBRRYPCBA512): Computers & Accessories

What I need your help on:
(a) IF I buy the following (you can observe that they are the cheapest ones available - albeit with 4 star ratings!)

1) Quantum Slim USB 2.0 High Speed Hub 4 Port Color may vary (either black or white) - Buy Quantum Slim USB 2.0 High Speed Hub 4 Port Color may vary (either black or white) Online at Low Price in India - Amazon.in

2) Tenda W311M N150 150Mbps Wireless USB Adapter (Grey) - Buy Tenda W311M N150 150Mbps Wireless USB Adapter (Grey) Online at Low Price in India - Amazon.in

3) Amazon.in: Buy Logitech MK220 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo (Black) Online at Low Prices in India | Logitech Reviews & Ratings

(b) Can I (i) Connect my Pi to my prospective TV with HDMI (ii) use it like a computer using the wireless keyboard and mouse (iii) play 1080 p videos from my WD EX 2 using wifi (iv) my kids use it like a computer to learn coding like from SCRATCH or Gcompris. (v) open typical non media files like MS office ones
(c) What else do I need to buy? what else can the pi do?

(d) Also at the place where I plan to place my prospective TV and PI - currently my laptop shows only one bar wifi signal out of 5...will that be a problem?

(e) Is there a free option to stream media from my NExus 5 to my existing TV or prospective TV without using things like Chromecast?

Sorry about the long post...I have enough laptops and desktop and smart phones in my house and do not want to spend another 20K just to get media/internet on my prospective TV.

 

[sam9s]

Re: Need help for a media center

4) Now for first floor i want something similar - a computer connected to my prospective TV purchase.
5) This computer should be able to (a) let me connect to the internet and play you tube videos apart from typical surfing (b) play media files from my WD Ex2 using wifi - maximum is 1080p videos. (c) Play non media files..mostly MS office files apart from generic ones like PDF - can I install free office suit on pi?

Looks like you want a cheap PC that you can use for 3 main basic tasks. 1. YouTube, 2. Browsing, 3. Play media 1080p max from your NAS and 4. MS Office files.

I would not suggest Rasp Pi for it. If you can spend a little more than Pi get yourself a ASUS CHROMEBIT

Its around 84 USB, 1.8 Ghz Quad Core CPU, 2GB Memory, 16GB eMMC. 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac , Bluetooth V4.0 , plugs directly into your TV's HDMI port. And since it running on chrome google OS. Experience with youtube and all google apps will be seamless. Plus You can use Google Docs for all your MS office documents. Trust me I have used (am using infact) google docs pretty extensively and the cloud integration is just amazing .....

A real world test can be seen here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7QyLpRKFOQ

 

[arnprasad]

Thanks..am aware of this computer on a stick approach. Just that i had bought a pi three years back and its lying used. but you think the combo of old pi+ wifi USB adapter +=wireless keyboard and mouse wont work? again I am talking about using it once in a blue moon. Thx

I also just realized that i have an airtel and a vodafone 3g data card each...without a sim insde are these of any use? like acting as a wifi usb adaptor for pi?

 

[sam9s]

Rpi would not do Office suit as effectively as say the above stick or the intel one. You can install Ubuntu Mate on Rpi 2, that will install Libre Office and firefox for browsing, but personally I was not very impressed with the experience. Rasbian was even more pathetic and poor.

No I don't think you can do anything with the 3G dongle without the SIM.

 

[regeHA]

Thanks..am aware of this computer on a stick approach. Just that i had bought a pi three years back and its lying used. but you think the combo of old pi+ wifi USB adapter +=wireless keyboard and mouse wont work? again I am talking about using it once in a blue moon. Thx

The Pi will do everything other than MS Office. Being 3 years old you can OC it too.

For entertainment (as in movies and music) you don't really need a keyboard and mouse, lots of free apps you can use to stream and cast content, BubbleUPnP comes highly recommended.

 

[arnprasad]

Sorry about the multiple questions...was cleaning up my house and i just realized I got a brand new TP link td-w8968.

TP-Link TD-W8968 N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Router (White) - Buy TP-Link TD-W8968 N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Router (White) Online at Low Price in India - Amazon.in

Before I switched over to Hathway I had a BSNL connection and because the BSNL router went dead, bought this..but within a month or two switched to Hathway. What can I do with this? Assuming I want a very strong wifi at first floor also, can this router catch hathway's wifi signal and amplify or do something like that?

 

[saikatbiswas82]

The idea is...for multiple floor media streaming solution...run concealed (or visible) cat5/6 cable between floors...connect them to unmanaged switch (one at each floor) and add a WiFi router in repeater or ap mode (one at each floor)

All will be in same network.

Alternatively a high power WiFi might be ok.

IMHO.

 

[regeHA]

Sorry about the multiple questions...was cleaning up my house and i just realized I got a brand new TP link td-w8968.

TP-Link TD-W8968 N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Router (White) - Buy TP-Link TD-W8968 N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Router (White) Online at Low Price in India - Amazon.in

Before I switched over to Hathway I had a BSNL connection and because the BSNL router went dead, bought this..but within a month or two switched to Hathway. What can I do with this? Assuming I want a very strong wifi at first floor also, can this router catch hathway's wifi signal and amplify or do something like that?

Check in settings of main router or this one if either can be used as a repeater and if so use it to extend the network. I've put a couple of old N150 and N300 routers to good use as repeater.

Settings should be similar to this (if supported).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWhXzgWtkG8

 

[sam9s]

Sorry about the multiple questions...was cleaning up my house and i just realized I got a brand new TP link td-w8968.
Before I switched over to Hathway I had a BSNL connection and because the BSNL router went dead, bought this..but within a month or two switched to Hathway. What can I do with this? Assuming I want a very strong wifi at first floor also, can this router catch hathway's wifi signal and amplify or do something like that?

As others have suggested, see if you can use the router as a repeater, or worst case scenario you can always use the router as an access to extend your existing LAN network.

 

[rikhav]

Did a small modification to raspberry pi

I saw a video where the digi plus board was powered directly which in turned powered the raspberry pi.
What it does is that it bypasses the fuse and power circutry of the raspberry pi

Too early to be 100 percent sure with the results. Will post my views after a proper listen


Following is the video

https://youtu.be/L83EEDbAMJI

 

[arnprasad]

The idea is...for multiple floor media streaming solution...run concealed (or visible) cat5/6 cable between floors...connect them to unmanaged switch (one at each floor) and add a WiFi router in repeater or ap mode (one at each floor)

All will be in same network.

Alternatively a high power WiFi might be ok.

IMHO.

Hi,

Can you dumb it down a bit please. This is what i understood.

1) I take a small ethernet cable and connect my hathway router to this?

D-Link DES-1005A 5-Port 10/100 Switch (White) - Buy D-Link DES-1005A 5-Port 10/100 Switch (White) Online at Low Price in India - Amazon.in

2) then i take a 50 feet cat6 cable and connect to above switch

3) then i take another switch as above and connect this 50 feet cable to it
on first floor

4) then i take another ethernet cable and plug it from above switch to my wifi router?

this will make my first floor wifii covered with strong signals ?