Confessions of a Squeezebox NOOB!

mcgsxr · « **on:** 3 Dec 2005, 01:27 pm »

Figure some will find it interesting, to peruse the ongoing learning curve (and perhaps even chime in with some advice!) as I venture forth into "PC as front end audio".

Day 1 - receive SB3 from lcrim - thanks again Larry!

Day 2 - go look at wireless router options... ended up buying a Linksys WRT540.

More Day 2 - try to setup router with included disk... argue with aftermarket firewall s/w... rant to self about lack of 1-800 number on packaging (have private blue air rant about company suggestions that I go online for router setup help... for IF I could get online, THEN WHY WOULD I NEED THE HELP?)... sort out removing router from setup, then go online, then get downloaded s/w to configure, then get it sorted.
More Day 2 - empirically learn that looking after a 2 year old, and a 2 week old, and setting up SB3 on a floor different from that of your PC is not a good mix for low blood pressure...

More Day 2 - when ever loving spouse returns to assist with children, I move SB3 to computer desk, and explore how to get connectivity.

More Day 2 - got it running, and now listening to high rate MP3 on basement system - discover to my amusement that the SB3 responds to JVC remote... and I am using a JVC remote for my system! But, also discover that the JVC does not respond to the SB3 remote, and later learn that I can disable that from the web interface...

More Day 2 - not sure if I should be concerned, but I am only getting 30-35% wireless signal in the basement - this was my concern, and I really don't want to have to spend another $100 on a wireless bridge for the main floor, to increase the signal strength - not sure if this will matter, once I get FLAC up and running - I will report back.

So, in all, not bad - up and running in about 1-2 hours, if you compress all the babysitting, and stair running etc!

I will report back as things continue - looks promising, even though I am uncertain how I will end up using this toy, in the context of the system I have, and could setup. I will continue to use it stock, trying both analog outs and digital outs through Mensa DIO into JVC. I will also try it digital out into the Panny I recently got... and I will try it analog outs into the Bolder Teac... and I could try it digital outs with volume control that way... or digital outs into the Mensa, into the Hagerman tubed pre, then into the Bolder Teac...

Ahem, too many variables, and no where near enough time!

I will post more later, once I learn how to setup EAC and FLAC, and share some of the amusement that is bound to happen during that phase - I just hope that in the end, the noobs will find a thread to congregate and share some teething stories, and some of the seasoned folks will help us out!

mjohnson · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Dec 2005, 03:45 pm »

I don't have my SB3 yet, but I'm ready with an external HD (200GB) and a wireless router. I tried to set up EAC and FLAC last night. I got as far as to where the program was trying to recognize my CD drive. It never did. It was late and I have been on the road all week so I gave up. I was impressed with the ease of EAC until my dead end.

Please continue your thread when you have accomplished setting up EAC and FLAC with details.

Tweaker · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Dec 2005, 05:06 pm »

My one suggestion to maximize sound quality would be to disable the volume control in the Slimserver/player settings/audio page. Unless you are running directly into an amplifier it is not necessary to have two volume controls and I found a noticeable improvement in sound quality after doing this.
You'll not be sorry you made this purchase after you hear how stunningly good the music on your cd's will sound when freed from the confines of those plastic discs and cd player.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 02:07 pm »

Day 3 - I have, as Tweaker suggested, fixed the digital output from the web interface for Slim Server - thanks for the tip! I have also updated my wireless security to WPA using the TKIP algorithms - just keeping the honest people honest, I am sure that if someone really wanted to hack me, it will happen, but I don't want kiddie porn uploaded from a laptop in front of my house, cause I left the network open...

Day 3 - I have settled (for the immediate future) on using the SB3 digital output, into the Mensa DIO, into the JVC EX A1, into the OB Visatons. When I get some mods done, and some more time, I will experiment with other configurations. I am actually thinking that getting another PS would be great for two reasons - fidelity, as I would use the upgraded one in the main system, and convenience - I would park the stock one, and a set of IC's "pigtail" style, in the 2nd system, so that I could simply unplug the SB, cart it upstairs to the main floor, and then have all that music available right there too... that ability to have all your tunes there, is addictive...

Day 3 - I have EAC installed, and FLAC installed, and have ripped one cd from disc, to WAV, and then to FLAC. (The music I reference above is actually 20g of MP3's that I have from a friend of mine who collects music that way - he dropped by one day last year with his external HD, so I grabbed his collection. I intend to EAC/FLAC all my own tunes, and have those in a separate file for best fidelity listening). The trouble I am having, is that it appears that I will have to rename all the tracks, as it is simply ripping from disc to WAV as Track 1 etc. The fidelity is perfect (to my ears) between the WAV and FLAC, so I have no issue with ripping the 100-130 cd's I have, but I hope not to have to manually enter the track information... I could swear I have read that folks are able to have this happen automatically, and I would love a shove in the right direction, if YOU know how!

Day 3 - I am still only averaging 35-40% wireless signal, and that is with some awkward placement of the SB3 in my basement - I would prefer not to have to buy a wireless bridge, but am afraid that my network strength is not robust enough to survive a microwave running, or a phone call on my wireless 2.4 phone setup - I can see Michelle's face now - Honey, we have to upgrade the phones, so that my tunes are safe...

Day 3 - considering a portable HD, but really only for the purposes of poaching music off my friends - I doubt my whole collection will exceed the HD I have in the computer, so not sure why the fetish for external HD that I read about - any pointers?

Thanks,

BRN · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 02:31 pm »

mcgsxr,

I'm no expert on EAC, but one you do not have to rip a CD to WAV and then convert yo FLAC. Do you you EAC configured to use FLAC? If so all you needt do is ACTION-->COPY SELECTED TRACKS-->COMPRESSED or shift+F5. You can also configure EAC to automaticaly look for the track information using freedb.

Link for configuring FLAC on EAC http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/EAC/index.html
Link for setting up EAC http://users.pandora.be/satcp/eac04.htm#-
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=30959
and a link that Trweaker post on another thread and it also has how to configure freedb using the configuration wisardhttp://users.pandora.be/satcp/eac-qs-en.htm

I hope that helps.

ToddSTS · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 09:27 pm »

There is also this link:

http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=EAC_and_Flac

And this:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=16146&hl=eac+flac

I have mine set up now to grab the CDDB info on inserting a CD and then Rip it to FLAC with all the tags and sorted into the right directories. But it took a little while to get it just how I wanted it.

Todd

mcgsxr · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 10:05 pm »

Thanks for the links and advice guys, I found that by following the link that Tweaker put in the sticky for EAC/FLAC, I can not get automatic rip to FLAC, with proper filenames.

My Motorola home 2.4Ghz phones still kill my wireless LAN though, requiring a total system reboot to get connected to the Slimserver, after using the cordless phone... Argh, the joys of growing pains!

Hopefully, through either using different channels for the phone, or LAN, I can alleviate this.

Thanks again for the tips - the high quality music is now flowing, when the LAN is up and running!

bubba966 · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 10:07 pm »

Quote from: mcgsxr

Day 3 - I am still only averaging 35-40% wireless signal, and that is with some awkward placement of the SB3 in my basement - I would prefer not to have to buy a wireless bridge, but am afraid that my network strength is not robust enough to survive a microwave running, or a phone call on my wireless 2.4 phone setup - I can see Michelle's face now - Honey, we have to upgrade the phones, so that my tunes are safe...

We no longer have any 2.4g phones in my house. They're either 900m or 5.8g. It's not for any wireless network though, it's so the Wavebirds don't crap out when the phone rings.

Do you have any idea how bad it sucks when you're playing Mario Kart Double Dash and your controller cuts out because the phone rings?

So there's obviously more rediculous reasons why people have upgraded their phones...

Tweaker · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 10:16 pm »

Here are my EAC compression options/additional command line options (for FLAC):
-4 -V -T "artist=%a" -T "title=%t" -T "album=%g" -T "date=%y" -T "tracknumber=%n" -T "genre=%m" %s

-4 is the compression level.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 10:35 pm »

Hmmn, could I run the LAN on wireless B instead? I know it is slower, but would it also have better coverage, and not compete with the phone?

Thanks for the command line tip Tweaker - is that better than the similar one with a leading 8, in the tutorial you linked to?

Tweaker · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 11:06 pm »

It is a slightly lower compression. I have no idea if there is an audible difference between the various compression levels. I chose a lesser one just in case there is. I also don't remember which tutorial I got the command line options from- it's been awhile! Must not of been the one I linked to if it doesn't work!

Rashiki · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 11:09 pm »

Quote from: mcgsxr

Hmmn, could I run the LAN on wireless B instead?

802.11b and 802.11g both run at 2.4 GHz. You could go for 11a which uses spectrum in the 5 GHz range, but 11a equipment is harder to find, tends to be more expensive, and seems to have a shorter range than 11b or 11g.

Most 11g equipment can drop back to 11b mode if there's too much noise or interference to run at the higher bitrates. I'd say your always better off with 11g equipment.

I mounted my 11g access point in the attic at the highest point in my house and I get excellent reception all over my property, but I've avoided using 2.4 GHz cordless phones (I have 900MHz and 5.8GHz phones).

-Rob

mcgsxr · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Dec 2005, 11:30 pm »

Tweaker - both your recommended, and the one with the leading 8, are from that Pandora link - no worries, there is lots of info out there, thanks for posting some that even I could follow!

Rashiki - tks for clarifying that both B and G run on 2.4 - I guess that means that no matter which channel I choose for both the LAN, and the phones, they will still conflict?

The SB cannot do A, so I am stuck with wireless G - guess I will have to keep my eye out for some Boxing day specials on 5.4 phones!

lcrim · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Dec 2005, 02:42 am »

Mark:
Check your email. You already had the instructions on how to integrate Flac into EAC but I sent them to you again. It also tells you how to name your flac files.
You could run an ethernet crossover cable between the SB3 and the PC where you're runing Slimserver. Attenuation on a CAT5 cable has been determined to be 100 meters so length shouldn't be an issue.

Rashiki · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Dec 2005, 05:50 am »

Quote from: mcgsxr

Rashiki - tks for clarifying that both B and G run on 2.4 - I guess that means that no matter which channel I choose for both the LAN, and the phones, they will still conflict?

If you've got a cordless phone that has a channel button, you may be able to find a combination that doesn't overlap. Phones that don't have a channel button usually use a frequency hopping system. The hopping is not user-definable, so chances are that the phone will occasionally interfere with your wi-fi network. You've got 83MHz of bandwidth in the 2.4Ghz spectrum. 802.11b channels are 22MHz wide (meaning that there is some overlap between channels) and coredless phone channels are five to ten MHz wide. I'd try picking channel 1 or 11 and trying to find a cordless phone channel that doesn't interfere. And if that doesn't work, you can either buy a new phone or run some network cable.

-Rob

Gizmo · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Dec 2005, 09:40 pm »

Has anyone tried Yahoo's Music engine? It allows you to rip your cd's in a number of different formats including FLAC. It seems like this would be easier than using the EAC/FLAC combo. I am totally clueless when it comes to this stuff, I was just looking for the simplest solution to archive my CD collection in the FLAC format.

I would appreciate someones opinion on whether this Yahoo ripper works the same way as the other ways described here.

Thanks,

David

JoshK · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 01:38 am »

If it makes you feel any better. I have had my SB2 almost 5 months (or 4? not sure) and I still haven't even tried it out. Long story made short, I was going to build a linux file server dedicated to the project. Took a hell of a long time for me to get the install working right because I was too cheap to buy new distro.

Then I had a major crash of my main pc, then the linux box died too. So after reviving the main pc, I tried to revive server, but nada. I can't get it to do jack. Then I can't connect SB because I can't find the damn antenna. So there I am.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 03:49 am »

https://secure.slimdevices.com/order/upgrades.cgi

Replacement Antenna for SB2 $7.50

JoshK · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 02:38 pm »

Thanks Wayne! I know it is in my pile "somewhere" but it could be months before I find it. I guess it is the price you pay for being unorganized.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Dec 2005, 05:00 pm »

For those following me along in this learning experience, I thought an update due.

I have followed the advice here, to make sure that I change the default router channel to something other than 6. I am now using channel 11, and having rebooted the whole setup, it is working great.

It has survived 2 phone calls, and also the SB3 has automatically reconnected, following my turning the PC off for the whole night.

Not sure it is totally licked, but it sure is working better!

Thanks to all the advice, and thanks to Larry for calling me up and giving me heck! Poor guy underestimates how pig headed I am, about getting this working wirelessly...!

I honestly did look around at the house Larry, but to run a wire would involve crossing WAF lines in the sand... so I am glad that it is working better.

I also bought a wireless repeater off eBay, so once that arrives, we will see if the signal strength improves some.

Thanks again,