db poweramp just installed - basic help please

[garym]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Hes right.Yet another dealer said ripp with DBPA but I would need to playback with it too.(Please correct me if Iam wrong..But surely you Dont play back through DBPA, you Ripp from it-then playback via nas /streamer.??!!.)

correct, you don't playback through dbpa. And the fact that this high end dealer told you something completely wrong as if it was fact makes my earlier point quite well.

[garym]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

However, like them or loathe them iam going to have to demo and buy streamer from them ...So Cant diss them either..

Not necessarily. Every streamer I've bought has been over the internet then I use places like this forum (related to the streamer) for *actual* expert user assistance. Linn and Naim, from perusal of their forums and problems that come to other forums I read are not very good examples of the SOFTWARE side of things by the way. Not entirely their problem, but *almost* anything that uses DLNA/upnp can be very problematic. Illustrate has ASSET that I suspect overcomes many issues, but in general, DLNA/upnp is not even close to the best way to handle music library streaming. Unfortunately, a very good way (Squeezeboxes) have been discontinued. But the SONOS method, which is entirely different from squeezebox method is also better than DLNA, notwithstanding any limits it might also have.

Every approach has pros and cons, but there seems to be a negative correlation between the software side of things and the quality/reputation of the hardware maker (e.g., Linn is good hardware and crappy software).

[BrodyBoy]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

[QUOTE=daleyb;156968]However, like them or loathe them iam going to have to demo and buy streamer from them ...So Cant diss them either..[\quote]
Yeah, you'll most likely have to deal with them. Just understand that their expertise, their job, is sales. If you can find one that knows a lot about the particular product(s) you're considering, that's great....you're ahead of the game....but take any advice outside of that with a grain of salt.

going back to the artwork issue...I notice that often theres no large artwork for some covers..(1000x1000) plus So have to use 250X250 or 500x500 etc..So there no real option to "large it"................

As long is the artwork is good quality (not some blurry, oft-resized & reprocessed .jpg, for example), it'll look fine on your players. I've had to use artwork as small as 150x150 on occasion, and it actually scaled very nicely on my iPad controllers. Since I don't have any devices that display it bigger than that, that's the best test for me.

I aim for about 500x500, as this seems to be the "sweet spot" for getting very high quality images and fast streaming. Using quality .jpgs, I can't see any improvement with resolutions higher than that (could be because the players have to down-scale them anyway), and larger images take longer to load.

[daleyb]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Wise words from the 3 wise men (GaryM, Brody boy & mville..) Iam really with you on their lack of Knowledge..Often there given training from Naim, Linn whoever .. Just because with the changes of Hifi have HAD to adapt..But not learnt enough.To be fair one Hifi dealer recommended DBPA as "the Rolls Royce Of ripping Software"...And I reckon Hes right.Yet another dealer said ripp with DBPA but I would need to playback with it too.(Please correct me if Iam wrong..But surely you Dont play back through DBPA, you Ripp from it-then playback via nas /streamer.??!!.) This was a "HIGH-END" SHOP!

However, like them or loathe them iam going to have to demo and buy streamer from them ...So Cant diss them either..

going back to the artwork issue...I notice that often theres no large artwork for some covers..(1000x1000) plus So have to use 250X250 or 500x500 etc..So there no real option to "large it"................

[BrodyBoy]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

...It may be worth talking to local dealer to find out how he approaches it.

Understand. But be prepared. Every (not just most) stereo dealer I've talked with (and I'm talking the "best shops in town" sort of places) are full of so much misinformation that it is really, really scary. There's a lot of FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) and "audiophool" nonsense expoused by these so-called experts. And be just as afraid of the glossy stereo magazines. And I'm referring to places where I live now (in Florida) but also in Manhattan (NYC) and in Dallas Texas. I've educated my local dealer a bit and he's better, but I still know about a million times more than he does about digital music and he still delivers a lot of bad info, although he's trying to get better (and this is not my *business* or profession)

Couldn't agree more with garym on this one.

DO NOT rely on a local dealer/salesperson's "expertise" on digital music management, because there's absolutely no reason to believe that he/she has any. I've yet to meet a salesperson that knows anything beyond the basics...most have a hard enough time just knowing what products they carry and how to operate the switching unit in the demo room....

[garym]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Good Point-except Iam buying my streamer after Ive ripped all my Cds...So in The dark regarding that...It may be worth talking to local dealer to find out how he approaches it.

Understand. But be prepared. Every (not just most) stereo dealer I've talked with (and I'm talking the "best shops in town" sort of places) are full of so much misinformation that it is really, really scary. There's a lot of FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) and "audiophool" nonsense expoused by these so-called experts. And be just as afraid of the glossy stereo magazines. And I'm referring to places where I live now (in Florida) but also in Manhattan (NYC) and in Dallas Texas. I've educated my local dealer a bit and he's better, but I still know about a million times more than he does about digital music and he still delivers a lot of bad info, although he's trying to get better (and this is not my *business* or profession)

[BrodyBoy]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

It doesn't hurt anything to have both embedded art *and* folder.jpg. Particularly if the art is exactly the same art (size, etc.). If they are different (that is, some folks embed smaller art and save larger art as folder.jpg), then it depends on how your player/server handles it. For some, they look first for embedded art in file, and if found, don't look further. There are probably other server/players that use folder.jpg if it exists, even in the presence of embedded art. It could go either way.

That's how I do it....both embedded and a separate .jpg file. As you say, it doesn't hurt anything, and it covers all the bases in terms of player expectations. I also tend to save separate "back" artwork the same way, on the as-yet-unfulfilled-hope that player designers will start accommodating it. (I suspect it won't happen, as music retailing bypasses physical media and the notion of a "back cover" becomes increasingly obsolete. It's a shame...I for one still cling to my affections for quaint album "traditions" like back covers and liner notes! Finding a "booklet" in a new CD package still makes my heart go all pitter-patter! )

[daleyb]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Good Point-except Iam buying my streamer after Ive ripped all my Cds...So in The dark regarding that...It may be worth talking to local dealer to find out how he approaches it.

[mville]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

In My case Because Iam ripping to Hard drive First, And have no idea how its going look streamer/app wise, I think I will Embed everything and use Folderjpg....And Hope for the best!

There are 2 issues to consider when embedding artwork, player/server compatibility and the increase in file size you'll get from embedding the artwork in every track.

This maybe an is issue if you have a large audio library and/or large size artwork files and/or a small hard disk.

[daleyb]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Its Interesting how different folks do things Different.In My case Because Iam ripping to Hard drive First, And have no idea how its going look streamer/app wise, I think I will Embed everything and use Folderjpg....And Hope for the best!

I have a reoccurring Nightmare that Cover Artwork will jump around into other albums if I don't Embed.(though it proberly wont..)

Iam not a massive fan of portable music..though nice for a Car/Holiday...When Choosing Artwork I tend to go for about 500 x 500. Hopefully Then it wont Be to pixally (is that a word.??)either way..But maybe now may go for 1000x1000 to cover (no pun intended) it all and ensure Artwork is "smooth" ans crisp.Artwork looks fine in foobar...and if it dont could always edit in ID TAGS EDIT.... later.

[garym]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

I do it this way as I have more control per profile, in CDRipper. The Write ID Tags>>Album Art option is a CDRipper global setting, whereas ID Tag Processing DSP settings are per profile.

FYI, my FLACs have one large cover.jpg file not embedded (for foobar2000), my MP3s have embedded 600x600, max file size 59.99kb (for iPod Classic and OPPO BDP-83SE)

makes perfect sense.

[mville]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Aha. so it gets added with the original tick, but then deleted with the DSP. I don't use the ID Tag Processing DSP during my ripping, only RG DSP. But obviously we get the same outcome.

I do it this way as I have more control per profile, in CDRipper. The Write ID Tags>>Album Art option is a CDRipper global setting, whereas ID Tag Processing DSP settings are per profile.

FYI, my FLACs have one large cover.jpg file not embedded (for foobar2000), my MP3s have embedded 600x600, max file size 59.99kb (for iPod Classic and OPPO BDP-83SE)

[garym]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Thats Strange..Just did the Cover.jpg test again and guess what..it came up this in foobar....

I noticed that if You untick Art in options (embed) an put "none"...your right Gary the Artwork all there fine & Correct. To be honest most of my ripps so far I had Art Ticked with FOLDERJPG on too. Hopefully this wont affect anything..Dont want to re-rip again...

Not got a clue what Filenamejpg option does...Iam sure theres a link to all this info somewhere! Which I really should of read by now!!!

It doesn't hurt anything to have both embedded art *and* folder.jpg. Particularly if the art is exactly the same art (size, etc.). If they are different (that is, some folks embed smaller art and save larger art as folder.jpg), then it depends on how your player/server handles it. For some, they look first for embedded art in file, and if found, don't look further. There are probably other server/players that use folder.jpg if it exists, even in the presence of embedded art. It could go either way.

[daleyb]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

Thats Strange..Just did the Cover.jpg test again and guess what..it came up this in foobar....

I noticed that if You untick Art in options (embed) an put "none"...your right Gary the Artwork all there fine & Correct. To be honest most of my ripps so far I had Art Ticked with FOLDERJPG on too. Hopefully this wont affect anything..Dont want to re-rip again...

Not got a clue what Filenamejpg option does...Iam sure theres a link to all this info somewhere! Which I really should of read by now!!!

[garym]

Re: db poweramp just installed - basic help please

O.K..Ive done a few tests now. Firstly, Ive had Art ticked in Options> idtag-metadata. Ive also had at the same time Folderjpg active. The result has been fine..... PIccy comes up in all files in Foobar.

Having tried Unticking Art and using Coverjpg- After the ripp Iam getting NO ARTWORK showing in Foobar at all... (Although when I Go back into Files On Computer hard drive in windows The flac Icon Appears-but if I enlarge or right click on flac Icon one cover appears...)

If I use FolderJPG.(still Art unticked in IDTAGS/META) still get no artwork in Foobar..

Maybe I will stick to embed after all...

Nothing wrong at all with simply having embedded art work, so if that works, go with it. But very odd. something is not right with your settings if you're not getting the art with either folder.jpg or cover.jpg in the album subdirectory. When you say you create cover.jpg and there is no art, do you for sure see the cover.jpg file within the album subdirectory. If its there, and you open the file within foobar2000, it *should* show up. p.s. if you end up using SONOS, you'll want "folder.jpg" rather than "cover.jpg" I believe. And you may need to keep the art a bit smaller (600x600??). BrodyBoy would know as he uses SONOS.