Playing WMA in native format.

[b_prem]

Hello All,

I tried playing WMA in native format, in Squeeze-box 2.0. Whenever, I click play from the server, the "Play" option is not getting enabled. Also, the Squeezebox reports,

----------------------------------------------------------------
PROBLEM: CAN'T OPEN FILE FOR:
(The Song name)
----------------------------------------------------------------

Can anyone giving suggestions, on how to enable streaming work?

[b_prem]

Hello All,

1. I tried playing WMA in native format, in Squeeze-box 2.2 and Slimserver 6.2.1. For this I chose, ServerSettings --> File Types -->FileFormat=Windows Media, StreamFormat =Windows Media, Decoder=Windows Media; When, I clicked play from the slimserver, the "Play" option is not getting enabled. Also, the Squeezebox reports,

-----------------------------
PROBLEM: CAN'T OPEN FILE FOR:
(The media name)
-----------------------------

Can anyone giving suggestions, on how to enable this WMA streaming to work?

************************************************** *********

2. Also, files ending with .AAC extensions (ie., MEDIA.AAC) are not getting listed in the Slimserver. Doesn't Slimserver support streaming these files?

[b_prem]

Hello All,

1. I tried playing WMA in native format, in Squeeze-box 2.2 and Slimserver 6.2.1. For this I chose, ServerSettings --> File Types -->FileFormat=Windows Media, StreamFormat =Windows Media, Decoder=Windows Media; When, I clicked play from the slimserver, the "Play" option is not getting enabled. Also, the Squeezebox reports,

-----------------------------
PROBLEM: CAN'T OPEN FILE FOR:
(The media name)
-----------------------------

Can anyone giving suggestions, on how to enable this WMA streaming to work?

************************************************** *********

2. Also, files ending with .AAC extensions (ie., MEDIA.AAC) are not getting listed in the Slimserver. Doesn't Slimserver support streaming these files?

[ceejay]

Native WMA playing has only recently been added to the Squeezebox firmware, not sure if its made it into Softsqueeze yet (you mention version 2.2 which makes me think you mean Softsqueeze rather than Squeezebox).

Slimserver will play AAC files, though the extension is more usually M4A, I think - in any case you need to have Quicktime installed on your machine as this is used for the transcoding. Check that you have this...

Ceejay

[b_prem]

Thanks Ceejay.

1. Apart from the using Softsqueeze 2.2, i have also used a client written by me, with which I read from the slimserver. When ever I clicked a WMA file, I get a stop slimproto command. Also when I read the HTTP stream, i get only zero bytes. Slimserver is not at all streaming this WMA file.

Have you tested this scenario.( ServerSettings --> File Types -->FileFormat=Windows Media, StreamFormat =Windows Media, Decoder=Windows Media; )

2. Does it mean that, Slimserver does not stream in native AAC format?

Please give your suggestions.

[funkstar]

2. Does it mean that, Slimserver does not stream in native AAC format?

Correct. Only MP3, FLAC, WMA (lossy, not lossless) and Wav/PCM/AIFF are streamed directly to the SB

[b_prem]

Thanks Ceejay for the update on AAC.

Also, have you tried streaming WMA, with the settings which I have specified. Are you able to stream with those settings?

ServerSettings --> File Types -->FileFormat=Windows Media, StreamFormat =Windows Media, Decoder=Windows Media.

[RalphO]

I had a similar issue which turned out to be due to the WMA files being protected. I found that all files I loaded through Windows XP media center were protected but with Media player I could turn this off when I stored my Cd's to the PC. Also I had to delete any that I had already added and completely rescan. It appears that Slimserver remembers that the file is protected even if you changfe it.

[b_prem]

Thanks Ralpho,

Were you able to stream unprotected WMA files, with settings as below?

ServerSettings --> File Types -->FileFormat=Windows Media, StreamFormat =Windows Media, Decoder=Windows Media.

[ceejay]

b_prem,

I'm still not sure what you are trying to do here.

Is your problem with WMAs or AACs?

Can you play the files in Softsqueeze?

Are you trying to stream WMA files out as an WMA stream to your own client, or do you want it transcoded into MP3? Is your client emulating a Squeezebox, or are you just trying to send out a stream?

You might also want to try the latest 6.2.2 software, I think the native WMA capacity was added there (actually in the firmware for the Squeezebox hardware, but I guess the server side was updated to match).

A bit more on what you're really trying to do would help...

Ceejay