WMA files not playing back

[gbcambridge]

Hi,
I am using a Raspberry Pi Model 3 as a host for piCorePlayer. Today I downloaded the latest version, 4.1which I understood now supports WMA files. However, when I try to play them it just freezes.
I had the impression that the system would ask me if I wanted the extra files to support WMA when I installed, but there were no choices..just a download and burn.
I must be missing something obvious...can anyone point me in the right direction ..... short of converting he WMA to Flac?

Thanks for the help

George

[ralphy]

On the main page in the web gui, you need to install the ffmpeg libraries for squeezelite for wma and alac decoder support.

[Hal Bregg]

WMA Files

Hi. Very impressed with piCorePlayer and hoping it plays WMA files.

It does, but with huge distortion, even on a DAC audio board.
FFMpeg libraries installed and reinstalled, backed up and rebooted, with various settings.
As a first-timer I'm likely missing what an experienced user figured out long time ago.

Will so appreciate any suggestions, Thank you in advance !

Hal

[bpa]

It does, but with huge distortion, even on a DAC audio board.

What sort of distortion

Slow playback ?
Volume ?
Noise ?

[Hal Bregg]

What sort of distortion

Slow playback ?
Volume ?
Noise ?

Hi and thank you for responding.

The files play seriously hissing and crackling. Its apparent they are not being properly decoded.

[bpa]

Hi and thank you for responding.

The files play seriously hissing and crackling. Its apparent they are not being properly decoded.

So speed is correct.
The content is still understandable but there seems to be a on overlay of noise or are some sample being decoded incorrectly so there are fragments of good and fragment of bad.

What type of WMA file is it
WMA 7 WMA8, WMA9, WMA Pro, WMA 10, WMA Lossless ? WMA Voice, other ?

Sample rate 44.1kHz, 48khz, 96Khz other ?
Sample size - 16bit, 24bits, 32bits ?
Channels 1, 2 , other ?

[Hal Bregg]

So speed is correct.
The content is still understandable but there seems to be a on overlay of noise or are some sample being decoded incorrectly so there are fragments of good and fragment of bad.

What type of WMA file is it
WMA 7 WMA8, WMA9, WMA Pro, WMA 10, WMA Lossless ? WMA Voice, other ?

Sample rate 44.1kHz, 48khz, 96Khz other ?
Sample size - 16bit, 24bits, 32bits ?
Channels 1, 2 , other ?

WMA Lossless. There is an overlay noise that seems interfering with the file as processed. It's not like an out of range audio, its the information scrambled.

[d6jg]

You mention a DAC board in an earlier thread. What is it?
If you disable said DAC and play through the Pi’s onboard audio do you get the same issue?
I say this because the price point of nearly all the Pi HAT DACs is such that you will get the odd faulty board.

[Hal Bregg]

WMA Lossless. There is an overlay noise that seems interfering with the file as processed. It's not like an out of range audio, its the information scrambled.

Looking at the file format, the only CD rip data given is 192kbps (best quality). Data on audio CDs is 2-channel signed 16-bit Linear PCM sampled at 44,100 Hz

[Hal Bregg]

Looking at the file format, the only CD rip data given is 192kbps (best quality). Data on audio CDs is 2-channel signed 16-bit Linear PCM sampled at 44,100 Hz

The DAC board is HiFiBerry DAC+ Light for Raspberry Pi, and listed as approved by piCorePlayer. Playing without it sounds the same. Actually, I have a second, duplicate system, minus the DAC board. Great for MP3s, same distortion for WMA.

[kidstypike]

The DAC board is HiFiBerry DAC+ Light for Raspberry Pi, and listed as approved by piCorePlayer. Playing without it sounds the same. Actually, I have a second, duplicate system, minus the DAC board. Great for MP3s, same distortion for WMA.

Can you upload a file?

[bpa]

WMA Lossless. There is an overlay noise that seems interfering with the file as processed. It's not like an out of range audio, its the information scrambled.

Looking at the file format, the only CD rip data given is 192kbps (best quality). Data on audio CDs is 2-channel signed 16-bit Linear PCM sampled at 44,100 Hz

ffmpeg works OK with WMA lossless and 44.1kHz 2 channel means no resampling or other messing is required. ffmpeg libraries on squeezelite for WMA works OK for other users - so it is likely something specific to your system or the file. Since it happens on a second system but you have configured identically - does not help localise the problem to either file or system.

The distortion you describe "feels" like a decoding issue. Many of the ffmpeg WMA libraries are not MS libraries but that said, are well tested.

These files play OK on any other Linux system (which do not have MS libraries) ?

The files play OK on a Windows system ? What does Windows Media player say about the files ?

As kidystypike suggested - uploading a sample file would enable other to test the file.

[Hal Bregg]

ffmpeg works OK with WMA lossless and 44.1kHz 2 channel means no resampling or other messing is required. ffmpeg libraries on squeezelite for WMA works OK for other users - so it is likely something specific to your system or the file. Since it happens on a second system but you have configured identically - does not help localise the problem to either file or system.

The distortion you describe "feels" like a decoding issue. Many of the ffmpeg WMA libraries are not MS libraries but that said, are well tested.

These files play OK on any other Linux system (which do not have MS libraries) ?

The files play OK on a Windows system ? What does Windows Media player say about the files ?

As kidystypike suggested - uploading a sample file would enable other to test the file.

The same files play well on Logitec Squeezebox Touch and also on the Win 10 Intel i7 default Realtec driver. Sample WMA enclosed.

Is your configuration playing WMAs?

[kidstypike]

I don't see any sample file.

[Hal Bregg]

The same files play well on Logitec Squeezebox Touch and also on the Win 10 Intel i7 default Realtec driver. Sample WMA enclosed.

Is your configuration playing WMAs?

Ok trouble uploading a small 5MB file here, non-specific error reported. Is there a size limitation?