Streamer versus Computer?

[Yorkshire Mouth]

If it helps, there’s already been (at least one) thread on this:

Streamers. I don’t get it. Am I missing something?

What is a streamer for? My music listening is almost entirely Amazon Music HD, for which I use the desktop app, and for the odd title not available there, I have my old (and extensive) CD collection ripped and in my NAS, which I play using WMP. What advantage would a streamer bring? Is it...

www.audiosciencereview.com

My conclusion on Page 4, if that helps.

 

[popej]

The one thing I picture better in a browser on a PC than on a media box is Youtube. Because I can make it 100% ad and interruption free there.

For me SmarTube app for Android TV is more usable.

SmartTube F-Droid | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Browse media content with your own rules on Android TV

f-droid.org

 

[Berwhale]

The full screen Xbox mode coming to Windows 11 could offer some interesting possibilities for media PC use...

'Can't wait to have an Xbox mode that gives me more ads on my PC': Windows 11 PCs are all getting Xbox mode from April — and some gamers aren't happy

The rollout of Windows 11's new Xbox mode has been met with both excitement and skepticism.

www.techradar.com

 

[Gorgonzola]

Streamer.

Though both work, arguably, equally well, my primary streamer is a Pi Zero 2W based jewel that runs Volumio 7x24x365 for 3 +/- years now. It draws 0.7 - 2W compared to a PC that can easily draw 10 to 50 or more times that amount of power.

The Pi does everything I need and knowing it’s a bit more environmentally friendly than running an old PC puts a bigger smile on my face than the alternatives. (Of course, I like to ride my bike and my daily driver is a four cylinder that gets over 40 mpg when I take a trip to the grocery store for that gallon of milk. Thanks, too, to the foolishness we’re living thru now, having a 12.5 gallon tank on said car with a 400+ mile range really puts a smile on my face at the gas station compared to the guy at the next pump, who takes out a second mortgage every time he fills the tank on his Chevy Suburban Land Yacht. Different discussion.)

We all leave a mark on this Earth and though individually our footprint may be relatively small, when multiplied by tens of thousands or millions, it makes a difference. In the back of my mind, perhaps my little Pi streamer is the audio equivalent of the butterfly’s wings that ultimately influences weather events.

My $0.02.

Personally I classify an RPi as a computer since -- however you use it -- it is fundamentally a general purpose computer.

I have tried an RPi4 with LMS and PiCorePlayer, also with Volumio. I got it working fine, but I prefer my dedicated-to-music Win 11 Pro mini PC, mostly because I love my Foobar2000 player.

 

[Gorgonzola]

Of course - a "computer" could include something like a headless raspberry pi - which takes less than 5W continuous - or as I post above. My laptop - I only listen to music in here when also "on line"

I definitely classify a Raspberry Pi as a computer rather than a streamer even though a person dedicate it to streaming; that's because the RPi is fundamentally a general purpose computer however it may be used.

 

[Gorgonzola]

It's really what you are comfortable with and enjoy using. Nothing else matters.
For me, I tried Foobar2000 and its interface was lazy and unintuitive on the Mac. I dumped it after a short trial.
I found Audirvana on the Mac was superior visually and functionally. But, I actually prefer using the Moode album cover interface for my local music as it requires absolutely no Mac or PC to run. The RPi5 runs headless and can support large playlists or select albums with the IP address interface from any phone, tablet or computer. Playback can work for hours even days without a computer connection.

Moode on RPi5 is ultra simple to use while the beautiful album cover interface is a joy for local USB based music.
Year ago, Moode was more complicated to setup but now with Raspberry Pi imager you fill in the parameters to install and it works every time. I can setup a new SD CARD in about 5 minutes from start to finish and it supports ultra high quality audio output (even 352kHz output over USB to my RME ADI-2 DAC FS). It's a clear winner in my setup with none of the artificial limitations of most streamers.

The bonus is I can build my own tiny Pi case using an open plexiglass design that maximizes cooling and style. I decide whether it uses SD CARD, NVME or USB storage or any combination. All work well but it's fun to play with options. The load required by Moode is ultra low so you can use just about any PI, but the RPi5 is extremely snappy while only requiring 5W to operate and actually runs cooler than my previous RPi4 based Moode setup. The RPi5 with 4GB offers more memory than required and my on board Temp. speed controlled fan is absolutely dead silent except for 2 sec when booting. The functionality is continually growing even though it's staggering what it can do now. It's a tiny work of art and science. I'm really glad I took the time to explore this option.

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Once again, I classify the Raspberry Pi is a computer rather than a streamer because fundamentally it is a general purpose computer even one may dedicated to music playing.

I had no idea that Foobar2000 has Mac version: interesting to know that even though I won't be going Mac anytime soon. As you know, Foobar supports user customization of it interface; this I did years ago and I find it ideal for my listening which is mostly to the Classical genre ...

 

[Gorgonzola]

I use a dedicated €50 laptop that I refurbished myself, equipped with a USB DAC and a Class D amplifier.
No need for a powerful PC. It works perfectly. Perhaps not expensive enough...
No streaming; I refuse to do it. Just FLAC albums.

Indeed a very modest, refurbished PC can work perfectly well to access and play one's music.

I too play only my own, local music files, and so far am not using any streaming services.

 

[OCA]

I use a 13th gen Intel NUC connected to my AVR through HDMI and to a DAC through USB. I used a 5th gen NUC for many years before that. All my streaming (movies and music) and albums I own are in it. A computer will give you state of the art DSP capabilities that no streamer can come close. With a wireless keyboard connected, it's as convenient as it gets.

 

[Berwhale]

Once again, I classify the Raspberry Pi is a computer rather than a streamer because fundamentally it is a general purpose computer even one may dedicated to music playing.

And i'm classifying your 'PC' as a 'streamer' because it's dedicated to playing music. This whole thread is predicated on a false dichotomy.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

And i'm classifying your 'PC' as a 'streamer' because it's dedicated to playing music. This whole thread is predicated on a false dichotomy.

No it isn't, you're just guilty of low redefinition.

 

[Hiten]

a) A cheap mobile has graphical user interface to select and play songs.
b) There are some very affordable DACs

so all one (or atleast most of listeners) need is an interface and DAC to connect to amplifier. But when it comes to audio enthusiasts needs why there are not budget solutions* ?

* is there anything (lets say around 100/150 US dollars) available which is as compact as mobile phone (touch screen) has easy interface and application and good enough DAC (tone controls would be icing on cake) and storage to play ones music collection.
Regards

 

[amper42]

Once again, I classify the Raspberry Pi is a computer rather than a streamer because fundamentally it is a general purpose computer even one may dedicated to music playing.

I'm not sure it matters much whether you call a device a streamer or a computer. Many devices considered will have some functionality that overlaps. for me, the device must offer a few things to be of interest:

1. Fully operate on 10W or less.
2. DLNA, Bluetooth, Airplay capability that can be enabled/disabled
3. Support audio output (preferably USB)
4. Support local audio library storage
5. Wifi and ethernet support
6. Appealing bit perfect audio playback interface

 

[TheWalkman]

Personally I classify an RPi as a computer since -- however you use it -- it is fundamentally a general purpose computer.

I have tried an RPi4 with LMS and PiCorePlayer, also with Volumio. I got it working fine, but I prefer my dedicated-to-music Win 11 Pro mini PC, mostly because I love my Foobar2000 player.

Really? I suppose we could be pendantic and call a high tech refrigerator with micro processor a, “computer.”

I dare you to argue you could use a RPi Zero2W as a general purpose computer.

Have fun keeping your Win11 streamer patched, scanned and up to date. I’m quite content to have my little Pi’s purring along streaming my audio virtually trouble free.

Now back to the previous discussion.

 

[popej]

Once again, I classify the Raspberry Pi is a computer rather than a streamer because fundamentally it is a general purpose computer even one may dedicated to music playing.

You won't find a streamer, which is not a computer. It is called streamer, because of peripherals and software it is using.
If you run headless Windows computer, dedicated to play music, then it is player or streamer, depending on network use.

 

[antcollinet]

I definitely classify a Raspberry Pi as a computer rather than a streamer even though a person dedicate it to streaming; that's because the RPi is fundamentally a general purpose computer however it may be used.

I'd call it a computer if running a full OS (eg raspbian) with streaming software on top.

Or I'd call it a streamer - if running a dedicated streaming system (Volumio, PiCorePlayer etc)

 

[popej]

I'd call it a computer if running a full OS (eg raspbian) with streaming software on top.

IMO that is, what you get on Raspberry. And why not, what's the difference between stripped and full system behind streamer soft?

 

[Timcognito]

And i'm classifying your 'PC' as a 'streamer' because it's dedicated to playing music. This whole thread is predicated on a false dichotomy.

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Well yes and no if one is not pulling from the internet is it still streaming? No judgement just a question about playing one's own music.

 

[CD2]

MS has actually started a taskforce to stop it from getting worse. And to bring individual usability back up.

The one thing I picture better in a browser on a PC than on a media box is Youtube. Because I can make it 100% ad and interruption free there. That won't work as good with an app or browser on a different device. To some degree with a network-wide cleaner like PiHole, but not as good as on a PC. I don't use it much, but if I would - def. a criteria.

For everything else - assuming you have a handful to a dozen standard sources - a media box would be much simpler. Ditch the keyboard, a small remote is enough. Kodi is available on PC and on many small devices, with *ELEC as a linux underneath being the most efficient and powerful variant. It does movies, music, upnp libraray, upnp renderer, radio, photo and some more things out of the box. The rest would be addons in there. I can't think of a media-related thing that isn't available via addon.

Thanks so much. I probably need to get a device and start playing with it. One more question if you have a moment: could you expand on "A small $1xx amlogic box" since the Linux world is new to me. If you were buying now what would you get?

 

[JeffS7444]

IMO, what distinguishes a streamer from a PC is that the former has an application- and device-specific OS, and someone else sweats the details to ensure that things "just work".

 

[amper42]

IMO, what distinguishes a streamer from a PC is that the former has an application- and device-specific OS, and someone else sweats the details to ensure that things "just work".

1. Most streamers don't support audio resolution above 192kHz and many offer even lower limits.
2. Most streamers don't allow you to plug your USB hi-res library directly into the steamer.
3. Most streamers don't start playing your desired music as soon as they boot.
4. Most streamers are limited to RCA or optical out.
5. Some streamers claim airplay compatibility and remove it later in updates.

If this is the definition of "just work", I would guess the user may not understand what's actually possible with Moode.