jablonski wrote: > > I'm only using the Raspberry as a server now, with the player function > turned off, but I can use it as a player any time I want, because I can > simply access it with the Controller from the Duet. > > So I'm really happy that I've got everything up and running, including > Tidal. > > Really happy that this worked because I still like my Squeezeboxes and > just not really in the mood to purchase a new multiroom system. >
As suggested in my original post, PiCorePlayer is so much more than just a host for LMS and I thought it might be helpful for those interested to expand a little on how I use its enhanced capabilities. In my case (using 4 Raspberry Pi3B's) it forms the basis of a house wide multi-room solution which is considerably cheaper than Sonos et al. These Pi's all run on varied combinations of hardwired Ethernet and Wi-Fi network connections and allow me to play synchronised music across my home using the full functionality of the Logitech Media Server ecosystem. They have been very reliable and running for 4 years plus. Whilst I do have some old Logitech devices to control the individual PiCorePlayers running on each Pi (e.g. Touch, Duet handsets), I predominately use an iOS application (available for iPad and iPhone) called "iPeng" which is fabulous value. Its not free (as I recall about UK £8, with an additional small payment of say circa £4 if you want to unlock iPeng to use it as an inbuilt media player (interfacing with LMS) on your iOS device - basically it will appear as a separate player, just as the PiCorePlayers do, so in combination with bluetooth headphones you have another player connected to LMS (and synchronised with the others), Apple store link here https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ipeng-9-squeezebox-remote/id767266886 iPeng support forum is here (I believe user "pippin" is its developer) its been around since at least 2008, so a very mature product. https://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?51929-iPeng-support-thread/page824 So what is require for my solution ? Basically all that is required beyond the PiCorePlayer software and the Raspberry Pi, is an additional Pi HAT (a HAT is an additional board that plugs into the exposed PINs on top of the Raspberry Pi) a more powerful power supply and obviously some loudspeakers to output the music through. I should explain that the additional Pi HAT I refer to actually has a built in DAC (digital to analogue converter) which is far superior that on the Pi and also incorporates an amplifier (class D?). Given its speaker output wattage power is rated at 35w, it requires a much "beefier" power supply than those normally used but this just plugs into the Pi (replacing the existing "weedier" standard Pi power supply). There appear to be a number of audio HAT suppliers in the market. I have successfully used IQaudio (who used to sell directly to the public, but now seem to retail via The Pi Hut) Product guide is here https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0176/3274/files/20201209_IQaudIO_v32.pdf?v=1608196535 For retail sales see here (currently out of stock) https://thepihut.com/collections/raspberry-pi-audio-hats/products/iqaudio-digiamp https://thepihut.com/products/pi-digiamp-plus-power-brick-15v-3-33a-50w Another manufacturer (which I have no experience of) is Hi Berry. They seem to prefer to offer a complete retail solution, but you may be able to obtain just the necessary bare hardware from them, to build your own device. https://www.hifiberry.com/blog/what-is-a-raspberry-pi-hat/# If you have an existing Hi-fi setup (and don't require multi room - unless you have Hi-Fi already in each room!) you could alternatively investigate just mounting a DAC only HAT to your Pi e.g. https://thepihut.com/collections/raspberry-pi-audio-hats/products/iqaudio-dac-pro and taking the analogue outputs into a spare input source on your Hi-fi amplifier I have only had good experiences with IQaudio (UK based) and the HAT's I have used (mine have been replaced with updated designs) have always been PiCorePlayer supported. To check what HAT drivers are available for hardware go to the PiCorePlayer Web GUI under "Squeezelite Settings" tab and check drop down list under "Audio output device settings" you can see range of HAT's is supported. Even if your projected device is not listed, the wonderful thing about LMS (with its various plug-ins) and PiCorePlayers is the support available (especially given its open source) is really excellent and problems are seen as a challenge and overcome in a matter of days or even hours. Contrast this with commercial products where they go "end of life" or the manufacturer takes months to respond/resolve issues. Finally (at the risk of overloading the reader) there is also available a separate free open source software application called SqueezePlay which basically is a software emulation of a Logitech Touch device. This is available for multiple operating systems e.g. Mac, Windows and Linux from here https://sourceforge.net/projects/lmsclients/files/squeezeplay/ Installing this means that you can incorporate your computer into the LMS multi room ecosystem, so the whole house (including PC) is now part of your enhanced system. Ralphy is the man "in the know" and as can be seen from this thread very helpful! https://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?109610-Latest-version-of-Squeezeplay-for-Linux&p=923233#post923233 Hope my experience is helpful to others. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ farrina's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=65601 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=114948
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