MySqueezebox.com & Squeezebox Server

[Doug in Calgary]

I've had LMS 7.7.2 running on a QNAPTS-419P II NAS for a couple of weeks. In general, LMS performs very well. I have encountered two issues:

1) Scanning files, especially audio, takes a long time. The library in the Music folder consists of ~11,000 FLAC files. Scanning these files takes around 90 minutes. On a PC, the same library takes about 12 minutes.

2) Playing back 24 bit FLAC files consumes high amounts of CPU (80%+) and occasionally stutters. Playing back conventional 16 bit FLAC files only consumes 8-12% of CPU. The 24 bit files are only about 3X as large as the same song in 16 bit. I can playback 24 bit files from PC based LMS over network connection slower than that between the Squeezebox and NAS with no issues.

As these bugs, sub-optimal configuration settings, setup problems or issues with ARM based NAS that I will have to live with?

[squeezeit]

All sound very normal & typical for an under powered NAS device.  Best I can offer is to make sure your NAS is not performing any other function other than running LMS.

[Doug in Calgary]

The NAS has a 2 GHz Marvel ARM so it isn't that anemic.

I don't expect NAS performance to be near PC, but the two issues highlighted don't make sense, especially the 24 bit files. I can stream HD audio files at even higher bit rate than 24 bit FLAC without issue.

I have all unecessary applications and services disabled on the NAS.

I might try an earlier version of LMS to see if there is a difference.

[kuben72]

Well, the long scanning time is something I think you will have to live with. Almost every NAS has that kind of problems - except those with a CPU that is close to a pc's which yours isn't.

The CPU uses when playing 24 bit FLAC could be because transcoding is being done. Which player are you using? Not every squeezebox supports 24 bit music.

[garymc]

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kuben72 wrote:

Well, the long scanning time is something I think you will have to live with. Almost every NAS has that kind of problems - except those with a CPU that is close to a pc's which yours isn't.

The CPU uses when playing 24 bit FLAC could be because transcoding is being done. Which player are you using? Not every squeezebox supports 24 bit music.

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actually all Squeezebox players support 24 bit files (e.g., 24/44.1, 24/48), but only the TOUCH and TRANSPORTER support 96 (i.e., 24/96).

and yes, an underpowered NAS (many are) are very slow scanners. Can't recall exact times, but my old readynas duo took all day to scan about 60,000 files and my vortexbox takes less than an hour. Control/browsing with my old readynas was also very slow.

[garymc]

are you playing 24/96 FLAC files or 24/192?    Also what player are you streaming to. With anything other than the TOUCH or TRANSPORTER the LMS running on the NAS is having to transcode the 24/96 (or 24/192) files into something other SB players (radio, SB3, etc.) can play. And this takes processing power on the NAS/PC running LMS.

[Doug in Calgary]

Transcoding was the problem. The file is 24/192 and I am playing back through a Duet Receiver.