Re: [PLUG] Low-Latency Audio

[Steve Litt via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>]

On Wed, 25 Nov 2020 06:46:14 -0500
Casey Bralla via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org> wrote:

> When I move into an apartment, I won't be able to run this cable, but
> still want to have the same level of service.   I could encode the
> music and distribute it via wireless networking with a raspberry pi
> at each end, but I suspect the audio would be crappy from the Pi, and
> the coding/decoding latency means that music played in 1 room would
> be out of sync with music from another.
> 
> I've used a FM transmitter in the past, but the sound quality is
> actually pretty poor compared to a good flac rip from a CD.

[snip]

> I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.  TIA!

Maybe there's a more "hifi" FM transmitter, because an FM transmitter
would be perfect for your use case. No wires, no drilling holes, no
nothing.

See the FCC-approved units here:

https://www.onesdr.com/2020/10/20/best-fm-transmitter-for-drive-in-movies-church-parking-lots-and-outdoor-events-in-2021/

https://toolsmasterblog.com/best-fm-transmitter-station/


And why can't you run cable? As long as you don't drill holes, your
cables are none of your landlord's business. You can always run cables
under doors, etc. I've done it with Cat5. Sure, it's ugly and a pain in
the ass, but it can be done.

In my opinion, when exact (from a human ear perspective) sync is a
necessity, any digital solution falls apart. Turn on two televisions in
two rooms, and position yourself between the rooms. You'll hear a very
disturbing reverb that decreases both enjoyment and understandability.
You mention low latency, and perhaps if both the transmitting computer
and the computers in every room are low latency, MAYBE everything will
be perceptably in sync. Heaven help you if, for some reason, one of the
room computers drops a packet. And if any part of the transmission is
UDP, I'd guess that would preclude any guarantee of sync.

Computers are wonderful, but they're not a universal solution. Voting
shouldn't be done with computers. Computers have no business being used
in firearms. And computers are a lousy solution for audio when exact
timing is important.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
Autumn 2020 featured book: Thriving in Tough Times
http://www.troubleshooters.com/thrive
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