XXHighEnd

Ultimate Audio Playback => XXHighEnd Support => Topic started by: Jon Ver Halen on March 12, 2009, 05:09:50 pm



Title: Hi Res and XP
Post by: Jon Ver Halen on March 12, 2009, 05:09:50 pm
I have a number of Hi-Res (24/192) files, mostly of short length, that I want to run using XP.  I downloaded the demo, and it works wonderfully on 16/44 (very impressive I must say).

My system consist of a XP laptop with 1G of memory, and a PCMCIA card interfacing with an E-Mu 1616M.  Foobar allows me to play my hi-res files without problem using this configuration.  But I am unable to set XXHighEnd to anything but 16/44.  Is this a limitation on the demo system, a problem with XP, or does my E-Mu driver limit me?  Is there some way to correct this problem?

This system has been used for demonstrations at various audio shows to great effect, and I love the portability.  Would like to continue to use this, but with the improved sound quality that XX provides.  Any help would be appreciated.

Jon Ver Halen
Lowther America


Title: Re: Hi Res and XP
Post by: Gerard on March 12, 2009, 08:54:58 pm
I have a number of Hi-Res (24/192) files, mostly of short length, that I want to run using XP.  I downloaded the demo, and it works wonderfully on 16/44 (very impressive I must say).

My system consist of a XP laptop with 1G of memory, and a PCMCIA card interfacing with an E-Mu 1616M.  Foobar allows me to play my hi-res files without problem using this configuration.  But I am unable to set XXHighEnd to anything but 16/44.  Is this a limitation on the demo system, a problem with XP, or does my E-Mu driver limit me?  Is there some way to correct this problem?

This system has been used for demonstrations at various audio shows to great effect, and I love the portability.  Would like to continue to use this, but with the improved sound quality that XX provides.  Any help would be appreciated.

Jon Ver Halen
Lowther America

Hi Jon,

I like to say that with the XP driver for my 1212m in Vista i could play above 16/44. Strangly this install worked for Vista. But since the Vista driver is available i can only play 16\44. Returning back to the XP driver did not work anymore.  :(

Maybe there are some other things why it wont work. Peter is the one who knows the most about this and he will answer you i am sure.  :)


Title: Re: Hi Res and XP
Post by: PeterSt on March 12, 2009, 11:45:37 pm
Jon, a brief response for now :

I have 2GB of internal memory.
Just tried Engine#1 ... it won't play for either 24/96 or 24/192. At this moment I don't know why, other that that it was never "designed" to do that. Engine#3 (Vista) is (which at this moment won't help you of course).
Also note that Engine#1 has an internal 64MB file limit for XP (which I cannot do anything about). That is 2 minutes or so for 24/96.

Engine#2 plays all, but already runs out of memory on 24/192 at a 5 minute track.

Might you run into Vista one day ... please try it. It is so much better for SQ to begin with ...

Sorry Jon,
Peter


Title: Re: Hi Res and XP
Post by: PeterSt on March 13, 2009, 06:52:25 pm
I have been looking into this somewhat more now, and a few additional other things seem to be going on.

First of all, when Engine#2 has been used, it cannot free its memory other than by itself. I don't know why, but it looks it won't go otherwise. This means that once Engine#2 has been playing, quitting XXHighEnd and restart it would be the best thing to do.
When it's Engine#2 all the time there is no problem, although you'll see the used memory rise until it's at the limit, and then the OS will free it.

Engine#1 can run the 24/192 just the same, but first there has to be enough memory (see above).
Under XP it will be a no-go because of the very limited "bytes" which can be loaded (I think I said 2 minutes or so yesterday already for 24/96).
It does play though ...
Note : When it doesn't play because of that 64MB limit, you will see the used memory rise, and then drop again ... silence ... (the cursor won't move either).

Next what I found, is that for Vista there's a memory limit for Engine#1 just the same. I'm not sure how much it is, but it looks like something of 512MB. A 4 minute or so 24/192 track will run in that. But keep in mind, this is Vista, and no good to you Jon.

Lastly, when having 1GB of memory only, you're about to fail for that reason on Engine#2 as well. Thus, where a 5 minute track will use over 512MB of memory (24/192 that is), you will have consumed about all the memory, because the OS needs as well.
24/96 uses half of that, so a 9 minute track may fit into that 512MB, if only the OS uses less than the left 512 in your case.

Summarized : 24/96 must be able to play around 9 minute tracks in your case, and you'd have to use Engine#2 which is not the most friendly (no Pause, no time dragging). But don't forget to make your sound device the default for the OS, because Engine#2 cannot select the Sound Device ! (Engine#1 can, Engine#3 currently can't either).

So far, HTH a bit,
Peter


Title: Re: Hi Res and XP
Post by: Jon Ver Halen on March 15, 2009, 10:10:39 pm
Thanks Peter.  At least I have the answers.  I did not previously realize the significant memory constraints of XP. 

Unless I move over to Vista I will just continue to use Foobar for the high-res.  Of course I am going to purchase XXHighEnd for use with RedBook CD's.  It is surprising how much better XXHighEnd is than Foobar, even when using ASIO on Foobar.