Just an observation on radio playlist format switching

[sveakul]

I've noticed this since 4.13 and it continues into 4.51, so just thought I'd mention it.  It would only be noticed by people who have several Opus format streams on their radio station playlist along with MP3/AAC streams--I realize that is not common.

Switching between various MP3 or AAC format radio stations happens almost instantly.  However, if you start switching between those and Opus stations, there often is a LONG delay until the Opus station actually begins to play, sometimes 15-30 seconds.  "Buffering.." will appear in the running line, then disappear for an interval before the change actually happens;  the previous station continues to play in the interval.  This affects some stations more than others.

AIMP is indeed using the latest BASS Opus dll; however, I noticed the naming format "bass_opus.dll" does not match the format currently used at the BASS developer's site (un4seen.com), which is "bassopus.dll".  I found that just manually changing the AIMP Opus plugin folder name to "bassopus" and the inside file's name to "bassopus.dll" will almost eliminate the switching delay.  The effect is very obvious (and welcome!).

So, can't call this a bug, but if anyone else has a mixed radio playlist of both Opus and MP3/AAC stations and has experienced such a changeover delay, try the suggestion above.  All I can guess is that the path makes a difference in the speed in which the "mother" bass.dll can engage the Opus dependency--who knows why.

[Artem]

I think that your manipulations have been changed the plugins loading order, so FFmpeg plugin has been loaded first (and asked after bassOpus). Just try to switch off the aimp_InputFFmpeg plugin, does it decrease the delay?

[sveakul]

Hi Artem,

I noticed this with 4.13 also before the ffmpeg plugin was available, but I did try disabling ffmpeg as you suggested--this does not fix the station delay if the Opus folder and plugin are named "bass_opus".  Changing back to "bassopus" immediately fixes the delay.

Here is an example:  try adding any mp3 radio station to the playlist (like http://r2d2.voxnoctem.com:8000/voxnoctem.mp3) then add an Opus station like this one:

http://stream.xrm.fm/xrm-ele.opus

Start with the mp3 station, then double click the Opus station.  You will see a long delay (20sec. in this case) with default Opus plugin name bass_opus.  Now change the plugin to "bassopus", and try the stations again--delay is gone.

This was so easy to fix with a rename, and people like me with Opus stations are so few, that please don't spend any time on it, I just present it as a "curiousity".

[Artem]

try to switch off the AC3 decoder.

[sveakul]

try to switch off the AC3 decoder.

Artem, that WORKS.  Unloaded the bass_ac3 decoder, no more switching delay from MP3 to Opus with the default bass_opus naming convention.  Have you found out why the AC3 plugin is causing that issue?

As I do sometimes play AC3 in AIMP, for now I'm just going to stick with the renamed "bassopus" solution, but it's good to finally know what was causing this.  Thanks!

[Artem]

Looks like AC3 requires more time to detect that specified stream is not in AC3 format, I have no idea why it happened on OPUS streams only. I will try to introduce loading order for plugins in next update to solve this issue.

[Artem]

Please, try this build:
https://yadi.sk/d/Br1M7XTQ3U6yno

It should works correctly without workaround

[sveakul]

Thank you for the test build!  Unfortunately, it still has a large delay when switching from the mp3 station in above example to the opus station, and interestingly, doing the rename workaround with it also has a delay, although a shorter one (about half).  As before, unloading the ac-3 plugin DOES solve the problem--no delay.

To rule out Internet connection path issues, tested same station examples afterwards using the standard release version with the rename workaround, and switch is instant as reported before.

Thanks for trying on this, if I can help further let me know.  But, I can live with the release version's workaround, no big deal to me!

Forgot to add:  on the test build, the problem with bitrate showing as "0" for Opus files in player body has now been fixed

[Artem]

Please, try on this build:
https://yadi.sk/d/Br1M7XTQ3U6yno

[sveakul]

Hello Artem:  problem is FIXED!  With this newest test build from today, the switch from MP3 radio station to Opus station is instant;  no need to unload ac-3 or do the rename workaround.

I am curious what the fix was??

THANK YOU!

[Artem]

I am curious what the fix was??

I have implemented an ability to force loading order for specified plugin