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but, for basic operation without a configuration file, a few of the main

but, for basic operation without a configuration file, a few of the main

parameters can be set on the

parameters can be set on the

xref:COMMAND-ENVIRON[command line or in the environment].

xref:COMMAND-ENVIRON[command line or in the environment].

However, a majority of parameters can only be set in the configuration

However, a majority of parameters can only be set in the configuration

path is +/etc/upmpdcli.conf+

path is +/etc/upmpdcli.conf+

The configuration file has a simple `name = value` format.

The configuration file has a simple `name = value` format.

This section goes in a little more detail about miscellaneous aspects of

This section goes in a little more detail about miscellaneous aspects of

the Media Renderer, and describe a few of the most used configuration

the Media Renderer, and describe a few of the most used configuration

parameters. See the <<UPMPDCLI-CONFIG,configuration reference section>>

parameters. See the <<UPMPDCLI-CONFIG,configuration reference section>>

for more details (I would very much like to link each parameter to its

for more details (I would very much like to link each parameter to its

If several instances of *upmpdcli* run on the same network, you will want

If several instances of *upmpdcli* run on the same network, you will want

to give them distinct names. The name which is displayed by most Control

to give them distinct names. The name which is displayed by most Control

Points can be set with the <<friendlyname,+friendlyname+>> configuration

Points can be set with the <<friendlyname,+friendlyname+>> configuration

parameter. Some Linn Control Points (e.g. Kazoo) use another value, set

parameter. Some Linn Control Points (e.g. Kazoo) use another value, set

host. However, there may be reasons to do otherwise, and the host name and

host. However, there may be reasons to do otherwise, and the host name and

port where mpd should be reached can be set with <<mpdhost,+mpdhost+>>,

port where mpd should be reached can be set with <<mpdhost,+mpdhost+>>,

and <<mpdhost,+mpdport+>>.

and <<mpdhost,+mpdport+>>.

The Upmpdcli Media Renderer has two active interfaces by default: UPnP AV

The Upmpdcli Media Renderer has two active interfaces by default: UPnP AV

<<friendlyname,+openhome+>> and <<friendlyname,+upnpav+>> parameters.

[[UPMPDCLI-RENDERER-FORMATS]]

[[UPMPDCLI-RENDERER-FORMATS]]

=== Audio formats

=== Audio formats

Upmpdcli can accept most audio formats supported by MPD, meaning about

Upmpdcli can accept most audio formats supported by MPD, meaning about

anything, including DSD.

anything, including DSD.

You should know that MPD has difficulties with some formats _when accessed

You should know that MPD has difficulties with some formats _when accessed

through HTTP_ which is how the Media Server transfers the data.

through HTTP_ which is how the Media Server transfers the data.

Specifically, WAV and AIFF files, especially with samples wider than 16

Specifically, WAV and AIFF files, especially with samples wider than 16

bits are a frequent source of trouble (because they are little used and

bits are a frequent source of trouble (because they are little used and

little tested for streaming). Support will vary depending on the MPD

little tested for streaming). Support will vary depending on the MPD

versions and exactly what input plugins are configured (among *ffmpeg*,

versions and exactly what input plugins are configured (among *ffmpeg*,

*libaudiofile* and *libsndfile*). Often, the same files play just fine

*libaudiofile* and *libsndfile*). Often, the same files play just fine

problems.

problems.

Raw PCM streams are another special case. The reason is that these streams

Raw PCM streams are another special case. The reason is that these streams

do not, by definition, carry metadata to define the exact format (sample

do not, by definition, carry metadata to define the exact format (sample

rate, bits per sample, number of channels, byte order). *upmpdcli* has no

rate, bits per sample, number of channels, byte order). *upmpdcli* has no

way to transfer these parameters to *MPD* (this is a limitation of the

way to transfer these parameters to *MPD* (this is a limitation of the

client protocol). The parameters can be transferred from the Media Server

client protocol). The parameters can be transferred from the Media Server

https://github.com/medoc92/upmpdcli/issues/36#issuecomment-227761220

https://github.com/medoc92/upmpdcli/issues/36#issuecomment-227761220

In general, there are few reasons to use these linear formats, when FLAC

In general, there are few reasons to use these linear formats, when FLAC

will produce exactly the same bits, with less network load (which largely

will produce exactly the same bits, with less network load (which largely

compensates the small additional CPU load).

compensates the small additional CPU load).

This facility uses Python 2.x, which must be available on the system for

This facility uses Python 2.x, which must be available on the system for

the radio links to work.

the radio links to work.

Radio stations can be defined in the configuration (at the end because of

Radio stations can be defined in the configuration (at the end because of

the use of section indicators), or in in a separate file by setting the

the use of section indicators), or in in a separate file by setting the

+radiolist+ parameter in the main configuration.

Example entry:

Example entry:

----

----

[radio Radio Teddy]

[radio Radio Teddy]

url = http://opml.radiotime.com/Tune.ashx?id=s80044

url = http://opml.radiotime.com/Tune.ashx?id=s80044

icon. +artUrl+ is optional.

icon. +artUrl+ is optional.

Radio channels can be accessed by selecting the _Radio_ Source from an

Radio channels can be accessed by selecting the _Radio_ Source from an

OpenHome Control Point.

OpenHome Control Point.

    curl -s http://radioparadise.com/xml/now.xml | \

    curl -s http://radioparadise.com/xml/now.xml | \

         grep '<coverart>' | sed -e 's/<coverart>//' -e 's!</coverart>!!'

         grep '<coverart>' | sed -e 's/<coverart>//' -e 's!</coverart>!!'

[[UPMPDCLI-SONGCAST]]

[[UPMPDCLI-SONGCAST]]

== Upmpdcli and Songcast

== Upmpdcli and Songcast

Upmpdcli implements the Receiver UPnP service, and uses an auxiliary

Upmpdcli implements the Receiver UPnP service, and uses an auxiliary

on the sample program which comes with the Linn Songcast

OpenHome open source implementation

OpenHome open source implementation

*sc2mpd* package). The latter is a modified version of the OpenHome

with a captured analog source (e.g. *arecord* output).

NOTE: You should know that it is possible to control the Songcast Sender

NOTE: You should know that it is possible to control the Songcast Sender

from another local network PC to snoop on what you are listening (Radio or

from another local network PC to snoop on what you are listening (Radio or

Playlist). This is detectable from the Renderer state, but not obvious. In

Playlist). This is detectable from the Renderer state, but not obvious. In

any case, the playlist itself is public (there are no privacy provisions in

any case, the playlist itself is public (there are no privacy provisions in

UPnP), so this is probably not a major additional issue. The system will

UPnP), so this is probably not a major additional issue. The system will

not capture anything besides what *mpd*, or an explicitely setup additional

not capture anything besides what *mpd*, or an explicitely setup additional

source are playing (e.g. Skype phone conversations are out of reach).

source are playing (e.g. Skype phone conversations are out of reach).

[[UPMPDCLI-RECEIVER]]

[[UPMPDCLI-RECEIVER]]

=== Upmpdcli Receiver

*sc2mpd* can play the *Songcast* audio stream in two modes:

*sc2mpd* can play the *Songcast* audio stream in two modes:

 - By offering a local HTTP interface (based on _libmicrohttpd_) from which

 - By offering a local HTTP interface (based on _libmicrohttpd_) from which

   *mpd* will play the stream.

   *mpd* will play the stream.

advantage is that it needs no configuration. If you go the _alsa_ route,

advantage is that it needs no configuration. If you go the _alsa_ route,

you will need to set <<sclogfilename, +scalsadevice+>> in the

you will need to set <<sclogfilename, +scalsadevice+>> in the

configuration, but you probably had to set it in the MPD configuration too,

configuration, but you probably had to set it in the MPD configuration too,

so this may not be too much of an issue.

so this may not be too much of an issue.

delay (up to around 10 S) between the time when Songcast is activated

delay (up to around 10 S) between the time when Songcast is activated

and the time sound appears.

and the time sound appears.

NOTE: When using _mpd_, from a Mac (24 bits audio) you need an

NOTE: When using _mpd_, from a Mac (24 bits audio) you need an

appropriately configured and recent MPD version (usually configured with

appropriately configured and recent MPD version (usually configured with

WARNING: There is *no software volume control* for the *upmpdcli* Songcast

WARNING: There is *no software volume control* for the *upmpdcli* Songcast

Receivers for now: use either a local mixer or the little round things on

Receivers for now: use either a local mixer or the little round things on

the pre-amps. Set the volume low when experimenting !

the pre-amps. Set the volume low when experimenting !

NOTE: Songcast can use IP multicast for lower load on the network when

playing on several hosts. Unfortunately, multicast WIFI don't mix well in

playing on several hosts. Unfortunately, multicast WIFI don't mix well in

many cases. If you have wireless Receivers experiencing sound drop issues,

many cases. If you have wireless Receivers experiencing sound drop issues,

try selecting unicast in the Songcast advanced configuration panel on the

try selecting unicast in the Songcast advanced configuration panel on the

desktop.

desktop.

[[UPMPDCLI-SENDER]]

[[UPMPDCLI-SENDER]]

=== Upmpdcli Sender

Upmpdcli Sender mode allows you to broadcast the Playlist or Radio source

Upmpdcli Sender mode allows you to broadcast the Playlist or Radio source

(or the output of any process which can write to a Fifo, e.g. *arecord*) to

(or the output of any process which can write to a Fifo, e.g. *arecord*) to

other Songcast Receivers. The local *upmpdcli* plays through its Receiver

other Songcast Receivers. The local *upmpdcli* plays through its Receiver

too, in order to achieve good synchronisation. Unlike the Songcast

too, in order to achieve good synchronisation. Unlike the Songcast

== Annex: Songcast installation walkthrough

== Annex: Songcast installation walkthrough

If you want to play from a Mac or Windows machine, install the 

If you want to play from a Mac or Windows machine, install the 

link:http://www.linn.co.uk/software#songcast[Songcast application]

link:http://www.linn.co.uk/software#songcast[Songcast application]

the *upmpdcli* receiver is unavailable.).

I could not get IP multicast to work with WIFI Receivers (the sound drops

I could not get IP multicast to work with WIFI Receivers (the sound drops

constantly).

constantly).

There are well-known problems with multicast and WIFI (see for example

There are well-known problems with multicast and WIFI (see for example