FLAC files not streaming in native format (non-transcoded)

[manwithaplan]

I've been streaming mp3's at 320kbps no problem, and now want to experiment with streaming FLAC files without transcoding them (just internally on my own LAN, for now anyway). I have 4.2 and transcoding them works fine but I cannot seem to get them to play if I turn off transcoding for FLAC. I am on a Mac typically, and I use Play to play my flac's normally. When I try to get Subsonic to use an "external player" and specifify for instance Play as the default app, it opens Play but doesn't work. Same thing when I try to use VLC. I'm sure I'm just being stupid somewhere here, can you guys give me an assist here? There must be a setting I'm not considering properly.

Thanks very much, this is the most excellent improvement to music accessibility in a VERY long time (and yes, I've been through many a music server!)...I think I've finally found a winner, no doubt. Cheers to Sindre, and to all.

[manwithaplan]

By the way, just to be clear, I would prefer to NOT use an external player, simply to stream via the web like I do the MP3's on Subsonic. But I've tried both "web player" and "external player" and can't get either to work unless I turn transcoding on. Lastly, in case it matters, most of my FLAC files are high-resolution audio encodes from places like HDTracks.com. Most of the FLAC's are 96KHz/24bit encodes, some are 48KHz/24bit, but all are higher than the 44.1 default that Susbsonic normally sees. I really want to retain and use my separate Folder for "High-Rez Music", that's the plan anyway.

Thoughts/comments/fixes??? Thanks again guys, just wanted to clarify the full use case.

Cheers.

[Mawazi]

manwithaplan,

I did some testing. I created a new player using "External player with playlist," making sure to un-check the flac > mp3 transcoding. I could then stream .flac files from Subsonic to my external media player, Mediamonkey.

If I chose "External player," it would not work.

If I chose "Web player," it would not work. This is not surprising, as jwplayer (the open source software used by Subsonic for its web player) does not support .flac playback.

So, at least with my set-up, "External player with playlist" works for streaming .flac files.

-- mawazi

[manwithaplan]

Mawazi,

Thank you VERY much. I will retest when I get back home. But I wonder if this is by design, that only External player with playlist works, and not just external player. I don't use Media Monkey, but instead use Play on the Mac, or sometimes VLC on windows. I wonder if they will work the way you got Media Monkey working. I'll test when I get back.

Thanks again, this gives me some hope!