Full File Buffering

[Aminifu]

The Nullsoft MPEG Audio Decoder (in_mp3.dll) has a full file buffering feature. This feature allows an entire file, less than a specified size, to be read from it's storage drive to RAM before playback starts. After enabling this feature (a few years ago), I no longer experience any stuttering during playback of my mp3 files (< 20 minutes in length) no matter what else I'm using my computer for at the same time.

I sometimes experience a little stuttering with other file formats, depending on what else I'm doing with my computer. Going forward, can a full file buffering feature be implemented for all supported file formats?

[Aminifu]

Hi dro,

As you see, you never responded to this request. Since I mostly play mp3s, I forgot I made it. Our recent discussion about in_mp3.dll's full file buffering feature caused me to remember it. So, what do you think? Can full file buffering be added for all supported formats?

[dro]

I'd not responded as I've not yet done any research into it to be able to give an appropriate answer when different formats handle things differently. I don't see a generic solution currently being possible with it instead having to be done on a per input plug-in basis if it can be done vs the libraries being used or it'll involve re-working them more to achieve something that allows for this.

I could also be very much wrong & that's where I was hoping to try to do some research into what can be done so the input plug-ins don't care if it's an actual file or some form of virtualised in-memory copy to achieve it. From vague memories about it, in_mp3 was setup to just go from a working buffer so it could read everything in at once & work from there whereas I know most of my plug-ins aren't coded to work in such a manner vs the libraries being used to implement playback.

[Aminifu]

... From vague memories about it, in_mp3 was setup to just go from a working buffer so it could read everything in at once & work from there whereas I know most of my plug-ins aren't coded to work in such a manner vs the libraries being used to implement playback.

Too bad this is more complicated than I was hoping it would be. Working with a file's virtual in-memory copy seemed like it would be a straight forward thing to do, from a layman's point of view.

No worries. Now that I have WACUP and my audio files on a ssd, I don't have any stuttering with any of my file formats. I was thinking this may help others that still use mechanical hard drives with stuttering during playback.