The Hardware Resources That Support FLAC
FLAC is audio codec software that is used in compression of audio files, without any loss in its file content. FLAC is supported by many electrical appliances, and by reading this article, you get to learn about the different hardware resources that support FLAC.
FLAC is a free audio codec that was developed by Xiph.org and is used mainly in the compression of audio files. FLAC is the short form of Free Lossless Audio Codec, is similar in format to MP3 and is supported by most operating systems.
Though MP3 and FLAC are quite similar in format, there are some differences between the two. The main fact lies in the fact that FLAC is lossless. This means that the decoded audio you receive after compression is very much identical to the audio file that had first entered the encoder. You can find out that the original file and the encoded file are similar with the help of a 16-bit CRC.
It is interesting to learn that there is a large list of hardware resources that supports FLAC that includes car stereo, portable devices and home stereos. Ipods like video, color, mini, photo and nano all support FLAC with the help of third party Rockbox firmware. In addition to this, most of Rockbox compatible DAPs like iriver and the Gigabeat range of devices also support FLAC.
Sonos is a type of slick networked audio system that supports FLAC. You find that each ZonePlayer used here is connected to an amplifier or speakers with which it is possible to access music from all over the network. It is possible to control these Zoneplayers with the help of wireless remote that has a color LCD and clickwheel.
These Zoneplayers can be networked either in the wired or wireless form, in either the independent form or in sync. You find that FLAC support here is excellent where both mono and stereo files have sample rates that range from 16 kHz – 48 kHz which work at 16-bits per sample. All its standard encoding modes are provided support in FLAC. In addition to FLAC, gapless playback, FLAC tags and ReplayGain are also supported in Sonos.
Slim Devices have released a fantastic, networked audio player called Squeezebox that provides analog and digital outputs for the connection to amplifiers and receivers. The features of this system include an easy-to-read vacuum fluorescent display, multi-room synchronization and both wired and wireless networking.
The server-side software found here is the Slim Server that is an open source software that works on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc. The FLAC support is excellent here where most of the subset, including standard encoding modes is also supported. With the help of Slim Server it is possible to automatically transcoded many audio formats to FLAC on the server, for its transmission to the box.
Another hardware device that supports FLAC is the transponder, a networked audio player from Slim Devices. This is a device that has all the features of the Squeezebox, in addition to pro-grade connectors, offers a larger display and has top-end components. In addition to this, the FLAC support offered by the device is excellent where there is support for all standard encoding modes and tags.
In addition to all these hardware, there are other home stereos that work well while supporting FLAC like the Avega Systems’ wireless Oyster loudspeakers, iMuse audio and video media servers, Linn Kilmax DS networked digital music player and Neuros OSD Linux-based set-top box.
Car stereos too support FLAC like the PhatBox and URAL Concert CDD for increased listening pleasure. When you are on the move, you could consider getting yourself portable handsets that support FLAC like the Hyundai NH-260, Portable Media Player and iPod via the Rockbox firmware replacement.
There are other equipment that also support FLAC like Sound Devices’ 7-Series recorders, Numark’s DJ equipment that have integrated hard drive and CD player with an HDMIX mixer.
Source: http://www.flacsite.com
