Poor audio from iTunes streamed to a PC...

[Highmac]

Set up iTunes on the PC (WinXP Pro) to share the iMac's library and got it up and running, but am disappointed at sound quality. It's very 'thin' and graphic equaliser doesn't improve overall quality. Although the PC speakers were not expensive they sound OK with sound originating on the PC (YouTube, iPlayer, etc).

The streaming is done wirelessly (Airport/Netgear DG 834G) - could that be the problem, or have I missed some vital settings on the PC side of iTunes?  At the same time, streaming from iMac to domestic stereos via Airport Expresses sounds fine.

The PC shows the wireless signal at 54Mbps.
Any suggestions?

TIA

[kbeartx]

Neil,

it's well-known among audio pros that the external audio resolution sampling* on PCs is reduced by a factor of ten, compared to industry standards, due to digital truncation [so that 44.1 KHz becomes 4.41 KHz and 128 KBps becomes 12.8 KBps].  This results from the original PC designers' failure to anticipate its use for musical storage and source reproduction and providing only eight-bit registers for audio.  

This explains why Macs are still massively dominant in professional recording studios and the film industry, and why all speakers sold for use w/ PCs are so tiny [and tinny].

Just Kidding!

Actually, I have no idea how to explain your observations...

Kb



* this term is sometimes referenced by the acronym, "EARS"

[Paddy]

Neil, I don't really have any idea either, but did find this:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?m...46&#9146046

No solutions - but someone else with lousy audio quality.

Can you figure out if the PC is converting to a lower bit rate? (I'm not sure how to find this info...)

[chriskleeman]

On my Mac, running Leopard, it goes Preferences>General>Import settings , which opens up a dialog box giving you a choice of what file format you want, such as MP3, AIFF, etc, and also a bit-rate choice, either 128, 160, 192 kbps. I'd start there I guess Neil, but I'm not sure how to find that same dialog window running on a PC.

Maybe I'll go fire up the darkside laptop and see how to do it in XP Pro.

HTH,

CK

[Xairbusdriver]

Well, the first step will always be the "Start" button! Then prbably control panel->settings->hardware->audio->input->properties->configurable->language->music->genre->output device->location->room size->room color->dated painted-> Be sure to select the paint application methods and professional or user applied radio buttons. The last steps will be the standard password and Windows serial number entries. Finally, press Alt-shift-Del when the reinstall is complete.

HTH!

Oh, wait, that was for setting up the input. You are wanting to improve the output. In that case, just use your Mac. Simple.

[Highmac]

Just found the reply I drafted this morning... still in the reply window

That said

QUOTE

Thanks both.... in the case of Kenny - Yeh! Thanks a bunch.... Even if it had been April 1 you'd have got me with that one

Paddy - I'll check out that link later; off to work shortly. I might venture into PC Format forum later (after putting on a flameproof suit!). Start with a search of course

Since then Chris ( ) and Jim (oh, good grief.... ) have responded.... Just got in from work so will check it out later.

Thanks all - for laughs and for help.

[Highmac]

Well, in case anyone else comes searching on a Mac site for the solution to a PC problem.... it does seem that the bitrate was the problem. It was importing at 128kbps. The answer - in Win XP Pro - is to go to:
iTunes/Edit/Prefs/General/Import Settings (next to the "When you insert a CD" button)/Set to "Higher Quality" - 256kbps.

I also reduced the iTunes volume and boosted the PC's volume setting which seemed to make a difference then used the Equalizer to get the tone I wanted. It's a lot more pleasant now.

Thanks for all the advice