Database : RB in Clip+ vs Zip vs OF in both

[steak]

Usually I am not not using database functions a lot. Maybe once in a while when I cannot remember a title or something...

But recently I have had to. Using it on a Clip+ with about 4000 songs (12Gb) loaded, I noticed that each time I went back to the menu, Rockbox displayed a countup while seemingly browsing the subcategory I was in.
That's rather annoying as it takes a few seconds each time so I tried to change the database settings with no noticeable result.

Is there a way I can fix this ?

On the other hand the original Sandisk firmwares has drawbacks but once database has been built (which takes a LOOOOOONG time), it gives immediate access to subcategories in database mode.

So that could be a way to use a faster database but that's a bit of a hassle, no way I will drop rockbox and all other functions.

[saratoga]

Database in RAm option.  Is it checked?

[steak]

Database in RAm option.  Is it checked?

Yes

I realise my description was incomplete :
Rockbox is slow when I am in "Tracks" or "A to Z"
and...
I'm not so sure I went in those categories with Sansa firmware...

I'll check this and report...

[steak]

Accessing "Tracks" list with database :

Load Database in RAM definitely improves :
without it I get a countup (3393 files take about 15 sec) display each time I go back to the database menu screen (Enter from wps)

When enabled I get this count up only once BUT... I also get a countdown every time I select a Track AND...

Not only does it take about 10sec before the Track starts but also the previous track usually pauses a couple of times in the process.
AND going back to Database menu screen from wps (Enter) takes about 4-5 sec.

Not practical.

My questions are : more tip(s) on Settings ? Would that be port related ? Would it depend on current Release ? Could that be improved ?

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Sansa OF is fluent (even in Tracks/Songs) and seems an option there. Main flaw for me is : fonts cannot be changed so database lists only take 3 lines

But it has its drawbacks : 3 clicks needed to get Database previous screen from wps / no "A to Z" (seems there is one on ClipZip) / Database rebuilt (when needed at reboot) takes 15-30 mn and drains the battery. / basic menu options, only good for Database

[steak]

I am just testing my new ClipZip, without going into to much details :

Database loaded to RAM
4Gb internal / 16Gb microSD, nearly full, roughly 4000 files.
Rockbox build 2ef7a54-130111

1/ Main Menu>Settings>Database>Initialize
That took a while (>15min ?), froze the player, and I had to reboot.

Just checked : no such thing with the Clip+, initialization happens in the background, allowing to use the player (all database files were deleted prior to this so yes we are in the same situation)

But then RB version is different, Clip+ runs release 3.12, maybe it explains some things.

2/ ClipZip after reboot : I get the same problem as with the Clip+
> going into Tracks with Database...
>> 1st time : counts up for about 15 secs before displaying the list (none next times)
>>> count down with pauses (gaps) in the music currently playing when selecting a track
>>> lag between wps and database sbs

That's not a big problem for me since I rarely use database
Hopefully not a big problem for many since it only happens (I guess) with A LOT of files in Tracks. When so many tracks come up, searching directly through Tracks is a bit useless and using A to Z will be less painful + no lag problems.

What about the Sansa original FirmWare then ?

Well, well, well... the player came with v01.01.20 and I have not tried to get/test an older version but so far it's pretty simple...:
I tried it first without the microSD, it worked like the Clip+
(I read somewher it has an A to Z added to database but I could not find and did not bother searching)

I tried to reboot with the 16Gb microSD then. As before it started with the "Refreshing the Media" stuff so I waited, and waited, and waited... and after a LOOOOOOOOOONG time... I realised the player was stuck. No key working, black screen, baaaad.
Retried, and retried, and gave up.

Verdict so far : Rockbox wins by Knock Out

Looks like I am going to use the Zip just like the Clip+ :
> Clean the root (only keeping SYS_CONF.SYS which seems needed to keep the USB mode set to MSCwhich keeps the MSC setting)
> Forget Sansa OF and use Rockbox only
 
Only one thing catches my interest in Sansa OF : the RDS radio but I feel no urge to test it.

EDIT : RDS support perfect in rockbox, only pick a Radio Screen that properly displays it. runner_96x96.fms good for me
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In conclusion : anyone with tips/suggestion on how to improve database in a situation similar to mine, I would be interested to read about it.

Basically I wonder if it's just inevitable or if further rockbox release/builds will improve on that... and because I don't use database often, I probably won't know if other users don't point it out.