Playback stutters with 10-band equalizer

[starless]

My iPod Video can’t seem to handle the new ten-band equalizer when a WPS with an animated element is visible. If I move out of the WPS, playback does not have this stutter. 

I also tested with the same preset for the original five-band equalizer on version 9f48f5f-120226 and there is no stutter.

Here is what I am doing when the problem arises:
1. I load a theme that uses peak meters, such as DriveBox or RetroTape.
2. I load an equalizer preset (such as Acoustic) and make sure that the Equalizer setting is “On”.
3. I now go to the WPS and start playback.  Within about 15 seconds, playback will stop every four to five seconds for a second or two.  Also, visually the WPS seems sluggish and with the WPS in RetroTape, it may take up to 15 seconds or a half-dozen presses for playback to stop after selecting “Play/Pause”.

Am I expecting a little too much from the processor in this DAP?

[saratoga]

Yes, the CPU isn't fast enough to do all of that. 

[Krismarzyk]

It seems I have similar problem with my iriver H10. So, what is the solution? Load a simplest theme?

[saratoga]

Use less CPU, either on the theme, the EQ or the audio decoder.  That or buy a modern player.  Take your pick. 

[Krismarzyk]

Don't get me wrong but don't understand sth. I've installed a software on my iriver h10 which is considered stable. This software has superb EQ which I would like to use. And now you are telling that actually this software is not fully operational on my DAP. So, can it be considered stable?

I really want to use EQ could you please describe in more detail what can I do. I've followed all recommendations from the manual to limit CPU use (backlight, themes etc.). Is there something I should do more. All my files are mp3 (50% is 320 kbps and 50% is 192 kpbs).

Is there a chance that my problems results from the fact that the battery in my iriver will ends in the near future (currently I can play not more than 2 hours of constant listening). Or this is not connected with the battery at all.

I'm considering replacing my iriver h10 with iPod Video. I've choose Video due to the fact that I will be able to install Rockbox on it and that I can do iMod.
Is the above problem common on iPod Videos? Or the problem raised  by starless is rather rare for Videos?

[saratoga]

Don't get me wrong but don't understand sth. I've installed a software on my iriver h10 which is considered stable. This software has superb EQ which I would like to use. And now you are telling that actually this software is not fully operational on my DAP. So, can it be considered stable?

I'm telling you that you can't have 10 EQ bands each using 5 MHz, an audio decoder using 30 MHz, and a theme using 10 MHz on a 10 year old CPU that only runs at 80MHz. 

I'm considering replacing my iriver h10 with iPod Video. I've choose Video due to the fact that I will be able to install Rockbox on it and that I can do iMod.
Is the above problem common on iPod Videos? Or the problem raised  by starless is rather rare for Videos?

Exact same ancient CPU in the Ipod Video.  The H10 port is actually based on the ipod port. 

[Krismarzyk]

saratoga, which DAPs, to which I could install Rockbox and use 10 band EQ, would you reccomend?

I've almost decided for iPod Video/iMod, but if the above problem will also appear in this DAP I will probably change my mind and I will look for other DAP (than Video).

[[Saint]]

I'm not sure you're understanding what is being said...

Your device is capable of using the 10 band EQ. I tested playback with the 10 band EQ on another PP player (abbreviation of the Portal Player type SoC) with mp3@320 and the default theme. I did not, however, test with an animated theme - and this seems to be the tipping point in your case - my calculations (and those of others) indicated that my test case was only /just/ possible.

If you have lossless copies of your media, my suggestion would be to use a less expensive codec (flac8 can decode in realtime using approximately 50% less CPU than mp3@320 on this target), but if this isn't an option you're likely going to have to drop the animated theme. It may seem non-obvious, but animations (especially peak meters) cause more frequent LCD updates, which causes more CPU overhead...apparently just enough in your case to break decoding in real-time for you.

If you're dead set on buying a new device anyway, and were looking at an iPod Video 5th Gen iMod, I would instead spend approximately the same amount (or less) on a second-hand iPod Classic 1st Gen 160GB (the CE-ATA "fat" model). This device is readily available, and outperforms the iPod Video in every respect.


[Saint]