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Topic: foobar V1.6.16 & V2.0: Sample Rate/Bit Depth Supported by Laptop hardware (Read 2810 times) previous topic - next topic
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foobar V1.6.16 & V2.0: Sample Rate/Bit Depth Supported by Laptop hardware

I am trying to understand the foobar Preferences->Output: Device settings and how they relate to my Realtek hardware limitations. I downloaded a suite of test files (24 & 32bit, 44.1 to 384k Sample Rate) and tested them with various foobar Output format (16/24/32-bit) on foobar V1.6.16 and V2.0 Beta 23.
Please let me know if the following statements are "true":
1) The foobar V1.6.16 and V2 Output Device "Primary Sound Driver [exclusive]" is the equivalent of the old WASAPI Exclusive Mode (not sure if Push/Event or if no longer supported?)
2) If I set the foobar V1.6.16 Output data format (choices were 16,24,32-bit) to something not supported by my hardware, No files will play (Unrecoverable playback error: Endpoint creation failed), regardless of  the file Sample Rate/Bit Depth. My tests showed a max. supported Bit depth of 24-bit
3) Assuming I set the foobar V1.6.16 Output Device to "Primary Sound Driver [exclusive]" and the Output Data Format to a value available with my hardware:  If an audio file plays Without an error message (Unrecoverable playback error: Endpoint creation failed), then the Sample Rate of that file is supported by my Realtek chip, with NO resampling to a lower rate.  My  tests showed a max. supported Sample rate of 192kHz.
4) Assuming I set the foobar V1.6.16 Output  Data Format to the highest bit depth supported (in my case 24-bit), foobar Will play files at a higher bit depth (as long as the sample rate is supported). I was able to play 32-bit files at my maximum supported sample rate (192kHz).
5) foobar V.2.0 works basically the same as the above, without setting any Output format since this option is not available. So, in my case I can play either 24 or 32-bit files up to my max. supported sample rate (192kHz). 

Last question: Where does foobar V2 get the bit depth from - can I assume it is using the highest bit depth supported?

My Environment: Winows 11, foobar V1.6.16 anf foobar V2.0 Beta 23
"Likely" Realtek Chip ALC287 (based on Harware ID INTELAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0287&SUBSYS_10251598&REV_1000)
I cannot find any specs. on an ALC287
The only Realtek Settings (in Windows 11) are "Default Format: Select the sample rate and bit depth to be used when running in Shared mode"(this "should" not matter for WASAPI Exclusive), and "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device".  I  set the Realtek to a Default Format of 24bit,48000Hz, the highest choice available on my laptop (the only other choice was 16bit,48000Hz) and enabled exclusive conrol of this device.

Re: foobar V1.6.16 & V2.0: Sample Rate/Bit Depth Supported by Laptop hardware

Reply #1 –
I'm not an expert and don't have all the answers, but first you need to make sure you have the proper Realtek drivers; for starters, check Windows Update > Advanced Options > Optional Updates...
Most Realtek chips support: 16 and 24 bit 44.1/48/96/192 khz, that's 8 different formats that "exclusive" or "bit-perfect" renderers can support (that is, they can play files with matching formats without DSP).
WASAPI Exclusive uses Event (or Pull) by default because it's the most compatible, as some systems may not be able to keep up with Push, but Push is still available as an option. ASIO is also available as a bit-perfect option, but may not always support the same formats as WASAPI (like mono/stereo/surround).
Players/Renderers can dither bit depth that is too high for the hardware (32 down to 24 or 16, 24 down to 16)... Need more info by the experts here, please!
You should post your exact make and model...

Re: foobar V1.6.16 & V2.0: Sample Rate/Bit Depth Supported by Laptop hardware

Reply #2 –
Gus;
My questions are more directed at the foobar specific implementation of WASAPI in the newer releases and how they relate to the actual hardware in my (or any) computer.
If you look at earlier versions of fb2k (like 1.4.5) there was a separate download required for WASAPI (foo_out_wasapi).  This component had choices for WASAPI (event) and WASAPI (push) for each of the devices. With my Ver1.6.16 this component is (apparently) no longer needed, and fb2k has WASAPI "built-in". Note that I am assuming the choices are WASAPI (since one of them has "exclusive"), even though the choices do not have the word WASAPI as part of the name!
If you look at fb2k V1.6.16, those options (Push/Event) are no longer listed.  The only two choices are Device_Name (ex: Primary Sound Driver) and Device_Name [exclusive].  So, I do not have a choice between Event/Push. In addition, the choice of Output format (bit depth)  was removed in fb2k V2 (Beta23).
It appears that Peter decided to simplify and standardize the Output settings, which leads to the questions of what is actually being used "under the covers" of the simplified setup and how this related to the actual hardware in a computer.
So once I understand what fb2k is doing, I can also find the limitations of my specifc hardware.  Normally, I would check the specs for the Realtek chip, but as I said, I can't find the specs for mine (see the bottom of my post).

Re: foobar V1.6.16 & V2.0: Sample Rate/Bit Depth Supported by Laptop hardware

Reply #3 –
I'm not a long time Foobar user, for decades (?) I would try it on and off... Foobar now only uses WASAPI (Shared by default, and Exclusive as an option, no more DirectSound). Under Output there's Devices, where you can select maximum bit depth (Bits), which you can safely set to 24 (most audio is 16 bit, there is some 24, and I'm not aware of any 32 bit audio). Under Foobar's Advanced Preferences, Playback, Exclusive output overrides, I think enabled, this will switch to Push mode.

Re: foobar V1.6.16 & V2.0: Sample Rate/Bit Depth Supported by Laptop hardware

Reply #4 –
Quote from: vin_57 on
If you look at fb2k V1.6.16, those options (Push/Event) are no longer listed.  The only two choices are Device_Name (ex: Primary Sound Driver) and Device_Name [exclusive].  So, I do not have a choice between Event/Push. In addition, the choice of Output format (bit depth)  was removed in fb2k V2 (Beta23).
Event mode is the default in 1.6.16 and v2 for Wasapi Exclusive.  To change to Push mode, go to Prefs/Advanced/Playback and check "Exclusive output overrides" and un-check "Use Event" under that.

To choose bit depth when applicable in v2 beta 23, go to Prefs/Playback/Output/Devices, and change the value in the Bits column to match your hardware.

Re: foobar V1.6.16 & V2.0: Sample Rate/Bit Depth Supported by Laptop hardware

Reply #5 –
My thanks to sveakul & Gus - I now have a much better understanding of the fb2k V1.6/V2 Output settings & defaults
Next time, I will look in Advanced Preferences and also look for new Preference sub-trees before posting a question.  ;)

"I'm not a long time Foobar user, for decades (?)" LOL Yes I am old & have been messing with fb2k for a very loooong time. I love the program!