Tír Na HiFi

I store my music files [FLAC] on my pc and wonder if there is a player that could be setup to play random tracks from the files on disk. I use Foobar2000 to play selected folders but would prefer a random selection similar to what the Squeezebox provides on my hi-fi system. The Squeezebox is reading the same files. Thanks.

Sorry to ask a question not in relation with your query but I was wondering about the difference of quality between the SB and Foobar?

sdiesel77 wrote:Sorry to ask a question not in relation with your query but I was wondering about the difference of quality between the SB and Foobar?

The Squeezebox is supplying a (WiFi) digital signal to my hi-fi system. To my ears the sound compares favourably to my CD player . I don't tend to listen to entire CDs at a sitting, the random function on the Squeezebox automatically provides plenty of variety musically speaking, and I can always skip to the next song if it does not appeal. The iPad app iPeng, though slightly flakey in use, is the deal clincher for me. This has a 'feature' that allows you to skip forward or backwards through the track similar to the way you can move the stylus forward or backwards on an LP. So usability is the chief benefit of using the Squeezebox.

I use Foobar2000 to play the same music on my computer [which is located in a different room to the hi-fi]. I have an old hi-fi system connected to the computer for sounds, music and internet radio. Also for playing podcasts from RTE etc. The sound is 'good enough' for what it is but not in the same league as the main hi-fi system.

I expect that Foobar2000 can be configured to play random songs from the FLAC files stored on the computer but I cannot work out how.

Sorry for not answering your query sdiesel77 but as I have not compared the units side by side I really cannot say.

There's a plug in for foobar to do this - would be worth searching for that I'd say. I'm away at the moment so can't tell you more...

MusicIP a free player will do it for you but it takes some time to analyse your music.
Worth the effort though and it works with Logitech Media Player for the Touch and with Ipeng.
Great if you have a large collection of music.

Thanks guys, I seem to have hit on the solution.

On the Foobar2000 Command Menu, File, Add Folders [took several minutes to do this], Playback, Order, Shuffle (tracks)

Slightly ponderous and ungainly but it works.