Streaming ClassicFM HD to a Uniti Atom

what OS are on IOS or Android. If the app itself does not support Chromecast then you might should be able to cast the output via Google home to a device, Not sure the Unitiis support the screencasting though only audio.

I am on 11.4 on the iPad.  I have been a software developer for many years and a long term iPad user and developer. However, I have no idea what the following means: " If the app itself does not support Chromecast then you might should be able to cast the output via Google home to a device, Not sure the Unitiis support the screencasting though only audio." Can you expand please?

Long Haired David posted:

I am on 11.4 on the iPad.  I have been a software developer for many years and a long term iPad user and developer. However, I have no idea what the following means: " If the app itself does not support Chromecast then you might should be able to cast the output via Google home to a device, Not sure the Unitiis support the screencasting though only audio." Can you expand please?

Sorry I was not clear apps can have inbuilt Chromecast ability such as Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz when on Android you dont need any extra app. If you install Google Home app then you have the ability to screen/audio cast anything from the device to a Chromecast device it's in the menu. I was not sure this would work on Atom as its video and audio  but it does just gives you a message it's not optimized. 

How good is this HD stream? Do you know the bit rate?

I've been listening to the ClassicFM internet stream for years, But they've only had a 128k option. I emailed them last year to ask if they had plans to launch a higher bit rate stream, but didn't get a reply.

I just found out the answer... ClassicFM HD is 192kb/s AAC. Hardly what I would call HD. ... Guess it's all marketing BS.

Hardly HD but better than the normal stream but when you have a wife who likes to listen to Classic FM, you do the best you can! Me, I am back to vinyl and loving it.

Long Haired David posted:

Hardly HD but better than the normal stream but when you have a wife who likes to listen to Classic FM, you do the best you can!

In that case, the clue is in the name! Buy her a nice NAT and do it properly. 

I have downloaded theGoogle Home app but the Naim Chromecast has a list off sources that it connects to so that isn’t going to work unless I can add sources.

We have a server attached plus premium Spotify but she likes John Suchet!

Long Haired David posted:

I have downloaded theGoogle Home app but the Naim Chromecast has a list off sources that it connects to so that isn’t going to work unless I can add sources.

dont worry about that .I streamed it earlier today. You dont use the Naim app at all for this. As long as Chromecast is enabled as a source on the Unit. You just you Google home to cast to the Atom. It will be lower volume though. If you on apple can the phone not airplay any playing app?

I can now see the Atom as a device on Google Home but can't see how to send ClassicFM stream to the device. Sorry a bit thick here.

How does Airplay help?

You need to be playing the music from the Classic FM App, then cast it to the Atom via Google Home App. It likely say its not optimzed but you can ignore this and it will work.  You  then will probably need to adjust the volume in the Classic FM app to get it to a good level as it wont control the Atoms volume like it would if it was a fully Chromecast integrated app. 

Airplay is apples equivalent of Chromecast that may be simpler and not needing any additional apps, as the Atom will show up as an airplay device. But as I dont use Apple products I cant say if you can cast your phones audio out without the app itself having an airplay option in it. As  I mentioned in older posts Apps can have the option to support native Chromecast and airplay to send the source to a compatible device this makes it easier to use and the deivce takes over all streaming activity the phone app is then just a remote. In the case of the Classic FM app is support neither in the app itself  so you are essentially capturing the audio of you phone from the app  and packing it up as a Chromecast steam or Airplay (if airplay actually supports casting in this way. 

Didn't realise that the Atom was Airplay capable.  I have been through it all properly now and I think I know what my problem is. My Atom is connected to my network through a cable. I think that Google Home needs it to be on the same wireless network. I will see if I can change it over and then try again.

Isn't the 'HD' tag rather irrelevant given that I am led to understand that Classic FM screws down the bandwidth by compressing the dynamic range so any extra bit rate can't decompress this dynamic range and hence improve the SQ in any meaningful way. They might, however being doing this in real-time since I have noticed that sometimes when a new tune is played there can be a louder bit before it's dynamics  gets squashed down … I've never heard a quiet passage yet on Classic FM

Allan

There is a distinct difference to my ears between the standard Internet stream and that coming from their app. My wife likes it as background in the morning and some of the full works concerts are worth listening too. I enjoyed an evening of Grieg the other evening. I currently Bluetooth it but my supplier tells me that I should Chromecast it.

The iOS app for ClassicFM is not Chromcast enabled, but you can use it with Airplay on iOS devices. First make sure that the Airplay input is enabled on your Atom's input settings menu. Note that you will not see an Airplay button on the app, it will automatically switch to Airplay when it detects an incoming signal.

Then turn on HD Audio on the ClassicFM app (annoyingly, it will make you create an account in order to enable this - no need to tell it your real name, age and postcode, though!) Once it's playing, swipe up to show the Airplay controls, press and hold this to choose your Atom from the list.

Note that this does not require the Atom to be on WiFi, as the name 'Airplay' might lead you to believe. Ethernet is fine.

I had to disconnect the wired network and do a re-install via the handset (which included a firmware upgrade). Once the Atom was logged onto the main house wireless, I could get Airplay to work. It is great because the name of the piece and the image of the album comes up on the display, which doesn't happen with the internet stream.

Thanks for your patience and your help with this.

David

Long Haired David posted:

I had to disconnect the wired network and do a re-install via the handset (which included a firmware upgrade). Once the Atom was logged onto the main house wireless, I could get Airplay to work. It is great because the name of the piece and the image of the album comes up on the display, which doesn't happen with the internet stream.

Thanks for your patience and your help with this.

David

I suspect you had a network issue that wasn't letting your Atom work with Airplay for some reason, now sorted with your update and restart. If you plug your Ethernet cable back in, you should find that Airplay still works. Either way, glad you are now sorted.