What is the highest resolution of FLAC file that VLC can play?

[A.Zephyr]

Specifically, what is the highest resolution of FLAC file that VLC can play on a Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit version) computer (and give the listener the full benefit of such a data-rich file)?

For example, the resolution of CD-quality FLACs is 44.1-kHz/16-bit. But, one can buy FLACs that are 192-kHz/24-bit, and even more hi-res, from online stores like 7digital and HDtracks.

(I realize that the listener’s experience is affected by the sound card and the speakers, but I’m asking only about VLC’s limits right now.)

I ask because I prefer using VLC, and I’m a person of limited financial means. Hence, before I start buying hi-res FLACs (as cashflow allows) for myself and friends, I want to double-check that very hi-res FLACs can be fully interpreted by VLC (rather than being rejected, or perhaps played at a reduced resolution). (Part of my concern is inspired by my remembering that some portable media players have — at least in the past — minimum and/or maximum bitrates that they can support regarding MP3s. Hence, it occurs to me that limits might apply to computer software regarding FLAC resolutions. And, as mentioned, it would be wise for me to know this before I start spending money.)

This might be an ignorant question (and this is my first dance with a VideoLAN forum, so please forgive any missteps), but I’m hoping that someone can refer me to a spec-sheet, -webpage, -database, -whatever containing an accurate answer. I’m assuming that it must be an easy question to answer since it pertains to the current version of a prevalent operating system, and is a matter of basic specifications, but perhaps I’m naïve about this.

I’ve poked around VideoLAN’s FAQ and Wiki without success. And, i noticed that at least two forum threads — https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.ph ... on#p195352 (2009) and https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.ph ... on#p385701 (2013) — were started with similar questions, but no conclusions.

Thanks in advance for any answers/insights you can offer.

(Also, please keep in mind that I am far from being a computer wizard.)

Happy holidays.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Hello,

This is a good question, and it depends on your audio card, indeed. If your audio card does not support those samplerates, VLC will be resampling it, to a lower resolution.

1) bits
In the core of VLC, 24bits are padded to 32bit. Most decoders are outputing 32bits integers directly, including our FLAC decoder (modules/codec/flac.c line 489).

Then, they are converted to floats, in most cases, and notably in the Windows case (modules/audio_output/wasapi.c line 354).

2) max samplerate
And the core of VLC can work up to 352800kHz (src/audio_output/dec.c line 59).

I hope that answers your question. (lines are related to 3.0.0 VLC version)

[A.Zephyr]

Thanks for your time and attention.

And, I believe I understand you. (I'm far from expert on the lingo of digital audio; hence, it can be confusing to me.)

I think you're saying that VLC can easily handle 352.8-kHz/24-bit FLAC files without having to compromise sound quality. But, of course, another factor is whether the soundcard, or a DAC (digital-to-analog converter), are able to support a sample rate as high as 352.8kHz.

Yes?

[InTheWings]

https://people.xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/ ... ml#toc_1ch

[A.Zephyr]

https://people.xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/ ... ml#toc_1ch

Thanks!

Someone on a foobar2000 forum-thread turned me on to that article last week. It's very interesting.