Has anyone noticed this with their MP3 collection?

On many of my MP3s, the DSM-520 cuts off the first second or so of the song... it is hard to predict what files will cause this problem, if the file cuts off once, it will always cut off. All of these files are VBR files ripped in "extreme quality" mode in EAC. In fact, on the same album, some MP3s play fine and others don't.

All of thesse files play fine in Winamp, however.

I have tried the D-Link media server, Twonky, and Tversity as well. I also played some troublesome files off a USB device and the results were the same.

I tested playback off the Optical and Coax digital connections into a Denon receiver, and the HDMI connection through a Samsung DLP set with identical results.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Could this be a bug? I seem to recall that the Pinnacle Showcenter had a similar issue so perhaps this is an issue related to the Sigma chipset...

I seem to recall that the Pinnacle Showcenter had a similar issue so perhaps this is an issue related to the Sigma chipset...I have a Pinnacle ShowCenter SC200 and have (had!) the same problem. The fix was, I'm afraid, to get a new receiver.

My older Onkyo just didn't "turn-on" fast enough thru its digital inputs, but my new Pioneer VSX-1015 does not exhibit these problems any more.

It would be my guess that none of SigmaD/Pinnacle and maybe D-Link will admit to a problem so long as it works with modern receivers? :(

Well, we can hope anyway for updated firmware from Sigma.

I have heard about the receiver compatibility issue before... however, I have a modern (AVR2805) Denon receiver, and the Samsung TV is of 2005 vintage as well... I would doubt that this is an issue on the receiver side...

I can see that the digital signal remains constant to the receiver when this happens; for some reason, the MP3 is cut off. I have never had an issue with a movie soundtrack.

I don't have any files in other formats, but I will try some WAV or WMA files and see what happens... I suspect that the problem is in the DSM (or Sigma's) MP3 decoder.

I hope D-Link can fix this... the DSM-520 is very close to being the perfect media streamer for me... if this bug was fixed and FLAC support was added, I would be a very happy D-Link user!!!

Has anyone noticed this with their MP3 collection?

On many of my MP3s, the DSM-520 cuts off the first second or so of the song... it is hard to predict what files will cause this problem, if the file cuts off once, it will always cut off. All of these files are VBR files ripped in "extreme quality" mode in EAC. In fact, on the same album, some MP3s play fine and others don't.



I think the issue could be that the peak bit rate exceeds 320kps in your MP3's, or the DSM-520 does not support VBR very well. Have you tried using CBR with 320kps to see if this solves the problem?

I have a modern (AVR2805) Denon receiver...for some reason, the MP3 is cut off...I suspect that the problem is in the DSM (or Sigma's) MP3 decoder.Hmm, I dunno then, sorry. But I will say that my problem was also with MP3 files (the only type of music files that I have in my collection).

I can't say with authority that I never had a problem with AC3 tracks...but the only AC3s I tried are movie soundtracks, and they don't "instant-on" like music files so it's hard to say.

Oh, and none of my MP3's are encoded at >192kbps.

OK... here are more test results...

.WAV - player clips very beginning of track
.mp3 @ 320 & 192 kbps CBR - Player clips beginning of track
.wma @ 192kbps CBR - File plays properly

I think these results rule out any type of compatibility issue between the digital outputs on the DSM-520 and the inputs on my receiver/TV...

There is definitely something wrong with the DSM-520s audio decoder... the files I tested were played off a USB device so the network/uPnP server can be ruled out as well. I haven't tried the analog outputs, but I don't expect them to behave any differently

This might be something to call D-Link about... I only hope their support isn't as bad as I have seen described on other posts!!!

Also: to clarify this point in my first post: I am encoding with LAME under EAC...

Another test:

.mp3 @ 320kbps ripped in Windows Media Player - File plays properly!!

I am not sure what is different between a LAME encoded MP3 and a WMP one... I am also wondering if EAC might be doing something to the files...

Bear in mind, though that ALL of these files play properly in Winamp and WMP so I'm not letting D-Link off the hook yet!!

Another test:

.mp3 @ 320kbps ripped in Windows Media Player - File plays properly!!

I am not sure what is different between a LAME encoded MP3 and a WMP one... I am also wondering if EAC might be doing something to the files...

Bear in mind, though that ALL of these files play properly in Winamp and WMP so I'm not letting D-Link off the hook yet!!

Maybe the issue is VBR vs. CBR?

I had the same problem with the same tracks encoded with LAME/EAC on CBR bitrates of 320/192 kbps... the MP3s that worked were encoded with WMP.

Also, the WAV files I encoded were also clipped off at the beginning as well...

I am going to try Audiograbber and LAME... I need to rule out EAC as the potential cause of the problem...

I had the same problem with the same tracks encoded with LAME/EAC on CBR bitrates of 320/192 kbps... the MP3s that worked were encoded with WMP.

Also, the WAV files I encoded were also clipped off at the beginning as well...

I am going to try Audiograbber and LAME... I need to rule out EAC as the potential cause of the problem...

Do you have the latest firmware (version 1.2)? I remember that some people had issues with mp3 playback with earlier firmware versions.

I just got my DSM-520 so I can use it instead of using my laptop PC for streaming to my stereo (as well as for the Video capabilities).

Mine also clips the first second or so of songs (All WAV files pulled from CDs using either plextools pro or wavelab).

The songs streamed fine using the laptop with either winamp or WMP.

I'm using Microsoft's media connect.

I think the 520 has a problem. Does the 320 do this too?

I have the latest firmware.

I have some other comments about the user interface when using shuffle play. Once you leave the screen that shows the song playing and the song next in the cue, there is no way to get back to that screen.

After an adventure with the first few levels of D-Link's tech support, I finally got to the Medialounge engineers in the US...

I sent them some sample files and they concurred that the DSM-520 is clipping the beginning of certain tracks; this has been relayed to their firmware team in Taiwan.

Unfortunately, there is no ETA on either a new firmware or whether or not a fix to this problem would be included in it...

My advice would be for anyone having a similar issue to let D-Link know you want it fixed!!! They are aware of the problem at the highest levels of support now, and the more feedback they get from us, the more likely a quick solution will be provided.

BTW, my case number with D-Link is: ALR397787643... feel free to use this number to get your issue logged properly by D-Link.

I would also like to thank Roderick and Alex at D-Link for their work so far... so often, we complain about the support we get from companies like D-Link, but these guys have done right by me... Roderick and Alex: I don't know if you read these forums, but you both deserve a "kudos" nonetheless!!!

My advice would be for anyone having a similar issue to let D-Link know you want it fixed!!! They are aware of the problem at the highest levels of support now, and the more feedback they get from us, the more likely a quick solution will be provided.

BTW, my case number with D-Link is: ALR397787643... feel free to use this number to get your issue logged properly by D-Link.

Just to follow up, here is the reply D-Link sent me when filled out the online tech support form on their website:

============Begin of Original Message============
The DSM-520 skips or clips the first second or so of every song it plays.

According to some internet forums I've read, others are experiencing the same problem.
============End of Original Message============

Your Case ID is DLK397976279.

Date of Reply: 10/2/2006
Products: DSM-520
Operating System: Windows XP Pro

We are unaware of this issue, but we will look into it. If necessary we will
release a firmware fix. Thank you.

Thank you for networking with D-Link.

Sincerely,
Jeff Gentley
D-Link Technical Support

=============================================

As you can see, I did get a case number but the person replying here says they are "unaware" of this issue.

To me, this is the most annoying issue with the DSM-520. Other then that, it's shortfalls in the user interface can be tolerated but it would be nice to have the ability to return to the "now playing" screen without having to start playback over again. Also, a screen saver would be nice since the "now playing" screen has fixed elements that remain on screen the whole time it's being used.

I use mine mostly for shuffle playing .wav files ripped from CDs. It could be that the DSM-520 is expecting a 2 second lead-in on all files and clips it to prevent any delay between songs. Of course, this won't work when the .wav or MP3 files have no lead-in.

GB

I have some other comments about the user interface when using shuffle play. Once you leave the screen that shows the song playing and the song next in the cue, there is no way to get back to that screen.

Does your DSM-520 start in Shuffle Mode every time you turn it on? I can't get it to stop doing this.

EDIT: LOL, I think I figured it out. I must have had Shuffle on the last time I changed something in the Settings menu. It must save the Shuffle state along with the settings. I just turned off Shuffle and re-saved and Shuffle is now turned off when I restart. Weird!

I hear D-Link is finally testing a new firmware for the 520... unfortunately, the folks I gave a "kudos" too back last summer are now claiming that they believe the problem is with my files (they play properly on everything BUT the DSM-520; I have several portable players, and I tried them with an IO Data AvelLink2 and theyall work)... that leads me to belive that they may not include a fix for the problem in the new firmware.

It seems that the firmware has been in the "final stages" of beta testing for at least a month now... what is D-Link waiting for? Some of us have waited a very long time for at least a hope that their issues will be fixed...

I got my hands on a DSM-510... I am going to try playing my music files on it to see if I have the same problems that I have on the 520... if I do not, I will see if I can put additional pressure on D-Link to do something about the problem...

The audio files that are clipped off by the 520 play properly on the 510... I am relaying this information to D-Link to see if that will prompt them to take action to correct this issue...

I've seen it posted in other places so by now everybody probably knows they made some improvements in the new 1.04 firmware.

Improvement I noted are:
Return to "now playing"
Album art
Volume starts where you left it
The "volume up" button doesn't jump all the way to the to top
More room for title text info

Remaining Problem:
It still clips the first second of audio on playback.

I tried the 1.04 firmware and there is NO change in my experience with these files; they still play as before the upgrade.

The strange thing here is that now D-Link claims to know nothing of the issue; I had worked very closely with their 3rd level support and those folks acknowledged the issue last summer!!

The files play properly on other D-Link players (i.e. the 510 and 320RD; I know this from personal experience), but not the 520.

I have grown tired of the D-Link experience; I have disposed of my DSM-520 and moved on to an HTPC and have been much happier ever since.

I must say that I am disappointed in the end with D-Link; after getting somewhere with them last Summer, D-Link now claims no knowledge of the issue (despite an open case I logged with them regarding this)... I advise the rest of you to stay clear of any D-Link product that does not work properly out of the box; chances are the problems you have will never be fixed.

...and told them about it as well live on the phone. This very issue has been bugging me to no end for a year now--it just clips the beginnning of the song every time! The new 1.04 firmware did a complete facelift on the GUI but did nothing to correct this. I too have noticed a lack of UPnP support for 3rd parties (i.e Tversity) with the new firmware as well.

Notably...it appeared those %#*% at Dlink DISABLED DVD VOB playing in the latest firmware. What used to work in Tversity does not work anymore. I doubt I can bring back an old version either...

HOWEVER, I also have noticed the new Dlink media server (1.09) is the most stable yet and is almost preferred now.

i'm torn whether to look for a replacement such as the Netgear 8000 or other...but I think I will wait to see what Dlink does with the 750 with the updated Sigma chip.

I was also having the problem that the DSM-520 was cutting off the first second of MP3s generated using Exact Audio Copy and LAME. After playing around a bit, I discovered that the ID3V2 tags (which are appended to the beginning of the MP3s) were causing the problem. If you simply uncheck "Additionally write ID3V2 tags, using a padding of" on the "ID3 tag" tab under "Compression options" in Exact Audio Copy, it will fix the problem.