Well as it happens I tried a technique today of using a free program called Audacity which means you can use your phone or iPod as a line-in and thus control what you're playing and what the volume is by the phone itself, removing the need to switch tasks on your PC. It works especially well with the LiveATC.net app for android/iphone because you can quickly switch feeds and volume. 

 

Audacity is very low on processor and memory with a private working set of just 16,000K, average CPU of 0.70 and 7 threads.

 

 

Isn't iTunes really heavy on the CPU ?

 

It isn't exactly the lightest audio player... (understatement). I even stopped using iTunes altogether and switched to foobar2000.

 

I certainly won't like to have an audio running in the background for just playing music. FSX is struggling already as it is and I don't need extra stuff running in the background. I also uninstalled that FSX player (don't like to have just one station). If I want music now, I will simply put in my earplugs from my smartphone.

I've switched my primary script development from iTunes to VLC.  I had quite a bit of success today in using one of the built in Lua libraries in FSUIPC to communicate with VLC over a TCP interface, which is quite a bit different than how I was scripting for iTunes.  One of the main problems I've been having with this is that it's all extremely poorly documented, so I end up learning as I go!

 

VLC is extremely lightweight - I have LiveATC playing in the background as I type this while I keep an eye on Resource Monitor - 14,500 KB of private memory usage, 16 threads, and currently 0.31% average CPU usage while the stream is playing.

 

To compare, I just fired up iTunes: it's currently playing the same LiveATC stream at 0.35% average CPU usage - but with 42 threads and 67,532 KB of private memory.  Not really as much of a cpu hog as you would think, but that memory usage might be of concern depending on what and where you're flying.

 

Of course, it's all relative - if you're flying something / somewhere where you need every last ounce of performance that your pc is capable of mustering, you're not going to be interested in any sort of a FSUIPC script (they use resources too) playing anything on any 3rd party program, no matter how lightweight that 3rd party program is.  But for booting around the bush in some lightweight GA plane, you're really not going to notice a difference - plus, the way I see it, listening to some music while flying is going to be more of a fun, laid back, GA thing anyway. ^_^

 

Previously I've also used the music on my iPhone for this sort of thing; but the main reason why I think this is cool (and hence pursuing this) is that I can control playback from inside the cockpit - no popups, no switching windows, no looking away from the monitor, keeps me inside the sim and thus keeps my sense of immersion high. B)

I've switched my primary script development from iTunes to VLC.  I had quite a bit of success today in using one of the built in Lua libraries in FSUIPC to communicate with VLC over a TCP interface, which is quite a bit different than how I was scripting for iTunes.

Cool, sounds interesting. VLC is certainly my preference. Soon we'll be playing the top gun theme over our F14s.

I use this adapter http://www.marvgolden.com/mg-20-ipod-mp3-cd-player-adapter-for-g-a-headsets.html with my ipod touch and David Clark H10-13s aviation headset, both in real aircraft and fsx. For fsx the headset plugs into the computer via a Flightsound X adapter. I'll usually stream live atc much more than music though.

@ JimmyRFR   -  Excellent work, and superb that you're making some steps forward with VLC :smile:    I've used VLC for years, and it is indeed one of the most efficient audio players available.   It's also super stable, fast loading (takes 3 secs to load a WAV on my PC, versus about 15secs for iTunes to load!), and is even pretty well supported, with regular updates (considering it's free!).

 

It's exciting to see if you can manage some sort of gauge that interacts and controls VLC from within the FSX cockpit!  (No pressure of course! :lol:)

This has me thinking...

 

An added gauge that could some how be tied to Sirius XM's on line streaming (subscribed, I have it in my truck) would be awesome. I'm addicted to satellite radio, I don't know what I would do without it in my vehicle.

Hey guys,

 

I've ressurrected this thread, because I found a really good low-CPU-use Audio Player that is great to use when flying in FSX.

 

It used to be payware, but has been made freeware. :smile:

 

It's called Aero Player and you can grab it here ;

 

(you need to make an account and 'order' it but it's free;  just go through checkout and it gets added in your account) :-

 

http://www.azurafiles.com/product.php?id_product=28

 

 

It can play 10 files, with remote control of file selection, via your Num Pad, without leaving FSX...... Also has a volume control  :cool:  ......... the downside it, it doesn't remember the 10 files that you select for it, so you have to select them each time you load it.   And also it only plays WAV or MP3, not iTunes native formats.     Still pretty good though, and free.

 

 

:smile:

Awesome find, mate!

 

I don't need music in my cockpit... during those long haul epic flights I play my Banjo!

Cripple Creek over and over. Maybe soon I'll learn some new tunes.

 

 

 

 

JimHarris EGBN

I don't need music in my cockpit... during those long haul epic flights I play my Banjo!

 

Cripple Creek over and over. Maybe soon I'll learn some new tunes.

 

 

I'm so pleased I'm not your neighbour! :lol:

 

I'm only joking....  I'm a Uke man, so I can't talk :wink: