rooExtend – The easy start with Roon Extensions

Audio Gear Talk rooExtend
1161

Hi @DrCWO,

I’m having troubles getting RooExtend working on my pi5

I’ve just flashed a new sd card using belenaEtcher and put it in a pi 5.
The light almost immediately turns to constant green when powered up. No ip and nothing in Roon extensions. I’ve tried two separate downloads of v3.3.3 and two sd cards, all have the same result. I know the pi5 is ok, as I had WireGuard VPN running on it.

The quick installation guide shows ‘For all Pis from 2 Mod.B v1.2 to Pi5’ so I guess it should work. Not for me though :grinning:

Thank you

1162

I thought it was currently only supported to Pi 4.
I know @DrCWO bought a Pi 5 but I didn’t think that the software was released yet

2 Likes
1163

Yes, I thought that was a bit too soon for it to be Pi5 ready, but I was going by the description in the quick Installation guide. V3.3.x

‘From Mod.B v1.2 to Pi5,

1 Like
1164

I have the feeling that the good Doctor might have been a bit quick on updating the documentation :grin:

1 Like
1165

You got me :wink:
I’m really sorry for that :cold_sweat:
I originally thought that Pi5 will work with the image but it did not as I had to find out when I got my Pi5.

I will correct this in the Quuick installation Guide. Thanks’ for the hint.

Pi5 image will come this summer.
Best DrCWO

Edit:
I apologize for my mistake and uploaded the revised version of the Quick Installation Guide

2 Likes
1166

Thanks for the reply, I thought that was very fast work! :grinning: I’ll look forward to the summer then.

1 Like
1167

Thanks’ for accepting my apology and not getting too frustrated now :wink:
Best DrCWO

1 Like
1168

That’s ok, I know you’re busy :+1:

1169

Do you anticipate Roomax will allow users to program playlists? Hope so!

1170

I would if I could but the Roon API that I have to use didn’t offer the ability to add titles to a a playlist nor creating playlists.

This is a request you should to address to Roon. As soon as the update their API to offer this I will be able to offer such a feature for rooMax.

All you can do with rooMax is assigning one of its function buttons to a playlist so it will start playback if you press the key.

Best DrCWO

1 Like
1171

Thank you—this is exactly what I was hoping for (the ability to one-click already made presets) but didn’t do a good job of expressing it. Looking forward to this extension!

1172

@DrCWO

Are you still working on adding Spotify connect to Rooextend, or was this scrapped?

1173

The answer is YES :+1:
On my list is to finish rooMax fro the XenceLabs Quick Keys, after that rework rooDial with the second layer.

If these both things are out I will start working to integrate Spotify-Connect into rooPlay. I don’t expect big issues here but issues always come digging deep.

Best DrCWO

2 Likes
1174

Hi @DrCWO,

i have some trouble with the HDMI output in connection with a switch. I bought a 10 inch display mit HDMI input and it works flawless if connected directly to the RPi4. But I have to use more than one source and here the issue starts. The display will not be recognized. I tried different cables and different sources. All work well, except rooExtend.

I have done some research and found out that the Raspberry 4 only enables HDMI by default if it detects a display.

Could you please add the following two lines to the /boot/config.txt (config.txt on the boot partition) to force the HDMI output to be always on?

hdmi_force_hotplug=1
hdmi_drive=2

Here is a link which describes the behaviour:

Enno

1175

This will probably increase heat and cpu load, not sure I want this with Rooextend regular version as I am using it only as streamer and roodial controller at the moment.

2 Likes
1176

Agreed fully. I sent @DrCWO a message some days before to make it optional. The user should decide it.

In the meanwhile I did some frustrating tests with DietPi. It does not work but I have some ideas for future testing.

1177

Just checked on Rooplay as I have my turntable and CD player directly connected to my preamp, so I didn’t have a need for Rooplay. 67usd seems a bit too high for me just to get a Spotify connect option. Any way to get a separate license, otherwise I can get a second RPI4 for that price?

1178

Works for sure, but if you like to use Roon DSP with CD player or turntable rooPlay is the way to go :+1:

Best DrCWO

1179

If you have found a solution that reliably works with DietPi please let me know. I’m willing to include it as an option.

Best DrCWO

1180

That’s fair, but personally I would prefer to listen to my vinyl collection without digitizing it first.
Assume this is a “no” on the separate Spotify connect license for people who don’t need the full Rooplay package?