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Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by PragmaticPulp on Thursday April 14, 2022 @11:44AM (#31028466)
> I'm wondering why there isn't a standard protocol for transmitting audio over the network.

Bluetooth isn't the same as your WiFi network. Most of the comments here are talking about IP-based protocols that aren't relevant for Bluetooth anyway.

Bluetooth is probably the best example of a widely adopted protocol for connecting to devices and sending audio streams. The protocol isn't exactly the problem. It's the buggy implementations of Bluetooth stacks and Bluetooth software in embedded devices.

Getting it right is actually extremely difficult because Bluetooth grew in complexity to be everything to everyone. It isn't only an audio sending protocol. Almost nobody owns the entire Bluetooth stack, so it's a mix of pieces from different companies and vendors.

Apple's implementation isn't perfect, but from experience I can tell you it's 10X better than the nightmare that is Android Bluetooth. It's getting better, but for years you had to collect a lot of different Android phones so you could make your software work around all of the different quirks in each vendor's different Bluetooth stacks.

Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by Isthatablackgsd on Thursday April 14, 2022 @12:11PM (#31028899)
> Apple's implementation isn't perfect, but from experience I can tell you it's 10X better than the nightmare that is Android Bluetooth

Seem like I have different experience with them. I don't have issues with Android Bluetooth, I do have issues with Apple bluetooth.

Half of the time, my iPad couldn't detect my bluetooth devices (keyboard and audio accessory) are trying to connect to it (already paired). When that occurred, I have to go to the Command Center to force connect my bluetooth devices and half of the time iPad will obligate and connect. Other time it just give up and said couldn't connect or cannot find it (while my bluetooth device is poking iPad to connect). It is a hassle to use my bluetooth devices with the iPad daily.

On the Android side, it instantly connects, even my phone is sleeping.

Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by SahAssar on Thursday April 14, 2022 @05:16PM (#31033418)
It sounds like you are talking from a user perspective and the parent is talking from a vendor perspective, no?
Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by GnomeSaiyan on Thursday April 14, 2022 @08:05PM (#31035097)
I've had the exact same experience when trying to connect my Airpods to my iPhone SE 2nd Gen. When I still used a Samsung S8 the phone would instantly connect to my Airpods. Same experience with Bluetooth headphones.
Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by lowwave on Thursday April 14, 2022 @03:31PM (#31032142)
that is the exact reason I don't like to use bluetooth for audio devices. Nothing beats physical jack cables.
Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by RajT88 on Thursday April 14, 2022 @04:13PM (#31032666)
Seconded. Any bluetooth issues I have on Android are specific to a particular device.

The cheap anker headsets I mostly use are rock solid. I have an android head unit (second one actually, first one was garbage) and a Bluetooth radar detector. The detector always works with my phones, and never with my head unit(s).

Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by armagon on Thursday April 14, 2022 @12:19PM (#31029042)
> Bluetooth isn't the same as your WiFi network. Most of the comments here are talking about IP-based protocols that aren't relevant for Bluetooth anyway.

I'm aware of that. I want audio over WiFi and audio over LAN, as Bluetooth has left me scarred.

Re:Ask HN: Why isn't there a standard network audio protocol? by mekster on Thursday April 14, 2022 @08:08PM (#31035115)
> The protocol isn't exactly the problem. It's the buggy implementations of Bluetooth stacks and Bluetooth software in embedded devices.

The spec is way too complicated at some 3000 pages long which apparently leads to faulty implementations left and right.

https://www.wired.com/story/bluetooth-complex-security-risk/