Yes, Linux is very very good!
I am beyond impressed at how fast and easy the installation of Linux Mint 19.1 went, I have done various "clean installs" of both Windows and macOS over the years, none of those come close to how fast and easy the install of Mint 19.1 was for me. After the install, and some configuration in the settings that govern the look/theme/font etc... I ended up with this desktop:
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After installing and configuring the Firefox browser, Thunderbird email client, and JRiver Media Center 24, it was time to set this unit up for SACD ripping using
@Nexus3 's Linux compile of sacd_extract 3.9 and SACDExtractGUI.
One difference with Linux Mint as compared to Windows or macOS is there's no need to download and install the Java Runtime Environment, as that's already preinstalled and ready to go with the Linux Mint OS.
The download for the above SACD ripping Linux package is
found here.
Once downloaded the package needs to be opened and unzipped, Firefox will prompt for instructions on what to do next:
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Once opened, the actual unzip is called "Extract" in Linux, use that Extract button on the upper left-hand side of the window:
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Choose a location for the unzipped files (in this example I chose the Desktop) and complete the Extract:
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Now show the extracted files, as both the sacd_extract, and SACDExtractGUI.jar will need to be made executable with a Terminal command. Open the Terminal and type the following:
Followed by a single space after the above code. Then just drag and drop the sacd_extract file right onto the Terminal window, at which point it will automatically fill in/populate the file path/name. Press Enter.
Repeat the above Terminal command, this time dragging and dropping the SACDExtractGUI.jar file onto the Terminal window, its file path/name will appear. Press Enter.
Now close the Terminal, you are ready to rip SACD after final configuration of the software settings in the GUI. Double-click and launch the SACDExtractGUI.jar:
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Final software configuration includes the following:
- Specify the path to sacd_extract in the Program field using the Browse button.
- Use the Fing app for iOS/Android or the Blu-ray player's on-screen display to verify its IP address, entering it into the Input field by selecting the Server radio button.
- Choose what file format(s) to output in the Processing field (the above example is 2-channel stereo DSF tracks only).
- Choose a destination for the ripped tracks by selecting an Output directory using the Browse button in the Output field.
Lastly, enter the Sony Blu-ray player's on-screen display setup menus and ensure the following Settings:
1. Setup -> Audio Settings -> DSD Output Mode (Off)
2. Setup -> BD/DVD Viewing Settings -> BD Internet Connection (Do not allow)
3. Setup -> Music Settings -> Super Audio CD Playback Layer (SACD)
4. Setup -> System Settings -> Quick Start Mode (On)
And then the moment of truth arrives, assuming the above preparation is complete, you are ready to rip SACD using the following sequence:
Step 1: Power on the Sony Blu-Ray Player, monitor the initial boot sequence via it's front panel display
Step 2: Connect USB thumb drive / AutoScript runs / tray opens automatically / place SACD in tray but don't close it
Step 3: Power down the Sony / tray closes automatically / player goes to sleep / AutoScript gains root access control
Step 4: Pause while Sony display flashes OFF / remove USB thumb drive* / Run rip with one click while the Sony sleeps
Note: Sleep mode is only required with Sony brand units and is unnecessary with the various compatible Oppo, Pioneer, or Cambridge model Blu-ray players. You can only enter Sleep mode by having first enabled the Quick Start menu setting.
* Leave the thumb drive removed from here forward unless power has been physically cut to the machine, or it has been used for general disc playback/movie watching etc... do not reinsert the thumb drive unless one of the above two conditions exists.
Reinserting the thumb drive causes an exhaustion of available RAM in the Blu-ray player, and/or the flash drive to be mounted by the lean-Linux OS at the wrong mounting point, the AutoScript will only work when the flash drive has been mounted by the OS at the primary mount point.
When the rip is finished the GUI will indicate completion by saying [DONE]:
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Now visit whatever destination you designated as the Output directory, and there you will find the finished ripped SACD album.