foo_outinfo ~ Foobar2000 Output Information

Posted by tom2tec on

Installing foo_outinfo allows for accessing the actual specs of the audio being played and the output device information using titleformatting.

The fields exposed by this component are:

%output_samplerate%Returns the sample rate entering output component
%output_channels%Returns the number of channels entering output component
%output_channel_mask%Returns the description of above channel configuration
%output_bitdepth%Returns the bitdepth used by output component, or best guess in case output doesn’t specify
%output_device%Returns the name of the output device
%output_dsps%Returns the list of active DSPs
%output_dsp_preset%Returns the name of the active DSP chain preset
%output_volume%Returns the playback volume in dB
%output_rg_source%Returns the ReplayGain source mode
%output_rg_mode%Returns the ReplayGain processing mode
%output_rg_gain%Returns the effective ReplayGain gain value in dB
%output_rg_peak%Returns the effective ReplayGain peak value
%output_rg_peak_db%Returns the effective ReplayGain peak value in dBFS
%output_buffer_length%Returns the output buffer length in ms

foobar.hyv.fi/?view=foo_outinfo
hydrogenaudio.org/index.php/topic,127228.0

Basic Status Bar Example Using foo_outinfo Fields

The foo_outinfo component exposes information about the current audio output and signal, such as the active output device, sample rate, bit depth, and channel count. These fields are especially useful in the status bar, where you want quick technical confirmation without cluttering playlists.

A simple and practical example is:

Now Playing: %artist% - %title% | %output_samplerate% Hz / %output_bitdepth% bit

What This Displays

When a track is playing, the status bar would show something like:

Now Playing: Miles Davis - So What | 44100 Hz / 16 bit

This tells you at a glance:

  • What is playing
  • The actual output sample rate
  • The output bit depth being sent to your audio device

Step By Step Explanation:

Music Metadata (Standard Fields)

%artist% - %title%
  • %artist% → Track artist tag
  • %title% → Track title tag

These are standard foobar2000 title formatting fields and work everywhere.

Separator

 |

This is just plain text. It visually separates the music info from the technical output info. You can replace it with a dash, bullet, or brackets if you prefer.

foo_outinfo Output Fields

%output_samplerate%
  • Displays the actual output sample rate in Hertz
  • Reflects resampling, DSP changes, or output driver behavior
  • This is more reliable than %samplerate% when DSPs are active
%output_bitdepth%
  • Displays the bit depth used by the output
  • Shows what is being sent to the DAC, not just what is in the file

More Informative Versions

If you want to include channels and output device name:

Now Playing: %artist% - %title% | %output_samplerate% Hz / %output_bitdepth% bit / %output_channels% channels

Displays:

Now Playing: Aphex Twin - Xtal | 48000 Hz / 24 bit / 2 channels

If you want to add the current Replaygain mode:

Now Playing: %artist% - %title% | %output_samplerate% Hz / %output_bitdepth% bit / %output_channels% channels | RG %output_rg_source%

Displays:

Now Playing: Aphex Twin - Xtal | 48000 Hz / 24 bit / 2 channels | RG Album

If you want to display the active DSP

$if(%output_dsp%, | DSP: %output_dsp%)

Displays the separator and active DSP, otherwise displays nothing:

| DSP: Resampler (SoX)

Minimal Technical Version (Very Clean)

For users who want only output confirmation:

Output: %output_samplerate% Hz / %output_bitdepth% bit

Displays:

Output: 96000 Hz / 24 bit

Why Use foo_outinfo in the Status Bar?

  • Confirms what your DAC is actually receiving
  • Helps verify exclusive mode, resampling, and DSP behavior
  • Avoids cluttering playlists with technical data
  • Ideal for users who care about signal integrity but want a clean UI

Beginner Notes and Caveats

  • All output_* fields require foo_outinfo to be installed
  • These fields only show values while audio is playing
  • If nothing is playing, the fields will appear empty
  • Output fields are best used in:
    • Status bar
    • Window title
    • Custom display panels

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