Easystream Server - Choppy Audio

[mike_s104]

anyone else run into choppy audio from the Easystream server? I'm using the newest server version from Butel's site. it's choppy on the internal LAN or over the Internet, so it's mostly likely not an Internet connection issue. I am able to ping internally an device with a >1ms response from the PC with the server software installed. I can also ping that PC from any other PC with a >1ms. the correct TCP ports are open on the router, but it should not matter internally. the PC is new running WinXP SP2. checking the Task Manager, there is nothing running high CPU or memory utilization and the NIC is at less then 1% utilization.


thanks for any ideas

[mikea7531]

I've been running into this problem too. I've mentioned it to Butel numerious times (along with several other people) but nothing has been done to resolve it.

When ProScan starts to support the BCD996T, I might cut my losses with EazyStream and convert over to ProScan.

EazyStream has been the only butel product i've been disappointed with, everything else is fantastic, and swear by it.

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by mikea7531

I've been running into this problem too. I've mentioned it to Butel numerious times (along with several other people) but nothing has been done to resolve it.

When ProScan starts to support the BCD996T, I might cut my losses with EazyStream and convert over to ProScan.

EazyStream has been the only butel product i've been disappointed with, everything else is fantastic, and swear by it.

OK, glad it isn't just me. sorry others have been having issues though. when I forst bought it, it worked perfectly. I've even tried the older version without luck.

[mike_s104]

as per request from another post I did a while back in reference to ARC396PRO software, I sent an email to Butel Tech Support.

I'll post if/when I receive a reply.

[mike_s104]

I played around with the Registry setting for the Easystream software. I remembered that the older version worked. the older version, version 0.97 (doesn't final release software start with a whole number?), is not available on Butel's site any more. I really wished he'd have a repository for older versions. I was going to post the a link to the older version, but thought better of it. msg me if you need it.

anyway, to fix it you will need to do the following:

1. uninstall any Easystream server and client from afflicted PC
2. open regedit. start, run, regedit
3. BACKUP your registry. select "My Computer", file, export, chose location to backup to, and name the backup to something like "backup 04-03-07.reg"
4. navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SOFTWARE, BuTel.
5. right-click on "Easystream" and select delete, click yes. THIS WILL REMOVE ANY EASYSTREAM CLIENT AND SERVER SETTINGS!!
6. install version 0.97 client.

version 0.97 server has the below registry settings:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\BuTel\Easystream\setti ngs]
"audio"="0x"
"autostart"="0x"
"port"="8100x"
"dataport"="8101x"
"ip"="x"
"ipindex"="-1x"
"busytrigger"="70x"
"maxclients"="19x"


I have not tested the fix below, but you can try (after backing up your registry by following doing #2 and #3 above), the below file. it's just the registry entries above in a reg file. it should overwrite the settings you have on the PC now. they may work with the newer server version. again I HAVE NOT TESTED THIS. I simply got my fixed. :-)

http://www.mytempdir.com/1314447

the only thing I can think of is the buffer settings. on the older version there was a noticeable delay if you listened to the stream and the live audio. now with the newer version, the "feature" is "Very short audio delay, typical less than 0.5 Sec.!". yeah, it's fine if the transmission is like 2 seconds long.

rant: I really wished he'd "fix" software instead of releasing new versions that have more "features" that make things worse. it wouldn't be so bad if his uninstalls were not messy and removed everything. also, like I said above, he needs to make all the older versions available to download.

[mikea7531]

Well, i tried this, and it didn't work. You're right about the older version working, the last version that worked for me was .94 or .95 - I don't recall as it was awhile ago. I wish I saved those old versions, at least the audio wasn't choppy.

Maybe he needs to allow us to adjust the buffer settings so we can eliminate the chop?

You're right about final releases are whole numbers, and here we are, not even at a whole number yet. I still don't understand why I have to pay money to be his beta tester - That's why i've been reluctant to contact him - if I need to report all of his bugs, then he needs to make the software available to me for free, or pay me. I work in IT, and we never run beta testing like this.


If anyone can come up with any more ideas on how to fix the choppy audio - i'm all ears

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by mikea7531

Well, i tried this, and it didn't work. You're right about the older version working, the last version that worked for me was .94 or .95 - I don't recall as it was awhile ago. I wish I saved those old versions, at least the audio wasn't choppy.

Maybe he needs to allow us to adjust the buffer settings so we can eliminate the chop?

You're right about final releases are whole numbers, and here we are, not even at a whole number yet. I still don't understand why I have to pay money to be his beta tester - That's why i've been reluctant to contact him - if I need to report all of his bugs, then he needs to make the software available to me for free, or pay me. I work in IT, and we never run beta testing like this.


If anyone can come up with any more ideas on how to fix the choppy audio - i'm all ears

did you delete the reg entry or use the file? just curious.

the oldest version I have is 0.97. I wished I had the others. I always keep older versions when I get them for reasons just like this. I posted issues with ARC396 and ARC996. he never really did give me a good answer. for the ARC996, he still hasn't posted updates for issues he's even admitted to.

anyway...if there's anything I can test or do for you, let me know. I have a small lab at home as well as VMWare I can test with.

[mikea7531]

I deleted the registry entries manually. I used to keep old versions of software too, but for some reason, i didn't with eazystream. Now i'm kicking myself in the butt for it

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by mikea7531

I deleted the registry entries manually. I used to keep old versions of software too, but for some reason, i didn't with eazystream. Now i'm kicking myself in the butt for it

what OS are you using?

[mike_s104]

Gommert did email me back, which was nice and very timely. he suggested using the latest client and server. I was, that's where the problem came from. he also said the buffer was never changed and is still .5 seconds. I guess I was wrong about the buffer then.

[mikea7531]

I'm using Win2K.

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by mikea7531

I'm using Win2K.

try using "regedt32" in run.

[mikea7531]

I've followed the instructions, uninstalled the server, deleted the keys, and reinstalled. Still getting the choppy audio

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by mikea7531

I've followed the instructions, uninstalled the server, deleted the keys, and reinstalled. Still getting the choppy audio

sorry, the PC I did it on is WinXP.

[crayon]

I am speculating here .. but could processor load be a factor? As a test, get your Windows to start up in a default mode without third party applications running.

Start > Run > msconfig

Click on the second to the last tab "Services", check the box that says: "Hide all Microsoft Services" next click the button that says: "Disable All" and then click the "Apply" button.

DO NOT CLICK THE "OK" BUTTON!!! It will close the app.

Click on the last tab that says: "Startup". Click the button that says: "Disable All". Finally, click the "Apply" and then the "Close" button.

Allow your computer to restart.

When it comes back up, you will see a window telling you that the system configuration has changed or something like that .. ignore it and check the box that says: "Dont show me this again."

HTH's

[MatteBlack]

I tested easystream for a bit and found the audio breaking up a lot. I suspected it was the bandwidth/buffering issue, as it uses a much higher bit rate than I find is needed for scanner/radio audio. I went back to using teamspeak in the end. With a 9k bit rate it sounds light years better than what I was getting from any easystream server I tried.

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by crayon

I am speculating here .. but could processor load be a factor? As a test, get your Windows to start up in a default mode without third party applications running.

Start > Run > msconfig

Click on the second to the last tab "Services", check the box that says: "Hide all Microsoft Services" next click the button that says: "Disable All" and then click the "Apply" button.

DO NOT CLICK THE "OK" BUTTON!!! It will close the app.

Click on the last tab that says: "Startup". Click the button that says: "Disable All". Finally, click the "Apply" and then the "Close" button.

Allow your computer to restart.

When it comes back up, you will see a window telling you that the system configuration has changed or something like that .. ignore it and check the box that says: "Dont show me this again."

HTH's

could be. in my case it was not a factor.

Originally Posted by MatteBlack

I tested easystream for a bit and found the audio breaking up a lot. I suspected it was the bandwidth/buffering issue, as it uses a much higher bit rate than I find is needed for scanner/radio audio. I went back to using teamspeak in the end. With a 9k bit rate it sounds light years better than what I was getting from any easystream server I tried.

for me, it was not a bandwidth issue. internal LAN, I was connecting via 1GB on both PCs with a business class 1GB switch. Internet, I was using 768K up (from home) and 1GB down (at work at about 6AM with not many other uses).

this morning everything was working smoothly.

[mikea7531]

Originally Posted by crayon

I am speculating here .. but could processor load be a factor? As a test, get your Windows to start up in a default mode without third party applications running...............

Tried that - No dice. I've even switched it to different computers and still the same problem. I can't believe that he's charging $50 for this software that doesn't even work properly. I can't wait until ProScan starts supporting the BCD996t - that will give some real competition to Butel's product.

[mike_s104]

Originally Posted by mikea7531

Tried that - No dice. I've even switched it to different computers and still the same problem. I can't believe that he's charging $50 for this software that doesn't even work properly. I can't wait until ProScan starts supporting the BCD996t - that will give some real competition to Butel's product.

did you try searching the registry for all instances of "easystream" and delete all? backup the registry first.

I looked at ProScan. very nice install and interface. also, you don't have to buy specific software per scanner.

[ProScan]

Originally Posted by mikea7531

Tried that - No dice. I've even switched it to different computers and still the same problem. I can't believe that he's charging $50 for this software that doesn't even work properly. I can't wait until ProScan starts supporting the BCD996t - that will give some real competition to Butel's product.

ProScan support for the 996 is in development. I'm shooting for a release date of Aug 1, 07. Front Panel mostly done. Visit my site and view the Front Panel of the BC996

http://www.proscan.org/