Trying an encoder push

[USAPatriot]

I'm trying an encoder push but am not sure I can test it myself...and get an error when I try to grab the stream. It may be because the sending machine and receiving are the same, dunno. Anyhow, if you want to try give this a shot: http://68.171.134.111:8080 It should in theory come in through WMP. -Rod-

 

[USAPatriot]

Hey USA, just a ? what kind of internet do you have and what's ur upload speed??? Mine is @ 385kbps upload. Just wonder for a32k stream @ 20 listeners thats 640kbps. Just wondering.

I'm on Adelphia's cable. It's probably 768 but don't really know for sure. Faster than dialup anyhow -Rod-

 

[USAPatriot]

iTunes will pick it up the same as Winamp. Just a bonus for the Mac fans. As for WME, I am at a loss. Somehow the Simplecast people figured it out and were able to build in an encoder for WiMP, but I couldn't begin to tell you how they did it.

On the soapbox, I don't see why there are so many die hard WiMP fans out there. Winamp can do everything WiMP can do and a heck of a lot more. It is one of the more robust media players out there that supports darn near every format (both video and audio). Oh well.

I just used what was available to me. I use Winamp for all my other media stuff as I despise pretty much everything Microsoft. I gotta use their OS but try and avoid anything more than that. WME is what was put in front of me, it works...shrug. -Rod-

 

[Tweekerbob]

I just used what was available to me. I use Winamp for all my other media stuff as I despise pretty much everything Microsoft. I gotta use their OS but try and avoid anything more than that. WME is what was put in front of me, it works...shrug. -Rod-

Wasn't really directed at you, Rod. Winamp can even listen to .wma feeds as well. Most people just use what is loaded on their computers not even realizing that damn near everything is better than MS.

For example, I can't even count the emails I got when I ran my text tag feeds (compatible with only WINAMP & iTunes and one really obscure version of RealPlayer), that said, "I am listening to your feed [later discovered to be using WiMP], how come I can't see these text tags you keep mentioning?" Probably the same reason you can't see the "This only works with Winamp and iTunes" I also kept mentioning (about 30 times all over the website). You can lead a horse to a free download of a better program but....

Rod, you should consider using Icecast/Oddcast. It in on the internet for free (the same internet that gave you WME for free. But NOT the same internet Al Gore invented )
You could have the same audio quality you have now for about half the bandwidth. And if you chose to at some point in time, you could add those really cool text tags.

 

[corbintechboy]

I was just wondering if there would be a way to stream it instead of having a direct connect? This in theory would rid someone of the connection limit if you were to somehow just broadcast and have a central place to recieve it? Like maybe having it embedded in a web page as a auto open or something? I have seen web pages where the media was streaming through the webpage, could this be done with a live feed?

 

[tspainiv]

I was just wondering if there would be a way to stream it instead of having a direct connect? This in theory would rid someone of the connection limit if you were to somehow just broadcast and have a central place to recieve it? Like maybe having it embedded in a web page as a auto open or something? I have seen web pages where the media was streaming through the webpage, could this be done with a live feed?

The only way to do that is pay for a server to host it. Then you have to still send your feed to that server, but that's only one connection. Then everyone who wants to listen will be using that servers bandwidth. You can get alot more connections that way, but at a price. It's not high though. Avg is about 50 cents per person a day.

 

[USAPatriot]

Answering multiple questions here: I'm using a Pull rather than a Push so that there's essentially no bandwidth usage unless someone actually asks for it, which is what happens when ya click the link. The feed is going out through numerous avenues. It exists via the link in my sig, via a link on my forum, as well as via a link on someone's website - he is welcome to identify himself if he chooses though most of you probably know him anyway - so the bandwidth seems to be spread around. Adelphia carries the main load and since there's no limit as to how much I actually use, it's no problem. I assume that if you click the links in my sig, my forum or on the other site, then the hosts where the link is sitting then share some of the usage. If I'm wrong on that point then Adelphia carries the entire load and there's no problem. I have the bandwidth set at 32k to make it a bit higher quality. I can easily drop it to 25% of that or lower and squeeze in more users, up to 50 I believe.

I'll look at icecast/oddcast but having not seen it, I'm not sure I see the value in simply tossing content out there and hoping someone comes across it. I prefer targeted audiences so I know it's actually being useful. But like I said, I've never seen it... I've also made a commitment to send the feed out through a site so wouldn't want to cut that off. It's got it's own value and judging by the response last night, it's useful. But thanks for the heads up. I'll take a look. -Rod-

 

[Al42]

The feed is going out through numerous avenues. It exists via the link in my sig, via a link on my forum, as well as via a link on someone's website - he is welcome to identify himself if he chooses though most of you probably know him anyway - so the bandwidth seems to be spread around. Adelphia carries the main load and since there's no limit as to how much I actually use, it's no problem. I assume that if you click the links in my sig, my forum or on the other site, then the hosts where the link is sitting then share some of the usage. If I'm wrong on that point then Adelphia carries the entire load and there's no problem.

If the links are all back to you, then your connection is carrying the entire load.

I have the bandwidth set at 32k to make it a bit higher quality. I can easily drop it to 25% of that or lower and squeeze in more users, up to 50 I believe.

Divide your upload bandwidth (which is usually considerably lower than your download bandwidth) by your audio bandwidth - that's how many simultaneous users you can handle - assuming you're not using the connection for anything else. More than that and they start buffering. An 8k feed (which sounds a bit weird with some sources - 16k is better) for 50 users requires 400kbps bandwidth.

I'll look at icecast/oddcast but having not seen it

Look on the site in my sig - there are links to all 4 programs you'll need.

I'm not sure I see the value in simply tossing content out there and hoping someone comes across it. I prefer targeted audiences so I know it's actually being useful.

You can list on the same web lists regardless of what stream server you use.

I've also made a commitment to send the feed out through a site so wouldn't want to cut that off.

You won't cut it off, you'll just change the type of stream.

 

[baybum]

How do I Winamp?

How do I setup a stream to be listened to using Winamp?
My work is blocking Windows media player.

Any other ideas how I can get around this?


Thanks

 

[Al42]

How do I setup a stream to be listened to using Winamp?
My work is blocking Windows media player.

Any other ideas how I can get around this?

For Winamp (using the Icecast server) you'd have to open port 8000. Regardless of the server software you use you have to open at least one port.

(See my site for links to all the free software you'd need.)

If you're setting the server up at home and want to listen at work:

1) You can set Icecast to use any port.

2) You might get fired for circumventing their policies.

 

[USAPatriot]

Not MY job of course...but a company like that isn't one I'd likely want to work for anyhow -Rod-