Icecast Streaming Media Server

[stereotype]

Hi there

I'm currently experiencing a funny situation with the combination of Icecast 2.3.2 / hz 0.6 / AAC and the Soundbridge (hz -> http://aeons-back.livejournal.com/8714.html)

What happens is that the Soundbridge refuses to connect when using hz and aac files, however it works fine when using hz with mp3 files
The Soundstream does play aac streams from DI.fm and SomaFM, so I've ripped some DI.fm samples via streamripper but strangely the same files do not play when streamed by me via icecast and hz.
Listening to the stream in my pc works fine

So, the files are not the problem, and the Soundbridge is also probably not at 100% fault, since it does play the same files when streamed directly via DI.fm
DI.fm seems to use shoutcast under linux if it makes any difference...
Any clues on what could be wrong, or what could be tried?

[DJ-Zath]

hi there!

I also use a Roku Soundbridge (2 of them, in fact)

Its important to understand that there are 2 different types of AAC files, and that the soundbridge can only play "type I" (commonly called "iTunes unprotected")

Do you have the proper extension in the mount name?

example: http://www.yourserver.com/coolsong.aac ??

let me know more, and I'll see if I can help you get it working

-DjZ-

[stereotype]

Hi there

Thanks for your quick reply, we have "a few too many" units actually

iTunes is somewhat unrelated, as they are mp4 files, and I'm dealing with raw .aac (adts) files... Does the soundbridge play mp4 files? Funny, cause aac is usually streamed as raw aac files and not wrapped in mp4...
And since you brought it up, there are actually 3 types of aac files: LC, LC+SBR, LC+SBR+PS. (but maybe you were referring to the fact that some have Apple's DRM crap in them?) The soundbrige will play all but the PS files.

In any case, maybe I failed to explain myself better, but the files are irrelevant, because the very same files do work in the soundbridge when played through the original radio station. So, I copied the streamed files to my hard drive with a tool called streamripper, and tried to "re-stream" myself with icecast the very same files that played before through the original broadcaster, and nada!
I have tried to put .aac in the extension but to no avail... And mp3s play without any .mp3 in the stream url, so not sure if that is actually needed at all...

[DJ-Zath]

hi there Stereotype (I like your name)

Actually, perhaps it was I who wasn't clear, sorry.. let me try to explain this a little better.

When I was saying about putting ".aac" in the extension, I was referring to the mount name itself.. Like many older hardware players, the Roku cannot "auto-detect" formats outside the default .mp3 extension.. for this, one has to put .aac in the mount name so that the Roku knows what to do with it!

Mount name is in Icecast settings, not the file extension.

you can TRY setting an <alias> tag, though I'm not sure this will work... worth a shot, though

example:

<alias source="/stream.aac" dest="/stream"/>

mind you, I haven't done this since I use .mp3.. but I don't see why this couldn't work.. since the mount name tells the Ruku what the format is/will be.

As for different types of AAC, yeah I wasn't that specific, sorry

I read the livejournel page about hz.. I donno if that would matter since that doesn't seem to "encode" the files but rather just stream them. if you are re-encoding the stream, using ices or something simular, perhaps thats not sending proper aac format??

The only other thing I can think of is how you're setting up the links page in the Roku.. remember- localhost is 127.0.0.1 and not localhost (did that make sense?) what I mean is the Roku can't disseminate local domains or domain assignments in a local network; while computers have no issues with this situation (unless, of course, you're trying to connect to another PC's localhost using localhost)

You remind me that I probably should upgrade my Roku's.. its been awhile! Now, you want to hear of a challenge? using Roku's, a one-way router, Icecast and an audioactive hardware encoder!

now THATS a challenge!
_________________
-DjZ-

[stereotype]

[stereotype]

I've found the following links:

http://www.mail-archive.com/savonet-trac@lists.sourceforge.net/msg00470.html

http://blog.rastageeks.org/spip.php?article33

Maybe these are questions for karl, but:
Could it be that this is a libshout issue?
If hz uses libshout, than it could be the problem, I think...
Maybe I need a patched libshout with aac+ support?

Anyway, will try liquidsoap asap as it doesnt seem to rely on libshout...

[DJ-Zath]

hi there!

I use libshout to get the audioactive encoder to interface with Icecast using a perl interface script. (the encoder is multi-stream)

libshout DOES have settings that denote what format is to be used.. (and there are settings for this as well).

and in case you were wondering, yes, I have FULL title support

I have a server-side interface which lets me mix down incoming DJ's streams into the program buss on the console- with their titles! I can mix, insert and even override any stream that comes in.. all in realtime

I use the Roku's to pull the feeds down off the server where they come into the console.. all this and NO computers needed!

if ya ever want a demo.. come on by! http://www.warp-radio.com
_________________
-DjZ-

[stereotype]

Problem solved!

It was related to the updating of metadata / tags done by hz via hz.ini
Disabling it fixed my problem, but now the Roku doesn't show any ID3 info etc...

hz.ini:

; whether to update stream metadata from ID3 tags or cuesheet
; 1 to enable, 0 to disable updating.
updatemetadata = 0

[DJ-Zath]

hi again StereoType buddy!