Icecast Streaming Media Server

[Anonymous]

Okay, here is the deal. I came accross this forum after doing a Google search for a linux program that relays Audio. Here is what I want to do.

I would like to be able to play a playlist of MP3s in synch, through multiple computers in my home through independently driven speaker systems attached to computers. Linux support is a must, and Windows (mcedk5) support is a plus.

Basicly, I want to be able to play an mp3 in my living room, on my computer and have the audio play in my kitchen, on the computer in there and my basement. There are computers with Klipsh pro media systems at each location. It is important that the audio is in synch as you can hear audio from multiple systems at many points in the home.

Also, if the client systems did not require intervention, that would be great. for example, If I could have a linux box in a corner, with no keyboard and monitor, just speakers that would relay audio from the other room.

In summary, what exactly can icecast do for me, and do you have any other software suggestions that may be more tailored to my needs?

Thks so much.

PS, I run Fedora Core 5. x64 and i386 versions.

[Anonymous]

Icecast is designed to broadcast streaming audio to many clients on different networks. Since the latency of these networks and playback clients is not determined by Icecast, it can *not* keep all clients in sync.
Even if all clients are running the same software and hardware on the same network, they will not usually be in sync.

Actually from what little I know about it, even keeping sync between two soundcards in one machine is quite hard. The only way of doing this that I can think of is having one multi-channel soundcard (with a single clock source) and lots of long cables!

If you do find a better solution, please let me know!


Leo