Icecast Streaming Media Server

[DigitWebsites]

I've been running 2.2.0 and have not had any issues, now today I updated to 2.3.0 and when listening to the stream, it keeps cutting out every few seconds. No other changes were made to either the client or the server. Any ideas why the new version isn't working correctly? Again, 2.2.0 - no problems - actually put it back and all is good again.

[karlH]

Can you explain in more detail what is happening. This may require looking at the log files, but so far it's not clear what stream format you're using, whether a source client (which?) or relay is being used, does the whole stream drop or do listeners get dropped. The 'cutting out' would tend to indicate a playback problem, but it's unclear which player is being used or if it applies to various players. A full description of the issue is required

karl.

[DigitWebsites]

OK - I have put the "burst" option on and looks like VLC is buffering now. So it is possible that this is a client problem - not server. I will monitor the stream today and advise if it continues to skip - so far - no skipping - 30 minutes.

[DigitWebsites]

Spoke too soon - it is still skipping - I'm using VLC 0.8.2 which played perfectly with Icecast 2.2.0 but with 2.3.0 it cuts out - often - I put the burst option on and it will play for quite a while - then starts cutting out again. I tried the newer version of VLC - 0.8.3 - and it will play for a longer period of time - but then starts the cutting out again. It seems to me it is the player - I am currently chatting with them as well to see if it is in fact the player.

If you wish to test I you can login to http://live.idgt.net:8000/idgt.aac

Let me know if it fails for you as well.

[karlH]

Also check with winamp or possibly setting burst-size to 0. VLC was one client that has been known to have a problem with burst but no information about that came about. Unfortunately the format is some AAC variant, so playing the stream is not possible for me.

karl.

[DigitWebsites]

Looks like it was the player (VLC). I am trying out their BETA (0.8.4) and all has been working. I will advise if any problems come about. The stream is AACPlus 32kbps. Works with VLC and Winamp.

[DigitWebsites]

OK - VLC states that I am sending RAW audio - which doesn't make any sense since WinAMP will play the stream perfectly. Any ideas?

[karlH]

AAC plus needs special handling at the player end. Latest winamp has a plugin to handle it (where AOL has probably paid for decoding it) but VLC hasn't. Faad2 failed here so listening to AAC+ is not a possibility for me either.

karl.

[DigitWebsites]

Well - if I use Icecast 2.2.0 VLC plays perfectly. ??? Also, found that relaying with 2.3.0 doesn't work properly either. BUGS! Back to 2.2.0

[EvilOverlord]

We're never going to be able to solve these "bugs" without some more information.

Please provide more detail.

[DigitWebsites]

If you use VLC 0.8.1 and tune in to an AACPlus stream you will hear it perfectly - no skipping. However, if I use 0.8.2 or 0.8.4 then skipping begins after about 15 minutes. The skipping happens with all version of VLC if I update to Icecast 2.3.0. I'm running Icecast 2.2.0 on Linux server and VLC on Mac OSX 10.4.2 - What other details do you need?

[MTG]

I moved from a W32-based setup (2.2.0) to a Linux setup (2.3.0) and am having similar problems, but with a number of different clients, including Windows Media Player. I'm running an MP3Pro LC Stereo stream to maintain backward compatibility with non-pro players. I can usually listen fine for a half-hour, but I get about 10 emails an hour from others who have lots of problems. I have my error log running at level 3, and I'm dropping clients left and right. Help! Going to switch back to 2.2.0, but I'm happy to share logs with a development person if it helps. Contact off-list @ morgan at wayfm dot com. Thanks.