Best url for user stream launch? RealOne, AOL, Windows Media don't play MP3 anymore?

[PWRGRRL]

The latest versions of RealOne, AOL media player, and Windows Media player seem to be "hostile" to MP3 streams. I'm getting flooded by support email from users who can't listen to our shoutcast MP3 stream anymore with these players. I used to be able to tell them to enter the server IP/port in their players. Now that doesn't seem to work anymore! I've been forced to place a blurb on our station page stating that we only support WinAmp and iTunes media players.

On our stream page: http://www.radiopower.org/talkradio We use the following type of url: http://linux.redbird.com:8000/listen.pls to launch the stream and player. Is there a better url / syntax to use? I think Real, AOL and Microsoft suck, so I'm not too upset about barring them from our streams. I'm fine with using WinAmp and iTunes. I just want to optimize our linking and user friendliness.

Thanks in advance.

[MegaRock]

I use Windows Media Player 9 and it works just fine with Shoutcast.

[PWRGRRL]

what syntax are you using for your website WMP stream link?

[djmastermind]

For the .asx (WMP).. put the following in a notepad document and then save it as <whatever>.asx


<asx version="3.0">
<title>TITLE</title>
<entry>
<title>TITLE</title>
<author>AUTHOR</author>
<ref href="http://yourIP:yourPORT/"/>
</entry>
</asx>


Of course, change things to fit your needs.
Note: This only works in WMP 7.1 and up
Note the trialing slash after "yourPORT"

For the .ram file to open a RealPlayer stream, enter the following into a notepad document:


http://yourIP:yourPORT.rm

Then save that as <whatever>.ram

Simply upload those to your website and link them and they will open in the appropriate player.

--

Additionally, you can embed your WMP and RealPlayers in your site. For RealPlayer, Windows Media Player:
http://www.casterclub.com/embedded/

[MegaRock]

In most cases you can also tell the listeners to open the player and load a URL in the recommended manufacturer fashion and enter your http://ip:port which works with WMP and I believe RealOne has the same feature.

[djmastermind]

It does, yes, and that certainly works, but many people don't like reading instructions on how to listen to a station. They'd much rather have a link or better yet, an embedded player.

I'm not downing your suggestion, but I'm just pointing out what I've experienced.