DSP locks up randomly

[Triandrew2001]

I run my main broadcast machine from my studio at home, and I send a 128k stream to a server across country, and a 48k stream to a 2nd computer on my network here in the studio. All MP3s broadcast are clean, and valid MP3 files.

At total random intervals, the SHOUTcast DSP plug-in [which I always leave maximized on my monitor to watch connection status,] will just totally lock-up. WINAMP will still be merrily playing along the files that are in my playlist.. all of Winamp's controls are still active, but the DSP plug-in goes locked...no levels, no data streaming, and the shoutcast dsp won't let you click any of the tabs. This usually goes on for less than 90 seconds at a time, but that's JUST enough time for the shoutcast directory to drop both of my streams from it's list, and usually just enough time for my listeners to decide to find a more reliable stream.
It never stays locked up... usually within a minute, it unlocks, and reconnects to the shoutcast directory.

My system is clean.. no bugs, no viruses. PLenty of room on the hard drive. Plus, Winamp and Shoutcast are the only applications running on this machine at any given time.
Below is a sample of what my server log shows when this happens.
=============================================================
<11/30/03@17:36:22> [yp_tch] yp.shoutcast.com touched!
<11/30/03@17:39:23> [yp_tch] yp.shoutcast.com touched!
<11/30/03@17:41:32> [source] no data (30s timeout). disconnecting.
<11/30/03@17:41:33> [main] connecting to yp.shoutcast.com to remove myself [no source]
<11/30/03@17:41:33> [yp_rem] yp.shoutcast.com removed me!
<11/30/03@17:42:11> [source] connected from 192.168.2.185
<11/30/03@17:42:12> [source] icy-name:** We Dance As One - A Celebration In Groove ** wda1@wda1.com ; icy-genre:dance, house, circuit
<11/30/03@17:42:12> [source] icy-pub:1 ; icy-br:48 ; icy-url:http://www.wda1.com
<11/30/03@17:42:12> [source] icy-irc: ; icy-icq: ; icy-aim:triandrew2001
<11/30/03@17:42:12> [dest: 205.188.234.42] starting stream (UID: 866)[L: 1]{A: SHOUTcast Directory Tester}(P: 0)
<11/30/03@17:42:13> [dest: 205.188.234.42] connection closed (0 seconds) (UID: 866)[L: 0]{Bytes: 8192}(P: 0)
<11/30/03@17:42:14> [yp_add] yp.shoutcast.com added me successfully
<11/30/03@17:45:13> [yp_tch] yp.shoutcast.com touched!
<11/30/03@17:48:14> [yp_tch] yp.shoutcast.com touched!

=====================================================

Any clues? please help.

Andrew Cannon
www.wda1.com
We Dance As One -
A Celebration In Groove

[FesterHead]

If the connection between the Winamp/DSP combo an dremote DNAS isn't too good, try running a local DNAS and have the main one relay it.


For the DSP lockup, what make/model soundacard is in the Winamp/DSP combo machine?

What is the Winamp/DSP combo input method?

[Triandrew2001]

The net connection is fine between DSP and DNAS... I'm running two DNAS connections... one locally, and one 10 states away. When it locks up, it happens on both at the same time.

The Soundcard is Connexant Audio/Riptide...

The input to DSP is directly from WinAmp. I run a 48k/22.050kHz Stereo stream on Encoder 2, on Output 2, and a 128k/44.1kHz Stereo stream on encoder 4, on output 4.

It actually just happened again while I was typing this... this time, WINAMP continued to play the MP3 file, but all of WINAMPs controls were non-functioning... I coudl monitor that machine's audio and the audio was still playing, but the DSP locked and stopped streaming.

Shall I kick it really hard? .. would that help?

[Triandrew2001]

NO takers on this one yet? I'm stumped. HELP!

[jackherer]

I think i might have this problem as well i am not sure but but my DNAS log keeps saying the source connection has dropped and then it reconnects again shortly afterwards. If it helps anyone i don't think this is a souncard problem as the box i have running the winamp/DSP combo has no souncard and the output is set the the null plug in, and it is streaming to a linux box on the local network. No solution though sorry

[Triandrew2001]

Jack.. all I know is that I've been lucky to see it happen a few times... totally at random.... the SHOUTCAST dsp plugin locks, [levels, output status, plus controls and time on Winamp]... but winamp continues merrily along playing.. even the graphic eq continues to bounce along... but the DSP stops log enough for your to be dropped from SHOTUCAST directory... and within 60-90 seconds, it kicks back in... if you've noticed anything else, let me know.

email: wda1@wda1.com
AIM: triandrew2001

[jackherer]

Sorry i don't know what is causing this problem but if you main concern is getting dropped from the Shoutcast Directory then you could try increasing the AutoDumpSourceTime variable to somthing bigger than 30, also i think if you set it to zero it allows the source to be idle indefinately.

[Triandrew2001]

well thats just one of the problems... I do need to change that.... but the main problem is that anyone listening, usually drops off thinking the stream is "down," thus losing listeners. Anywho... fingers are crossed, hoping this will get a solution soon.

[Triandrew2001]

I'm still hoping someone might have a solution here? No takers on this one? I've searched thru the forums to no avail. If there's anyway to log what's going on inside the DSP plug-in and get it to someone to look at, I'd be happy to do that... I'm really at my wits end on this one. HELP!

Andrew

[FesterHead]

Have you tried an alternate DSP (Oddsock, SpacialAudio) yet?

[Triandrew2001]

I was unaware of any other DSP I could use to webcast on SHOUTcast with... where can I find one of these?

[FesterHead]

Oddsock = http://www.oddsock.org

SpacialAudio = http://www.spacialaudio.com

[Triandrew2001]

okay.. downloaded/installed the SpacialAudio DSP/encoders. Seems to work just fine... no lockups what do ever, but have only had them running about 24 hrs now. THANKS as always.

andrew