Reducing Shoutcast 1.8 buffer size or dealing with lag

uksi · 14th January 2001, 22:44

Our radiostation just switched to Shoutcast webcasting (from WMA casting) and got two streams, one 128k, another 32k. We broadcast live from our studio.

We measured and the approximate lag between "live audio" and what the users actually hear is about 17 seconds for 128k and over 50 seconds for 32kbps. With Windows Media at 24kbps, the delay was 10 seconds.

This delay is not very desirable, as instant messages to the DJ on air with questions like "What song are you playing right now?" are usually late (it's more like "What song were you playing one minute ago?")... You get the idea.

So I heard this was because of the large buffer that Shoutcast has (1 meg?). Is there a way to reduce this buffer? I looked through the server config files and couldn't find anything. Is there a hidden option of sorts, or is it possible to hexedit the server to change that value?

Thanks in advance for your help!

RuphBear · 15th January 2001, 13:44

This appears to be part of the code and not a configuration parameter. It's really inadvisable hacking the DNAS code with HexEdit. It would probably be better to send an email to the Shoutcast developers suggesting that the buffer size be configurable.

Ruph

RadioEvolution · 15th January 2001, 14:08

You could back and try to find a copy of shoutcast 1.7.1 as well for a temp solution. The server software worked very well, and it did not have the incearsed buffer size. I think I still have the GUI ver of some where
I am sure other have most of the realeases
Radio Evolution
"We Kick Darwins Ass!"
http://www.radioevolution.com

uksi · 15th January 2001, 14:25

Ok, I suppose downgrading to 1.7.1 is the only real option that I have right now. Thanks for the information!

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14th January 2001, 22:44	#1
uksi Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2	Our radiostation just switched to Shoutcast webcasting (from WMA casting) and got two streams, one 128k, another 32k. We broadcast live from our studio. We measured and the approximate lag between "live audio" and what the users actually hear is about 17 seconds for 128k and over 50 seconds for 32kbps. With Windows Media at 24kbps, the delay was 10 seconds. This delay is not very desirable, as instant messages to the DJ on air with questions like "What song are you playing right now?" are usually late (it's more like "What song were you playing one minute ago?")... You get the idea. So I heard this was because of the large buffer that Shoutcast has (1 meg?). Is there a way to reduce this buffer? I looked through the server config files and couldn't find anything. Is there a hidden option of sorts, or is it possible to hexedit the server to change that value? Thanks in advance for your help!

15th January 2001, 13:44	#2
RuphBear Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 68	This appears to be part of the code and not a configuration parameter. It's really inadvisable hacking the DNAS code with HexEdit. It would probably be better to send an email to the Shoutcast developers suggesting that the buffer size be configurable. Ruph

15th January 2001, 14:08	#3
RadioEvolution Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2	You could back and try to find a copy of shoutcast 1.7.1 as well for a temp solution. The server software worked very well, and it did not have the incearsed buffer size. I think I still have the GUI ver of some where I am sure other have most of the realeases Radio Evolution "We Kick Darwins Ass!" http://www.radioevolution.com

15th January 2001, 14:25	#4
uksi Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2	Ok, I suppose downgrading to 1.7.1 is the only real option that I have right now. Thanks for the information!