buffering, timeout etc...

[Lynx10]

I'm streaming live broadcast from TV station, earphone jack to soundcard. I have a host that is set up to handle 900 listeners. I'm experimenting with different input rates and encoding rates. Still have lots of buffering when 20 + listeners are on... not worth listening too. I'm using a good wireless connection, ping the server with maybe a 1% loss after several hours. By-passed my network router and still didn't help. My best luck with getting a smooth stream is input 22050HZ and encoder @ 56k 22050, I've tried up to 128k 44050HZ, which is too fast, words run together. I guess I need help tweaking everything, and would greatly appreciate it.

Would Jetcast be better?

I have two links to listen too, one is .m3u other is .asx for windows media player. This is coming off the server that I'm streaming too.

[drewbar]

You don't have enough bandwidth then, probably. Try to find a few on-line speed tests to determin your network speed. Remember, the speed Windows reports between the Router or the Modem is not toyr actual connection speed.

http://testmy.net/
http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest

[Lynx10]

Just ran a test, download speed 507 Kbps upload speed was only 118 Kbps. How much do I need to stream to 50 listners?

[drewbar]

At 56kbps you can support two listeners, barely. That is if you are running the server on your own system. For 50 listeners at 56kbps, you need a server that can pus 3,000kbps up constantly.

[Lynx10]

I'm sending to a server that has plenty of bandwith, it is suppose to handle 900 listners at 56k. Are you saying that I need the same bandwith as the server that I'm sending it too? BTW, I appreciate your replies

[drewbar]

Nope, but you need enough bandwidth greater then the bitrate of the stream, because you still need to upload the stream once. So, if your upload speed is under 128kbps you will not be able to send a 128kbps stream to the server.

If the server is skipping after 20 listerns, you want to make sure your hosting provider is being accurate about the amount of bandwidth they offer.

[Lynx10]

ok, so does it matter at all what speed I send it to the server at? If I send at 24k, as long as the server has enough bandwith, then there should be no buffering to any of the clients that listen with either dialup, DSL or cable etc... If I send it at 80k, and those that have dialup that have 56k, then it would buffer for them? Am I understanding this right?

[drewbar]

Well, 80 > 56. So, it will buffer on dial-up. Infact, 56kbps will buffer on dail up. 48kbps might as well.

[Lynx10]

drewbar, you've been great, I have a better understanding, I've been working my butt off trying to level things out on my end.(which it still may be issues in my PC) But sounds like to me that I should stick with a 40k stream to the server to better serve all clients. I don't have to have great sound, I'm broadcasting high school football games. Once again, I'm taking the feed off of the TV into my sound card, that shouldn't be a problem with encoding I wouldn't think. I'll talk with my provider to see if they are having a problem with enough bandwith. IF they have enough, then I'm probably having a PC problem, network, router, etc. Thanks again.

[Vchat20]

you might wanna go with 24k instead. especially if you are just broadcasting football games. most dialup connections can only handle 24.

[Lynx10]

Thanks for all the help, I've got it working good. Right now prolly 30+ listeners, NO BUFFERING at all. Sending at 24k. Changed to a cable modem. Pinged the server @ 56ms, 30 minutes, O packets lost. Thanks again.