Keep buffering while paused

ergeepee · 19th February 2006, 01:59

I would like an option that allows me to set up winamp so that it keeps replenishing the buffer while paused.
This would be extremely useful to listen to internet radio.
Here is my situation before that feature:
I want to listen to an 128kbps stream, my connection is only 64kbps. I set up the Winamp buffer to its maximum, 99999KB, and start winamp. The buffer takes 208 minutes to load, and once full contains ~104 minutes of radio, allowing me to listen to 208 minutes of uninterrupted radio, because the buffer is replenished while I listen. The problem is that if I listen to 207 minutes today and pause, tomorrow when I hit play I will listen to 1 minute of radio, and have to wait 208 minutes again to fill the buffer.

Now if I had that feature, I could listen to the 207 minutes today, pause, winamp would replenish the buffer while paused, and the next day when I hit play I would have another 207 minutes of uninterrupted radio waiting for me.

It would be nice if the buffer was saved on the hard drive upon exiting Winamp, as well.

CraigF · 19th February 2006, 02:08

or, you could just tune into a <64kbit stream. i dont believe that winamp should bend to your needs when most people accept that a 128kbit stream isnt going to work on a connection half that.

Try AACplus streams, you should find the quality pretty good. If your favourite station isnt using AACplus prehaps point out the new shoutcast dsp to them.

peaceofcake · 19th February 2006, 06:15

Interesting idea, but wouldn't the station at some point just cut you off, since you'd be downloading WAY later than the intended boradcast time.

imcool_92 · 19th February 2006, 17:06

but i agree with him because it does keep buffering for me to and my connection is crap.. but thats me!! if, when you paused it, surly it can keep buffereing and the you can slowly catch up on the buffer but its still uniterupted for a while!! better than waiting for agesssssssss!!

CraigF · 19th February 2006, 20:22

Well, it just technically wouldnt work, because shoutcast is live content, not on demand. I'll try to explain, but well, its a little difficult unless you understand a little bit about buffering and networks.

Shoutcast DNAS (the thing you tune into) has a buffer, it holds data in this buffer to relay to clients. The DJ fills this buffer from their source (usually winamp with the dsp plugin, but can be other tools like SAM), and the user reads from this buffer.

So, in basic terms, imagine the following:

Somewhere in the world there is a machine, with a little bucket filled with ones and zeros. This bucket has two pipes stuck into it, the DJ is pouring 1+0's into one pipe to keep the bucket full. You, the listener, is sucking 1+0's out of the other pipe. The bucket is continously being refilled by the DJ as you suck content out.

Now, lets assume that the DJ is pouring more into the bucket than is being sucked out, which is the case you are saying right now. What happens? Well, the bucket overflows, and the data pours away. And when it pours away? Well, it isnt available for the user to suck it out anymore. The data is lost.

So, in the real world, as winamp is happily buffering data, it cant buffer the data fast enough, so there is data loss. Infact, its exactly the same data loss you suffer when actually listening to the audio straight back. Pausing and buffering does nothing, because the buffer at the source just isnt there to fill up continously. The buffer is meant to deal with the user coughing and spluttering every now and again.

To sum up. It doesnt work.

19th February 2006, 01:59	#1
ergeepee Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1	Keep buffering while paused I would like an option that allows me to set up winamp so that it keeps replenishing the buffer while paused. This would be extremely useful to listen to internet radio. Here is my situation before that feature: I want to listen to an 128kbps stream, my connection is only 64kbps. I set up the Winamp buffer to its maximum, 99999KB, and start winamp. The buffer takes 208 minutes to load, and once full contains ~104 minutes of radio, allowing me to listen to 208 minutes of uninterrupted radio, because the buffer is replenished while I listen. The problem is that if I listen to 207 minutes today and pause, tomorrow when I hit play I will listen to 1 minute of radio, and have to wait 208 minutes again to fill the buffer. Now if I had that feature, I could listen to the 207 minutes today, pause, winamp would replenish the buffer while paused, and the next day when I hit play I would have another 207 minutes of uninterrupted radio waiting for me. It would be nice if the buffer was saved on the hard drive upon exiting Winamp, as well.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

19th February 2006, 02:08	#2
CraigF Passionately Apathetic Administrator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Hell Posts: 5,435	or, you could just tune into a <64kbit stream. i dont believe that winamp should bend to your needs when most people accept that a 128kbit stream isnt going to work on a connection half that. Try AACplus streams, you should find the quality pretty good. If your favourite station isnt using AACplus prehaps point out the new shoutcast dsp to them.

19th February 2006, 06:15	#3
peaceofcake Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 333	Interesting idea, but wouldn't the station at some point just cut you off, since you'd be downloading WAY later than the intended boradcast time.

19th February 2006, 17:06	#4
imcool_92 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 10	but i agree with him because it does keep buffering for me to and my connection is crap.. but thats me!! if, when you paused it, surly it can keep buffereing and the you can slowly catch up on the buffer but its still uniterupted for a while!! better than waiting for agesssssssss!!

19th February 2006, 20:22	#5
CraigF Passionately Apathetic Administrator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Hell Posts: 5,435	Well, it just technically wouldnt work, because shoutcast is live content, not on demand. I'll try to explain, but well, its a little difficult unless you understand a little bit about buffering and networks. Shoutcast DNAS (the thing you tune into) has a buffer, it holds data in this buffer to relay to clients. The DJ fills this buffer from their source (usually winamp with the dsp plugin, but can be other tools like SAM), and the user reads from this buffer. So, in basic terms, imagine the following: Somewhere in the world there is a machine, with a little bucket filled with ones and zeros. This bucket has two pipes stuck into it, the DJ is pouring 1+0's into one pipe to keep the bucket full. You, the listener, is sucking 1+0's out of the other pipe. The bucket is continously being refilled by the DJ as you suck content out. Now, lets assume that the DJ is pouring more into the bucket than is being sucked out, which is the case you are saying right now. What happens? Well, the bucket overflows, and the data pours away. And when it pours away? Well, it isnt available for the user to suck it out anymore. The data is lost. So, in the real world, as winamp is happily buffering data, it cant buffer the data fast enough, so there is data loss. Infact, its exactly the same data loss you suffer when actually listening to the audio straight back. Pausing and buffering does nothing, because the buffer at the source just isnt there to fill up continously. The buffer is meant to deal with the user coughing and spluttering every now and again. To sum up. It doesnt work.