Listeners are kicked between connections (multiple DJs connecting @ different times)

tizoast · 14th December 2006, 03:56

I thought that we'd been able to drop one connection and immediately start a new connection to the SHOUTcast server without losing listeners, but lately it seems to be to the contrary.

We have a few different DJs that all broadcast from different locations, so it's required for one DJ to disconnect from his/her end to let another DJ connect from his/her end immediately thereafter.

As stated before, it seemed like SHOUTcast was making up for the multiple connections and streaming straight through it almost transparently, mostly due (I thought) to the broadcast delay to the listener. Just today I tried to switch connections while listening on another computer, and each time I did so I was kicked from the server (on the listening computer) and had to reconnect (to listen on the other computer).

Please advise, and thank you in advance! I've been searching for quite awhile to no avail.

MegaRock · 14th December 2006, 04:56

From experience it seems that depending on the bitrate of the connection you have anywhere from a few seconds to 30 seconds of buffer time before connections might drop. A way to prevent this is to create a static playlist and list all of your servers multiple times. If a connection drops the listener goes to either the next server or the same one multiple times before totally being lost. The more entries in the playlist (even if it's the same one) the less of a chance of losing those listeners.

You also have to insure that all DJ's are using identical settings - bitrate, samplerate, etc., because any deviation causes all listeners to drop so if you're streaming at say 128k 44.1khz then everyone involved has to be using that same setting.

tizoast · 14th December 2006, 05:44

That helps a lot; thank you!

Here is an issue, though:

Some DJs are on Macs running Nicecast, and some are on PCs running Winamp. It seems that Nicecast has an 80kbps, 44.100 kHz option while Winamp only has an 80kbps, 22.050 kHz option. We run at 80k, and it'd obviously be nice to run at 44.1 in Winamp, too. Any workarounds that anyone may know of?

I can obviously have all of the DJs set to 80kbps, 22.050 kHz so it's not a huge issue. Just wondering--in the interest of audio quality. Thanks again...

14th December 2006, 03:56	#1
tizoast Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	Listeners are kicked between connections (multiple DJs connecting @ different times) I thought that we'd been able to drop one connection and immediately start a new connection to the SHOUTcast server without losing listeners, but lately it seems to be to the contrary. We have a few different DJs that all broadcast from different locations, so it's required for one DJ to disconnect from his/her end to let another DJ connect from his/her end immediately thereafter. As stated before, it seemed like SHOUTcast was making up for the multiple connections and streaming straight through it almost transparently, mostly due (I thought) to the broadcast delay to the listener. Just today I tried to switch connections while listening on another computer, and each time I did so I was kicked from the server (on the listening computer) and had to reconnect (to listen on the other computer). Please advise, and thank you in advance! I've been searching for quite awhile to no avail.

14th December 2006, 04:56	#2
MegaRock Forum King Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Inside my water bong Posts: 6,865	From experience it seems that depending on the bitrate of the connection you have anywhere from a few seconds to 30 seconds of buffer time before connections might drop. A way to prevent this is to create a static playlist and list all of your servers multiple times. If a connection drops the listener goes to either the next server or the same one multiple times before totally being lost. The more entries in the playlist (even if it's the same one) the less of a chance of losing those listeners. You also have to insure that all DJ's are using identical settings - bitrate, samplerate, etc., because any deviation causes all listeners to drop so if you're streaming at say 128k 44.1khz then everyone involved has to be using that same setting. Megarock Radio - St. Louis Since 1998! Don't click this link! Corporate Radio Sucks! No suits, all rock!

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14th December 2006, 05:44	#3
tizoast Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	That helps a lot; thank you! Here is an issue, though: Some DJs are on Macs running Nicecast, and some are on PCs running Winamp. It seems that Nicecast has an 80kbps, 44.100 kHz option while Winamp only has an 80kbps, 22.050 kHz option. We run at 80k, and it'd obviously be nice to run at 44.1 in Winamp, too. Any workarounds that anyone may know of? I can obviously have all of the DJs set to 80kbps, 22.050 kHz so it's not a huge issue. Just wondering--in the interest of audio quality. Thanks again...