Streaming Music with Shoutcast and Winamp

Hi all,

I just started using the SHOUTcast server software and Winamp with the SHOUTcast DSP plugin to stream music from my home server into Second Life. All appeared to be working well with the installation and setup, however no one except myself can hear the music on my land in Second Life.

I set up the media url on the parcel that I own and enabled audio and can listen to the music that I'm playing/streaming via Winamp. The SHOUTcast server software is connected and logs my IP address when I'm actively listening to the music on my land.

But no other SL avatars can hear the music...just me! Anyone have an idea what might be going on?

Thanks in advance for any help or direction.

I was hoping somebody who actually knew something would answer this, but in lieu of that...

As I understand the post, you're using the SHOUTcast server software directly on your machine, not streaming from your machine to a third party host. If that's correct, I'd guess that there's a firewall preventing outsiders from getting into your home server--most likely on your gateway router, possibly the host itself, or even both.

Note also that this architecture requires a fair bit of bandwidth per listener, upstream on your connection. That could eventually pose a problem, depending on how many listeners, your connection capacity, and the contract with your ISP (i.e., whether you're permitted to run a server).

isn't there something you have to check or uncheck for everyone to hear music on your land?
i know one time i could not hear music and others could ..so i went in and unchecked one of the boxes in the media section of about land and started to hear music..

i'm not sure which one it was but maybe test it out to see if that works or not..

Thanks for your reply Qie.

Yes, I'm running the server on my on machine via DSL line. I know the bandwidth is a limiting factor but my parcel doesn't get swamped with traffic so I didn't think it would be a problem.

I've turned Window's firewall off on the server, but I'm not sure whether there's an additional firewall on my router (Comtrend CT-5361) or other limitations imposed by my ISP. I'll have to look into that.

I believe I have all the port forwarding and static IP set up correctly, but I will review all that as well. It would be nice to know if anyone else ever experience the same symptoms as myself.

Thanks again!

I had different people testing whether they could hear my parcel music and all confirmed they could not, however they were able to hear music on other parcels. Therefore, I presume they had their SL Client preferences set up to listen to streaming media.

As I was able to hear my music through SL and I'm hosting the stream on my own server, I think the problem relates to people not being able to connect from outside my network.

Do you have a router port opened? (ie :8000)
Do you have enough bandwidth?
Is Winamp logged into localhost, LAN or WAN? The first two will let you hear your stream, but everyone else needs to connect to your internet IP.

Better yet, just go rent a stream. It's cheap and easy and handles alot more users.

Port 8000 is open, both TCP and UDP.
Bandwidth is limited, but I should be able to accommodate a couple of additional connections at the lower bitrates.
I'm not sure what you mean by Winamp being "logged into localhost, LAN or WAN. Can you elaborate?
Not interested in renting a stream at the moment...this is really just a pet project for me, nothing serious like a club or DJ situation.

Thanks!

Not sure if this is related but have been using Media Master to stream my music into sl, with the demise of Media Master can anyone suggest an alternative?

I assume you already did all this but just in case ill post it anyhow These are the directions I followed to get it working for me from the shoutcast website.


Windows 98/ME/2000/XP:
1. Download the SHOUTcast DNAS application for Windows by proceeding to this link
2. Once the download has finished, extract all the files into a folder and create a shortcut for SC_SERV.EXE on the Desktop.
3. Start up the SHOUTcast Radio server by double-clicking on SC_SERV.EXE
4. Click on the "Edit Config" menu option located at the top. This will start the default text editor, opening the configuration file for SHOUTcast DNAS application. Follow all the directions that are written into the configuration file.
5. Once you are done making changes, save the file, close the editor, and restart the SHOUTcast Radio DNAS application.

When I had it going I set the bitrate at 96K stereo, which, while not the best is still fine. I think i had 14 or so ppl at the location at the time tuned in with no problems. This was on a below average PC running SL at the same time.

Well, I hope some of this helps, good luck and happy streaming when you get it going, Its a lot of fun

The easiest way to deal with this, and most effective is to bite the proverbial bullet and just rent a stream from someone in SL. The cost runs from about 1000-5000L depending on who you use, and you can stream, on average, at 128 kbps to up to 50-100 listeners. You don't have to worry about disabling your firewall and all that. It's more secure and quite simple to set up.

1000-5000L sounds like a lot, but in reality it's only $4-20 USD. Mine costs 4000L, but I DJ and need reliability (not even one second downtime due to my server is unbelievable over two years.) You should be able to find a reliable stream for around 1200-1500L....around $5 a month.

I would check to see if they can listen outside fo SL (i.e. using winamp). If they can, then that narrows the problem down.

Additionally, one thing I am seeing with some of my custoemrs is that they are setting their encoders to stream AAC. They then wonder why no one can hear them in-world. Be sure to set up the encoder for MP3 to be heard in world.

If you do end up wanting to rent a server - send me an IM in-world and we'll get you set up.

*gasp*

You live!!

/me waves at Crighton

*waves to HoneyBear*