Hi,
Yesterday & today I've been experiencing severe breakdown of the 128 bit stream.
This is happening every few seconds & then immediately re-buffering and coming back.

This morning there are approx 60 listeners, so it can't be near capacity ?
I've never had this problem before, even with listener numbers in the high 80's or low 90's.

Any ideas ?

The 32 bit stream is ok.

Cheers,

Jim

Hi there Jim,

Sorry to hear that you've experienced problems tuning-in.

I've checked the server logs and there hasn't been any connectivity issues at all, nor any buffer underruns between the SAM server and the data centre in London. In other words, everything's running fine this end.

All that I can suggest is that there has probably been a brief drop in bandwidth with your ISP. If this occurs again, try resetting your router or modem as this will let you obtain a fresh IP address (and possibly connection to another subnet under your ISP). Also, closing down your Media Player, re-opening it and re-connecting to S.A. occasionally helps. Finally, if all else fails, try re-booting your machine.

Incidentally, bandwidth / connectivity remains stable and isn't affected by the number of listeners tuned-in at any one time. So, even if the main broadband server hits 100 % capacity, the stream and music remains uninterrupted.

Let me know if you need any further information.

Cheers for now.

D

Thanks for that - yes it's definitely a problem at my end !

Getting the most abysmal download speeds through my BT broadband connection !! - so no wonder the stream is cracking up !

Cheers,

Jim

Pleased to hear that you've identified the problem Jim. That and I hope your connection speed has returned to normal ... ::)

Obviously, if you're downloading whilst tuning-into S.A., there may be a chance that you will experience 'buffering' (skips in the music) as the connection to the S.A. server has to share your bandwidth with whatever else you may be doing at the same time. Generally speaking, this isn't a problem.

In the meantime, this link might be of some use / help in determining your 'true' connection speed.

Cheers for now.

D

This is a good one for testing your connection speed:
http://www.speedtest.net/

Thanks Danrok - that's the one I use !

Well, 130kb/sec is just not good enough ! No wonder the stream breaks up !  :(
It actually fell to 20kb yesterday !!! - and this is a BT Business Broadband service ?!?!

Complained to BT - we'll see what happens.

Hi All !!!

Since few days, I can't receive stellar attraction...
Nothing has changed here, except my mood is one of despair :()


The link I used since many months with my VLC player...

http://87.117.201.178:7170/

now gives

main error: no suitable access module for `http://87.117.201.178:7170/'
access_mms error: error while asking for file -1
access_mms error: error while asking for file -1
access_mms error: cannot connect to server
access_mms error: cannot read data


I've test this one too, through proxy, without success...

http://s1.viastreaming.net/cgi-bin/listen.pls?7170

works 2 seconds (listen music and read title) and then :

access_http error: error: ICY 403 Service Forbidden
access_http error: error: ICY 403 Service Forbidden
access_mms error: invalid HTTP reply 'ICY 403 Service Forbidden'
main error: no suitable access module for `http://87.117.201.178:7170/'


port 7170 is open in UDP and TCP for the PC using VLC
I simply don't understand...


Anyway, it is the place to warmly thanks all people involved in Stellar Attraction.
The programme is stunning.
I realize how I love this radio, as I can't received it now :()


Stephane Riviere
Oleron Island - France

Hi there Stephane,

Easy answer to your problem, the server has banned you from tuning-in as it has detected you trying to copy ('rip') the stream.

This subject has been mentioned a few times on the forum before, click here for further information.

In the meantime, I've manually unbanned you so that you can now tune-in again without any problems.

Enjoy the music.

D

I was not aware of this.

Effectively I had rip the stream for some good reasons...
I've also buy CD (Yes BBC Sessions) because I've heard it on SA...

But I don't want to discuss about this limitation.
SA is yours, free for all, a big task for you, so I will respect this rule.

Thanks for "unbanning" me :)

All the Best from France

Stephane Riviere

Oleron Island

When I have a moment, I am going to be adding a FAQ to the website. One of the issues that I am going to address is that of listeners becoming 'banned' and unable to tune-in as a result. I won't re-hash what I've already posted (in this thread, amongst others) regarding this contentious issue - other to say that the process is automated in the form of intelligent software running on the SAM server  - if somebody tunes-in with an application that's purpose is to (or has the ability to) copy ('rip') an internet radio station's music they will be kicked from the server and banned from tuning-in again.

I appreciate your pragmatism here stephane - one of the other reasons for getting this FAQ online is to relieve me from responding to the frequent e-mails from listeners who swear blind that they weren't trying to copy the music and 'really cannot understand' why they are banned / cannot tune-in !!

If all goes to plan, in the very near future there will be information on the website regarding the recording that the 'currently playing track' is taken from - along with a link taking the listener directly to the CD's page on Amazon.

Enjoy the music ...

D

Please start a new thread within the Ask The Admin section with any other questions.