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

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

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 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

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