Playing network streams with MinimStreamer

[paulM]

I am struggling to get a radio stream to play through MinimStreamer. I’m guessing that I need to set something somewhere, but I don’t know what it could be.

I have made a playlist and copied and pasted the Linn Classical example from the user guide.

#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:-1,[Linn] Linn Radio Classical
http://radio.linnrecords.com/cast/tunein...aylist.pls

But I put the + symbol in [+Linn] to get the option to stream directly or to stream via MinimStreamer.

The direct option works fine (see Linn Classical 1)

But the option to go through MinimStreamer does not (see Linn Classical 2)

It’s the same for all radio stations, so I’m convinced that I must have a set up issue, but I’ve no idea where it is. Any assistance would be gratefully received.

[simoncn]

You might need to add stream type information to make this stream play on your Linn system. Some control points and renderers need this. To do this, use the #EXTINF line

#EXTINF:-1,[Linn;mp3] Linn Radio Classical

For some other radio stations, the stream type might not be mp3.

[paulM]

(14-09-2024 18:34)simoncn Wrote:  You might need to add stream type information to make this stream play on your Linn system. Some control points and renderers need this. To do this, use the #EXTINF line

#EXTINF:-1,[Linn;mp3] Linn Radio Classical

For some other radio stations, the stream type might not be mp3.

Thanks for the advice Simon, but unfortunately it has had no effect. The stream continues to work fine when not routed through MinimStreamer but will not work when it is. The current playlist file is below:

#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:-1,[+Linn;mp3] Linn Classical
http://radio.linnrecords.com/cast/tunein...aylist.pls

I also tried the line
#EXTINF:-1,[+Linn;mp3,44100] Linn Classical
but that made no difference either.

I did however try an experiment on my test setup and added the line mp3:wav24; to the stream.transcode settings. When set to [+Linn] this setting made no difference. When set to [+Linn;mp3] this setting changed the message in Kinsky from 16 bits to 24 bits (see attached screenshots) but still would not play the stream. So it looks like some of the information is getting through to MinimStreamer but not in a way that will play.

I can't understand it. I'm sure that I've had radio streams routed through MinimStreamer in the past and the advice in the user guide has always produced a result for me - but not on this occasion.

[simoncn]

Did you do a MinimServer rescan after changing the playlist entry to Linn;mp3? This is important. If not, go back to this setting, do a rescan and try again. Don't put anything in stream.transcode until you have the untranscoded stream playing.

[simoncn]

I have just tried this with MinimStreamer both with and without the ;mp3 and in both cases the Linn Classical stream plays on the Linn OpenHome software player for Windows. I don't have access to a Linn player at present but I think the result would be similar.

This means the problem is not caused by not having ;mp3 but has some other cause. Please do the following:

1) Open the MinimServer log window
2) Set the logging level to Debug
3) Leave the log window open
4) Try to play the Linn stream using MinimStreamer with no transcoding options set
5) After 15 seconds, set the logging level back to Info
6) In the log window, use the "Save as" button to save the log file to disk
7) Zip or compress the log file (this step is important) and attach the log file as a file attachment to a post here. Do not copy the log contents inline into a post.

I will look at the log file and let you know what I find.

[paulM]

(15-09-2024 16:54)simoncn Wrote:  I have just tried this with MinimStreamer both with and without the ;mp3 and in both cases the Linn Classical stream plays on the Linn OpenHome software player for Windows. I don't have access to a Linn player at present but I think the result would be similar.

This means the problem is not caused by not having ;mp3 but has some other cause. Please do the following:

1) Open the MinimServer log window
2) Set the logging level to Debug
3) Leave the log window open
4) Try to play the Linn stream using MinimStreamer with no transcoding options set
5) After 15 seconds, set the logging level back to Info
6) In the log window, use the "Save as" button to save the log file to disk
7) Zip or compress the log file (this step is important) and attach the log file as a file attachment to a post here. Do not copy the log contents inline into a post.

I will look at the log file and let you know what I find.

Debug log attached.

[simoncn]

The log contains this error message:

NetworkSource: unknown host for URL http://radio.linnrecords.com/cast/tunein.php/linnclassical/playlist.pls

This means that the device running MinimServer/MinimStreamer is either not connected to the internet or has incorrect DNS settings.

[paulM]

(15-09-2024 20:57)simoncn Wrote:  The log contains this error message:

NetworkSource: unknown host for URL http://radio.linnrecords.com/cast/tunein.php/linnclassical/playlist.pls

This means that the device running MinimServer/MinimStreamer is either not connected to the internet or has incorrect DNS settings.

I'm at a loss for words Simon. It's not just one device - I have two set ups on two separate NAS's and I tested the playlist on both of them. I've had both NAS for years now and I haven't had the slightest problem with either of them. Yet here I am with both of them losing internet connectivity at the same time. I just can't understand it.

I've rebooted both of them and internet connectivity is now restored and the playlist is playing as it should (on both NAS). So apart from some personal embarrassment, all is now well. I'm not very tech savvy, but I should have spotted something as glaring as that. Sorry for wasting your time - but thanks for your help.

[simoncn]

I'm pleased you are up and running now. In this case, the error message would have showed up in the log window without needing to change to Debug mode. It is a good idea to check the log window for messages when something unusual happens.