I'm having a problem with media players.

[Kali]

I think I might have posted about this before, but I'm too lazy to look. I am trying to stream a radio station (http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kxci/ppr/index.shtml)

If I click on the links provided, my download manager pops open and asks how to open the file. So I choose either windows media player for that stream OR my free classic media player for the quick time stream. In BOTH cases it opens and will play about a 10 second clip after buffering. WTF? then it stops. It DOES NOT buffer again, but rather if I hit play it plays the SAME 10 second clip. Both players do this and I can't get a new 10 second clip unless I shut them down completely and start over.

I thought it might be the download manager somehow (it pops up a little message saying download complete - again, WTF? - it should be a stream) so I copied and pasted the URL from the links into the respective player and it is still doing the same thing.

I can't find a tool, or setting, or even a FAQ on a website that has a similar problem - it is always about buffering - I know I have THAT problem too, because of the stupid slow connection but I KNOW what that sounds/looks like - this is not the same. It's like I am only DOWNLOADING a short clip of music rather than streaming. And it is happening with both players so what is it? My firewall? (comodo) the download manager (free download manager is its name, I think), even thought I thought I was by-passing it by pasting the URLs directly into the players? My computer itself?

Wahhh! Please help!

[Kali]

1. what happened Tuesday

Forkboy:
17. A possible solution.

Go to this page http://wiki.cdyne.com/wiki/index.php?title=Playing_PLS_... , scroll down to "Downloadable Installer" and choose "MSI Installer Package". It's a small download so it won't take long. When it's downloaded just double click on it and install it. That will take about 10 seconds and it's done.

Now, go to the KXCI page you have linked in your other post and choose the second link, "Launch MP3 Stream - Format: Mp3 (m3u)". use the newest version of Windows media Player that you have. See if that works.

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Kali:
20. it seems to want me to install more stuff

I downloaded that and tried to start it - a pop up window came up and said I needed some kind of .NET Framework thingy and sent me to this webpage (that the firewall wasn't too happy with): http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/default.as...

Thanks for answering, btw!

---------------

Forkboy:
24. .NET Framework is safe to install.

I have it. Give it a go and see if that does the trick. :)

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Kali:
25. ok,

I need to go do some outside work but I will be back later. Thanks again.

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Kali:
29. sorry to be such a pest

I downloaded something from the .NET page and then when I opened it a wizard started for downloading yet more - and this is 53 MB, which will take 4 or more hours at my prehistoric dial-up speed. (if it stays connected that long - don't know if it has restart abilities or if it has to start over if I get disconnected - hence WHY I have the FDM in the first place) Does this sound correct?

[Kali]

2. and now, Wednesday:

got up and checked the download of the .NET 52 MB item. It seemed to be finished! So I opened the original "installer" download that was suggested and it started to go then another pop-up for the .NET Framework window opened asking to run a maintenance mode - repair download, clicked continue and now it is doing another 52 MB download.:cry:

This isn't going to work during the day - I get disconnected too much, plus people want to use the computer and it is slow enough with out a big download going on.

I suspect the original didn't work during the night and it just lied to me that it was finished.

[RoyGBiv]

3. Actually, it probably did work ...

Installing/updating .NET is like this. Installing it on a computer at work, I went through three downloads before it worked properly.

[Kali]

7. hi Roy

:hi: haven't seen you around in a while

I'm sure by the time I get this figured out the station will be done with it's tower repairs :eyes:, but it is a puzzling problem. See the pic below for what is on here.

[Why Syzygy]

4. Is your Windows version up to date?

Windows Update can check your Net version. You can add only that, even though I recommend keeping Windows updated (manually).

Get this to manage your downloads:
http://getright.com/

[Kali]

8. should be fairly up-todate

there are a few things that have been sitting for a month or so, but mostly for IE and I don't use it so haven't bothered with the downloading.

[Forkboy]

5. NET Framework itself is a very small download, only 2 -3 MB.

I'm not sure what else it's trying to install, unless it needs some kind of Windows update and that's what it's trying to do.

Right click on your "My Computer" icon and go to "Properties", then click on the "General" tab (if it isn't already on it). It'll tell you what your PC is running. Mine says "Windows Microsoft XP Professional Version 2002 - Service Pack 3". If you're using XP you should be up to Service Pack 3. I'm pretty sure the .NET Framework needs the latest update to work.

There's only one trouble if this is the problem: Service Pack 3 is huge, over 300 MB. On dialup it'll be a nightmare. So, if you don't have it and really want it, you can order an actual CD with SP3 on it from Microsoft here..

https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/Validation.aspx?StoreID=ce6e3afc-6b25-4f99-8913-3e3453ad966d&LocaleCode=en-us&JavaScriptOn=yes

Also, go to your "Start" button on your desktop, then go to "Control Panel", and select "Add/Remove Programs". See if you have the .NET Framework installed. If I'm correct, my previous PC had it installed already, and it says that to install version 3 of .NET Framework you need to remove previous versions first. So just double check to be sure it isn't already there.

One last option I can think of is to try a previous version of .NET Framework and see if that demands other downloads. Here's version 2.0 which only needs Service Pack 2 to be installed.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=en

If you already have Service Pack 3 installed then I have to admit I'm stumped. I'm not a PC wiz, I just goof around with programs all the time and have to mess around with stuff like this a lot. But I have to say that if this isn't the problem then I don't know what to do next. But, if you let me know what happens I'll still try to help out. :)

[Kali]

6. thanks, sorry I disappeared - had to run an errand

Everything is pretty up to date - I think I might be month behind on windows crap, (and I need to change virus program - the new AVG is an even bigger load than this was, but that's for another day) but I am definitely up with service pack 3. I don't know if you can see this but it looks like I have several things related to the .NET on here. Should I delete some of it?

[Forkboy]

9. I'd leave it installed if hard drive space isn't an issue.

I have the first two versions and the hotfix on mine, so it shouldn't be a problem to have them all installed.

The new AVG is a bit more of a system hog than the last version. I noticed a big difference on start up after I installed it, and I have a pretty decent PC. But, it's free and it works excellent, so there ya go.

Sorry I can't really help more. Hopefully someone down here will come to your rescue.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

10. Definitely keep the .NET Framework installs

Quick question: do you have the same problem in both Internet Explorer and Firefox?

[Kali]

11. oh maaannnn you want me to open IE?

just kidding - I will give it a try

[EvolveOrConvolve]

12. Yeah, I normally wouldn't ask that. :)

But, it helps to narrow down where the problem is occurring.

[Kali]

13. and there was a slight difference

on the windows media player, for firefox I get a pop up that asks what to do then if I pick open with WMP it opens, connects, buffers, and then plays a 9 or 10 second clip (full sound etc). and just stops. If I hit play it plays the same clip over.

In IE it just opens the player, it buffers and plays a 10 second clip and stops. But if I hit play it buffers and plays a new clip. but it will not stop, buffer, and continue - I have to hit play.

the other difference is if I try the other format (upper link) - in firefox it opens right up to my free media player classic and buffers. plays the 10 second clip and stops - but says it is paused but pushing play just gets a repeat.

In IE it opens a dialog box asking save or open in the nero player (I never use it - came with aftermarket dvd recorder I installed when I bought the computer)! and it actually sounds like normal "skipping" when it buffers - it cuts in and out while it plays its 10 seconds, then it stops the timer, and goes back to initialization, "pre-buffering data" and plays a second or two skipping along. Except for the count stopping at 10 seconds this is close to actually streaming - and of course they are doing it at 128 and I get about 24 most of the time so it really isn't working. Now what is wrong with the other browser/players. it is all strange and this 10 second thing seems to be affecting all of them in some way.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

14. Try this

In Windows Media Player, Click Tools->Options and select the Performance tab. Change the "Buffer ____ Seconds Of Content" to 60.

Let me know if that makes any difference in how the audio is played using WMP.

[Kali]

15. no change in firefox - 10 second clip that repeats if I hit play again

and I think because it is simply downloading that 10 seconds - about 90 bytes.

in IE the same as before as well (plays 10 second clip, hitting play gives a NEW 10 second clip.

here is what the firefox download list looks like:

[RoyGBiv]

16. Is it only this specific stream?

I can't help but think it has something to do with your connection speed and a buffering problem related to that.

Strangely enough, I had almost this same problem with an MPlayer plugin on my Linux box. All kinds of variables there that wouldn't apply to your situation, one common theme with the problem I had was it was only specific sites streams that were affected.

I never did fix it completely. I eventually just started using a dedicated podcast player.

[Kali]

19. you are probably right

I didn't bother to check today, because we finally got some rain! (Yahoo!) and that always slows my speed even more. I will give it a whirl when things dry out again. (too soon, I'm sure)

[Why Syzygy]

17. I tried it..

Opera manages download:

From: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kxci/ppr/kxci.pls
To: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Opera\Opera\profile\cache4\temporary_download\kxci (1).pls
Size: 134 B
Transferred: 134 B

I use Winamp. It is the only player I have installed. fwiw, it played just fine.

What does your File Types association show for MP3?

I'm in no way an audio/video expert. Just like to figure things out (somtimes).
Who is your ISP? Do other streams work for you? (If not, have you called ISP?)
Do you use a firewall?
You may be right this is AVG related. Have you tried the stream with AVG disabled?
Have you looked through this:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kxci/ppr.pprmain?action=page&page=pprhelp5

[Kali]

20. yes I read the help section

see my reply to RGB above. When the lines dry out I will try again with a slower stream and I will try with AVG turned off.

I don't know what "What does your File Types association show for MP3?" means?

[Why Syzygy]

23. File associations

Right click the Start button > Explore > Tools > Folder Options > File Types.
The file extension is the file association. Is MP3 set to a particular program? Which player?

[canetoad]

18. I think you are missing codecs

Download a good all purpose player and set file associations to use it. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Also grab K-lite mega codec pack which bundles Media Player Classic http://www.codecguide.com/download_mega.htm

[Kali]

21. I don't know what "file associations" means

but I can try if you explain. (hey I'm learning, but I'm old so be kind :7 )

[RoyGBiv]

22. File association ...

In rough terms, it means your operating system sees a type of file/file extension and associates a certain program with it.

In Windows, when you double-click on a file that is associated with a certain program, that program opens the file, e.g. anything with a .mpg extension would be opened by Windows Media Player if that program were associated with that file type.

Most software associates itself with certain file types when it is installed. Some software gives you this as an option. Media Player Classic, for example, should ask you what file types you want to be opened with it, i.e. which file types should be associated with MPC.

It's similar with browsers. You have types of content or content streams that "helper" apps will open.

I think what canetoad is suggesting is that you install VLC and associate with various types of media it can play.