m3u...

[maximel]

Hi guys;
This is a hard one maybe...
Spaceports are wonderful, they let me host my entire music site on their server.
However, I don't know if they're m3u ready (if that exists...)
When I go to mp3.com and click on "lo-fi play" it automatically opens Winamp and plays the song;
I'm using Internet Explorer 5, I guess Netscape users don't have any problems also.
Now, on my site you can listen to my music by clicking the "lo-fi" button, just like mp3.com but, using IE 5, it works the first time I click on the button, but if I click on another song, it works an average of 1 out of 10 tries!
And a friend of mine uses Netsccape, and says he only gets a blank page when clicking on the lo-fi button instead of opening Winamp...
Now, why doesn't it work? It works at mp3.com, and the m3u files are exactly the same...
Is it possible that Spaceports' servers are badly configurated, or not configured at all for m3u files?
Anyways, whether you are using Netscape, or Internet Explorer, I would appreciate if you would test my site to see if it works for you...
Here's the URL: http://www.maxsongsclub.com
Also, if someone can answer my question about the server's configuration.
Thank you,
Max

[KNK]

I get this asked all the time at my site as well. All my user encounter this along with the RealAudio files.

It;s how their players are setup. Mp3.com has special software running their server, so I doubt you have it exactly how they do.

All servers that handle mp3s can handle m3u files as long as their upload in ASCII which I bet you didn't bother doing. Am I correct? This is a common mistake. It;s a text based file which is need to be in ASCII and not BINARY. Works better that way!

Good Luck!

[maximel]

So, what you mean is I should simply upload the m3u files using the ASCII format?
Ok, I will try this, shouldn't be very complicated using WS_FTP.
Will keep you posted about if it works or not.
Thanks,
Max

[maximel]

KNK,
Sorry but it didn't work;
I get the same thing, even if I uploaded in ASCII...
Works after MANY tries when clicking on the button with IE 5... With Netscape I don't know...
If you want, go here and try the lo-fi plays on this page and tell me if it works for you and what browser you used...
All m3u on this page were uploaded using ASCII.
http://www.bigbeautifulbackgrounds.com/msc/piecesindex.html
Thanks,
Max

[Nick]

Try looking around at http://cgi.resourceindex.com. I think they have some CGI scripts that will stream mp3 media in a web browser.

[KNK]

Works just fine for me. All the m3u files on that page worked just fine., Like I said some of the players act funny. Recommend the users to download winamp which is mostly what they might be using. Weird. It did work just fine for me. So I don't know why you would be getting that problem.

I will look into it for you. Since I do a lot of streaming stuff so I will see what I can figure out from this. You might be right it might be Spaceports. Just like some FWP when you connect to them for a RealAudio file you get a GENERAL ERROR ... which is a random error meaning hey we dont have the time for you right now. So who knows :confused:

[maximel]

Nick, thanks.
I may try cgi if nothing else works.
KNK, what browser did you use when it all worked?
My friend used Netscape and NOTHING at all worked, worse than IE 5... All he gets is Netscape opening the m3u file in the browser, displaying the mp3 address...!
If you get anything please reply, I may also go check at the Spaceports forum and ask them.
Thanks,
Max

[KNK]

I use IE 5.5. I do know for a FACT! that if you have a older browser (4 and below) trying to stream a mp3 will not work. Awhile ago I tired running a small radio station online and well it wouldn't work for mostof my users since that had all odl browsers and didn't know how to upgrade them. LOL;) but now i rarely get any complants about my little radio show, I only get complaints about my real audio files which I believe I solved.

As for using CGI to stream MP3s, I tried it .. it's not as good though really, very confusing sometimes.

[maximel]

Well, I went to the Spaceports support chat, and they can't really do anything...
They say they can't configure the servers because it might disrupt other files on their servers or something...
In 2001 there are still servers not configurated for mp3s!!!
But hey, they are still a great place, I will just have to adjust my site I guess...
Any suggestions?
I know that when you use Windows Media Player, you can enter a URL and it will stream the mp3...
I might use that. Does anyone know if I can do that with Winamp? I looked but didn't find anything...
It's just too bad that people won't be able to listen to the music with just one click of the mouse...
Although KNK, you said it worked with IE 5.5; Did you try more than 1 piece? Did it work for all of them on the first time you clicked?
And if anybody can just go test it with the latest Netscape (I don't have it right now) and give feedback I would appreciate it a lot.
http://www.bigbeautifulbackgrounds.com/msc/piecesindex.html
Thanks,
Max

[KNK]

Originally posted by KNK
Works just fine for me. All the m3u files on that page worked just fine
Says it right there yes i tired all of them. Like I said I am going to try to help you out and find away around you problem. I would say run the samples ofthe music in RealAudio and then have them beable to download it in mp3 format if they liek that song. Just how you have it but instead of having it run in a m3u file have it run in a RAM file. You can email me or contact me on ICQ/AIM and I can help you a little better then posting so much on the board:D not like I dont mind ... ranks up the posts. But it;s pretty annoying for people who don't know what we are talking about. ;)