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Browse the list of questions and answers below for solutions to the most common issues related to
listening to WBUR online. If you cannot find a solution to your problem, please contact us.
» For issues related to Mp3's, Shoutcast, Podcasting
» General issues
| Mp3's, Shoutcast, Podcasting |
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I cant get the shoutcast stream to work. What's wrong?
The beauty of an mp3 stream is that it works for all the major platforms (Mac, Windows, Linux).
But to be able to listen, you need a player. For windows, use WinAmp, iTunes or Windows Media Player.
For Mac OSX, use iTunes or Audion. For Linux, try XMMS. Shoutcast streams over port 80 so firewalls
should not be an issue. Try upgrading your player or downloading one of the ones i've just mentioned.
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I want to download mp3's! Why aren't they available?
Legally we are not allowed to make available for download via mp3 ANY broadcast
which contains un-licensed copyrighted material (e.g. music heard throughout shows).
We are currently working on this issue so that we can offer mp3 downloads
of our programming.
- Where are the PodCasts and/or mp3 downloads?
You must be connected to the internet in order to listen to WBUR programming. You
can listen to archived programs using Real Player while connected but you cannot
download the programs. In the future we would like to offer mp3 downloads as a
service to our listeners, but at the moment there are legal issues preventing us from
doing so. This is related to copyrighted music and other content contained within our
broadcasts.
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| Live Stream |
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I can't listen. What should I do?
First, look through these FAQs. Second, be sure that 1) your internet connection is
working and 2) you have downloaded the most recent version of the player (see links to right).
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How can I contact WBUR in regards to streaming problems?
Please use our main Contact Us page for all issues
including live streaming problems. Be sure to choose the subject "Technical Problems
with Listening Online". Also, submit your issue along with 1) your computer OS, 2)
whether you are listening from work or home, 3) which stream you are having problems
with and 4) When the problem started and/or how long it has been occuring.
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I can't get iTunes to play your stream. Why?
Shoutcast streams (mp3 streams) will not automatically open iTunes. You will need to manually open the link.
Try the following:
1. Open iTunes.
2. Go to Advanced >> Open Stream
3. Try to copy/paste one of these URLs into the box and click OK:
http://www.wbur.org/listen/feed/shoutcast.qtl
http://www.wbur.org/listen/feed/shoutcast.mov
http://www.wbur.org/listen/feed/shoutcast.pls
- What do I need to listen to the live stream?
You need a computer, an internet connection, and a soundcard with speakers
or headphones. The computer can be running Windows, Macintosh, or Unix/Linux/Solaris
operating systems. On this computer you need to install a browser program; If you are
reading this we can assume that you have a browser installed. Last but not least you
need to install RealOne, Windows Media, or Quicktime player programs. If you are not
sure which program to install, we recommend starting with the RealOne player because
it will allow you to listen to the live stream and our archives.
- I listen at work and I am behind a firewall.
How can I still listen?
If you are behind a corporate firewall, you might have trouble using streaming
media content. To overcome this problem, you will need to connect to the broadcast
site from outside the firewall or ask your IT department to open the appropriate
ports to supports audio streaming.
If you are listening at home and have firewall software installed, it may interfere
with audio streaming. Try disabling the firewall and reading the documentation
that came with your software.
- Sometimes when I'm listening the live stream cuts in and out
and the player starts rebuffering. What is happening?
There are a wide
variety of reasons why the WBUR stream may be down at any given moment, ranging from
temporary loss of connection between Boston University and particular locations on
the internet, to server and/or client issues. We do our best and thank you in
advance for your patience.
If there is the slightest remote chance that problem is with your own computer, try
rebooting your computer and reconnecting to the internet. It’s amazing how many computer
problems can be fixed with a simple reboot. Also, try upgrading your player software.
- Why does the online live stream sound 'tinny' or
like I'm listening in a tunnel?
Sound files are too large to deliver over the internet through dial-up modems without
compressing them first. The benefit is that we shrink a sound file to one-twentieth
its size; the penalty is that the sound quality suffers. At the present time WBUR
configures the live Windows Media, Real Audio, and Quicktime streams to work with
dialup modems (~32 kbps stream).
Someday, in the future, WBUR would like to offer high-quality broadband audio. The only
problem is that WBUR pays for every bit that we deliver over the internet. If our sound
quality doubles or if people listen for twice as long, then the amount of money our
streaming provider charges us also doubles. We have settled on the dial-up sound quality
that we offer now as the best compromise between cost and quality.
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