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Thread ID: 55663	2005-03-16 07:53:00	Streaming audio - short less than a second breaks	Misty (368)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
334725	2005-03-16 07:53:00	In listening to (and recording) streaming audio, a particular station that I especially like (Cool Blue - http://www.coolblue.co.nz/ ) has for the past week, more often than not, had each song or music track broken by very brief spells where the sound has gone flat on a frequent basis. It is only for very brief moments - less than a second each time but it spoils the music considerably. I thought that it might possibly be the equipment but have tried other stations and they are fine. I am using Media Player 9 because they seem to rather insist on it. Media Player 9 is fine with other stations. It may, of course, be at the Cool Blue end. I sent them an email a couple of days ago but no response yet. The problem happens whether I am recording or not. I have no other programs running - but could it be Norton anti-virus ?? I got a free trial with the new computer and have not ditched it for AVG. I am running Windows XP (with SP2). Anything I can try please ? Misty :groan:	Misty (368)
334726	2005-03-16 09:20:00	well if I ping them I'm seeing some 5% or so packet loss. So I'd quickly conclude that there is something a bit dodgy with their network connection or servers. In order words it isn't your machine.. Then again I am on UBS Orcon ;)	gibler (49)
334727	2005-03-16 09:25:00	You haven't told us your internet connection. You could be doing something else with the connection and not leaving enough bandwidth for WMP9 to buffer the song.	E|im (87)
334728	2005-03-17 04:38:00	In order words it isn't your machine . . Thanks, Gibler - I was pretty sure that it was'nt . . . but wanted to check . I will email them again with your info re the ping results ! You haven't told us your internet connection . You could be doing something else with the connection and not leaving enough bandwidth for WMP9 to buffer the song . Hi EIim - I am using ADSL 256/128 and when I go onto "Cool Blue" I chose their 128 option . I have nothing else running (except probably Norton etc in the background) and there is still the problem . There is no Spyware taking up bandwidth because I have recently checked with both Ad-aware and Spybot . Seems that Gibler has the answer . What do you think ? Misty ;)	Misty (368)
334729	2005-03-17 08:28:00	Here is the reply from Cool Blue which is interesting ! Well it doesn't really help because the problem is not ours. We are providing a direct high bandwidth link to the New Zealand Internet pairing exchange, and we have miles more bandwidth available, than is currently being used. Unfortunately a couple of weeks ago, Xtra and some other ISP's decided to disconnect from that local exchange, and so our traffic mostly has to go overseas to the USA before it gets back to you in New Zealand. So it is something that Xtra has deliberately done, and you, as a consumer, should raise the issue with them. It not only is affecting us, it is a major concern to many large media companies, and the www.trademe.co.nz Web site as well. The decision turns thier back on local content providers, and may be aimed at attempting to force local providers to feed content to the ISP, rather than use the local pairing system. That way they can of course charge big fees to the providers, as well as collect the bandwidth fees that they are charging consumers. It's a bit like Transit New Zealand insisting that when I drive from Hamilton to Auckland, I go via Whangarei, and there is a toll charge both ways. Having said all that our streaming supplier is working on ways to try to overcome, or at least minimise the problems you are currently experiencing. Regards Brian Misty :@@:	Misty (368)
334730	2005-03-17 08:45:00	Another success story in the Brave New World of the New Zealand free market economy.	zqwerty (97)
334731	2005-03-30 09:36:00	This is the reponse I got from the host site for Cool Blue - Thanks for the contact and comments. About 2-3 weeks ago TelstraClear de-peered from the Wellington Internet Exchange, where the server is connected. This has thrown a large load on our international capacity, which is why your friend probably sees 5% packet loss. Neither Telecom or Telstra now peer locally, so traffic to them and their customers typically goes via Sydney (Telecom) or the USA (Telstra). Its not ideal, in fact its very poor, but they've done it to force smaller operators into buying capacity from them. You can listen to www.darkmere.gen.nz to hear more. A user in CHC has mentioned the same issue with some of the Rhema stations we stream. My advice is that you ring the Xtra Help Desk and complain. Last one I heard about identified issues inside the Telecom network, and friends at Telstra tell me their Help Desk is furious at teh volume of complaints they're getting. So keep listening - we try to keep it as good as we can. Richard I will communicate this to Xtra right now ! Misty :annoyed:	Misty (368)
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