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Answered

Slow MP3 connect with Android 2.3 and above

Chris Davis 12 years ago updated by Jona (Lead Developer) 12 years ago 3

I am using the latest version of XiiaLive Pro on several Android devices running Android versions 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 3.2.  The stream I am connecting to is from my own Windows 2003 server using Proscan’s RadioFeed.  I have also used Broadwave’s Streaming Audio Server with the same results.  I am streaming a live police scanner from this URL: http://weather.dixonottawa.com:2002/RadioFeed.mp3

 

This works great with any Windows computer as well as the Android 2.1 and 2.2 devices.  With Android 2.1 and 2.2 it will connect and start playing in just a few seconds.  However on the Android 2.3 and 3.2 devices it buffers quickly to 99% and then sits there for approximately 90 seconds before it starts playing.  I am sending Meta tags along with the audio that show the scanner channel that is being received.  The Meta data is displayed almost instantly.  With 90 seconds of delay in the audio stream it is difficult to see what scanner channel was being received at the time the audio reached the encoder.

 

I read in the forums that there is a similar problem with AAC streams on Android versions 2.3 and above with RTSP.  Did Android break the MP3 as well?  Are there any work arounds for this problem?  Can I do anything on the server side that might help?

 

Unlike music listeners I am not concerned if there is an audio drop out occasionally.  I have the XiiaLive buffers both set for 1000.  I have tried using the XiiaLive internal stream engine.  It never connects and says it is connecting then says it is disconnecting over and over.

 

Suggestions?

 

Answer

Answer
Answered

I got your email, thanks! I was able to test the URL you provided and have a few suggestions for your server that might fix the issues you are having.


  1.  To be able to start the stream faster could you set the initial connection burst of data really high on your server?
  2.  Remove/disable the icy-metadata on yourserver.  This should allow it to stream using the internal stream engine… Yes, bug on our side L.  Next release we are adding an option to disable icy-metadata.
Yes there is currently an issue with how fast media playback starts on some Android devices.  Specially on the Android versions you have specified.  We've tried in many different ways to get around this issue but no success.  I believe that in newer versions of Android this is not an issue anymore.


In regards to the metadata out of sync, we are about to release a new update that will always have the metadata sync'ed.  This new release won't solve the startup long delay but will make it seem like it's not a problem...  "think seek bar ;)"


The issue with AAC was mostly a proxy issue with devices... I  haven't seen the same issue with streaming AAC with the start delay.


When using the internal engine what message do you see when it disconnects?  Could you capture the device logs and send them to support@xiialive.com?  This could help me see what could be causing the Internal stream engine to not be able to stream.

Answered

I got your email, thanks! I was able to test the URL youprovided and have a few suggestions for your server that might fix the issuesyou are having.


  1.  To be able to start the stream faster could youset the initial connection burst of data really high?
  2.  Remove/disable the icy-metadata on yourserver.  This should allow it to streamusing the internal stream engine… Yes, bug on our side L.  Next release we are doing an option todisable icy-metadata will be available.

Answer
Answered

I got your email, thanks! I was able to test the URL you provided and have a few suggestions for your server that might fix the issues you are having.


  1.  To be able to start the stream faster could you set the initial connection burst of data really high on your server?
  2.  Remove/disable the icy-metadata on yourserver.  This should allow it to stream using the internal stream engine… Yes, bug on our side L.  Next release we are adding an option to disable icy-metadata.
You mentioned in one of your e-mails that there would be a beta version soon that would keep Meta Data in sync with the audio. Is there a link where I could download and try this?
The update is almost finished... Just that there are so many changes that need to be finalized.  The metadata sync will be there and soon we will place the beta on the Android Market.  We will notify of the beta release via Twitter and Facebook.