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[Daverich4]

I’m trying to play back various internet radio stations but have not been able to do it so far. I’ve searched the forum and come across a number of descriptions of how to do it. They all basically say to do it this way:

File-Open URL-Paste in your Streaming Radio url
Check “Show web media options when opening to allow recording and more” and then Press OK
On the Open URL Dialogue box Check “Add stream to web media” only and then Press OK
In MC Navigate to Audio-Connected Media-My Connected Media and you should see and be able to playback your station

My problem is that nothing shows up there no matter which station stream I try. I’m running Media Center 21 on a Mac. Is there some other check box someplace that I’ve missed or a step that I’m not doing? Thanks.

[imugli]

Could you give an example of the stream you're trying to open?

[Daverich4]

Could you give an example of the stream you're trying to open?

Thanks for getting back to me. This is one of the stations that I’ve tried that doesn’t work for me. I can stream it from my browser but not from MC.

radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KCSM

I’ve tried a number of other stations without success as well. Thanks again for your help.

[Daverich4]

?

[JimH]

That isn't a URL, without the http:// in front.  Did you try that?  Please paste the whole URL you're using.

[leezer3]

That links to a nasty flash based web-player, not the raw audio stream directly.

It'll be playing one of the streams from this page:
http://kcsm.org/jazz91/listen.php

Specifically, I think you want the 64kpbs AAC+ stream:
http://ice5.securenetsystems.net/KCSM

Alternatively, there's also a 128kbps MP3 stream:
http://ice5.securenetsystems.net/KCSM

-Leezer-

[Daverich4]

That isn't a URL, without the http:// in front.  Did you try that?  Please paste the whole URL you're using.

Sorry, it did have the http in front, I just missed it when I cut and pasted.

[Daverich4]

That links to a nasty flash based web-player, not the raw audio stream directly.

It'll be playing one of the streams from this page:
http://kcsm.org/jazz91/listen.php

Specifically, I think you want the 64kpbs AAC+ stream:
http://ice5.securenetsystems.net/KCSM

Alternatively, there's also a 128kbps MP3 stream:
http://ice5.securenetsystems.net/KCSM

-Leezer-

Thanks for your help, the second one works fine. Do you have any tips on what to look for if I'm trying to find a stream for a specific station. Apparently there was something wrong with the one I chose? Thanks again.

[leezer3]

Thanks for your help, the second one works fine. Do you have any tips on what to look for if I'm trying to find a stream for a specific station. Apparently there was something wrong with the one I chose? Thanks again.

The second one is MP3.
A little surprised the AAC+ one didn't work, as AAC is an Apple technology, but there we go.

MP3 is I suppose what I'd term a 'universal' format, which will work on just about any device. The sound quality may not always be as good, but it'll normally work whatever.
Basically, you just want to look for the stream that describes itself as MP3 format. It might also be described as a .m3u playlist

You may see streams described as having differing bitrates.
The greater the bitrate, the better the audio quality.
On the flip side though, the download size will also go up with the bitrate, which may not be so good if you're on a slow internet connection, or have bandwidth limits.

Some other potential formats to avoid:
WMA- Windows Media Audio. Works on Windows, I wouldn't expect it to on a Mac.
RM- Real Media. Another Windows format, much older though. Again, I wouldn't expect to work on a Mac.

-Leezer-