Cheap solution for streaming Coast radio

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ADKM

860 posts

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#175232 22-Jun-2015 13:52

Coast is on AM here and we can't get a decent signal so was using an old PC on iheart radio and feeding audio out to amp.
But the comp just died. What would be a alternative? I'm thinking of netbooks or similar but don't know much about them.

Cheers - Kirk

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#1329297 22-Jun-2015 14:09

Use an entry-level NUC - tiny, efficient, and can be used as a PC if required.
Much better than a netbook for streaming (unless you have an old one lying around - free is good

Sideface

nedkelly

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#1329300 22-Jun-2015 14:15

Thin client?

wellygary

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#1329302 22-Jun-2015 14:20

If you are looking for a cheap dedicated audio streamer, you could look at something like a Rasberry Pi ( or similar) running something like volumio...

davidcole

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#1329323 22-Jun-2015 14:59

wellygary: If you are looking for a cheap dedicated audio streamer, you could look at something like a Rasberry Pi ( or similar) running something like volumio...

This.

Have just done this for ZM (which is iheartradio based). You find the stream and put the playlist file on the volumio system, then hook the raspberry pi up to an amp. I've used a simple USB DAC as the onboard 3.5mm connection is a bit crap.

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ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1329328 22-Jun-2015 15:09

Thanks for suggestions. I have a rasp pi bit didn't think there was a browser for them. Is volumio a browser?

davidcole

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#1329329 22-Jun-2015 15:12

ADKM: Thanks for suggestions. I have a rasp pi bit didn't think there was a browser for them. Is volumio a browser?

no its a linux distro with an MPD client (a music play) than implemented a web server to serve up pages relating to internet radio, spotify and or any mp3 files on your network.

It also supports upnp and airplay.

volumio.org

I had this thread the other day: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=175151

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1329345 22-Jun-2015 15:32

Had a read of the thread, much of it's above me, but are you saying it's possible to stream iheart radio from the pi?

Is there something wrong with the 3.5 line out on the pi? I could hook that up very easily, but could you tell me how to 'find the stream'
and install volumnio ? Could I could download it on the pc and copy it to Wokgroup-Raspbmc on then LAN ?

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davidcole

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#1329353 22-Jun-2015 15:57

ADKM: Had a read of the thread, much of it's above me, but are you saying it's possible to stream iheart radio from the pi?

Is there something wrong with the 3.5 line out on the pi? I could hook that up very easily, but could you tell me how to 'find the stream'
and install volumnio ? Could I could download it on the pc and copy it to Wokgroup-Raspbmc on then LAN ?

To get the stream I went to the iheart page and started listening then looked at the page source and found the .pls file Inside that will be the stream name. I would have preferred to use the existing .pls file but volumio didnt; seem to like it.

I think I had to manually create the .pls.

Yeah the 3.5mm on the pi is a bit lacking in quallity...try it and see how you go, if you're ok with it then it'll save you money.

Volumio you download on the PC, then "burn" the image to an SD card for the pi. Should be simple instructions on the volumio.org site.

So to get the stream.
Start listening, view the source and look for: .pls. Fo rme that brought up:
http://streaming.radiomyway.co.nz/CoastAAC.pls

Then when I open the file I see: http://radionetwork-iheart-ice.streamguys1.com/coihr.aac

This is the stream to play in volumio.

So my ZM one looks like:
[playlist]
File1=http://radionetwork-iheart-ice.streamguys1.com/zmihr.aac
NumberOfEntries=1
Version=2
Title=ZMonline

this is saved in /var/lib/mpd/music/WEBRADIO

The only other thing I've done is customise the php page that displays the tracks as with ZM they fudge with the song title and add extra crap. Not sure if all iheartradio uuse the same format. But this should igve you enough to go on.

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1329383 22-Jun-2015 17:14

Thanks very much for the rundown. I can see you're really up with this, I've never heard of a pls file and the whole procedure looks a little daunting
Those 2 links offered files to download so I have these and will see what I can do with them.
Any idea why the Pi analogue audio is bad ? Is it restricted range or compressed ? I only want to play it as background music (and to a mono amp) so anything might be OK.
How much was the USB DAC and easy to get ?   It gives you AF from the USB port ?

Guess the SD card has to change back an forth for normal pi use (media player). Maybe I'd be better to get a 2nd pi ?   But I'll have a go with
the existing setup and see how it goes (after I get another SD card).
Can I can get back to you if I get stuck ?   Thanks.

davidcole

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#1329408 22-Jun-2015 17:39

ADKM: Thanks very much for the rundown. I can see you're really up with this, I've never heard of a pls file and the whole procedure looks a little daunting
Those 2 links offered files to download so I have these and will see what I can do with them.
Any idea why the Pi analogue audio is bad ? Is it restricted range or compressed ? I only want to play it as background music (and to a mono amp) so anything might be OK.
How much was the USB DAC and easy to get ?   It gives you AF from the USB port ?

Guess the SD card has to change back an forth for normal pi use (media player). Maybe I'd be better to get a 2nd pi ?   But I'll have a go with
the existing setup and see how it goes (after I get another SD card).
Can I can get back to you if I get stuck ?   Thanks.

You'd probably need a better case with a USB DAC.

https://flic.kr/p/v1n8dA
I'll make a .pls for the coast tonight and post it. It's pretty simple when you compare it to the zm one I posted. The .aac URL is what goes in the file.

slingynz

154 posts

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#1329409 22-Jun-2015 17:39

what are you currently running on your pi?

ADKM

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#1329446 22-Jun-2015 18:51

Pi has got Kodi installed and is just used for watching avi's on the PC.

That case and usb DACin the image - is not the usual pi one ? I was thinking of getting another - B+ model for $60. Should I (unless anyone knows cheaper?)
I downloaded DiskImager and the image file and tried to burn the SD card from my camera only to find it was too small (1 GB).
Will pick up a 4GB one tomorrow.

deadlyllama

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#1329447 22-Jun-2015 18:52

Why not a $50 android phone attached to your wifi? Or one of the rubbish sub $100 tablets?

davidcole

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#1329462 22-Jun-2015 18:59

ADKM: Pi has got Kodi installed and is just used for watching avi's on the PC.

That case and usb DACin the image - is not the usual pi one ? I was thinking of getting another - B+ model for $60. Should I (unless anyone knows cheaper?)
I downloaded DiskImager and the image file and tried to burn the SD card from my camera only to find it was too small (1 GB).
Will pick up a 4GB one tomorrow.

Yeah I'd proably do that first...means the only expense to start with is a new sd card to determine if a, you can get it going and b, the sound quality is ok.

jpfree

45 posts

Geek

#1329474 22-Jun-2015 19:24

deadlyllama: Why not a $50 android phone attached to your wifi? Or one of the rubbish sub $100 tablets?

Definitely this, will be more reliable as NZME could change the URL to the stream at any time whereas the iHeart app will always work.

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