Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies Hi there. I've been reading here for a while and using the facilities quite extensively. Thanks 'Kronalias' for all your work; it's really very impressive. I am a huge BBC fan (British and UK-based) and have been for decades! I am particularly impressed by the way the BBC, less encumbered by the need to make profits for its shareholders, has adopted such a pro-active approach to the new means of distribution and presentation of news and both audio and video programming. I'd like to jump in with my comments on the loss of (some of the) Real streams. Hope you don't mind a newcomer putting in his 2 penn'orth! I have no inside information but have been following streaming stuff for quite some time and have a few thoughts on what's happening. Real was (one of) the first into steaming technology and it ruled the roost for a number of years. When BBC started streaming it chose Real, one assumes on the basis that this would give the greatest number of people the opportunity to listen, especially as there has always been a free version available of the Realplayer (for Windows at least). The BBC stuck with Real through thick and thin and despite the fact that this format was being abandoned by other broadcasters in favour of other technologies. In particular, Windows Media Player files and MP3, AAC, OGG, FLV format streams (many using the Flash container which is the basis of the BBC iPlayer) have now taken the market away from Real. On the premise that Real is a technology which is in decline the BBC has decided that it must offer other formats. It now allows its programmes to be heard/watched in a variety of formats. This page [url=http://beebhack.wikia.com/wiki/IPlayer_TV#Comparison_Table]BITRATES[/url] gives some idea of the multiple video formats available, for example. So you will see that the BBC is only following the market. I'm sure this is the correct decision despite the fact that, sadly, it cuts down (and I'm sure will eventually drop) support for legacy platforms which only support Real (some Nokia smartphones for example). If you've got this far, thanks for reading and sorry for being so long-winded. ;-) I agree with those who say that VLC is very complicated for 'every day' use. What you need is something like Realplayer which just pops up when you click a link in a web page (e.g. K's R2 example above) and plays the stream. You might like to look at Winamp which has been around for many years (and is still being developed) and has a free version. This will do what I proposed in the previous sentence. You can get Winamp from [url=http://www.winamp.com/player]HERE[/url]. Choose the version labelled "full" and "FREE" and click on 'download'. Save the file to somewhere where you can find it again (I suggest 'Desktop' is the easiest). Then install it from wherever you left it (if you used 'Desktop' you will see it there, er... on your Desktop. I suggest you turn off (untick) all the 'extras' as you install. Allow Winamp to load after installation. You will then be presented with a screen called 'File Associations'. Until you've decided what else you want to use Winamp for (it can be your main music/video player if you like) I suggest you turn off (untick) all filetypes except for the following: Winamp Specific Files - leave all ticked. Audio Files - First, untick this whole group, then click on the '+' sign to open the filetype details. Then tick individually AAC, M4A and WMA. Playlist Files - Untick the group, then open the detailed filetypes and tick ASX. Video Files - - Untick all, then tick individually ASF, FLV, SWF and WMV. Click through to the end ('Finish') Now close Winamp. Go back to your web browser, find K's R2 link above and click on it. It should open Winamp and play the stream... (seemples!). Hope that helps somebody. If you all use Macs, I'm Sorry I haven't A Clue! Terry http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,7347#msg-7347 Wed, 22 May 2013 05:52:54 +0100 Phorum 5.2.10 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,18832#msg-18832 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,18832#msg-18832 Truthyness Help Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:31:25 +0000 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,18824#msg-18824 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,18824#msg-18824 berbatov Help Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:40:07 +0000 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14943#msg-14943 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14943#msg-14943 IvorThirst Help Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:33:15 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14942#msg-14942 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14942#msg-14942 ]]> Janaru Help Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:26:20 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14930#msg-14930 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14930#msg-14930 Truthyness Help Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:47:48 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14915#msg-14915 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14915#msg-14915 (I got serious Old Lady Ken-do skills!)

No Java. Paul Drake forgot to bring home the goods ;)]]> Janaru Help Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:16:01 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14913#msg-14913 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14913#msg-14913
<Nudge> "Hey, Honey, Is this my page?"

Apparently, it is.

"While you're up, would you get me a mug of java?"

Perry]]> IvorThirst Help Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:08:37 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14912#msg-14912 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14912#msg-14912 Truthyness Help Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:28:26 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14911#msg-14911 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14911#msg-14911 IvorThirst Help Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:16:07 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14909#msg-14909 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14909#msg-14909

Amazing Good Luck stories. Just shows what you can do with the power of positive thinking.::o]]> Truthyness Help Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:03:22 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14907#msg-14907 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14907#msg-14907
My husband discovered our next-door neighbor has an illegal antenna on the corner of his house which is about thirty-feet from my window. This has been causing severe interference with B*stards wireless card (which is pretty old). So we took a trip to Radio Shack and picked up some CAT5 Ethernet cable and hooked me up directly to the router. So far so good! I haven't had any dropped programs since he plugged it in. So the problems on my side are solved....I think :)

Hey, you should save Mr. Wizard for future needs....or maybe go drop a C Note ($100) on a horse named Wizard at Santa Anita (or your equivalent) :)

Thanks Buddy! ;)]]> Janaru Help Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:57:55 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14902#msg-14902 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14902#msg-14902 ]]> IvorThirst Help Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:23:25 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14899#msg-14899 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14899#msg-14899
I love it when a computer problem is solved! Pass your good luck on to me, Ive :)]]> Janaru Help Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:31:23 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14898#msg-14898 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14898#msg-14898 IvorThirst Help Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:43:33 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14870#msg-14870 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14870#msg-14870 Janaru Help Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:55:21 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14847#msg-14847 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14847#msg-14847 I've been using XMPlay for years and it's the best audio player ever since Winamp became all bloated.

Be sure to try the update to the WMA plugin I listed above as it allows you to listen to "Listen Again" streams with seeking.]]> ray Help Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:24:39 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14835#msg-14835 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14835#msg-14835 and community minded eh! Jan. I understand this "share-ware" concept offers all sorts of possibilities to parties involved. Not unlike couch-surfing perhaps?]]> Truthyness Help Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:55:13 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14824#msg-14824 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14824#msg-14824 Janaru Help Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:14:37 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14796#msg-14796 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14796#msg-14796
This looks interesting and some of the skins are great. I love the Vintage Radio one.

Can you explain something to me? Assuming as I am that the software is free, what's in it for the developer? I don't see any adverts on the site, as far as I've looked anyway. Are these people in it for the challenge or do they wear the cloak of altruism, or both?]]> Ironeyes Help Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:43:26 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14765#msg-14765 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,14765#msg-14765
I use it and it's awesome. Lightweight and great.
[un4seen.com]

Plays WMA natively.

[Update]
A new release of the WMA plugin allows you to seek!
[www.un4seen.com]]]> ray Help Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:54:43 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12901#msg-12901 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12901#msg-12901

Running RealPlayer

RealPlayer can be started via Applications > Sound & Video > RealPlayer11 or via the Terminal by typing:
realplayer

RealPlayer can run as a standalone media player or as a plugin to Firefox and some other browsers. Currently the 32-bit version integrates well with Ubuntu while the 64-bit version and plugins are still not fully developed.

$PATH. If RealPlayer won't start, make sure that a symbolic link of the realplay start-up script is in your system path. To check, run this command in Terminal:
which realplay
# The command should return:
/usr/bin/realplay

If it is not, the user will need to enter the full path to realplayer when the command is run or entered into scripts. If the RealPlayer startup script (realplay) is not located in /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin, create a symbolic link so the startup script will be located by the system. The following example is for a RealPlayer installation into the /opt/real/Realplayer folder. If RealPlayer was installed in another folder, change /opt/real/RealPlayer to reflect the actual location:
sudo ln -s /opt/real/RealPlayer/realplay /usr/local/bin

External Protocol Handling: As a standalone player, the default Ubuntu settings may start Totem when a RealPlayer file is selected (.ra, .rm, .rv, .ram, .smil, etc.). If these files are not opened with RealPlayer, the application may start and then crash or close.


To change the default to RealPlayer, right click on the file, select Properties > Open With and then RealPlayer. If it is not a choice, select Open with Other Application and select it.








If not listed, expand Use custom command and the Browse button to point it to the RealPlayer run file. By default, this is /usr/bin/realplayer. If not installed from the Medibuntu repositories, the location may be /opt/real/RealPlayer.]]> Janaru Help Wed, 19 May 2010 07:06:21 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12900#msg-12900 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12900#msg-12900 Helix Player. It may not go anywhere, but it might be worth a look.]]> Janaru Help Wed, 19 May 2010 06:36:29 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12898#msg-12898 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12898#msg-12898
Sham-Wow, baby! B)-

Yeah, tell me about it. I've been fighting with the BBC since February :S

Hmmm....don't now about Ubuntu and Real. Let me poke around a bit and if I come up with anything, I'll post. We gotta have Maggie back to happy listening again! :)]]> Janaru Help Wed, 19 May 2010 06:18:53 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12895#msg-12895 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12895#msg-12895
Quote
Janaru
Do you want to use VLC or would you prefer using your Real Player? I know you can set that one up to play the WMA's automatically.

I don't think this works in Ubuntu. That would be ideal because, well, I've subjected you to my whinging above. Maybe it will if I can find that alternate universe.

I installed mplayer and fooled around with it a bit for WMA Beeb radio. It's not pretty. It works, but won't shut off, doesn't show the name of the program while playing, & makes believe it's not working (pop-up) when it is. It's been recommended for these beeb radio changes for linux users, so I'll continue to look at it.

Thanks for the VLC wiki - will putter around in it tomorrow. I love where it says 'mad things you can do with VLC"!

It's amazing how much time this sort of activity soaks up - like one of those super cloths on tv with that annoying guy, forget the name of it. I'm sure any successes I have will be overblown out of self-preservation.

Quote
Ivor
Maggie. I don't know whether my VLC is different from yours, but when I open it I get a small player pad, with all the appropriate buttons. I don't use playlists and, as Jan will tell you, I'm not that technically oriented. I just go to the UK Beebotron 3 Lite and save the URL location to the clipboard.

Sorry I didn't get back to you, Ivor! I can do that too. I'm just spoiled by RealPlayer where I don't have to copy & paste the URL each time I want to open Radio3. It's save permanently in my favourites there. VLC won't do this. I may find a way, hopefully. I switch from World News to R4 and R3 often during the day.]]> maggie Help Wed, 19 May 2010 03:51:27 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12893#msg-12893 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12893#msg-12893 VLC Wiki]]> Janaru Help Wed, 19 May 2010 01:34:20 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12883#msg-12883 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12883#msg-12883
Nope. I never had that one happen.

"Janaru, re: conflict between RP and VLC - hmm. Could well be. Not sure what it's like in windows. I thought I wouldn't be able to use both and I'm still confused as to why vlc opens automatically for beebotron 3 radio links. I can see I need some time to look into all this. But I suspect Truthy's "smoulering ruins" analogy still stands."

You may have the VLC preferences set to open WMA files, so that when you click the Beebotrons links they open in there automatically. I don't have VLC installed at the moment, and I can't remember where you go to change that, Tools or Options or something like that.

Yeah. Smouldering ruins is right.

"I just discovered that the vlc playlist won't save the url's for beeb live radio I put in. They only stay there as long as vlc is open. And even then they disappear as soon as I open a play again show from Beebotron 3. Maybe I need to change my media settings back to RP or something. Will report back later. Need to re-read that linux thread."

I think you can save them, Maggie, but it's a damn dog and pony show to get it to do it. Jeez, I wish my memory was better. It's been a few months since I messed with VLC and I've forgotten most of what I'd figured out. I think they have a Wiki forum.

Do you want to use VLC or would you prefer using your Real Player? I know you can set that one up to play the WMA's automatically.]]> Janaru Help Wed, 19 May 2010 00:08:40 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12877#msg-12877 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12877#msg-12877 IvorThirst Help Tue, 18 May 2010 23:18:04 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12873#msg-12873 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12873#msg-12873
Janaru, re: conflict between RP and VLC - hmm. Could well be. Not sure what it's like in windows. I thought I wouldn't be able to use both and I'm still confused as to why vlc opens automatically for beebotron 3 radio links. I can see I need some time to look into all this. But I suspect Truthy's "smoulering ruins" analogy still stands.

I just discovered that the vlc playlist won't save the url's for beeb live radio I put in. They only stay there as long as vlc is open. And even then they disappear as soon as I open a play again show from Beebotron 3. Maybe I need to change my media settings back to RP or something. Will report back later. Need to re-read that linux thread.]]> maggie Help Tue, 18 May 2010 22:20:39 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12870#msg-12870 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12870#msg-12870
The problem is now in the settings for "B*stard" which is running XP (yeah, yeah, I know :P) trying to communicate with my husbands computer (which is running Vista) and the Linksys router. It keeps randomly switching to Ad Hoc for some reason.

On top of that, the Beeb are having stream troubles as well, and it's hard to tell when it's me or when it's them. Rule of thumb: If all internet is slow, it's me, if it's just he Beeb it's them.]]> Janaru Help Tue, 18 May 2010 20:09:58 +0100 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12869#msg-12869 Re: Winamp - an alternative when RealAudio dies http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?5,7347,12869#msg-12869
I've been doin' some vlc exploring today. I've managed to store my usual live beeb radio url's in vlc's playlist, so I'm a happy camper. They're almost as easily accessible as they were in RP. I don't know if it might help, but here's videolan's basic use page for vlc player.

When you say it conks out - do you mean it just refuses to play a stream? Can you describe what happens. Of course, I may not be much help with the Windows side of things. But I might, who knows.

I've been looking more at Beebotron 3 Lite - didn't realize we can still have play again shows! yay! It's a step or two more with the wma and vlc thing for me on linux, but it's often better than going to the beeb radio pages. I sometimes forget, ot just don't know, what shows are available, so it's just another reason to highly praise K and anyone working to keep this place the gem that it is.]]> maggie Help Tue, 18 May 2010 19:40:49 +0100