I'm an international dial-up user, using Linux, and there is no problem with 48kb/s streams for Radio 4 FM, or was there with BBC7/Radio7, but the availability of 48kb/s streams for Radio 4 Extra has been a shambles since it started on April 2nd.

Can anyone explain what the problem might be? Are UK dial-up users having the same problem?

Some programmes do have a 48kb/s stream, but it's totally hit and miss if the programmes I want to listen to have them.

I'll give more details if nobody knows what I'm going on about.

Nigel aka Farpoint.

I'm getting the 48 kbs international streams okay, Farpoint. Are you not getting anything at all or are they dropping and cutting-out?

The standard reply I get with the download or streaming problems (I am on dial up too, someone has to keep the price of internet access low ) is some hours of the day are better to get data than others. Lunch time is usually a bad time because everyone is using their phonelines, after dinner is usually a good time to listen. Might also be an isp problem, high usage times won't do you any favors. Recently I had to change isps because the BBC was refusing my former isp access. I doubt if that is your problem unless your isp is AOL.

For some programmes all i'm getting are 96kb/s streams, as if the 48kb/s ones just arn't available.

I do get dropouts from time to time as well, like I've lost contact with the BBCs server, and resulting in partial stream saves, but that also happens on Radio 4 FM. That's a nuisance but nothing like this problem with the 48 kbs streams on Radio 4 Extra.

If you are getting the 48 kbs international streams on Radio 4 Extra with no problems, why I wonder, am I not?

What is your setup? Windows with Windows Media Player, or Linux? I'm using Linux and Kaffeine media player to play and save the windows media streams.

Nigel aka Farpoint.

Windows with Winamp. That's the default. I've never tried Media player. Most of the time I just use NetTransport to grab the stream and listen later...

Okay. I see what you mean, Nigel (hi, by the way ).

For some weird reason, R4x is sending some streams in 48 and some in 96 kbps. Some series will have something like one episode in 48, the next two in 96, the next two in 48....some will be all of one or the other.........no real rhyme or reason to it, not that I can see anyway.

I've seen this mentioned in other places but haven't heard any answers yet.

At least you know it's not just you. I thought this was only happening on the international streams, but you say it's the UK streams as well? Curiouser and curiouser......

I'm on Windows XP using Total Recorder Pro to stream and to record. I do get dropouts sometimes too, like a server disconnect, but not that often anymore, and it does seem to be more frequent during either peak UK or US times.

If I do hear anymore about this I'll post back here. Wish I could be more helpful.

Jan