Receiving data from liveCaster

As noted in the user tutorial, liveCaster runs in one of two possible modes, transmitting either (MPEG) audio data, or textual attributes. The remainder of this page describes the receiving of audio data. (A separate page covers the receiving of attribute data.)

To receive and play audio data from liveCaster, you will, of course, need to be part of the Multicast Internet (aka. "MBone") - or, failing that, be on the same local network as liveCaster. You will also need a MP3 player tool that can receive RTP-encapsulated MPEG audio data (RTP payload type 14). Here are some possible tools:

We are compiling a list of RTP-capable MP3 players; if you are a provider of such a tool (not already listed here), please let us know.

Advertising multicast sessions

Multicast sessions - such as liveCaster's audio sessions - are usually announced in a multicast session directory. liveCaster will automatically make an announcement for its session (unless the user asks that the session not be announced).

You can also advertise your session on the World-Wide Web, by publishing a "*.m3u" file that contains a "rtp://..." 'pseudo-URL' (as described above). To do this, your web server should be configured to publish "*.m3u" files using the MIME type "audio/mpegurl". Web users can then launch your session by accessing the "*.m3u" file, provided that

  1. They are connected to the "MBone" (or, at least, are on the same LAN as the liveCaster source)
  2. They have a helper application - such as "Winamp" - that can handle the "audio/mpegurl" MIME type
  3. This helper application can handle the "rtp://..." 'pseudo-URL'. ("Winamp" users can handle such URLs by downloading and installing the "in_rtp.dll" plugin.)

Learning about multicast sessions

To view (and launch) announced multicast sessions, you will need a multicast session (SAP) browser.

liveCaster's audio sessions are usually advertised in either the "SDP default" directory, or the "Low-Bandwidth Sessions" directory. (The latter directory can be found in the "SDP default" directory.)


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