Internet Radio Problems

[Robert MacLean]

Newbie B2 user here so apologies if this has been covered before.

Internet radio works fine for most stations I want but fails on some.  Two examples of "fails" are Absolute Radio 60's and Gold 60's.  They play for a few seconds then there is a display of reducing percentages then no signal.  The error message is "waiting for data"  Not all oldies stations are affected.  For instance QMR Classic Gold 60's works OK.  The problem stations work fine on my Revo Superconnect which is on the same wifi network.  I tried moving the wifi dongle away from the unit using an extension USB cable but no better.  I then connected an ethernet cable from the ethernet outlet of a TP-Link extender nearby - still no better.  I wonder if it's a problem with the  Vtuner source.  The Revo uses Frontier Radio Nuvolo, although I don't think they have quite the range of stations.  Has anybody any suggestions?

Whilst writing I must say that I really like the B2, although sometimes you have to dig deep in the various help documents.  For instance I hadn't realised that my ripped tracks weren't being compressed to FLAC and the B2 eventually didn't want to accept any more. I had been keeping the UI open on my PC all the time and it was only reading through various pages that I realised this prevented compression proceeding.  Lots to learn before mastering it completely!  My only real gripe so far is one that many others have mentioned - because artists' names are usually shown on compilation tracks but not tracks on single artist titles it's difficult to find all the tracks from any particular artist in one place. 

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Bob

You can "force" the B2 to compress (with the "Compress Now" function from the front panel) :-)

Regarding the Internet Radio

You have already addressed the "fixes" that I would have suggested. Most importantly trying the Ethernet connection option (I presume you did this with a USB Ethernet adapter - or did you plug the Ethernet inside the back of the Unit?). Just one thing

When you were trying the Ethernet, did you remove the WiFi dongle - if not try the Ethernet again but remove the WiFi dongle, the B" does not like two network connections open/active at the same time and I am not certain which it would use!.

I think you may also like to try and use the B2's NAS functionality and see your B2 music collection as files on your PC/MAC.

Fred.

[Robert MacLean]

Thanks Fred.

I said there was lots to learn!  "Compress Now" will be put in the memory bank.  

I opened the back of the B" and connected the Ethernet direct. I just happened to have a short flat Ethernet cable lying around. You guessed correctly, and I had left the USB wifi dongle in place.  Now removed but I'm sorry to say with the same result.  Is it possible that Vtuner have more than one streaming source for each station and that some are better than others?  Or is there a bandwidth problem at their end?  Please forgive me if those questions really show my ignorance. :-)    BTW I am with Zen internet and have a Fritzbox router supplied by them.  The nearest fibre cabinet is a bit away so speeds only 23-25Mbps but that doesn't seem to bother the Revo.

I had read about the NAS stuff but was leaving that till later.  Perhaps I should bring it further up my priority list.

Bob

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Ill try the offending station on my B2  and report back🤔

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Ok I tried Absolute Radio 60s and it played for a few seconds then stopped 

As the same result is happening for both of us it is not the B2 setup/system. And as our B2s can both play from the internet radio this must be a Vtuner or Absolute Radio issue. Have they gone subscription only mode ?

Fred

[PMB]

Hi Bobmac...,

I found the same result when playing Absolute 60's via vTuner. If you are in the UK you can use Radiofeeds to find and play Absolute 60's. To this use the front control to go to 'Find Station' >> enter 'abs' as the search clue - gives 7 results >> press NEXT to see these >> scroll to Absolute Radio 60's > press the control to play. You can add the station to a Preset by pressing and holding a number button on the remote.

Alternatively the B2 has an experimental bit of software (it works but doesn't save currently) that allows you to play 'Podcasts', if you know the URL. I found the URL for Absolute 60's by looking at the debug monitor - 

http://ais.absoluteradio.co.uk/absolute60shigh.aac

Via the web UI type podcast into the search b2 box >> a 'Podcast; box is shown >> type (or copy and paste) the URL into the box >> click on Play. Sometimes it doesn't work first time and plays a track off the HDD. Stop this and go through the podcast and URL stages again.

Although the B2 doesn't store the station URL, the browser (Chrome, etc) remembers so you do not have to enter it each time.

I use this method to listen to alternative streams of stations like Radio Paradise in flac or Radio Caroline in aac.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Robert MacLean]

That's brilliant Paul.  Thanks again!  In the meantime, before I saw your reply, I've emailed vTuner support so it'll be interesting if they can also sort it at their end.
Bob

[John Cockaday]

Adding to this thread another issue (probably unrelated).  Some stations are moving off of the vTuner platform.  I first discovered this using my Sonos, when I was getting a warning that the station I wanted (Magic 105.4) would no longer be obtainable from vTuner.  On the Sonos I was able to get round this by using different platforms - Radioplayer for some, myTuner for other, stations.  But playing Magic on the B2 through the Sonos system, I get the same warning about imminent disconnection.  Is it possible to make the Brennan use a different platform for radio stations?

Thanks.

[Robert MacLean]

I think it's the same problem as I had John.  It's Bauer Radio restricting access rather than a specific vTuner issue.  My Revo internet radio uses Frontier Nuvolo Smart Radio and after I approached them with the problem they found a way round it but it resurfaces from time to time.  I similarly approached vTuner but got no response.

Regards, Bob

[Graham Smout]

I'm having the same issues with SCALA radio playing for a few seconds then stopping.

[JFBUK]

Scala is part of the Bauer group

[Mark Fishman]

I get a very interesting message when trying to play the scala radio stream from vtuner in my browser, about them changing how to listen and I should use their own website -- which promptly blocks me because I'm not in the UK.

[PMB]

Hi All,

They stopped playing the warning message for a while so we thought they had changed their minds but it appears to be back now. I'll ask what, if anything, can be done.

Paul

Brennan Support.