MP3 Streaming on Demand?

Joe asks: "I've checked freshmeat a number of times, but I can't seem to find any software that will stream mp3 files 'on demand'. Most software for mp3 streaming (be it windows or unix) is based on the broadcast model (shoutcast/icecast), where a fixed or growing playlist keeps playing at all times. What I want is something that works on the 'play samples' model, where a sample of the tune is played automatically through a streaming protocol, rather than downloaded and played once downloaded. Any such beast exist? If not, why not?"

"I suppose with enough fidgetting, one could write a cgi program (even as a /bin/sh script) that would start a new icecast process on a particular port, start the shout stream, and return to the browser the "playlist" that would signal the browser to start winamp/xmms on the appropriate port; the "start the shout stream" process would wait play silence for a few seconds before shouting the desired mp3 in order to give time to the player...but that seems rather kluge-like."

Comments

cgi is the key

[billcopc]

You stepped right over the solution without noticing it. Just make a CGI that will stream the MP3 directly to the player. Just make a normal playlist that points to your CGI (probably with a parameter for the desired soundfile). The playlist will be passed on to the mp3 player, which will then HTTP open the CGI, where you can start feeding the music data requested. Piece of cake.

bagh

[angry old man]

bagh. Back in my day we didn't have fancy schmancy streaming digital audio.

If we wanted to listen to something on our computer, we plopped a music CD in the CDROM tray. If we wanted to listen to something in a different part of our house, we didn't stream it to the computer in that room, we turned the volume up in the other room.

Nowadays, all you kids with your stream this, or rip that attitudes are causing those hard working record industry executives to get there panties in a bundle. The recording industry barely gets by on its razor thin profit margins, and any of this digital streaming might cause them to to go bust! If you weren't such lazy hooligans, you'd carry around your store bought CD around with you and listen to that.