Quite often you will find yourself listening to an internet stream that you like and decide to add to your favorites for later listening to. Since internet radio stations use various streaming services for their station, live stream links may change from time to time. When a station decides to change their hosting provider, they will, in the process have to change their stream url. The problem is that the station url that you have saved in your favorites for later use will then become unuseable. You will get frustrated only then to move on to another source of your favorite tunes for your enjoyment.
This happens all to often with many internet radio stations but there is a solution for this problem. By using an ASX file to store your streaming data and station description as metadata, you are able to host the ASX file at one place permanently but still providing you the flexibility to update your stream url without ever having to worry about your audience loosing connection to their favorite Internet Radio Station. You will be able to use an ASX file like a normal streaming media file allowing you to direct control the stream url providing instant access to your stream anytime, anywhere.
This tutorial will show you how to achieve a permanent link for your Internet Radio Station! Lets start by opening a standard text document (note pad for windows users) and save it as “mystream” o.k. now lets look at the code below:
<asx version = “3.0″>
<BANNER HREF=”BANNER_URL“>
<Abstract>DESCRIPTION_OF_BANNER</Abstract>
<MoreInfo href = “HYPERLINK_FOR_BANNER” />
</BANNER>
<entry>
<ref href = “MY_STREAM_URL“/>
<Title>MY_STATIONS_NAME</Title>
<Author>MY_STATIONS_WEBSITE_URL</Author>
</entry>
</asx>
Looking at the above sample code you will see some metadata tags in bold. Reading the above sample, BANNER_URL is the url of the banner image you may use for a logo of the station. DESCRIPTION_OF_BANNER is the description of the banner image. You may use special characters, spacing, letters or numbers in this field but remember to keep it short. HYPERLINK_FOR_BANNER is the url you wish to use on the banner as a hyperlink. This may be a link to your website or streaming server default page. Now we come to the MY_STREAM_URL. This is the field you will add your exact url to the streaming host. IF you are using shoutcast, you would enter the ip address and port only. Do not include “listen.pls” in the url. MY_STATIONS_NAME is the field you will add your description or slogan of your internet radio station. Keep this description short. Lastly, MY_STATIONS_WEBSITE_URL is used for the internet radio stations website address. You must use a direct url path (example: http://www.moo2u.com) in this field.
Now after looking at the sample code lets make our own .ASX file. Start by copying the code shown above and replace accordingly. You may use this sample ASX code below as a guide. The banner is from moo2u and the internet radio station of choice is Club 977.
<asx version = “3.0″>
<BANNER HREF=”http://www.moo2u.com/blog-uploads/radio.png“>
<Abstract>Visit Moo2u</Abstract>
<MoreInfo href = “http://www.moo2u.com/” />
</BANNER>
<entry>
<ref href = “http://scfire-ntc-aa01.stream.aol.com:80/stream/1040“/>
<Title>Club 977 – The 80’s Channel</Title>
<Author>www.977music.com</Author>
</entry>
</asx>
When you are done, be sure to save your file as “mystream.asx” or save as a “.txt” file and rename the extension to “.asx” then all that’s left is to upload to your Internet radio station’s website and link to it on your web page.
You may try this ASX file out yourself by using the following link: http://www.moo2u.com/blog-uploads/mystream.asx
Remember, if you need to update your stream url all you have to do is edit the asx file in any text editor and save/upload. Since the asx file location stays the same, it’s ready for use next time when your audience chooses to listen in.
Also to note: ASX is NOT a form on XML, rather it is an implementation of SGML, just like HTML. XML is a simplification of SGML and requires you to declare any XML file as such.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my tutorial. More to come!!
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