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===========
Now supports Python 2.0 and much improved ICY handling for Shoutcast.
Introduction
============
This is a simple Python script to save streaming mp3's so you can
use them on your portable mp3 player. This script should actually
work with any streaming mp3 (see below re: Infinite Streams).
Works with my.mp3.com, www.shoutcast.com and www.myplay.com!
Homepage
========
http://beam-back.sourceforge.net
Author
======
kal@users.sourceforge.net
Setup with Netscape in GNU/Linux
================================
Select Edit->Preferences->Navigator->Applications
Select New (Edit if you already have a handler for m3u playlists)
Enter Description: m3u Playlists
Enter MIMEType: audio/x-mpegurl
Enter Suffixes: m3u
Enter Application: xterm -e beam-back.py %s
Select OK->OK
Do the same for suffix pls with mime type audio/x-scpls
(Note you may have to put the full path of the beam-back.py script
if it is in a sub dir like /home/kal/beam-back-1.32/beam-back.py)
Setup with Explorer in Windows
==============================
First download and install python for windows from www.python.org.
Save the beam-back.py file to C:\music. If you are using winamp
or sonique right now, start the program and under preferences or
options de-select the m3u file association.
Double click on "My Computer" on the desktop.
View->Folder Options->File Types.
Scroll thru the window and find the application that is handling
the suffixes "m3u", "pls" or both. Remove it.
Select New Type.
Enter Description: m3u Playlists
Enter Extension: m3u
Enter MIMEType: audio/x-mpegurl
Select OK.
Under Actions click New
Enter Action: open
Enter Application ...:
"C:\Program Files\Python\python.exe" C:\music\beam-back.py -v -d c:\music "%1"
Ok
Do the same for pls with mime type audio/x-scpls
Setup with Netscape in Windows
==============================
First download and install python for windows from www.python.org.
Save the beam-back.py file to C:\music. If you are using winamp
or sonique right now, start the program and under preferences or
options de-select the m3u file association.
Select Edit->Preferences->Navigator->Applications
Scroll thru the window and find the application that is handling
the mime type: audio/x-mpegurl (probably winamp). Remove it.
Select New.
Enter Description: m3u Playlists
Enter MIMEType: audio/x-mpegurl
Enter Suffixes: m3u
Enter Application:
"C:\Program Files\Python\python.exe" C:\music\beam-back.py -v -d c:\music "%1"
Select OK->OK
Do the same for pls with mime type audio/x-scpls
Infinite Streams
================
If you want to make an mp3 for an infinite stream m3u url,
start beam-back with the option -v:
xterm -e beam-back.py -v %s
Verbose mode will tell you how much data has been read on a
particular stream. Hitting ctrl-c in the xterm will cause
beam-back to stop downloading and save the stream to a file.
The default name is "unfinished-stream.mp3" which can be changed
with the -u option.
If you find the stream is dropping out and losing link unexpectedly,
try the -p option.
Many internet radio sites use the .pls file format but the servers
do not treat the mime type correctly :( You can save these streams
in the following manner:
1) save the .pls file locally
2) from a linux prompt execute: ./beam-back.py -v pls_filename
Or you can set both the two mime types:
audio/x-scpls
application/octet-stream
with suffix pls to "xterm -e beam-back.py -v %s"
Finally, if you want to setup cron jobs, you can stop and save
a beam-back transfer by doing a kill -INT to the job.
Options
=======
beam-back v1.32 linux
Usage: beam-back.py [options] m3u_file
-c clobber files instead of appending -#
-d dir top directory to create files/subdirs in
-i use ICY title data from a shoutcast stream
(this option is much improved)
-l log output to beam-back.log file
-m create a local .m3u playlist (in top dir)
-n 1 name as "artist - title.mp3" (default)
-n 2 name as "title.mp3"
-n 3 name as "title.mp3" in subdir "artist"
-n 4 name as "artist - title.mp3" in subdir "artist"
-n #u same as -n 1 to 4 except sub underscores for spaces
-p persistent re-open pls until keyboard interrupt
-t msec trim msec milliseconds off the end of ICY files
-u file name for unfinished streams (unfinished-stream.mp3)
-v verbose mode
-z size download size limit in megabytes
Set your netscape application for m3u suffixes to something like:
xterm -e beam-back.py -v -n 3 %s
Motivation
==========
I apologize in advance to mp3.com for any troubles this software
may cause them. My motivation for making this available is to
make streaming mp3 usable on portable mp3 players and for people
with transfer limits.
In the long run, this program will also reduce internet traffic.
In fact, I suggest you consider some sort of "local cache" feature
for my.mp3.com where the user can enter the location of an album
on their local drive. Then a my.mp3.com playlist can have both
local and remote entries.
Acknowledgements
================
SourceForge crew -hosting this project.
my.mp3.com -providing such a great service
Robert A. Seace -m3u playlist idea and code
Tim Carroll -infinite streaming suggestions
Jake Kauth -filename cleaning, logging class and rename code
XMMS team -ICY handling resource
kal@users.sourceforge.net