mp3Pro... What the heck is it?  Is it the same as mp3?

JOHNfm broadcasts via the internet using mp3PRO technology.  The mp3PRO format allows you to hear 128kbps quality at a 64kbps speed. If you wish to listen to the stream in highest quality, either download the JetAudio player or be sure to have WinAMP installed and download the WinAMP plugin and install.    Otherwise, the station will stream just fine via Windows Media Player or WinAmp... just not at optimal quality level (but it will still sound great)!

What is mp3PRO?

Mp3PRO is an advancement in the regular mp3 standard. The technology was developed by Thomson and Fraunhofer and is designed to have complete backwards and forwards compatibility with regular mp3's. This means regular mp3's will play normally on a mp3RO player and mp3PRO files will play fine on a regular mp3 player but without the dramatic improvements. Mp3PRO creates files that are more compact (half the size) and with equal or better sound quality than the original mp3 format. Basically you will be able to attain the same quality streaming at only half the bandwidth or you will experience double the quality of what your used to streaming at a given bandwidth. To put things in perspective, our 32kbps mp3PRO stream now sounds like a 64kbps stereo regular mp3 stream. This is great news for dial-up users especially as much needed sound quality improves dramatically.


How do I stream mp3PRO?

In order to experience true mp3PRO technology you will need to have a mp3PRO compatible player. We suggest using Winamp along with the Mp3PRO decoder plugin. Once you have the correct version of Winamp installed simply download and install the mp3PRO decoder plugin. Load the stream like how you would normally and you should now be enjoying true mp3PRO sound. To verify it should say "mp3PRO" after the stream title in the Winamp playlist window. Also, the bitrate should now read 64kbps 44khz stereo while before it only read 64kbps 22khz stereo. Here are the tools you will need:

> Download Winamp.
> Download the mp3PRO decoder plugin for Winamp.


How come I can no longer see the track titles in the Winamp playlist window?

You need to configure the mp3PRO decoder to allow title streaming. With Winamp open: Ctrl + P --> Select the Input Tab under Plugins --> Highlight the Thomson mp3PRO decoder in the Input plug-ins window --> select configure --> put a checkmark on enable SHOUT/ICE-Cast streaming --> select OK
 

What other players can I use to enjoy mp3PRO streaming?

Here are some other players that will let you stream mp3PRO.  The Jet Audio player works especially well.

PC Users:
Music Match
JetAudio

MAC Users:
Audion

Sometimes when I'm listening the live stream cuts in and out and the player starts rebuffering. What is happening?

There are a wide variety of reasons why the JOHNfm stream may be down at any given moment, ranging from temporary loss of connection between JOHNfm and our streaming server, to our dogs kicking out the power cord.  Ok, that probably won't ever happen, but occasionally we need to do maintenance to our network which causes the stream to go offline.  We even loose power or internet connectivity from time to time!

However, if there is a chance that problem is with your own computer, try rebooting your computer and reconnecting to the internet. It’s amazing how many computer problems can be fixed with a simple reboot. Also, try upgrading your player software.

Listening to 'streaming' audio on the internet can be precarious. The most common problem is playback stalling until more data arrives ('buffering').

Relevant factors include:

• viewing other web-pages while listening
• network congestion (periods of high demand)
• quality / speed of your connection

I can't get your station to stream... What's wrong?

The beauty of an mp3 stream is that it works for all the major platforms (Mac, Windows, Linux).  But to be able to listen, you need a player. For windows, use Jet Audio, WinAmp, iTunes or Windows Media Player. For Mac OSX, use iTunes or Audion. For Linux, try XMMS. Shoutcast streams over port 80, so firewalls should not be an issue. Try upgrading your player or downloading one of the ones we've just mentioned.

 
I want to download mp3's! Why aren't they available?

Legally we are not allowed to make available for download via mp3 ANY broadcast which contains copyrighted material (e.g. music heard on the station).  We do provide a link to Amazon.com however, where you can purchase the music you hear on JOHNfm.