Timz MESH Info Page
Inexpensive Audio Streaming
Method 2of 2 - MP3 via Browser
for the VoIP method, click here
For meshies like me who are not IT guru's, I am always looking for alternate methods that don't involve running a server-computer-pi 24/7. I was wanting a way to encode analog audio onto mesh.
My goals were:
* No computer/server required to generate the stream; standalone self-contained encoder device
* under $100
* unattended operation
* no internet involved, mesh only
* accessed via browser
* the listener would not need any additional "decoder" hardware - or even a special driver to hear
the streamed audio at their end; simply type in the encoder devices IP address
into their browser... listen via the computers built-in audio system for playback.
After doing something similar by modifying a Grandstream telephone (that worked well, but didn't quite meet all my goals)... I finally found a stand-alone device that would meet all my goals!
FT1185
This device is mfgrd in Europe, though available from an international reseller...
https://store.open-electronics.org/FT1185M?search=ft1185
Surprisingly easy to order, the site automatically converts over to American dollars and accepts PayPal. I received my boards in one week after ordering; fantastic ! If you purchase two boards, shipping is free. Arrives in board format only, no case. Connections are ethernet port, 12v DC power jack, Audio in & out jacks, USB port. Although the included instructions were in Italian, the setup screens are all in english... -whew-
Right out of the box... you have a Mesh FTP file server in your hands. Plug a USB thumb drive into the USB port, then access the board by typing in the IP address its connected mesh node assigned, example:
ftp://10.197.239.235
and you will get a listing of the file structure located on the USB thumb drive. You can download files right away, with no need to get into the boards setup menus for this.
Streaming Audio
The live analog streaming is almost as easy, just needing to make one change in the setup menu. Plug your live analog audio source into the boards 3.5mm stereo input jack, then listen to the audio over mesh by typing in the boards mesh IP address, and end it with the port number (:8080), example:
http://10.123.456.789:8080
and you will hear this audio over your computers built-in speakers without any additional hardware or software changes needed on the listener end. For my initial testing, I used an audio feed from a weather radio. You can make this URL an Advertised Service on your Mesh node, so any potential listener would just need to click on it.
The setup change required was to go into the menu system by typing in the boards URL, entering the name admin and password password. Next click on the STREAM tab. The item in red is the one item need changed. Once done, then click on the bottom "Save and Apply".
the items green-dotted are what I ended up using, but are at your discretion.
This board does more than just these two functions I've mentioned (stream audio and FTP file server)... but this is as far as I could take it. I imagine you IT gurus could easily tap-in to this devices full potential.
Hints
* Purchasing just one Ethernet Broadcaster board will run about $103 shipped. To save money on shipping charges, purchase two boards and you'll get free shipping; the boards will then be about $89 each.
* on the Stream setup page, you can run the Maunal Input Gain slider all the way down to the left, then control gain by using the slider underneath: Maximum AGC. For the NWS audio I was testing with... the Manual Input Gain method produced clearer sound than the AGC mode.
* my live audio source was mono, but the Ethernet Broadcasters input jack is stereo. I got maximum audio level by connecting the mono audios source to both the L & R connections on the input plug.
* the default log-in is name: admin password: password You can change this for the main log-in, and also have a different set just for FTP access.
* out of the box, both my boards came with DHCP enabled
* you can personalize your boards Mesh name by altering the field HostName in the setup screens Local Lan tab.
* You can also play a pre-recoded MP3 audio file (instead of a live source) stored on the USB memory stick; on the Stream tabs "Source Input" field... select the "USB File" option.
* when making changes in the boards setup screen, make certain to click on SAVE & APPLY at the bottom of the page.
Go to the VoIP streaming page email Tim
