locus sonus > Locustream Streambox FAQ

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FAQ

→ I want to receive and install a Locustreambox, is it possible ?

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→ What to do first after receiving the streambox?

You must register first your stream (streamname, and other informations) on the on-line Locustream form.

For that read first the Locustream guidelines (registration, etc.) here :

Please read carefully : You must create an account for each microphone dedicated to the Locustream project. Each new account and registration is moderated by Locus Sonus. Fill up properly the fields in the registration page with a login and password you choose, your email address (invalid address deletes the account) and wait the email confirmation before logging in to your new account. Your login and password will be always required for all next administration and modification of your account. Treasure them.

→ What items are required for the installation?

In order to install the LocustreamBox + LocusMic you need :

- Compact size AC adapter (min. 7V to max. 20V 1mA, so say 12V 1mA will be perfect : see below)

- DSL connection

- an ethernet cable

- (an electret microphone if you don't have the LocusMic)

- mini-jack audio cable extension (jack 3.5, male/female)

and temporarly :

- a VGA monitor

- an USB keyboard (whatever the selected language, you can select it on the Pd patch)

- an USB mouse (PC)

and to fix some ground-noise which can appear :

- a wire more or less long depending on the distance between the streambox and your electric plug (if you've got a ground/earth pin) or a metal 'thing' which can make an efficient ground.

→ What type of power supply does the box use?

Ideally: Compact size AC adapter, saves space on power strips. Input voltage 100-240 V AC, 47-63 Hz. Output voltage 18 V DC, 800mA or more. High efficiency. 2.1 mm jack, center positive. So any 12volts adapter that is in the range of the 800mA and the 1A will do oke. And yes, It can be powered via PoE (power over ethernet)

→ What steps should I follow when I receive my streambox?

• 1. connect a network cable that has internet connection, VGA monitor (blue connector, the free VGA plug of a screen monitor is male), keyboard and mouse.
  • note : You can use an apple keyboard with apple mice. But be careful the right-click requests various methods depending on your Apple mouse type.
    • with an optical Apple mouse : shift + click
    • with a mighty mouse : read this video :

• 2. plug in the power cable (12-20V - centered + pole ), follow the boot process or, in case you have no screen, wait for at least 1-3 minutes then,
  • plug in the ethernet cable (DSL), be sure there's a connection to the Internet via your router
  • plug in a screen display (VGA plug)
  • plug in a USB keyboard and mouse
  • check on the screen that is Linux booting. There will be a DHCP request for an IP. The process will not take longer than 3 min. The Pd patch for streaming will automatically open. (If the process is hangs, cycle power by unplugging the power, the powering it on again.)

• 3. if you have a screen, you will have the chance to see the puredata patch, use the 3 boxes to input your information.
  • 1) Once PureData opens the streaming patch, type these settings :
  • Note : to modify text in the message box, click on the desired box, type on the backspace or del. key on your keyboard, type your setting, and AFTER hit the Enter/Return key in order to validate your modification.
  • 2) Stream-name : You must report here the exact stream-name given by your registration, so that your stream & microphone will be automatically recognized by the systems connected to the Locustream project : Tuner, SoundMap, Promenade, Tardis, etc. This stream-name always corresponds to the sequence of the parameters city_location. If you don't remember your stream-name, log in your account and check it.
  • 3) Your-name : your name (or the name of your collective or organisation)
  • 4) Location : the name of your location (mainly your city)
  • 5) and click the green button : click to connect

(the patch automatically disconnects when you modify a setting and reconnects with your new settings after clicking the green box Click to connect)

It is important you click the ENTER key after you enter your data. If the infos remain in the box, it means the new info wasn't entered properly, or if they disappear please repeat the process. Click the box, enter your info, click ENTER.

Note : If you don't have got a screen : use a SSH connection

• 4. check on this page to see if your stream gets listed, reload the page after one minute in case is not there: http://locus.creacast.com:9001/

check in "pd oggcast" if the Pd oggcast 'state' is 1 and if the pages are sent (that means your stream is up)

verify the url of your stream (dynamically written below your patch) :

http://locus.creacast.com:9001/yourstreamname.ogg

• 5. configure your microphone installation and plug in your microphone or the LocusMic in the streambox audio input
  

Locustream LocusMic

• 6.Then adjust your audio level in the patch (the normal level is 1, up to 4) and correct it in using the internal equalizer if it's needed. When all is ok, SAVE your patch with ctrl+s or via the File menu (in order to save all your settings). Everything should have saved. The application will reopen next time with your recorded settings and configuration.

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• 7 finally open with VLC your stream URL, get it by right clicking on the icon of the speaker the Icecast page of our streaming server, http://locus.creacast.com:9001/ , and copying the link. Proceed to VLC for pasting it inside the http field of the window that VLC opens when you do ctrl+n:

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• 8. you will be able to listen to your own stream with the delay of the signal bouncing back from the icecast-streaming server in France. At this step you can adjust again your sound level.

• 9. If desired, you can unplug the keyboard, mouse and monitor (or simply turn it off)

• 10. Check on the Locustream SoundMap that your stream is well recognized (orange icon) and check all the public informations about your microphone. You can modify or add informations by logging in your account (link 'admin' in the red menu on the right). And don't forget to listen to other Locustream microphones.

• 11. as soon is up and your are happy, report it to the Locustream mailing list.

Learn to power off the box from within the software option, aka shutdown, found under right click.

TO SHUTDOWN OR REBOOT THE MACHINE PLEASE USE THE MENU THAT APPEARS WITH A RIGHT-CLICK ON THE DESKTOP :

locus sonus streambox_v0.1_rc3 from aleij on Vimeo.

→ Is this box autonomous ? it doesn't need any computer, only an internet connection (ethernet) and a mike !

It is a small computer in itself, a silent one since it doenst need a fan to cool itself. it has a sound card, video out, 2USB and a network card.. so yes, its like plug and play for the streams.

→ My local network is using manual adresses instead of DHCP. Is it possible to configure my own IP adress and DNS?

The first thing to try is to click on the little last icon up in the right corner, this will bring up the Network Manager where we can hopefully configure a manual network connection, the icon looks like this one below:

through the Network Manager you will have GUI aids to set up your manual configuration. When you request an IP (network manager does) you get some new numbers in the resolv, conf.

Manual configuration is quick and easy via the command line :

http://www.wallpaperama.com/forums/how-to-change-setup-network-linux-debian-ip-address-t1677.html

→ Did I read somewhere that the streambox can work wireless?

Yes, but wireless is more unstable.

A tip : You can connect the streambox to your machine via ethernet and share the wifi. Of course it will be ideal to have a long ethernet or a microphone cable so to pick sounds from "unusual" places. It is a cheap solution, but can work for the when wireless is the only option.

installation (with WiFi - still in progress) : The Streambox will request for an IP both on the wired and the wireless card (if theres one present) keep in mind that the AP (Access Point) should be open. In case the wireless network is encrypted a more complex routine will be required. The Streambox is capable to stream over encrypted networks, if you will like to stream using this type of network please contact us so to help you configuring the device accordingly. Logically, you must open the network config of the Linux system on the streambox, and select your SSID and put the password if it's required. To open network prefs, please use the menu that appears with a right click anywhere on the desktop.

Click to enlarge an example on osX

Note : The new batch of boxes will go out with wireless cards and antennas. Offering the chance to stream either via cable or a super stable unencrypted wireless link.

→ Can I log in the streambox via my local network ?

The chances of doing all the changes from another computer that logs in via the network: for this you will have to find out the IP that the streambox has been assigned by the router/hub.

One way is going into the admin interface of the router, another is looking at the assigned IP from any other computer on the same network and then trying to step up or down by one. If you manage to find the IP then it will be required that you have either a linux box on the same network or a mac with X11 (it comes with the apple developer kit, i believe recent macs have installed by default nowadays).

Another way : on osX, if your mac is on the same network as the streambox, you could go into System preferences -> Network and depending on the type of connection you are using (wired or wireless), via the Advanced option on the Network window for such device (wireless or eth) what IP was assigned on the TCP/IP tab. Another option is to use an application called: Network Utility

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An extra : video documentation on the creation of an ad-hoc network : http://www.vimeo.com/2236743

→ to be continued

Note :

- IRSSI (IRC client) is now installed for troubleshooting needs and possibly remote administration, each streambox will log to an irc channel at boot.

→ How do I move a window?

Press the command key and drag the window with the mouse.

→ Can I use an external soundcard ?

Tested external soundcard : EDIROL UA-1

The recognition by Linux is automatic. This requires to change the audio settings in Pd (Media/Audio Settings menu) by replacing the default input/output device by OSS device#2 (instead of #1). It is recommended to not click on "Save all settings" because it's a cause of a harsh error when the streambox is rebooted without the audio soundcard. Using an external USB soundcard requests to manually change these settings each time the streambox is rebooting. So the use of an external soundcard is not recommended.

The LocusMic is a better solution provided by Locus Sonus.

We managed to get the components into the sleeve of the jack. The microphone (cell) is a slightly higher quality (4€) omni electret made by Panasonic (MCE-4000). A point to be noted in the streambox instructions - the buffer delay time needs to be increased (in audio settings) from 50 msecs to 200 msecs, it seems to illiminate some saturation.

→ Can I gain the sound in the Pd patch ?

It is recommended to put 1 by default (and not 20) within the Pd patch. A higher level gives too much background noise (mainly generated by the machine).

→ Can I customize the LocusMic ?

Of course ! the best improvement we recommand is to put a wind shield on your LocusMic if it is located outside.

An example : http://www.joelandkaren.com/mic-zeppelin/

Another example by Peter Sinclair : We made wind protection using scouring pads and a small sieve covered with several layers of nylon socks which we then fixed under the eves of the building.

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Bugs Report & expert playground

What can I do if i get few and in red FAILED errors when the box is booting?

→ please read this log:

http://nujus.net/~locusonus/dropbox/alejo/alix_pics_streambox/debugKRN.html

If when the streambox restarts you've got this message :

E53: No boot filename received
DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER etc

The fact that the Flash Card (FC) is unplugged and disconnected could be the cause. The box can't find the OS, and certainly the CF card inside got removed out of its place. The first thing to do is to shake the box to listen if there's like something flying around. Smile : it's a remake of a famous work by Marcel Duchamp : "A Bruit Secret" :

Voice of Marcel Duchamp

Joking apart, you need to take out and put in again the CF card in the streambox. Open carefully the streambox with the help of the screws : you will have to open the box and place the CF card in its unique slot.. ground yourself, avoid touching the electronic contacts and try to boot again.

Do I have to update the streambox ?

The BIOS is independent, it is on the hardware level of the machines, hence the process of updating it requires a special card based on DO (for instance that's the fix to the video out problem that forced the hack of pins 5 and 12).

If you want to update the Pd patch, you can simply download it via web browser (firefox is installed on the streambox) and modify the startup path on the pd settings. The URL to download Pd patch versions for the streambox is : http://locusonus.org/locustream/

Can I do a backup of the CF card contents in case of serious breakdown ?

It is quite simple, the only problem is you will need a running Linux box (it could be any PC with a LiveCD).

You can copy the CF contents from any running streambox to an external hard drive or even as a clone copy (see second command below):

dd if=/dev/hda of=/Users/youraccount/Desktop/streambox_current.img

or, when you have a CF reader and a 4gig CF card attached to a streambox:

dd if=/dev/hda of=/dev/sdb

btw, be very careful running the command above, you can easily wipe out a hard drive if the addresses are not correct.

→ please read this log:

http://nujus.net/~locusonus/dropbox/alejo/alix_pics_streambox/debugKRN.html

will I be able to copy the image to other cards?

yes, the solution is to clone one CF card that is working well, say from one of the other boxes that boot ok.

dd if=/dev/yourbootingCF of=/dev/youremptyCF

normally is hda to sdb, we can see how that is done via the terminal, we're sure it is possible using a CF reader.

So since the system won't boot there will be no chance to run any command. This is the reason why you need to remove the card and run the fsck command from another computer (linux preferably). It can be done in 30min using the terminal under osX.

to export an X window session to the macintosh via ssh

The command used for making backups and cloning the CF cards :

Backup: dd if=/dev/hda | gzip > /mnt/hdb1/system_drive_backup.img.gz
Restore: gzip -dc /mnt/hdb1/system_drive_backup.img.gz | dd of=/dev/hda

Note : We are working on another solution : to add the possibility to download from our server the content of a 4gb CF card.

how to open and replace the CF card, in case the box breaks ?

Locus Sonus will have to send a new CF card to you.

This is the worst case when there's no way to fix the card with the one fsck command.

and see the paragraph above

Only for people with a streambox from the first release, (Version ?.? : KRN-Dakar, Björn-Solleftea, Jérôme-Nice)

you might need to take the little jumper cable from the monitor output out to connect a monitor and see/fine tune the patch to your microphone level inputs:

pin12 to pin5

is somehow important that you dont turn on the device without that little connector, is a BUG im trying to fix now. THE BUG WAS FIXED WITH A BIOS UPDATE : plug in and out keyboard, mouse and screen doesn't cause errors now, even if we sometimes pointed out after plugging in or out an EDD error on Linux booting. In booting again the streambox this problem doesn't occur again.

How to minimize the ground noise ?

Most of the streamboxes have a small amount of ground noise. I'ts kind of a shame because the sound quality, especially with the new microphones (LocusMic) is getting quite good. If you have a screen plugged into the streambox its mains connector automatically provides a ground, however when you take the screen away, since the streambox only has a 2 pin mains adapter that nasty ac buzz appears.

You can finally got rid of all ground noise by running a long wire (depending on the distances) from the streambox to the ground pin of one of an available electric plug. If there is no earth on your main electric installation, you can fix the wire with one of the screws on the serial plug to a metal 'thing' which makes a very efficient ground.

Another important tip : to keep your mini jack extension cable (on which the LocusMic is plugged) as short and as good a quality as possible. The cable could be responsible for most of the noise. It's better to have a long ethernet cable and a short audio cable, than the reverse. So by moving the streambox without modifying the microphone' localisation and your DSL connection access, that could solve this problem of ground-noise.

Here is an easy way to remedy it using a jump lead which is easy to find in any electronics store:

Terminal commands

open the terminal : Windowskey+F1 or AppleKey+F1 or ctrlkey+F1 and type:

xterm

shutdown the streambox :

sudo shutdown -h now

set your keyboard in English :

sudo setxkbdmap us

What is the version of my LocustreamBox ?

|hl Version number|hl Dates|hl Troubleshootings|hl Streams|

|l Nr. V.?.?|l oct.2008 - dec.2008|l Add a jumper cable on pin12/pin5 of the monitor VGA output|l Dakar - Solleftea - Nice|

|l Nr. V.?.?|l dec.2008 - apr.2009|l blah blah|l blah blah|

|l etc.|l etc.|l etc.|l etc.|

|hl Streamer|hl Location|hl Version|hl Date of delivery|

|l name|l city|l Alix3c3 CFcard v.|l date|