I need help with a P164 RDS Encoder (BSI Simian)

[timparish1@gmail.com]

I am a contract Engineer and I have client that just purchased a 164 RDS Encoder. The station uses Broadcast Software International Simian Pro Radio Automation software. The P164 is at the transmitter site. Our ISP does have a static IP set up at the transmitter site. I did a port forward of 9100 for the 164 for the RDS Data. I set my encoder up as a server. I can access it from home just fine. I used the Simian information from this forum and I put my public static Ip and Port in Simian and used the template provided on the support forum.

I am guessing that the 164 is listening on port 2 of the P164 and that is set up to receive port 9100 from the Automation software. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Do I need to use an alternate port I can. I need some help. The P164 currently has s static message. But we really want to get Artist and Song title going as soon as possible. I am stuck.

[Jan]

The P164 is installed at the remote site and you can access it from home. Thus, there's probably no need to configure anything else on the P164. It works fine.

Disconnect existing connection before trying another. As far as I know, Simian setup for setting up the RDS connection is not trivial. You need to load a correct template in the BSI proprietary format and set up some other fields. All information we have about the BSI Simian setup is already available in this forum. This has been found to be working. If you cannot reach the Simian support line, install the Magic RDS 4 and use the method which is referenced as 'indirect' in our documentation, which provides the same or more functionality.

Original reference:
https://pira.cz/forum/index.php?topic=602.msg1970#msg1970

[timparish1@gmail.com]

Thanks for the info. So fi we use the indirect method I am assuming that the Magic RDS software must run all the time. I thought about this and will probably do that if we can't get it to work directly. I did see the post on Simian and followed the instructions given in this forum and spoke to simian tech support.

Can you recommend anything else to try to get the direct method working. I agree if I can hit it from home then it is set up properly.

 

[Jan]

The Simian either does not connect or sends the data in some incorrect format.

The encoder contains HTTP status webpage. If you've set port forwarding for the port 80, you may see in your web browser whether the encoder receives some data from the Simian.

You may also let the Simian connect to a local dummy TCP server with data visualization. You may use this
https://pira.cz/show.asp?art=piracom
with the COM port set to (Null) and choosing the Log file.

[timparish1@gmail.com]

I am able to log into the P164 now directly. I had my ISP port forward local port 80 to 9201 so can access unit directly. My remote port is 9100 and my local port is 9100 should I bind them together. What does the port bind do.

Should I leave the local port blank ?

[Jan]

Before final installation, the encoder should be configured by the Magic RDS 4, Device Setup - LAN Settings (see the manual for details). There's no field of such kind because additional parameters are configured automatically for optimal performance.

For use with the Simian, this field has no effect anyway.

Crucial question is why Simian fails to send the data. I'm afraid I don't know the answer.

[timparish1@gmail.com]

Ok so when I set a connection from home using the Magic RDS Software to the unit I set it as a client or a server. I just established a connection to the P164 from home and when I did I had to put in the PI code and set the imjection.

I know the main problem is getting Simian to send the data to the RDS encoder is the main issue but this is my first time dealing with Magic RDS or a P164. I have set up other RDS units before. I just want to make sure I am not missing something.

Tim

[Jan]

Run the piracom utility (proposed above) on the Simian PC and set up the Simian to send data to it (IP address 127.0.0.1). This will answer everything.

[timparish1@gmail.com]

OK I will try that. But you did not answer my other questions.

I don't mean to be a difficult just frustrated.

[Jan]

I'm always happy to answer any question I know the answer to.
If possible, please change your nick name, keeping full email address in the nick name may result in unwanted spam.

This topic continues at https://pira.cz/forum/index.php?topic=963.0