P164 Questions on Ports

[timparish1@gmail.com]

So I have a question on the web interface for the PIRA 164 it has a spot for two ports a remote port and local port. Should I have separate ports for each can they be  the same. I currently have both ports set up with the same number. I want to have one port talk to Magis RDS software via PC from the studio and have the other port used for sending title and artist from the Automation. Which port should I set up for title and artist and which should I use for remote management.

I know I am asking a lot of questions and I appreciate your help.

Tim

[Jan]

Of course, you can connect Magic RDS and your broadcast automation or even more applications at the same time to the P164. The feature is called software port multiplication and it is illustrated in the Magic RDS help file m4vp.pdf, section 'RDS Encoder’s Port Multiplier' or 'Data Splitter for RDS Encoders'.

In such setup, only the Magic RDS is actually connected to the P164. All other applications connect to the Magic RDS Virtual Port instead of the encoder(s).

The benefits of such approach aren't quite obvious for a single encoder but the P164 is designed for large networks too, then you appreciate single access point for entire network, as well as the data vizualizers and loggers built in the Magic RDS.

Please read also the P164 manual, at least the sections '5.1 Broadcast Automation System Link-up' and '6.4 Ethernet Connection', for proper methods of configuration.

[timparish1@gmail.com]

I have read the manual for the P164. And when you go into the unit under basic settings it gives you a Remote port and local port option. What port should I use to send the data from my automation the remote port or the local port.  Also should I use the inactivity time out feature since I am sending the data over the internet and should I engage the fail safe monitor.

If I use the remote port then what can I use the local port for. That is not covered in the manual which is why I ask. Also should I son the data from the studio in tcp or udp to the 164 at my transmitter site.

Also should I upgrade to the latest firmware ?


Thank You

Tim

[Jan]

A TCP connection is created between an IP address and a port number in the local end and an IP address and a port number in the remote end. The P164 allows to realize TCP connection also while the remote and local ports are different. This is reserved for experts only as in most cases the port numbers are equal.

I mention it again: Before final installation of the unit, configure the Port 2 (Ethernet) using the Magic RDS 4, as described in the manual. It takes no longer than a few minutes. The embedded website becomes a status page only and there's no need to learn details of the TCP protocol which are not relevant for this kind of use.

The Simian and many other software provides a selection of either TCP or UDP protocol. The selection must correspond to the encoder's configuration. If we discuss the TCP, then select TCP. The UDP option is provided only for compatibility and its usage for application protocol is deprecated and not recommended.

[timparish1@gmail.com]

So I was able to get Title and Artist working. It was a setting in Simian. The title and Artis does show up but then go's away and my default message shows up. I am assuming that when it go's away it could be an issue with the Internet at the station or the transmitter site. Is there any way to test that or can I change a setting in the Magic RDS software.

I also want to give the Program Director access to the RDS Encoder. I am able to access the p164 from home and when I established a connection on different pc the call letters did not show up. When I connected up the laptop that I used at the site it shows up everything I put it.

How can I make the Program Director show the data that is on my laptop. I did a back up of the config do I need to do a restore on the Program directors PC. 

[Jan]

The Radiotext timeout is configurable in RDS Content - Radiotext - Default RT Timeout. It is disabled by default so it is likely that you've already enabled it.

Unfortunately I don't know the Program Director.

[timparish1@gmail.com]

So when I got home I was able to connect to the P164 from home and it showed the station call letters and the info I put in at the transmitter. When I make a connection from a new PC at home I can connect but it does not show the data like it does on my Laptop. My laptop is set up as a client connection.  The new connection same thing client.

If it was a network issue then I would not be able to connect at all.

Tim

[Jan]

Maybe you meant the Communication Decoder? The device sends the information back via the port only upon a request. The connection alone does not mean a read request. You need to perform a read operation or leave the application to send current data.

This does not affect how the data is sent to your listeners. It's still safely there. To check that, the P164 provides unique output monitoring function: in the Magic RDS, click on the RDS Spy button.