---
title: "A2Stream"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/teddy/projects/a2stream/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/teddy/projects/a2stream/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "Mike Maginnis"
author_url: "https://github.com/oliverschmidt/A2Stream"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "Mike Maginnis"
original_url: "https://github.com/oliverschmidt/A2Stream"
published: "2023-02-28"
language: "en"
likes: 4
views: 306
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---

# A2Stream

> A2Stream simultaneously receives an .a2stream file from any HTTP server

Original author: Mike Maginnis (source: https://github.com/oliverschmidt/A2Stream)

## Article

A2Stream simultaneously receives an **.a2stream** file from any HTTP server and plays it through the stock Apple II speaker circuit using pulse-width modulation at 22050Hz sample rate with ~5.17 bit resolution.

Hardware requirements:

- Enhanced //e (with extended 80 column card) or IIgs

- [Uthernet II](https://a2retrosystems.com/products.htm) Ethernet card in any slot

To view demo videos:

- Visit <https://youtu.be/YcYEnYsI-_M>

- Visit <https://youtu.be/7kxo0l3t1LM>

To stream an **.a2stream** file:

- Run **A2STREAM.SYSTEM** and enter the URL of an **.a2stream** file

- Use these shortcuts to make use of persistent history and auto-complete:

| Key | Function |
| --- | --- |
| Left | Move cursor one char left |
| Right | Move cursor one char right |
| Ctrl+A | Move cursor to start of line |
| Ctrl+E | Move cursor to end of line |
| Delete | Delete char left of cursor |
| Ctrl+D | Delete char under cursor |
| Up | Move to previous history entry |
| Down | Move to next history entry |
| Tab | Move to next auto-complete |
| Ctrl+C | Quit from auto-complete |

- Find sample **.a2stream** files at these (case-sensitive) URLs:
  - `http://a2retro.de/a2s/Levels.a2stream`
  - `http://a2retro.de/a2s/Sandstorm.a2stream`
  - `http://a2retro.de/a2s/1984.a2stream`
  - `http://a2retro.de/a2s/HighwayToHell.a2stream`
  - `http://a2retro.de/a2s/HowsItSupposedToFeel.a2stream`
  - `http://a2retro.de/a2s/TimeToSayGoodbye.a2stream` - shows progress bar
  - `http://a2retro.de/a2s/HealYou.a2stream` - shows default cover art

- Find URLs of **.a2stream** files for all Open Apple podcast episodes on <https://www.open-apple.net/a2stream/>

- Use `Esc` to quit at any point

- Use `1`-`9` to fast-forward 1-9 minutes

- Use any other key to pause streaming

To config the Ethernet slot:

- Put the Uthernet II in slot 3 or

- Create a file named **ETHERNET.SLOT**. Only the first byte of that file is relevant. This byte can either represent your Uthernet II slot as binary value (e.g. $04 for slot 4), as ASCII digit (e.g. $34 for slot 4) or as Apple TEXT digit (e.g. $B4 for slot 4).

To get decent sound quality on the enhanced //e:

- Create a file named **OUTPUT.TAPE**. The content of that file is not relevant.

- Connect an amplifier/speaker to the tape output jack

To get decent sound quality on the IIgs:

- Connect an amplifier/speaker to the headphone jack

To prepare an **.a2stream** file for streaming:

- Create a header-less **.raw** file with 22050Hz mono 32-bit-float PCM data (e.g. with [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/))

- Generate an **.a2stream** file from the **.raw** file with **gena2stream** ([source code](https://github.com/oliverschmidt/A2Stream/blob/main/gena2stream.c))
  - Put a standard 16kB **.dhgr** file beside the **.raw** file for custom cover art (optional)
  - Use the option to `-p` switch the visualization from *level meter* to *progress bar*

- Put the **.a2stream** file onto any HTTP (not HTTPS) server
  - Run a simple local HTTP server on Windows
    - Run the [HTTP File Server](http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/) and drop the file you want to stream in its *Virtual File System*
  - Run a simple local HTTP server on Linux
    - `cd` to the directory containing the file you want to stream and enter `python -m SimpleHTTPServer` or `python3 -m http.server` depending on the Python version you want to use

To play an internet live stream:

- Install [MPlayer](https://mplayerhq.hu/)

- Run **srva2stream** ([source code](https://github.com/oliverschmidt/A2Stream/blob/main/srva2stream.c))
  - Provide on the command line the TCP port number you want to use
  - Put a standard 16kB **srva2stream-&lt;port number>.dhgr** file beside **srva2stream** for custom cover art (optional)

- Wait for the message `waiting on pipe <pipe name>`

- Run MPlayer
  - Provide command line parameters
  - `-nocache -af pan=1:0.5:0.5,volnorm=1:0.8,resample=22200:0:1,format=floatne -ao pcm:nowaveheader:file=<pipe name> <stream url>`

- Wait for the message `connect on pipe`

- Run **A2STREAM.SYSTEM** and enter as URL `<name or address of machine running srva2stream>:<port number>`

- Use the [step-by-step guide](https://github.com/oliverschmidt/A2Stream/blob/main/LIVE.md) to install **srva2stream** on a Raspberry Pi (optional)

---

Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/teddy/projects/a2stream/