The Winamp DirectSound plugin does cross track fading using Direct Sound buffers, but over a ShoutCast station, this (naturally) doesnt happen. I believe this is because DirectSound buffers are local and do not affect outgoing streams to other machines.

Is there a way to simulate the same?

Thanks.

The short answer is "no," because ShoutCast streams in real-time and you would need to buffer several minutes ahead to allow for overlap if you were going to be listening for any extended period of time. The longer answer is "yes," if you are willing to do that - and to go through the following semi-elaborate process:

1) Download the command-line version of Streamripper. The Winamp plugin is great, but it won't do the sort of buffering you asked for.

2) Configure the command-line version to record your Shoutcast stream. Your line will look something like this:


Briefly, that line tells stream ripper to copy <stream> to directory <dir> all files as they are played, and queue them numerically to keep them in the proper sequence. It also pretends Streamripper is Winamp.

3) Wait a few minutes so you'll have a complete track or two for your "buffer," and load the resultant tracks into Winamp. You'll have to keep adding tracks to the playlist as they are finished, or write some sort of script to automate the process.

Note: Streamripper (command-line) has the ability to set up a mirror port so you can listen as the stream is recorded, but that does not allow for this sort of buffering, since it is a straight duplication of the original Shoutcast stream.

Hope this helps...

- M.