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If you have built up a collection of music on your PC, then you may want to listen to this on your Pocket PC. One technique for doing this is outlined elsewhere on this site, here, however that technique has a number of drawbacks, including being unable to use play lists.

You may also have built up a significant collection of music in format that Windows Media Player doesn't recognise, or prefer to use another media player.

If you have built up a play list and would like to use that with your Windows Mobile device, then you will need to use a different solution.

The technique outlined in this article will even allow you to listen to your music when away from your home network (bandwidth and Internet access permitting). You don't need to use your Pocket PC, you could use Windows Media Player on any PC.

Requirements

• A Music Player - Windows Media, Winamp etc
• A network enabled Windows Mobile device which works correctly (wireless preferably so that you can walk around with it)
• Windows Media Encoder (free download from Microsoft, here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/encoder/default.aspx
  (Read the requirements, as it needs to be Windows 2000 or XP - if you are using an older operating system, then you cannot use this technique).

Initial Setup of the Source

This process will get you started, once you have seen the basics, tweaking the setup for your particular use is very easy. You may want to decrease the encoding level so that the bandwidth use is less for example.

1. Download and install the Windows Media Encoder, but do not start it yet.
2. Start your media player. Load whatever play list that you want to use in to the application.
3. Start the Windows Media Encoder.
4. You should get a startup window that lets you choose from a number of different events. If you don't, start it manually by selecting New Session.
5. Choose "Broadcast a Live Event".
6. A wizard will start. The first thing it asks is the music type and source. Choose Audio (which is the default) and then manually select your sound card from the list. Then click Next.
7. On the next screen it asks if you want to push or pull. The default is push, but as you will pulling it from your Pocket PC, select the other option. Click next.
8. You will then be presented with some network settings.
   In most cases the default is suitable, however if the port clashes with something else on your machine, or you want to change it to something less obvious, this is the point to do so.
   Make a note of URL for LAN connections. The URL for Internet connections (an IP address) isn't really suitable for use on the Internet, but could be a useful thing to make a note of for troubleshooting. 
   Click Next.
9. The next screen asks you for quality. Due to the low bandwidth and processor power a Pocket PC has, choose FM Quality Audio. This can be adjusted later if required.
   Click Next.
10. You don't want to archive the file, so skip past that by clicking next.
11. The next screen asks you to enter some information. Enter the relevant parts - or not as required.
    Click Next.
12. The last screen gives you a summary of the setup, and also gives you the chance to start broadcasting immediately.

Connecting the Clients

You can use either your WIndows Mobile device or another computer to test.
If you are using a PC, make sure that it is another one as the source needs be left running.

PC Connection

1. Start Windows Media Player.
2. Choose File, Open URL.
3. Enter the full address that you copied from the setup of the encoder. It needs to include everything, including the http:// and the port number at the end.
   If you cannot remember the address, you can get it from the encoder. Click on the tab "Connections".
4. Press OK and the Application will connect to your encoder.

Windows Mobile Connection

These instructions are from Pocket PC 2002. Similar settings should apply to later versions.

1. Start Windows Media Player.
2. Choose Tools, Open URL.
3. Enter the address of the server. Remember to include the full URL, including the http:// and the port number.

Troubleshooting (Both PC and Windows Mobile)

• If you fail to get a connection or the Windows Mobile device tries to dial the Internet, then check try the following:
  • If the URL contains full domain information (http://computer.domain.com:8080) try dropping the domain name, so using the address http://computer:8080 instead.
  • Try connecting using the Internet address - the IP address taken the from setup.
• If you don't have any sound, check that the audio device is enabled.
  1. In the Encoder, choose Tools, Configure Devices.
  2. Select the device and choose Configure.
  3. Under "Pin Line Input mix" the box next to "Enable" should be enabled.

Accessing over the Internet

It is quite easy to access this source over the Internet - although there are security considerations as there is no way to secure the connection from unauthorised use.

Simply use port forwarding on your router to send traffic on the relevant port (8080 in this example) to the machine running the encoder.

Then on your device, enter the external IP address of your router, along with the correct port number.
If you are on a dynamic IP address internet connection then you may want to consider using a dynamic DNS solution (more information)

Tips

• Do not try to start this process using Remote Desktop. The audio setup is changed when you use remote desktop and it will not work correctly.
• Watch the meters in the encoder carefully to make sure that they aren't over peaking too often. If they are then the levels should be turned down using the mixer button.

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