Using FLV Debugger for Cue Point Monitoring and Alignment

  • Published on May 15, 2024
  • 3 minute(s) read
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This article describes an obsolete debugging tool that relies on Adobe Air to function. As of January 2021, Adobe no longer distributes Adobe Air. However, it can be downloaded from harman.com.

Alternatively, you can use the cue point alignment tool in Station Manager 5, as described here, which does not require Adobe Air, or you can use the browser-based Stream Debugger tool, as described here.

This article describes how to install and use FLV Debugger. For more information on streaming metadata, refer to the Triton Digital Metadata Guide; in particular the section on "Cue Point Alignment."

FLV Debugger Installation

  • FLV Debugger requires Adobe Air, which allows FLV Debugger to run on either a Windows or macOS computer.

  • macOS users: see the item at the end of this article about using Adobe Air on macOS .

  • To install and run FLV Debugger:

    • Install Adobe Air.

    • Download and un-ZIP FLV Debugger (FLVdebugger.air.zip).

    • Double-click FLVDebugger.air. The first time you do this, you might be prompted to confirm you wish to install the debugger application. Say Yes.

    • There will be an automatic update to the latest version of FLV Debugger, after which the application will open.

Using FLV Debugger

To use FLV Debugger, you first have to create an FLV redirector URL for the stream you wish to monitor.

Start with this URL:

https://playerservices.streamtheworld.com/api/livestream-redirect/XXXX.flv

…then replace XXXX with the station name of the stream you want to monitor. The station name must be exactly as it appears in the Triton Digital Streaming Console. For example, if the station name is BLORK_FM, use this FLV redirector:

https://playerservices.streamtheworld.com/api/livestream-redirect/BLORK_FM.flv

To monitor the stream from an AAC mount, add "AAC" to the end of the station name. For example:

https://playerservices.streamtheworld.com/api/livestream-redirect/BLORK_FMAAC.flv

If you need help determining your specific FLV redirector URL, contact Triton Digital Customer Support.

Now that you have your FLV redirect URL, you are ready to start using FLV debugger.

  1. Launch FLV Debugger by double-clicking the FLV Debugger application.

  2. Enter the FLV redirector URL in the Stream URL field.

  3. Click Connect to URL.
    FLV Debugger will connect to your stream and show a visual representation of the data being received.

  4. If you also want to hear the audio, use the playback controls at the bottom of the application. (Play will start at the beginning of the buffer.)

  5. To save the data in the buffer, click the Save icon.

  6. To load a saved file into FLV Debugger, click the Folder icon and select the saved file that you want to load.

  1. FLV redirector URL.

  2. Save to file.

  3. Open from file.

  4. Pick a data point for analysis in the Inspector.

  5. Inspector.

  6. Data legend.

  7. Playback controls.

Analyzing Data

Click any of the small squares in the data display to select that data point for analysis in the Inspector. The inspector shows the following information:

  • Audio, including chunk size and codec information.

  • MetaData, which includes the versions of Media Encoder and Media proxy installed in your Station Manager suite as well as machine name and Audio Device ID on your encoding system.

  • CuePoints, including the type (Break, EndBreak, etc.), Vast URLs, and timing information.

…as well as other useful items.

Using Adobe Air on macOS

The security schema in recent versions of macOS quarantines Adobe Air, so you will see a warning message after you install Adobe Air that implies the application is damaged:

Click OK to dismiss the warning message. The application is not actually damaged; it is quarantined. Next, you must run a command in a Terminal window to release the application from quarantine.

To de-quarantine Adobe Air on macOS:

  1. Open a Terminal window. (Applications > Utilities > Terminal.app)

  2. Enter the following commands into the terminal window (one line at a time, followed by the Enter key):
    cd /Library/Frameworks
    sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine ./Adobe\ AIR.framework

  3. After entering the second command you might be prompted to enter your admin password. This is the password you used to unlock your Mac. (The terminal window might not show your password key entries; enter the password and press Enter.)

  4. In the macOS menu bar, click Terminal and select Quit Terminal.

  5. Reboot your computer.