How to play radio live stream .asx video/x-ms-asf?

Playing .asx Radio Live Streams

The .asx file format, often used for streaming audio and video, is a legacy format that has been largely replaced by more modern options like MP3 and HLS. However, you may still encounter websites using .asx for their radio live streams. This article explains how to play .asx files on various platforms.

Using a Web Browser

Windows Media Player Plugin (Internet Explorer)

If you’re using Internet Explorer, the built-in Windows Media Player plugin can often handle .asx files. Simply navigate to the website hosting the live stream, and the browser should automatically attempt to play the audio.

Third-Party Plugins

For other browsers like Chrome and Firefox, you might need a third-party plugin to play .asx files. One option is the **Microsoft Windows Media Player ActiveX Control** plugin. However, be aware that these plugins may not be readily available or supported by all browsers.

Alternative Solutions

Downloading and Playing

In cases where the above options don’t work, you can try downloading the .asx file and opening it with a compatible media player. Windows Media Player, VLC Media Player, and other media players may be able to play .asx files.

Converting to a More Common Format

If you have the .asx file, you can convert it to a more common format like MP3. Several online converters and desktop software applications can help with this process.

Example of an .asx File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<ASX version="3.0">
<ENTRY>
<REF href="http://www.example.com/radio.wma">
<TITLE>Radio Station Name</TITLE>
</REF>
</ENTRY>
</ASX>

Playing .asx Files with Code

While not typically done directly with code in web pages, here’s a basic example using JavaScript and the HTML5 <audio> tag (assuming the audio stream is compatible with HTML5 audio):

<audio controls>
  <source src="http://www.example.com/radio.wma" type="audio/x-ms-wma">
  Your browser does not support the audio element.
</audio>

Limitations and Alternatives

It’s important to note that:

• Playing .asx files directly in modern web browsers is often unreliable.
• The .asx format may not be compatible with all media players.
• Modern streaming technologies like HLS are more widely supported and offer better performance and compatibility.

If possible, consider contacting the website owner to inquire about alternative streaming options that are more widely compatible.