Podcast Problems: XML Parsing Issues?

[wbmccarty]

My streamlined, portable installation, which now has five podcasts configured, continues to stream along. I still haven't been able to coax my primary installation into subscribing those same five podcasts. However, I just observed a new anomaly with the portable installation, which popped up a dialog box reading as follows (I've indicated carriage returns/new lines by the symbol [CR]:

There was a problem downloading the following file(s):[CR]Problem[CR] Node

The space before the word "Node" appears in the dialog box. I have no idea what problem the dialog box is intended to point out. It appears to me that all five podcasts are up to date and that all the related episodes have been successfully downloaded.

[Lowlander]

I've seen it to, but don't know what causes it and haven't been able to reproduce. Nothing seems to go wrong when this happens.

[wbmccarty]

Today I continued adding podcasts to the streamlined, portable installation. When I added the 10th podcast, it came back "File Not Found." I checked the URL in a browser and found it good. I tried the URL cut-and-paste workaround and it succeeded.

This really doesn't seem to me environmental but rather internal to MM4. OTOH, in that case it would be hard to see why many others don't have the same problem.

BTW, all these podcasts are subscribed in iTunes and work perfectly. That's another reason the problem seems to be internal to MM4 (and, MM3, come to think of it) rather than environmental.

[wbmccarty]

Since the first podcast failed, every subsequent podcast (five of them) has failed. In each case, the cut-and-paste workaround has succeeded on the first try.

[Peke]

Tried with all podcasts here and added 15 more in the row without problem

[wbmccarty]

Thanks for trying, Peke

[wbmccarty]

I've been here before in previous releases. I've just now revisited MM to check the current status and found that my problem persists: When subscribing to podcasts, I often get the error "There was a problem downloading the following files" with reference to the podcast's XML file. On this forum, the problem has often been put down to network issues. However, another popular podcast catcher has no difficulty fetching the podcast. Moreover, I've analyzed the network traffic using Wireshark and I see no anomalies at the network level. The entire network stream, as re-assembled by Wireshark, follows.

I know from experience that cutting and re-pasting the URl often resolves the problem. However, I haven't yet seen that behavior under MM 4.07.

This is clearly not a network issue. What can I do to obtain more reliable podcast subscription and download?

Frankly I gave up on MM some months ago because of this problem. But, as reported by no small number of users, version 11.1 of that other podcast catcher has caused the deletion of multiple GB of downloaded podcast episodes, some of which are no longer available. Continuing to use a product associated with data loss of that scale is an entirely unacceptable option. So I'm once again very interested in getting MM to work reliably.

Re-assembled HTTP network stream follows:

Code: Select all

GET /podcast.xml

l HTTP/1.1

Host: http://www.aomin.org

Accept: text/html, */*

Accept-Encoding: deflate, gzip, identity

User-Agent: MediaMonkey 4.0.7.1511



<?xml version="1.0"?>

  <rss version="2.0">

    <channel>

    <title>The Dividing Line</title>

    <link>http://www.aomin.org</link>

    <description>Listen to "The Dividing Line", featuring Dr. James White most Tuesday Mornings at 11:00am MST and most Thursday afternoons at 4:00 MST.

(pre-feeds begin 30 minutes or so before start of program)



Dr. White welcomes your calls at: (602) 973-4602 (Metro Phoenix) 1-877-753-3341 (Toll Free)
</description>

    <webMaster>director.aomin.org@aomin.org</webMaster>

    <language>en-us</language>

    <copyright>Copyright 2006</copyright>

    <lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Sep 2013 21:14:54 GMT</lastBuildDate>

    <generator>PodAdmin - The Free Web-based Podcast Management Software http://podadmin.sourceforge.net</generator>

      <item>

      <title>July 18, 2013</title>

      <description>After some initial distractions James discusses the Pope's recent offer of indulgences for twitter followers. What are indulgences and does Rome still teach this? Then back to the Calvinist Call in Show.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:09:23 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130718.mp3" length="21785099" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>July 23, 2013</title>

      <description>After reviewing some current events about the liberal agenda, James finishes the 'Calvinist Call in Show' review. Then back to the Yusef Ismail's comments in his debate with William Lane Craig.</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:34:26 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130723.mp3" length="32567109" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>July 25, 2013</title>

      <description>James starts off discussing William Lane Craig's recent article 'Is Molinism as Depressing as Calvnism?. Then some discussion of various Islamic arguments before returning to the Yusef Ismail debate with William Lane Craig.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:45:58 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130725.mp3" length="34603039" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>July 30, 2013</title>

      <description>Current events with Desmond Tutu, the Pope, PCUSA, Glenn Beck with David Barton and the new book Zealot. Then James begins his review of a debate with Bashir Varnia and Jay Smith.</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jul 2013 14:36:51 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130730.mp3" length="32440728" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 1, 2013</title>

      <description>After more current events James continues his review of the debate with Bashir Varnia and Jay Smith.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 1 Aug 2013 19:07:09 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130801.mp3" length="22234198" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 6, 2013</title>

      <description>Current events including the story of a wealthy gay man in the UK threatening to sue the Church of England in order to force the church to recognize gay marriage. Then a very important review of some key Quranic texts.</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 6 Aug 2013 14:34:35 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130806.mp3" length="32563377" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 8, 2013</title>

      <description>James dives right back in to his review of the debate with Bashir Varnia and Jay Smith. In the second half we open the phone lines for callers.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 8 Aug 2013 19:05:06 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130808.mp3" length="32439394" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 13, 2013</title>

      <description>James replies to a recent YouTube video from Sir Anthony Buzzard trinity. Then some current events James turns to an article written by convert to Rome, Jason Stellman about the sacrifice of Christ. Finally, more from the Varnia/Smith debate.</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Aug 2013 14:41:09 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130813.mp3" length="32725221" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 15, 2013</title>

      <description>James starts off with a response to Anthony Buzzard's response to our previous show. Then something new on our plate 'A Polite Bribe' movie has come out. Finally, James replies to Jordan Cooper and Jordan calls in.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Aug 2013 19:12:23 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130815.mp3" length="38746244" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 16, 2013</title>

      <description>A special show dedicated to Islam with more from Yusuf Ismail and Bashir Varnia.</description>

      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Aug 2013 17:06:26 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130816.mp3" length="21831459" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 20, 2013</title>

      <description>Demythologizing scholarship and then its back the debate review with Yusuf Ismail.</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:37:12 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130820.mp3" length="32532361" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 27, 2013</title>

      <description>James reviews the Supreme Court of New Mexico's ruling that demands that christians surrender their morals when conducting business. Then back to reviewing Yusuf Ismail's remarks.</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2013 16:36:46 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130827.mp3" length="32439832" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>August 29, 2013</title>

      <description>James replies to Chris Pinto's rediculous rant on a recent program regarding Alan Kurchner and this ministry. Then he begins a review of Jerry Walls' presentation called 'What's Wrong with calvinism.'</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2013 16:29:16 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130829.mp3" length="32062746" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>September 3, 2013</title>

      <description>More from Jerry Walls' anti-calvinism presentation for the first hour. Then transitioning back to Yusuf Ismail.</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 3 Sep 2013 14:37:48 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130903.mp3" length="32442970" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>September 5, 2013</title>

      <description>James starts off the program with a continued response to Dr. Jerry Walls' presentation against Calvinism, then after the break transitions back to responding to Yusuf Ismail.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 5 Sep 2013 19:08:31 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130905.mp3" length="32369729" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>September 12, 2013</title>

      <description>James recaps his trip to Dallas and his presentation on Ergun Caner at Lindale Baptist. Then the Pope's statement on atheists and the conscience. Then more from Yusuf Ismail.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2013 19:22:27 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130912.mp3" length="32509223" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>September 17, 2013</title>

      <description>Our first YouTube Live show where James starts off reviewing a debate between WLC and an Atheist with some serious problems that Craig finds himself in with his arguments. Then back to Bashir Varnia.</description>

      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Sep 2013 10:02:23 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130917.mp3" length="31158775" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>September 19, 2013</title>

      <description>Picking up with and concluding Dr. Walls' presentation on calvinism.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Sep 2013 19:11:47 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130919.mp3" length="31578156" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>September 24, 2013</title>

      <description>James starts off with the recent comments from the new Roman Pope. Then more current events including the situation at Azuza Christian College. Then its Radio Free Damascus and a further review of Yusuf Ismail's comments in some various closing remarks fr</description>

      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Sep 2013 19:20:35 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130924.mp3" length="42586177" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

      <item>

      <title>September 26, 2013</title>

      <description>Continuing on with Bashir Varnia's comments from his closing arguents. Then its phone calls with the first on the Uthmanic revision. Then wrapping up with Yusuf Ismail.</description>

      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:11:44 GMT</pubDate>

      <enclosure url="http://www.aomin.org/podcasts/20130926.mp3" length="20854582" type="audio/mpeg"/>

      </item>

    </channel>
  </rss>

[Lowlander]

Is the Podcast URL still: http://www.aomin.org/podcast.xml

[wbmccarty]

Yes. But, to be clear, that's simply the one I' picking on. I loaded two, both of which failed. In the past, of the hundred or so podcasts I follow perhaps 10-20 have exhibited problems of this sort.

Cheers,

P.S. Thanks for styling the stream as code. I should have thought of that. Cheers,

[Lowlander]

I just tried it and set it to download the 5 most recent episodes and it worked for me on the latest beta of MediaMonkey 4.1.

[wbmccarty]

Yes, that's the point. The other podcast catcher accesses the podcast flawlessly. Clearly there's no problem with the site. (At least, there's no problem at the transport level. There may be some problem with the XML syntax that I haven't yet identified.) And, based on my analysis via Wireshark, there's no problem with the actual network stream as downloaded by MM. Nevertheless, MM protests:

Code: Select all

Error
There was a problem downloading the following file(s):
Problem
http://www.aomin.org/podcast.xml
|- <?xml version="1.0"?>

[wbmccarty]

Oops! I see you wrote 4.1. That's where I need to be. I had intended to download and try the latest version and didn't think to look for a beta. I'll try that.

Cheers,

[Lowlander]

I can't reproduce, MM downloads the episodes, fine just like last time. You can capture a debug log (step 4b) of this failure and send it to support, it may show more to the developers: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=69

[wbmccarty]

Under 4.1 I get no error but I also get no podcast episodes. MM just grinds for a while but shows no result.

UPDATE: Working with Wireshark live while I enter data into MM discloses part of the problem--in fact, maybe the entire problem.

MM must fetch the podcast XML file while the dialog box is open. Otherwise the podcast subscription will not succeed. Some sites may take several minutes to load and the user may be tempted to close out the dialog box immediately after specifying the podcast URL, as done with other podcast catchers. But if the user enters the podcast name manually and then clicks Enter the podcast will never actually be subscribed. In that case MM misleadingly reports that it's updating the podcast but it's apparently doing something else entirely because Wireshark shows no network activity. This is what I didn't know and it explains why I and other users have learned that re-entering the URL sometimes yields a successful subscription. The bottom line is that the user must specify the podcast URL and then leave the dialog box open until MM fetches the XML file and displays the podcast name. This can be somewhat tricky and confusing because MM may fetch and display data as soon as the domain name is entered, before the path to the podcast XML file has been specified. But MM must be allowed to fetch the document at the entire URL.

As I wrote this may be the whole problem. I'm not sure I have even one instance of failure except when the dialog box has been closed before the XML file has been fetched. This is neither an XML parsing issue nor a network transport issue. It's a user-interface issue.

At this point I'm able to subscribe my podcasts and I'm going to leave it at that. Hopefully this message provides enough bread crumbs to solve the problems of other users who've been here and done this.

[Peke]

Ok I see your point and I added this as http://www.ventismedia.com/mantis/view.php?id=11351