Audio hosting with DropBox, endless buffering

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  ptaber · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:17 pm

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  I am using DropBox to host audio for a free WordPress.com blog. I followed the standard procedure for generating a link in DropBox. I have followed the instructions for using the WP player with an external link, but the player does not make it past buffering to play the file. Here is the code that I entered in text mode in the post:

  [audio https://www.dropbox.com/s/95yks60vtm42gqy/DWWD%20803.mp3%5D

  and the post is here:

  http://blackboxbeach.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/6/

  Thanks for any help you can give.

  pete
  Blog url: http://blackboxbeach.wordpress.com/

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  ptaber · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:20 pm

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  Correction, the code I have in the post is:

  [audio https://www.dropbox.com/s/95yks60vtm42gqy/DWWD%20803.mp3%5D

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  raincoaster · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:27 pm

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  Your link is not correct. It should be http://www.dropbox.com/s/95yks60vtm42gqy/DWWD%20803.mp3

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  ptaber · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:31 pm

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  Yeah for some reason it keeps changing the closing bracket to “%5D” when i copy and paste the link, but yes that is the URL that is in the post.

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  raincoaster · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:36 pm

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  Have you confirmed that Dropbox allows you to hotlink? Not just download?

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  ptaber · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:42 pm

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  I’ve read forum posts of others who’ve used hotlinks with DropBox here:

  https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/another-audio-embed-issue?replies=14

  That thread suggests that inserting “=” between “audio” and URL did the trick, but that is not working for me.

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  raincoaster · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:52 pm

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  Might be related to using https instead of http?

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  raincoaster · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:53 pm

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  Also check your privacy settings on Dropbox.

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  ptaber · Member · Sep 19, 2012 at 9:59 pm

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  Yeah I think the https is the issue. Apparently DropBox switched from a model where there was a “Public Folder” to one that now generates an https for any link. It’s looking more and more to me like hotlinks won’t work there anymore. Too bad.

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  justpi · Member · Sep 20, 2012 at 12:23 am

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  The https isn’t the issue. The URL you’re trying to use won’t work because it doesn’t open the file itself, it opens a webpage. These should work:
  https://dl.dropbox.com/s/95yks60vtm42gqy/DWWD%20803.mp3
  http://dl.dropbox.com/s/95yks60vtm42gqy/DWWD%20803.mp3

  But I would suggest you use Fileden or Kiwi6 instead. And better don’t use spaces and punctuation marks in the filenames.

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  ptaber · Member · Sep 20, 2012 at 12:30 am

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  You’re right, that did work, thanks for the tip. I think I will probably host my audio elsewhere – have been looking at Kiwi6 and Google Sites.