.. _arduino_play_online:

==============================
1.5.2 Online Audio Streaming
==============================

Stream internet radio and online audio directly to the speaker via Wi-Fi.

Overview
========

This example builds on the audio playback from the previous lesson — but instead of reading MP3 files from the SD card, it streams audio directly from the internet. You'll connect to Wi-Fi and play a live internet radio station through the I2S speaker.

What You'll Learn
=================

* Streaming audio over HTTP with the ``Audio`` library
* Combining Wi-Fi connectivity with I2S audio output
* Switching audio sources at runtime via Serial input

Before You Begin
================

Complete the setup steps in :ref:`preparation` before continuing.

.. note::
   Use the recommended Arduino IDE settings in :ref:`arduino_board_settings` unless this lesson says otherwise.

Open the example sketch from the code package:

``LAFVIN-ESP32-S3-Multimedia-Kit-main/1.Arduino/5.2_Play_Online/5.2_Play_Online.ino``

.. important::
   Edit the ``ssid`` and ``password`` variables in the sketch to match your Wi-Fi network before uploading.

=========== ========
Signal      ESP32-S3
=========== ========
I2S BCLK    GPIO 42
I2S LRC     GPIO 14
I2S DOUT    GPIO 41
=========== ========

Upload and Test
===============

#. Set your Wi-Fi SSID and password in the sketch.
#. Connect the board with a USB Type-C data cable.
#. Open ``5.2_Play_Online.ino`` in Arduino IDE.
#. In the **Tools** menu, select ``ESP32S3 Dev Module`` as the board and choose the correct serial port.
#. Click **Upload**.
#. Open **Serial Monitor** at ``115200`` baud. The board connects to Wi-Fi and begins streaming internet radio::

      Connecting to WiFi
      ........
      WiFi connected
      IP address: 192.168.1.100

   You should hear audio through the onboard speaker.

#. Paste a different MP3 stream URL into the Serial Monitor and press Enter to switch to a different station.

How the Code Works
==================

**Wi-Fi Connection**

.. code-block:: cpp

   #include <WiFi.h>
   #include "Audio.h"

   WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
   while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
       delay(500);
       Serial.print(".");
   }

**Stream Online Audio**

.. code-block:: cpp

   Audio audio;
   audio.setPinout(42, 14, 41);  // BCLK, LRC, DOUT
   audio.setVolume(10);

   // Default internet radio stream
   audio.connecttohost("http://icecast.omroep.nl/radio4-bb-mp3");

**Runtime URL Switching**

The sketch reads from ``Serial`` in the main loop. If you send any text, it is treated as a new stream URL:

.. code-block:: cpp

   void loop() {
       audio.loop();

       if (Serial.available()) {
           String url = Serial.readString();
           audio.connecttohost(url.c_str());
       }
   }

In the provided sketch:

* The default stream points to a public icecast MP3 radio station
* Volume is set to 10 to be conservative
* Audio metadata (stream title, etc.) is printed to the Serial Monitor when available

Try This Next
=============

* Find other free internet radio station URLs and use the Serial Monitor to switch between them
* Set up a local audio stream with VLC or another media server on your computer
* Combine with :ref:`arduino_play_sdmp3` to build a player that switches between local and online sources