What is Streaming? -
Streaming (aka Internet Broadcasting) is the transmission of live or even pre-recorded audio to listeners that are connected to the Internet. Using a PC/encoder you can convert your radio broadcast to make it available to listeners through your own website. The listener receives a 24/7 live feed of your broadcast from our servers.
How Does Streaming Work? - Streaming technology transmits audio signals from a centralized source, known as a server, to a client program on a PC, known as a media player. When the user requests a streaming media file, the server sends a stream of data to the media player where it plays as it is received.
Why Stream on the Internet?
• Access: Internet broadcasting is not limited to the local area and is not affected by a listeners location. Most radio station signals do not penetrate office structure walls and severely limit the ability to listen to
broadcasts at work or home. Over 90% of today's business workforce have a pc on their desk. Conversely only 32% of offices have radios.
• Marketing: Internet Broadcasting is a logical extension of your company's communications and promotions.
• Measurable: Streaming over the internet can return detailed demographic data about your listening audience.
• Future Technology: Car radios featuring streaming audio, web surfing and e-mail are projected to be less than
two years away.
What Do You Need to Start Streaming?
• PC/Encoding Computer:
use your own or we can supply to you a quality Pentium class, PC loaded with the Windows 98
os, 64MB of RAM, a sound card, network card and modem. This PC/encoder will be dedicated to streaming your radio station's broadcast.
• Connection
to the Console/Soundboard: The program feed from your console/soundboard plugs directly into the soundcard on your PC/encoder.
• A Dedicated Internet Connection:
Whether you use DSL, ADSL, ISDN, T-1 or frame relay, you will need a dedicated internet connection and static IP to achieve the basic requirements for streaming
on the world wide web.
| Digital Subscriber Line (DSL &
ADSL): This is a high-speed digital connection on one of your existing voice lines. You'll get data transmission speeds up to 25 times faster than a traditional analog modem, providing the transmission speeds necessary to broadcast your station live on the Internet. Typical installation usually takes the phone company 10-15 business days and costs about $50 per month plus a set up and static IP address fee. ISDN: This is a Single Line Service using advanced digital technology to move data at significantly higher speeds than standard phone lines. This all-digital service, based on ISDN technology, offers fast, flexible, highly reliable and digitally clear connections while offering the simplicity of dialing a telephone. Typical installation takes the phone company 10-15 business days and costs $75 per month plus a set up and static IP address fee. T-1, Fractional T-1 and Frame Relays: These connections are high speed, robust and expensive to set up. Many radio station internal networks use these connections. Cost for these connections can be approximately $1000 per month to set up and maintain. About High Speed Connections: Our staff will work with your technicians to provide the best possible streaming environment for your unique situation. |
How Long Will It Take? There are a couple of scenarios. If you already have a permanent internet connection and routable static IP, we can get you streaming immediatly. If you need a permanent Internet connection installed, most phone companies require 10-15 business days to install.
What About Streaming Quality? The average Internet user signs on to the web through one of the large providers such as AOL, MSN or EarthLink using a standard modem. Our statistics show that 76% of your listeners will stream your station at the rate of 28.8 or less. For this reason we will stream your station at 20k to make your broadcast available to the greatest possible audience. Our bandwidth and connection to the Internet can handle much more as the average connection speeds increase over
time.
What Do We Need to
Provide?
A dedicated internet connection (ADSL, ISDN or T-1) with a public static IP.
Your media feed which plugs directly into your PC/encoder. A dedicated PC/encoding computer or you can purchase a pre-configured pc/encoder from
us through a service provider.
How Many People Can Listen
to My Broadcast at One Time? Using the MS Windows Media Player embeded in your stations player, we do not limit the number of simultaneous listeners.
You can also choose packages based on bandwidth usage, or choose from other
options provided by various providers.
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There are many streaming service options
available today. We can help provide you with
access, information and connections to the several different
providers, plans and methods offered. We can make valuable
recommendations and help answer your questions when comparing the various
services and plans.
What Types of Services and Plans are Available?
• Subscriber Plans: Pay
a monthly fee and share advertising revenues.
• Barter Plans:
Exchange air time and space for service.
• Advertising Plans:
Exchange online advertising such as banners and intros.
• Basic Hosting: Pay a
basic monthly fee for service and bandwidth.
What are Some of the Companies that offer Streaming Services?
•
StreamAudio.com - Recommended
• BroadcastAmerica.com
• BBQRadio.com
• CLBN.com
These are just a few of the several companies,
by working with you we can discuss and evaluate your needs and requirements
and give you options and comparisions between the provider companies.
We can also help you set up your stations direct audio source for streaming
through a host.
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