MP3 on-demand files can be streamed through HTTP/Progressive streaming from a Web server. For the purposes of this book, you'll be using the SHOUTcast server for both. For serving on-demand files, you can use either of these for real-time streaming of on-demand files or any Web server (via HTTP/Progressive streaming). Start small.įor live stream authoring, you must use a real-time streaming server such as SHOUTcast or Icecast, which are available for all of the popular operating systems. You'll be charged by user access and, if your stream is popular, that can quickly add up to lots of money. Just because the collocation server facility has the bandwidth to support hundreds of users doesn't mean you should use it. If you're using co-located (third-party) server facilities, place limits on the number of users your server will accept. Check with your ISP customer support to verify your data rates. Most DSL connections are actually aDSL (a for asynchronous) and usually have much higher download than upload speeds. Know how much upload bandwidth you have available. Multiplying the number 10 (listeners) times 32 (the encode bit rate) comes out to around 320Kbps, leaving a little headroom for other tasks, such as testing the streams. It is encoding at a bit rate of 32Kbps and supports 10 concurrent listeners. This test case runs the server computer from home using a 384Kbps sDSL (s for synchronous, meaning 384Kbps upload and download). How many concurrent (simultaneous) listeners do you need to be able to serve, and at what bit rate? Multiplying the number of concurrent users times the streams' bit rate will provide the total bandwidth requirements for your server scenario. Naturally, you must make some decisions regarding the type of server you will use. Now you need to connect to a server so that listeners on the Internet can hear it.
There are many other benefits as well, including the fact that you can be up and broadcasting in no time, without having to learn a single line of code.You have the authoring computer's Winamp encoder ready to crank out your MP3-encoded live stream. You simply have to make sure that your website has all of the necessary files that will allow the server to properly play the audio file(s).
A lot of people are already using this type of software in order to manage their own personal online radio stations, and you can take advantage of this opportunity as well. You can even set up a podcast feed to stream to your SHOUTcast Server and allow your website visitors to subscribe to your podcast feed at any time. You can create unique stations with your own music and audio files that can be played on a station-by-station basis, so that your listeners never get bored. In addition to this there are many other features that a SHOUTcast Server can provide for you as well, including the ability to create and manage your own radio station. And if you use the audio format, you can also convert the file into a compatible format that can be played by your computer or your television, whichever device you happen to be listening to it on. This is what a SHOUTcast Server can do for you. Imagine having the ability to play music and podcasts with surround sound while you are simply taking a break from your regular work flow.
Imagine being able to listen live to your favorite tracks on the windows media player while you are traveling. The second reason to use the SHOUTcast Server for your web audio streaming needs would be to have the ability to use any type of audio format that you would want to transfer from your computer to your television. It is perfect for those who are in love with technology and who like to listen to all their favorite radio shows online on the go, wherever they may be at that moment. It is so easy to use and the stations are very clear and the sound quality is superb. Whether you listen to talk radio, rock radio, country music, or jazz radio, being able to download and listen live to these types of stations has been made incredibly easy with a Shoutcast Server. First, this server is a great way to be able to listen live to all of your favorite radio stations online.
There are many reasons to install a Shoutcast Server on your computer, if you have wanted to.