`I noticed that a few members have internet "radio shows" and I was wondering
`how difficult it is to set one up. I honestly don't know if I want to try
`this out, or if I have the time, for that matter. I just had some questions
`regarding the process of getting something like this going:
`
it all depends on what level you are really trying to
attain. streaming for the hell of it and 6 listeners is much
different than a true online radio station.
`* Is streaming really the way to go (as opposed to recording the show and
`then encoding it)?
streaming saves on server space and also brings it into the realm of
a radio show, which when it comes to paying off the riaa makes it
easier. there is accually a seperate 'online' music licensing fee
which is much different than on you get for radio and
clubs/cafes/etc.
`* What format/software do you recommend?
.mp3/shoutcast if you don't have access to an .ra server. streaming
.ra takes server software which you must purchase from real. cost
about $100 per number of connections you wish to host. for example
if you want to have 400 people connect to your .ra server at the
same time, the server license for that would be $40,000.
some ISP have .ra servers they let you bounce off of.
`* What are the connection/web site/server requirements?
depends greatly on how many users you wish to reach and how much
resources you have.
server wise, RAM is important in streaming media. linux/bsd/mac is
the way to go as windows has serious issues in a high bandwidth
environment (please no OS wars here, we've all heard it before.)
if you want serious throughput, look into co-locating a server at an
ISP datacenter. DSL offers the potential to stream from your home
but depending on your connection and isp may not be the most
reliable connection nor be able to support a lot of listeners.
adsl (what most residental service is) is not a solid viable means
as the upload speeds to the net are not near what they need to be to
provide a quality broacast. that is unless you don't mind streaming
to 10 folks via a -20k stream.
let's use www.groovetech.com as a benchmark. they have ~500
connections going at any given time plus other site traffic (btw,
this is very good given the online radio environment.) this
accounts for about 17 megs of traffic at any given time (i used to
work for the ISP that host their servers.) if you were to price a
co-location plus access deal, this would cost ~$15k to $30k per
month. if you were to have your own datacenter and bring in your
own ds3, the cost would be arround $35k to $60k depending on
provider - InterNap, being hands down the best, would cost
~$50k. Winstar/Goodnet/UUNet being one of the worst will cost you
~35k.
my advise is to partner with a web site that can either archive or
re-broadcast your media. it cuts down on the technical work you
have to do and can expose you to a greater audience without the
cost. some will even pay you money or shares in their company.
if you are interested in partnering with a site, check out slam
media at www.slammedia.com. you can email info@slammedia.com or
scotto@slammedia.com (full disclosure: i know the boys and girls
behind slam, but do not stand to profit an any way from their
success or demise.) tell them hi for me:)
b.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org
For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org