WINAMP CLOSING IN DECEMBER

I did some quick research, and it appears that AOL is also planning to shut down Shoutcast.

However, there are rumours that Microsoft is in talks to purchase both Shoutcast and WinAmp.  Whether that's good or bad depends on your point of view, I guess.

I use WinAmp to play streams, but don't use it to generate them (I use EdCast).  I run my own server and use IceCast to distribute the streams.  That's at least one alternative for those who may be affected.

The Plugins make Winamp the powerful streaming tool it is.

One of those is Stereotool by Franz van Zutphens, an audio processor equal to the best hardware.

Actually, the streaming encoders are also DSP plugins, and these are crucial to streaming.

Furthermore, if not listed on the YP (Yellow Pages) at Shoutcast, where is there to be listed so that listeners can find us?

Most of the third-party hosting services (both free and pay) support IceCast, and even if your favorite player doesn't, there are standalone programs that can reroute any audio (player or live input) to an IceCast server, so the transition shouldn't bee too difficult.

As the clock ticks I am setting up an alternate streaming system, one that will do all the things still possible with Winamp and Shoutcast.

Already having run an Icecast stream, that will be a major component.

The matter is tense in my view because we don't know what Microsoft might do if they consume Winamp-Shoutcast. In the past, MS has extinquished several very worthy software applications, including Berkeley Software's GEOEARTH, a PC operating system in many ways superior to Windows, and Bars 'n Pipes, a MIDI composing and sequencing program equal to very expensive music programs.
Please post your alternate streaming methods for the benefit of those in the lurch.

Kinks related to the ongoing change are being kept updated at

http://kdxradio.com/media.html

The ShoutCast plugin and ShoutCast server will continue to function without the ShoutCast directory service.  You just won't be quite as searchable.  Yes?

Unfortunately our assumptions of what the future holds are merely guesses.

Note that Winamp leaves a parting upgrade (v5.666), take special notice of those dread numbers "666." Watch out. Maybe there's a built in egg-timer that will erase key components and show a picture of Bill Gates.

THEY have evil plans, that much is sure. WE are mere "consumers" and our function is to pay big time.

When you survive a sinking ship by escaping in a lifeboat you take the risk of being accused of theft: "stealing a boat."

News of the coming Winamp closure has reached the Icecast Forum.

http://icecast.imux.net/viewtopic.php?t=8056

Up above Artisan said "I did some quick research, and it appears that AOL is also planning to shut down Shoutcast."

I cannot find confirmation of that pronouncement, so if Artisan can provide a source I'll be appreciative.

In fact, Shoutcast has an empty blog page, which is the place where their news announcements are ordinarilly posted.

In their forums the closing of Winamp is mentioned by contributors, but not included as an official Shoutcast message.

In any case, I have spent the past two days re-educating myself on the use of Icecast for streaming, and as long as their development group continues to operate Icecast is a good alternative to Shoutcast.

Icecast also has a Station Directory...

http://dir.xiph.org

This mornings numbers show 51,688 stations streaming on Shoutcast, and 22,544 stations streaming on the Icecast Directory.

At the "real" radio stations I work at, we stream both stations via Broadwave.

http://www.nch.com.au/streaming/

I know NOTHING about streaming.  We have a computer geek guy who handles the computer stuff (he's also our news director). I can tell you this much.  The software version we use is free (unless they upgraded to the pay version and I don't know it).  They have an older PC dedicated to the streaming.  I simply provided them audio from the equipment rack that plugged into the audio card of the computer, which is connected to the internet.  it's worked perfectly for a couple years now. I've never been aware of any issues with the service or the computers.  Our streams are listed with I(heart)Radio and several other places. 

Tim in Bovey

Iron Range Country

Tim, do you know if the "real" station stream is hosted by an outside service?

I use ShoutCast and host myself from my PC.  The ShoutCast service only serves as a search engine to help people find me.  But, I don't rely on that rather I have my stream link on my and other webpages.

I have used BUTT, another free app.  BUTT replaces the ShoutCast plugin and works with the ShoutCast server app on my PC.

Granted, my home PC connection can't serve thousands of listeners due to bandwidth restrictions.  I have my ShoutCast server set to max out at 32 listeners and my NOAA WX stream maxes out when we have storms in the area.

Here is my MRAM STREAM:   http://mram.gotdns.com:8090/listen.pls

Here is my NOAA WX STREAM:   http://mram.gotdns.com:8000/listen.pls

I've been spending almost full time on the Nullsoft/Winamp/Shoutcast/AOL.Microsoft situation, and have things to report.

Although the announcement that Winamp is closing for sure is the only definite part of the story at this time, I think the real iceberg in front of our ship are the stories that Microsoft us negotiating to purchase Winamp and Shoutcast from AOL.

On my Media page I've linked a sizable number of news stories and forum chatter on these subjects...

http://kdxradio.com/media.html

As a total readiness project I have been running a laboratory on using alternative software to accomplish the streaming which Winamp-Shoutcast have been providing. Everything checks out, and if Microsoft takes it all away, I have a tested and proven system in place. Details of this will be made available through ALPB.

What I do (when all is set up and working as planned) - I use ZaraRadio for automation (unattended operation or just being lazy), which feeds a 'real' console (so I always have instant ability for fully manual operation) along with microphones and other live/manual sources. Output of console feeds transmitter and also goes back into computer input for streaming via BUTT (which runs just fine alongside of ZaraRadio, neither interfering with the other, even on a low-end Atom-based netbook with Windows7).

MrNaturalAZ has steered my attention again toward ZaraRadio, which I tried a long time ago with perhaps not enough patience, as it crashed a few times and I gave up.

But since then many members have praised ZaraRadio as a worthy solution to radio automation and streaming.

Here is a link to Version 1.6.2.2

http://zararadio.soft32.com/free-download/?lp=dsa&tg=us&kw=_cat%3Asoft32.com&mt=b&ad=35354358678&pl=&ds=s&gclid=CPno_PLcmbsCFfBDMgod_xsAfw

Another name joins the list as Sony may link Shoutcast.

http://techcrunch.com/2007/12/14/streaming-internet-radio-coming-soon-to-psp/