Having a radio stream is the perfect partner for Part 15 operation, because it makes a micro-cosmos into a maxi-cosmos, But there are different kinds of streams and different kinds of players plus many directories for being listed.
On our website we have managed to set up Shoutcast streams with a special button for Windows Media Player, but the question now arises, should we think about Real Audio?
If anyone has experience or opinions about Real Audio I would be very curious.
Multi Codec player
Carl, my suggestion is to investigate a multi-codec player platform. There are a variety available for free on the web. The most used is WinAmp. It will play every format you mention and more. There are forums across the web on how to embed a WinAmp based player on your site.
Further Discussion
Thank you Marshall Johnson, Sr.
I need to elaborate on what I’m actually asking about.
For several years I’ve streamed exclusively on Shoutcast, which is best heard by listeners using Winamp, iTunes, and a handful of mp3 players.
But I met a listener who is absolutely zealous about using Windows Media Player (WMP), and getting Shoutcast streams to play on WMP requires a special page of .asx code put on our website. But now we have that problem solved and she can listen if she wants to.
Now, and this explains the spirit behind my original question, I am questioning what other players might be the exclusive preference of potential listeners, and Real Audio is the example I used, which also requires special coding to make it work with a Shoutcast stream.
I believe Real Audio was once a popular format but what about today? Are there still avid die-hard users who will never listen any other way?
Embedded Players
Carl,
You apparently are using your own broadcast server. Where I applaud your effort, there are a lot easier ways of getting the same result. Try DRS2006 or Spacial Audio for multi-platform codec players.
And BTW, the current version of WinAmp will play all the codecs you have previously mentioned (refer to Nullsoft site). The WinAmp player engine is used in most online players with the notable exception of the ones you point out (Windows Media and Real Audio). The challenge you point out would be like saying I need to change my over-the-air or transmitted signal because someone wants to listen on a radio (or device) they are partial to; and I currently don’t sound right on their radio/device. Where minor adjustments might be worthwhile, the change might not be feasible for a variety of reasons. Gaining one listener from the investment of time, equipment and money isn’t always prudent. Not even the licensed stations can expect or want to have every possible single listener. You will gain a friend for life if you can solve the challenge from their end first. You become more than a radio guy. Now you are a resource to your potential listener. If you keep solving the challenges from your end, from experience, I can tell you they will never end. Solve the receiver challenge before you solve it with the distribution or transmitter end.
The problem with Windows Media is that the player is based on language provided by the SilverLight folks. It took WinAmp and Spacial Audio a full couple of months to provide the patch to make the WinAmp engine derived Spacial Audio Player work on Windows Media Streams. As a personal note, Windows Media is a pain the the posterior. Real Audio is a close step sister.
Additionally, the most extensively used broadcast server and player platform on the web in the world is Live 365. They attract and keep more internet radio listeners than any other. Listeners on Live 365 are intentional; they have to sign up.
It’s Like You Say
Mr. Marshall Johnson, Sr.
It’s like you say. I am trying to appease individual people and their refusal to adapt. I have literally dealt with individuals who are totally stubborn and absolutely reject suggestions, even if they would be better off taking advice. In the end, now that I supply a WMP stream, that listener ignores my station anyway, and so refusal to install Winamp was only an excuse for not listening. Same with another listener who admits he really doesn’t like radio.
The advantage of running my own server is that costs are contained. All those you mentioned are definitely good, but they have price tags. It’s only a hobby, but perhaps later I’ll stop being the stubborn one and “join the club,” so to speak, by hiring a streaming service.
Right now, though, for academic reasons, I would like to know if anyone uses Real Audio Player as their preference. There must be a statistic about that group of listeners.
Wiki RealAudio
“RealAudio is a proprietary audio format developed by RealNetworks and first released in 1995. It uses a variety of audio codecs, ranging from low-bitrate formats that can be used over dialup modems, to high-fidelity formats for music. It can also be used as a streaming audio format, that is played at the same time as it is downloaded. In the past, many internet radio stations used RealAudio to stream their programming over the internet in real time. In recent years, however, the format has become less common and has given way to more popular audio formats. When this format is available, it is generally one of multiple formats available and consequently having software to play this format is almost never necessary. RealAudio was heavily used by the BBC websites until 2009, though due to its declining use, only BBC World Service is still available in this format.” – English-Wikipedia 2010
I hope this helps. I don’t use Real Audio for the simple reason almost nobody uses it anymore. There are others (codecs) that are simpler to use and included in other platforms. And yes, WinAmp will play RealAudio codecs.
Real Good Answer
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
“Almost nobody uses it anymore.” That’s the part of the entire discussion that I like best.
Thanks to your information the entire question of “Real Audio” is being dropped, as I have become aware that it is not necessary to support.
Strange that I had an intuitive feeling that it was sort of a “background” format, seen here and there almost as an afterthought on some websites.
I would guess that Flash players are becoming the most common, so many websites have a Flash button which starts the stream quickly and immediately.
The One I Most See And Most Like
The Ones I see the most And That I like the Most are
embedded players that let you play it on the site.
They are usually mp3 streams using Windows Media Player as the embedded player.
Real Audio to me seems like the old way of doing it.
What I see being done a lot are Stations streaming more than one stream to allow use on someones favorite player.
streams and players
What I use here at 1067 The Vibe FM is shoutcast. As far as embedding a media player on the site, I have an html code that will embedd windows media player on the page. If anyone wants the code for your website, contact me directly.
With the increase use of mobile devices, I also like to place somewhere on the site, the actual link to the streams so that mobile users can easily place the streaming url into their mobile players.