1. What is SHOUTcast?

 2. What is SHOUTcast used for?

 3. What is SHOUTcast directory?

 4. What is SHOUTcast Radio?

 

 5. How to start broadcasting with Winamp and SHOUTcast Radio DSP Plug-in?

 6. Which players can connect to my SHOUTcast stream?
 7. How Do I Listen/Tune-In?

 8. Where can I download Listen to files for my music players?

 9. How Do I List My Station on SHOUTcast Radio Directory?

 

10. How Do I Combine/Relay Servers Together For one Large Radio?

11. How to Login to the SHOUTcast DNAS (Black & Red) admin panel?

12. I've installed Shoutcast - But can't see it on Winamp?

13. Mono or Stereo on SHOUTcast streams - Which is best?

14. How to broadcast to SHOUTcast from an Apple Mac or iMac on OS?

15. What is SHOUTcast Stream Transcoding and do you offer it?

 

16. Is There a License Included?
17. Can I Have Multiple DJ's?

18. Can I Stream Different Bitrates?

19. Where can I get more information?

 

 

1. What is SHOUTcast?

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SHOUTcast is server software for streaming media developed by Nullsoft. It allows digital audio content, primarily in MP3 or AAC+ format, to be broadcast to and from media player software, enabling hobbyists and professionals to create Internet radio networks.

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2. What is SHOUTcast used for?

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The most common use of SHOUTcast is for creating or listening to Internet audio broadcasts. SHOUTcast makes it possible to inexpensively set up an Internet broadcasting station, so hobbyists and large radio network owners alike can use it to set up their own broadcasting network for a fraction of the cost of a traditional AM broadcasting or FM radio station.

Some traditional radio stations use SHOUTcast to extend their presence onto the Web.

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3. What is SHOUTcast directory?

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SHOUTcast directory is a directory of stations that Nullsoft maintains on the SHOUTcast website.

A feature of SHOUTcast servers is the ability to optionally publish server information, including the current number of listeners in the SHOUTcast directory.

Site visitors can pick a station to listen to and download a playlist file for use in their own SHOUTcast-capable media player.

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4. What is SHOUTcast Radio?

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SHOUTcast Radio is a free-of-charge audio homesteading solution. It permits anyone on the Internet to broadcast audio from their PC to listeners across the Internet or any other IP-based network (Office LANs, college campuses, etc.).

 

SHOUTcast Radio's underlying technology for audio delivery is MPEG Layer 3, also known as MP3 technology and AAC+. The SHOUTcast Radio system can deliver audio in a live situation, or can deliver audio on-demand for archived broadcasts.

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5. How to start broadcasting with Winamp and SHOUTcast Radio DSP Plug-in?

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If you would like to start your own Internet radio station without the hassle of running your own server this is the solution for you. You can host your radio broadcast through Host2Stream.com that will handle the actual streaming for you, leaving you to only worry about what you want to play on your internet radio station!

Once you have a streaming host in place, you can use the Winamp media player along with the SHOUTcast DSP plug-in to start broadcasting. This plug-in is responsible for sending the audio source feed of your Internet radio station to your streaming server, from where it is broadcasted out to your listeners.

The purpose of the SHOUTcast server is that it allows people using Winamp connect to it and begin downloading content being streamed live off the Internet This server software allows many people to connect, assuming you have enough bandwidth, memory, and CPU. Your broadcasters use Winamp and the SHOUTcast Source Plug-in for Winamp to send data to your server, and the server then relays the data back to your listeners.

 
Download the SHOUTcast Radio DSP Plug-in for Winamp, Install, Connect:

To connect to our SHOUTcast servers, you will need the download and install the following:

Winamp: http://www.winamp.com

The SHOUTcast plugin for Winamp: http://shoutcast.com/download

(Note: the plugin will install to the correct folder automatically)

How to get started:

1. Open Winamp.

2. Go to the "Options Menu" and select "Preferences".

3. Scroll down in the navigation menu, to 'Plugins' – then select the ‘DSP/Effect’ from the list.

Now, in the right hand panel, select ‘Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP v1.91 [dsp_sc.dll]’ and click ‘Configure active plugin’ button.

You will be presented with the following window:

You need to enter 3 pieces of information:

1. Address – (supplied by Host2Stream).

2. Password – (supplied by Host2Stream).

3. Port – (supplied by Host2Stream).

Set your Encoder:

When you have entered the connection details for your stream the next step is to set your Encoder.

Select Encoder 1 as shown below.

Change the settings for Encoder 1 to the bitrate you purchased. Select as shown below if ordered an 128Kbps stream.

Set Yellowpages:

Enter your Radio Station details under Desription, URL and Genre.

Then click connect.

Congratulations! You are now streaming!

The SHOUTcast plugin will broadcast whatever you are playing in Winamp or Soundcard input, to our servers. The link to access your stream will be included in the set-up email you received from Host2Stream.

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6. Which players can connect to my SHOUTcast stream?

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If you broadcast in MP3 format (recommended!) many common desktop players support SHOUTcast streams, including the following:

Winamp

Windows Media Player

Real Player

iTunes (Mac + Windows)

XMMS

Plus more (Musicmatch, VLAN etc)

We offer easy to use 'listen links' which you can put onto your website for all of these players. We also supply embedded Flash and Windows Media Player for you to put onto your website. Just copy and paste the code.

The great thing about our Flash players in particular, is that nearly EVERYONE has Flash installed. They can then listen to your Radio Station directly from their Internet browser!

If you stream in AAC+ format, you will limit yourself really to Winamp users. There is a plugin also available for Windows Media player to enable AAC+ on WMP. This is available from; http://www.orban.com/plugin/

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7. How Do I Listen/Tune-In?

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Click Listen or Tune-In links, requires that you have your desired listening program already installed.
Winamp - Recommended www.winamp.com

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8. Where can I download "Listen to" files for my music players?

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Please download the files and icons here.

Open the downloaded zip folder and edit your Host2Stream port number details in the .asx, .pls, .qtl and .ram files by opening them with Notepad editor.

How to open the .asx, .pls, .qtl and .ram files?

Right click on the file - Open with - Notepad 

http://sc.host2stream.com:YOUR-PORT-NUMBER

YOUR-PORT-NUMBER

(You can find your Host2Stream port number in 'Your SHOUTcast Server Details' email)

After you have edited all the files place them in a folder named stream on your website server.

Place the icons for players on your webpage as well and give them following links:

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9. How Do I List My Radio Station on SHOUTcast Radio Directory?

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Your Radio Station is already listed on SHOUTcast Radio Directory. This happens automatically at shoutcast.com when your SHOUTcast server is turned on.

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If you wish for Your Radio Station to be listed on Host2Stream 'Links' Section, simply send us e-mail with your banner attached. Required size is 411 x 84 pixels, acceptable formats  .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif.

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10. How Do I Combine/Relay Servers Together For one Large Radio?

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On your main server configure the SHOUTcast server to have Allow Relay enabled. Then, on your secondary server configure them to have a Relay IP and Relay Port equal to that of the main server. By default the size of the main server will increase by adding all the listener slots of relay servers. This happens automatically upon starting up relay servers.

Note: relay server takes up 1 slot on the main server and is a constant stream 24/7 unless turned off.

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11. How to Login to the SHOUTcast DNAS (Black & Red) admin panel?

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Username for the SHOUTcast DNAS admin panel for all users is always admin.

The password is your allocated Radio Password.

You can access your SHOUTcast DNAS admin panel via your server status page, simply click 'Admin Login' and it will take you to the /admin.cgi page.

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12. I've installed Shoutcast - But can't see it on Winamp?

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Open your Winamp, and hold down "Ctrl" and "P" - Preferences window should appear with all of your settings.

Click "DSP Plug-ins", then select "SHOUTcast DSP Plug-In" your SHOUTcast source window will appear.

You can then set it up with the information from your welcome email, including:

Host or Server name (eg. sc.host2stream.com) in the "Address" field.

Your Port (eg. 8000)

Your password (specified during signup)

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13. Mono or Stereo on SHOUTcast streams - Which is best?

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If you are using a lower bitrate (64Kbps or less) then stick with mono. For higher bitrates like 96Kbps and 128Kbps, use Stereo.

Most users automatically assume that because it is set to stereo it will sound better. This is not the case - using stereo on a lower bitrate will cause muffled audio. For example - 48Kbps on stereo would mean you are only getting 24Kbps per channel. This decreases the end listeners experience of your stream, with mono - it will sound better for them.

On 128Kbps for example, you are getting 64Kbps per channel. Which means the overall quality will be improved offering a good stereo, crystal clear audio to the end user.

24Kbps - 64Kbps: MONO

80Kbps - 128Kbps: STEREO

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14. How to broadcast to SHOUTcast from an Apple Mac or iMac on OS?

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If you're using a Apple computer (eg iMac, Power Mac etc) with OSX - you will find that you won't be able to use Winamp and SHOUTcast DSP as these are both designed for Windows computers.

However, this doesn't mean you can't stream to SHOUTcast from your Apple Mac! We recommend the following tools, they are both MacOS Friendly!

http://butt.sourceforge.net (Basic tool, Free!)

http://rogueamoeba.com/nicecast (Full radio package with SC support, free trial available)

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16. Is There a License Included?

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No, We do not provide any form of music licensing or coverage for royalties to individuals or companies who utilize our services to distribute content with any copyright protection.

Any content you broadcast using our services is entirely your responsibility. We do not monitor stream contents and it is up to you to ensure that if you are streaming any music with a copyright, that you are on the right side of the law within your country.

Under no circumstances will Host2Stream be responsible for the behaviour of our Clients or their users when found to be broadcasting protected content.

You may not use our services to distribute adult, racist or any other unsociable material.

If you have any doubts or questions regarding the legallities of your stream/radio station, you should contact a qualified solicitor/lawyer or the relevant licensing authority in your area.

Licenses should be obtained individually by the Radio Station owner. Some types of broadcasting do not require a license. If you are in a Country that requires a music license for internet broadcasting then you will need to obtain one.

The following links are provided just as a guide only, we do not accept any reponsibility for the misuse or misguidance of this information.

Some helpful links to music licensing bodies:

For a web casting licence (covers 40+ countries) go here:
www.webradioworld.com

USA:

www.bmi.com

www.ascap.com

www.soundexchange.com

3rd Party 'Umbrella' Licenses for web broadcasting:

www.loudcity.net

www.swcast.net

UK:

www.ppluk.com

www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk

Germany:

www.gema.de

www.gvl.de

France:

www.sacem.fr

Netherlands:

www.bumastemra.nl

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17. Can I Have Multiple DJ's?

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Yes. You can have as many DJ's as you like. Simply share the DJ password with them.
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18. Can I Stream Different Bitrates?

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Yes. Streaming different bitrates is fine, as long as it does not exceed your purchased bitrate limit.
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19. Where can I get more information?

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There is a blog which is regularly being updated with the latest SHOUTcast Radio news, updates and How To's. You can visit the Blog at http://blog.shoutcast.com. Additionally, you can visit forums to communicate with other broadcasters about their SHOUTcast Radio experiences.

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http://www.shoutcast.com/faq