Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Specialty Hosting and Markets : VOIP etc : streaming 128 kbps audio

[Scott]

I have a client that is intent on launching an online radio station and I wanted to know if it's possible to launch this on my dedicated or would it be best to open a live365.com account for the streams.

Your input is appreciated.

[iliketurtles]

Just host it on your server he probably wont have many people listening anyways.

[AshS]

It depends on what sort of content your client will be playing and what amount of listeners he would have. If your client is playing copyrighted music they must be fully entitled and licensed to rebroadcast it.

[NetDepot - Terrence]

Originally Posted by Scott

I have a client that is intent on launching an online radio station and I wanted to know if it's possible to launch this on my dedicated or would it be best to open a live365.com account for the streams.

Your input is appreciated.

Is your dedicated server unmetered? Will the radio stream 24/7?

[FastServ]

What kind of bandwidth plan is your server on? A busy 128kbps stream can easily use 10,000+ Gb. If you decide to host it on your box, watch your usage very carefully at the switch port.

[Scott]

Thanks for the replies.

My server is no unmetered, I have 4800 GB of bandwidth 2400 in/2400 out.

My client has already obtained the licenses from ascap, BMI and sesac.

As for projected listeners I can't see more than 5 concurrent listeners to start with.

Question: If I was going to set this up on my box what software would I need to serve up the Mp3's?

[iliketurtles]

Shoutcast from shoutcast.com

[keywolf]

Our SHOUTcast customers use a tiny portion of their allocated listener slots, The maths says we should push 20-30TB a month but the actual usage is about 8-10 times less than that per server. With the exception of a few that use all their slots and use a fair bit of bandwidth but you plan ahead to allow for it and have a deal with your DC to get more when you need it.

So yes SHOUTcast at 128KBPS, lets take 50 Listeners for example:

50 Listeners streaming at 128KBPS Constantly 24/7 for a 30 Day Period is 2073.6Gb or roughly 6.7-7mbits.

So as you can see SHOUTcast can easily eat away at your bandwidth allowance so install SNMP and RTG and have it checked at your switch.

[rickb12]

Originally Posted by Scott

...I wanted to know if it's possible to launch this on my dedicated or would it be best to open a live365.com account for the streams.

Like everyone else has added, it's more than possible to launch this on your dedicated machine. Shoutcast uses an extremely low amount of server overhead. Typically, the only limitations to be concerned about would be available bandwidth and overall monthly bandwidth usage.

But to answer your original question, I like Live365's services as a "set it and forget it" option. Live365's services are a bit overpriced in my opinion, but they are an "all-in-one" shop and can give you the ability to launch your stream and really not give much for thought to the matter.

So in conclusion, if you're on a budget and would like to have a bit more control over your stream, I would suggest starting it on your own, but be sure to carefully watch the bandwidth usage. And if you're willing to sacrifice a little bit of control and if you're willing to pay a little more, then go with Live365.

[Scott]

Thanks for all the input.
I think I'll buy a plan at live365 and save my server and it's resident accounts from any possible storms from this streaming client.

[Richard]

Shoutcast! It really whips the lama's you-know-what, as they say.

[tulix]

why don't get shared account. You can get windows, flash, 3g (mobile phone streaming) or shoutcast. Not sure about your requirements, but windows streaming is probably the easiest. Some shared plans could be excatly what you are asking for. You alway will have an option of switching to dedicated servers later on.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by tulix

why don't get shared account. You can get windows, flash, 3g (mobile phone streaming) or shoutcast. Not sure about your requirements, but windows streaming is probably the easiest. Some shared plans could be excatly what you are asking for. You alway will have an option of switching to dedicated servers later on.

They have way too much traffic and content for a shared account. As of now I'm running shoutcast on a dedicated purchased exclusively for them saving my other clients from being stepped on.

Thanks for the suggestion anyways.

[tulix]

Originally Posted by Scott

They have way too much traffic and content for a shared account. As of now I'm running shoutcast on a dedicated purchased exclusively for them saving my other clients from being stepped on.

Thanks for the suggestion anyways.

I thought they want to start with 5 concurrent? Did I get it wrong?