Streaming Media

What is SHOUTcast?

SHOUTcast is a streaming media technology solution which permits anyone on the internet to broadcast audio from their PC to listeners across the Internet.

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

The SHOUTcast audio system is comprised of three simple components. They are explained in detail below.

Listening

Listeners tune in to SHOUTcast broadcasts by using a player compatible with streaming MP3 audio. Users can visit the SHOUTcast directory to locate a stream they'd like to listen to. Recommended players are listed below:

• Windows users should use Winamp.
• Mac users should use iTunes.
• Linux/X Windows users should use XMMS.

Broadcasting

Persons wanting to broadcast can use our shoutcast servers. Broadcasters use Winamp and a plug-in called the SHOUTcast Source for Winamp Plug-In to send audio from Winamp to our SHOUTcast servers.

Running a Server

The magic of the SHOUTcast system happens inside the SHOUTcast Distributed Network Audio Server (DNAS). This software runs on our hosting servers attached to our shoutcast hosting network with lots of bandwidth, and is responsible for receiving audio from you the broadcaster, updating the SHOUTcast directory with information about what you are broadcasting, and sending the broadcast out to your listeners.