Webstreaming Rethink: back to the drawing board
What we have been attempting to do the past three weeks, streaming live radio over the Internet, is a rough go. We were advised that it was easy; the obvious thing to do-- "just put your show up on the 'Net!" --but there are numerous engineering and technical issues, some beyond our control, that make consistency a real challenge. Those who say it's a no-brainer are usually referring to podcasting. That IS a no-brainer. Live streaming is a different kettle of fish. Using an outside service like Livestream, you are subject to the ebbs and flows of bandwidth caused by usage of the other 115,000 streamers on their platform. Too many times during our broadcast the signal just quit, and often did not come back. Using our own server, configured with NCH Broadwave, we are limited to about 50 connections (with our current uplink capacity.) As we exceeded 50-- and there was no way to limit it, everybody who was already connected began to get dropouts. Also complicating matters was our use of Skype as the main phone platform for the voice signal, further crowding and limiting listener bandwidth for the stream. Please accept our apology for such a sketchy presentation. We did not realize there would be so many factors that affect your ability to hear the show. We are regrouping, upgrading our equipment, testing testing testing, and will be back streaming as soon as possible.
- Gordon Whiting's blog
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Comments
to tell you the truth.....
...... i am "sort of" glad to hear it was the technology that was the problem , and not my "stupidity" that would cause me not to hear y'all. i wish i had some answers. but i do want you to know, that i think of you and hope you CAN find a way to BE HEARD, cuz, well, ya gotta be on the air !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok. i'm gonna blab to angie now. love, mel