DrakNet announces Shoutcast Hosting Packages
DrakNet is now offering premium SHOUTcast hosting packages on our new server, espeon.drak.net.
What is SHOUTcast, you ask? SHOUTcast is a multiplatform digital audio streaming technology developed by Nullsoft. It allows 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 with little fuss and not a huge amount of difficulty.
What is a shoutcast again?
A shoutcast is an audio internet “broadcast” similar to a radio station broadcast. SHOUTcast`s technology for audio delivery is MP3. All accounts that we provide can deliver audio or video live or on-demand.
Are the licensing fees included in the price for the SHOUTcast Streaming Server?
No, licensing fees are not included. Please contact Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), or The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) if you wish to broadcast copyrighted music.
How do I broadcast to your SHOUTcast Server?
Broadcasting to our SHOUTcast hosting servers is not tough at all. You will first have to have a compatible player (for Windows, this is usually WinAmp) and the SHOUTcast DSP plug in installed on your computer. Once the plug in is installed, you will configure it to use an IP address we assign to you and a username and password to connect. The live content that you play is streamed to our servers, and available for others to connect and listen to.
What is DNAS?
DNAS is SHOUTcast’s Distributed Network Audio Server. It’s the software that runs on our servers, and it is responsabile for receiving the audio from you, the broadcaster, updating the SHOUTCast directory with broadcast information (titile, artist, bitrate), and then sending the broadcast to your listeners.
Can I broadcast at 128kbps or more? I want it to sound awesome!
Yes, you can – but keep in mind that you will consume more bandwidth the higher your bitrate, and higher bitrates do cost more.
Do your SHOUTcast accounts come with a Dedicated IP or is it shared?
Yes, all accounts have dedicated IPs included since that does produce superior station performance.
How do listeners tune in to SHOUTcast broadcasts?
By using a media player compatible with streaming MP3 audio. Recommended players are:
Winamp for Windows.
Audion for Mac.
XMMS for Linux/X Windows.
WHMSonic, the cPanel Management tool for SHOUTcast stations, will also allow you to create a flash player and various tools that you can place on your web site if you also host your actual site here along with your station to make sharing with your listeners much easier.
Contact us if you have any questions regarding this new offering!
