Radio Free Internet

Radio Free Internet - Audio Programming on the Web

Introduction

There are a number of computer-based-based Internet radio players and services from Microsoft, Apple, Real, Yahoo and many others. The revenue models vary, but typically, the content is subsidized by advertisements. In this report, we'll note new technologies and some of the legal issues facing Internet radio providers.

Legal Issues

[July 13, 2002] Noted at SlashDot: Harvey Reid has an article on the importance of internet radio for the independent music community. Besides posting a number of good links (and a few broken ones), he has started a signup webpage for independent artists and music labels who are interested in circumventing the CARP (Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel) fee. Right now, it’s only a mailing list for Artists and Record Labels who want to see internet radio succeed. So if you own the copyrights on some independent music, why not join the list?

Listen Up!

• Name: Windows Media
• From: Microsoft www.windowsmedia.com
• Price: Free
• Compatible with: Windows, Macintosh (and others via Wine)
• Pros: Free encoder, good quality audio, lots of content. Extensive tag customization possible in WMP9. Design your own playlists.
• Cons: Most online content has a lot of ads.

• Name: QuickTime
• From: Apple www.quicktime.com
• Price: basic player: free; "Pro" player (with encoding capabilities): US$29.95
• Compatible with: Macintosh, Windows
• Pros: ISO-standard MPEG4 encoding, good quality audio and video, lots of content.
• Cons: MPEG-2 support is an extra-cost option

• Name: musicmusicmusic
• From: musicmusicmusic inc. www.musicmusicmusic.com
• Price: Currently free
• Pros: Complete customization possible. Design your own playlists.
• Cons: Requires custom player (free). MPEGs not compatible with WinAmp. Laborious registration process. Some users may find it too much hassle to get started.
• Revenue model: "Vanity radio" where independents pay to play.
• Summary: Good selection of music, including mainstream, alternative and pay-to-play indy acts.

Other Internet radio providers include:

• AudioNet (now broadcast.yahoo.com)
• TheDJ.com (now Spinner.com)
• National Public Radio, CBC.ca, CFAX1070.com and many other "traditional" radio stations.

Glossary

• MP3 - An audio standard designed by the MPEG (motion picture experts group) committee.
• Codec - compressor/decompressor
• .RA - Real Audio file.
• S/N - signal to noise.

For Further Reading:

• AudioBuyersGuide.com: Webcasting: Internet Radio
• Audio Q+A - How to develop your own Internet Radio content.
• PCBuyersGuide.com: WebCasting tools and related technologies.
• See also: Standalone Internet Radio devices, including a US$99 model called the Irhythm from Acer. Akoo and 3Com's now-defunct Kerbango division.
• Slashdot: How to start a real radio station (main topic and detailed answers from several sources)