FAQ:
Windows Media Streaming with the
Windows Media Encoder
 What
do I need to stream with Windows Media
What
is an encoder?
Why
do I need an encoder?
How
does it all work?
Broadcasting
with the Windows Media Encoder
What do I need
to stream with Windows Media?
Here is a short basic overview to get you started with your Windows
Media stream. To stream to a Windows Media Server (wma format), you
need a combination of things:
1. Content to broadcast such as music and sweepers etc.
2. A player.
Such as Winamp (beginners setup)
3. An encoder. Such as the Windows Media Encoder (beginners setup)
4. A streaming service. Such as the DRS 2006 Radio Streamer.
This a list for beginners and contains very simple softwares. It will
get you streaming, but the result may not be perfect. If you want to
know how the professionals do it, please read the FAQ for professionals.
So you have your music, your player, your encoder and streaming account
all ready to go. How exactly do you stream? Here are a few basics first.
What is an encoder?
An encoder is a program which takes your audio, either directly from
the PC or via line in etc, and converts it to a format such as WMA to
stream to a server and ultimately your listeners, and will directly
connect to Shoutcast, Windows Media, Live365 or IceCast.
Why do I need an Encoder?
Without an encoder in some form you will not be able to connect to
your streaming server. The encoder encodes (compresses) your audio
stream,
so you will transfer as less data as possible. The server on the other
side "understands" this format and is able to pass it over
to your listeners wich have players that decode the audio stream back,
so they can hear it.
How does it all work?
Below is a simple graphic showing
how all the elements together function to provide your listener with
a stream.
Broadcasting
with the Windows Media Encoder
Some users may wish to start to stream with simple 3rd
party software. Below we will outline how to set up the Windows Media
Encoder.
Start Windows Media Encoder and choose New Session. Select Broadcast
A Live Event. Next uncheck Video and choose your soundcard for Audio.
On the next screen choose Push to a Windows
Media Sever. Now you are presented with three options. Server Name,
Publishing Point,
and Copy settings from. We only need to concentrate on the first two
options. For example you would enter your stream location (example
rs1.radiostreamer.com) and your publishing point (example nameofstation).
Click next to advance.
In the Encoding options choose your Multiple Bitrates
Audio (CBR) (FYI: 70kbps is equal to 64kbps streaming - strange but
true). Each setting can be changed later.
If you wish to archive your audio check the archive box
on the next screen, if not proceed to the next step.
To display information about your stream, website etc to listeners please
fill in the Display information boxes.
After doing so you can immediately begin broadcasting
or choose to finish and adjust any settings further.
Download the Windows
Media Encoder here.
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