What is Shoutcast server hosting

Shoutcast server hosting allows people to broadcast on the Internet - a service that is somewhat similar to radio stations, and hence the name. Through this service, customers are able to broadcast music and other resources over the Internet from secure servers. Thus, listeners get an opportunity to listen to live, on-demand broadcasts. Suppliers become standing radio stations, but there is a vital difference: instead of broadcasting over the radio, you broadcast over the Internet! Listeners can tune in to your station and listen to you through software like Winamp, Windows Media Player, iTunes and RealPlayer etc.

The technology behind Shoutcast is popularly known as MP3 technology. This particular type of hosting is meant to serve both audio and video broadcasting purposes depending on the on-demand choice. Streaming services like the one provided through Shoutcast server hosting are compatible with SAM 3 and a whole range of other broadcasters. The "per bandwidth" plans established with the provider are able to support webcam broadcasts as well as videos from other sources. Under certain circumstances, the download and additional use of other technologies may also be required, but the host informs you about such necessities, if and when they are required.

One major issue you need to cover with Shoutcast server hosting is the cost incurred by licensing and fees. Usually, such matters are taken care of through the Broadcast Music Inc. or the Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Once this aspect is taken care of, you can proceed with broadcasting. All you need to do is have a compatible player and to install the Shoutcast DSP plug in. This is afterwards configured to an IP address assigned by the web host together with the password and the username necessary for the connection. Mention should be made that all broadcasters have a static IP. These are the steps to take in order to play the live content that gets streamed to the Shoutcast server and becomes available to people online.

Under certain circumstances, broadcasting to multiple servers is allowed. But, keep in mind that there is a limitation to the number of live streaming broadcast simultaneously; thus, you can only use two at a time. The broadcast gets listed in the Shoutcast directory and becomes public. For a good performance of the service, the users need to update the broadcast information through the Distributed Network Audio Server of Shoutcast, so that the info gets spread to all the listeners.

The software most widely used with Shoutcast server hosting include Winamp Plugin and SAM3 Broadcaster for Spacial Audio. Any server can be setup as a Shoutcast server hosting service as then the owner can stream to the Shoutcast. This kind of technology allows people who rely simply on analog modem connections to stream radio online without any difficulty whatsoever. All the status submitting reports of the Shoutcast servers to the main server directory are done automatically, and this enables users to both browse and listen to running servers.


Shoutcast server hosting allows people to broadcast on the Internet. Also enables users to both browse and listen to running servers.