What’s Internet Radio?

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Internet radio allows listeners to tune into programs from their computer without downloading anything. It’s known as webcasting and is different from podcasting. Many broadcasts are produced by existing broadcasters and a broadband connection and audio streaming software are recommended. Windows Media Player® or RealPlayer® can be used to listen to over 2,300 stations.

Internet radio is very similar to broadcasting. Allows listeners to tune into programs from their computer. Because it’s streamed, listeners don’t need to download anything to access the broadcast. Instead, they log into a particular website to listen.

This form of communication is sometimes known as webcasting. It is not the same medium as podcasting, as a podcast must be downloaded to the listener’s computer or MP3 player before it can be listened to. The broadcast is sent over the network and listeners will experience a delay of up to 10 seconds depending on the server when listening to a broadcast. The delay time occurs because the data is sent over a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection and then reassembled before the user can hear it.

Many Internet radio broadcasts are produced by existing broadcasters who share their programming with Internet users. They can choose to offer a simulcast of the live broadcast or modify their programming in some way to give online listeners a different experience. Listeners appreciate the fact that they can get international news, information and music wherever they can access the Internet.

A broadband connection is recommended if you want to listen to Internet radio. You will need a good internet connection with great bandwidth. An advantage of choosing a broadband connection is that it is always active, instead of having to call every time you want to use this service.

You will also need audio streaming software to listen to an Internet radio broadcast. Windows Media Player® is a package that you can use for this purpose. Use it to find and listen to Internet radio stations. If you already know the URL of the radio station you’re interested in listening to, type or copy and paste this information into the program’s “Open” box to start playing the station.
Another software option for people interested in listening to Internet radio broadcasts is to download RealPlayer® by Real. This software package gives users access to over 2,300 Internet radio stations and some of these broadcast in an ad-free format.




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