Friday, April 11, 2014

How to Choose and Test Shoutcast Hosting Services

SHOUTcast stream hosting is a great way to communicate with the world. Internet radio stations allow hosts and listeners to connect. It is a way for listeners to obtain information that cannot be found elsewhere, and to listen to music. Many people around the globe enjoy music from other cultures, but it is difficult to access the tunes. It is possible to purchase songs or play them on YouTube. Nevertheless, some people want unlimited access to songs and information that is needed for personal use. 

Finding a Host 
Having a shoutcast server is a huge responsibility that requires patience, dedication, and tech skills. Certain features may be confusing to those who are not tech savvy. Although, there is a wide variety of hosting providers, some may not cater to your needs. You should search for specific options before settling with a shoutcast host. 

Tech Support 
Choose a company that has support services for ftp and ssh protocols. This will allow you to select the protocol that is best suited for your Internet show. You can switch the bandwidths at will. The tech support team must be willing to assist you at any moment, or at least during business hours. 

Get the Services You Need 
If the radio station is dedicated to business needs, you must work with a business-oriented server. The company should be providing customized solutions to help customers meet business goals. Additionally, you should not be forced to sign contractual agreements. 

Get a Free Trial 
You need to see if the company offers trial services. This will allow you to test the host, while continuing to serve your listeners. This real world scenario can be utilized with multiple hosts that provide trail services. 

What You Need to Look For 
During the trial period, you need to gauge hosting services streaming capabilities. If the music or transmission has too many glitches, you need to move on to the next company. However, you need to be reasonable with this approach. It is common for Internet radio stations to have glitches, but it should not be excessive.

Test Streaming Features 
You need to work with a company that has high and low bit-rate streaming services. You can test the quality of both by streaming and recording a track. Use the track or recording session to see how it streams at high and low bit-rates. The low-bit rate is optimal for listeners that have slow Internet connections, and the best one to test for stuttering. SHOUTcast stream hosting can be optimized by working with a company that cares about the customer’s needs.

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