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Streaming Archive FAQ - Live Streaming Media FAQ - Connection/Troubleshooting Issues FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Live Streaming Media
Q: Do you stream to the iPhone?
Q: What is streaming media?
Q: How do live streams work?
Q: What is buffering?
Q: Do the different players (iTunes, QuickTime, Real, WinAMP, Windows Media, etc.) work the same way?
Q: Why are there different formats or codecs?
Q: Why can't I listen to any of the streams with the player of my choice?
Q: What is the difference between the uncompressed and compressed steams?
Q: Why is the uncompressed stream only available in the Windows Media format?
Q: Do I have a good enough net connection to listen to the uncompressed stream?
Q: I have a Mac. Can I listen to the uncompressed stream too?
Q: Does KEXP stream in stereo or mono?
Q: Why can't I see the artist and song information on my player when listening to the live stream?
Q: What is streaming media?
A: There are three ways of getting audio and video files (which are usually very large) to the end user:
1. DOWNLOAD: Downloads the entire file over the net, save it to the user’s machine, and then play it from local disk.
2. PROGRESSIVE DOWNLOAD: Download part of the file, and start playing the file as the remainder of the file downloads. The file is saved locally, as if it was downloaded, but playback begins before the download is completed.
3. STREAMING: The file is played over from the network as it gets to the machine; this method never saves the file to the local disk.
Q: Do you stream to the iPhone?
A: At this time, we do not support streaming specifically to the iPhone. We have a solution currently in development and are anticipating its upcoming release.
Q: How do live streams work?
A: The information isn’t saved anywhere. The server you connect to passes the data along to you as soon as it gets it. Since you can never have an existing file for a live event, streaming is the only delivery method for live material.
Q: What is buffering?
A: A stream is played entirely over the network. Networks do not have 100% throughput 100% of the time so the player’s software tends to store a portion of the stream before playing it; this allows the listener/viewer to experience an uninterrupted, quality stream. Continuous buffering happens when the player’s software cannot successfully store enough of the stream before it plays; lowering the connection speed setting on the player or selecting a lower bit rate would be suggested during events as this.
Q: Do the different players (iTunes, QuickTime, Real, WinAMP, Windows Media, etc.) work the same way?
A: Every streaming system works differently because they are made by different people, but they are largely the same. All provides streaming; some use progressive download while others don’t.
Q: Why are there different formats or codecs?
A: The different formats and codecs (coder / decoder) provide various ways of compressing the audio and video. Some formats and codes are open standards which are created and updated by not-for-profit organizations; these are generally free and used by anyone (user or developer). Others are proprietary which means they are created by companies to be used their products only; specifications are generally kept secret or shared only with corporate partners.
Q: Why can't I listen to any of the streams with the player of my choice?
A: There are two reasons why this cannot be. The first is the codec; the player has to be able to decode the stream and not all players can decode all codecs. The second is the streaming protocol; this is the method that the server uses to get the stream over the network to the your player. Some protocols are proprietary while others are open standards. Unfortunately, the companies can’t all agree on which protocol to use so most players tend to select one or two protocols and not any of the others.
Q: What is the difference between the uncompressed and compressed steams?
A: You get a better sound with the uncompressed stream. The KEXP uncompressed audio data transmission exceeds FM broadcast quality and approaches that of pre-recorded CDs.
Q: Why is the uncompressed stream only available in the Windows Media format?
A: The Windows Media encoding software is the only software that provides an option to transmit a uncompressed stream. The other encoders that we use do not currently provide that capability.
Q: Do I have a good enough network connection to listen to the uncompressed stream?
A: The uncompressed stream is 1.4Mbps, or megabits per second. A megabit is 1000 kbps, or kilobits per second. You can listen to the uncompressed stream if you have 1.4Mbps of AVAILABLE bandwidth. If you have a DSL connection running at 512kbps, you don’t have enough bandwidth. If you have a cable modem connection ask your provider if the bit rate available is more than 1.4Mbps. If you have a 1.5Mbps connection, you have more than 1.4Mbps but the connection is generally shared; either you are working in another application on your computer that also require bandwidth or you are on a shared network and others are using the bandwidth.
Q: I have a Mac. Can I listen to the uncompressed stream too?
A: If you have enough bandwidth and a fast enough computer, yes.
Q: Does KEXP stream in stereo or mono?
A: The Real Audio stream, uncompressed Windows Media streams and 128kbps mp3 are in stereo. The compressed/lower bit rate Windows Media and mp3 streams are in mono.
Q: Why can't I see the artist and song information on my player when listening to the live stream?
A: Currently it is not feasible to put the song info into the live stream. This is largely due to the way the KEXP DJs select and play their music; the DJs choose their music from a huge library of CDs, records, etc. The streams with the embedded info tend to be digital audio files (the where info is already stored) or the stream is a pre-defined playlist. For now the best we can offer is our real time playlist.
Suggestions? Feedback? Email Us!.
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