Sharp Stream

What is buffering?
Buffering helps you to listen to an internet stream without interruptions. Your media player will be sent the first few seconds of the Internet stream to temporarily store. This ensures if there is a gap in the connection between the streaming server and your PC, it will be able to catch up with itself without a gap in the stream. ...

What is Internet streaming?
Internet streaming is where media such as audio or video is delivered to your computer without actually downloading the whole file before listening / watching the file. Instead, the file is sent to your computer as and when you want it. ...

What is a Media Player?
A Media Player is a program of your choice that enables you to listen or watch files on the Internet and on your computer. There are many different Media Players to choose from, however the most popular Players are: - Windows Media Player - QuickTime - Real Player - Winamp ...

What is a Fixed IP Address?
IP addresses give your computer an address on the Internet or on an internal network. A fixed IP address from your Internet Service Provider or Network Administrator ensures your IP address will never change. This will enable Internet Streaming Servers to be able to see your Encoder at the same address all the time, even when you have to reconnect to the network. ...

What is Port Forwarding?
Port forwarding is the technique of taking information destined for a specific port and Computer and 'forwarding' them to a different port and/or Computer. You would generally need to setup port forwarding on your router. For Internet streaming, a firewall passes all incoming connections for a particular port to a computer within the internal network. During this process, the port value could be remapped or sent to another destination within the network. Also, you will need to adjust any firewalls that may be in place to allow the stream to go out. ...

What is a port?
All information that is transferred over the Internet goes through a port. A port is a virtual doorway to get to the correct path. ...

How do I Port Forward on My Router?
Port forwarding on routers is usually a very easy process. This process is different for all routers. To ensure you do this correctly, it is recommended that you visit the manufactures website for instructions. ...

What different types of encoding are there?
There are 4 main types of encoding for Internet streaming. These are: - Windows Media Encoder - Flash Encoder - Shoutcast - Darwin Encoder ...

What is Windows Media Encoder?
Windows Media Encoder is a program that takes the Audio or Video and converts this into a readable format for Media Players. Windows Media Encoder encodes in a format called WMA. Windows Media Encoder is the most popular encoder for Internet Streaming. ...

What is Flash Encoder?
Flash Encoder is a program that takes the Audio or Video and converts this into a readable format for Flash Media Player. Only Flash Media Player can play this content after Flash Encoder has encoded it. ...

What is Darwin Encoder?
Darwin Encoder is a program that takes the Audio or Video and converts this into a readable format for Real Player. Only Real Player can play this content after Darwin Encoder has encoded it. ...

What is Shoutcast?
Shoutcast is a program that takes the Audio or Video and converts this into a readable format for most Media Players. Shoutcast encodes content in an MP3 format. ...

What is the best encoder to use?
Different types of encoders each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Generally, the most prevalent method is to use Windows Media Encoding. To figure out which encoder is best for you, please contact a member of the sales team on sales@sharp-stream.com ...

How fast does my Internet connection need to be to upload a stream to your servers?
We recommend that your Upload speed on your Internet connection is a minimum of 256kbps. This ensures you can take full advantage of our advanced load balancing features. ...

How fast does my Internet connection need to be to receive Internet Streaming?
This depends on the Bit rate that the content has been encoded in. It is possible to listen to Internet Streams that have been encoded at a bit rate of 20kbps on a dial up connection. For Video that is being streamed it is usually recommended to have a 2mbps download connection. You can find out this from you ISP. ...

Can I Encode from anywhere?
It is possible to encode content from almost anywhere in the world. You only need an Internet connection that is fast enough to upload the content and a source of audio or video. You can even encode using portable 3G cards available from Mobile Phone vendors. For more information on encoding a special events please contact sales@sharp-stream.com ...

What is a Bitrate?
A bitrate is the quality of the audio or video that has been encoded. The higher the bit rate the better the quality. ...

What is Bandwidth?
Bandwidth is how much of the capacity of an Internet connection that you are using at any one time. For example, if you have 50 users connected to your Internet Stream at the same time, and they are listening at 32kbps you will be using 50 x 32 = 1.6kbps of bandwidth. ...

What is the maximum bandwidth that I can use?
This depends on the amount of listeners at a certain bit rate you have paid for. Our systems can handle anything up to 2 million connections at any one time. ...

What type of computer do I need for encoding?
The most practical solution to encoding is to use a Windows XP or Windows Vista Computer with your encoding software installed. Recommended hardware specifications are: - 2 GB free HDD space - 400Mhz processor or better. - 512 MB RAM A general rule is the better computer you have for encoding, the lower the latency. ...

How do I set up Windows Media Encoder?
Please see our Windows Media Encoder installation document here ...

How do I set up Shoutcast Encoder?
Please see our Shoutcast Installation document here ...

What is a Streaming Server?
A streaming server connects to your encoding computer and pulls your stream once. This stream is then distributed to many end users by the streaming server. It manages connections to your Internet Stream and ensures the end user gets the best possible connection. ...

Do I need my own Streaming Server?
No, Sharp-Stream own many streaming servers in our London data centre that you will have use of when you purchase streaming through us. ...

What is the cost of Windows Media Encoder?
Windows Media Encoder is free. It is downloadable here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx ...

How much is Shoutcast Encoder?
Shoutcast encoder is free. You can download this from here: http://www.shoutcast.com/download/broadcast.phtml ...

How will people listen or watch my channel?
There are many ways in which that can do this. You can use an embedded web player in your website, or you can just have a listen now button on your website which opens their Media Player on the computer they are using. ...

What is the difference between Live and On-Demand?
Live Internet Streaming is pulled by Streaming Servers from the encoder and broadcast as the encoder receives the audio or video. Live Internet Streaming will only have one link to the content. On-Demand files are uploaded to a storage array, and played through an On-Demand point. These files will all have their own individual link on your website for people to listen to as and when they want. ...

How do I create an On-Demand File?
Please see the “Creating On-Demand Files” document here: ...

How do I upload my content to your storage servers?
To upload content to our storage server you will need to use an FTP program such as Cute FTP. You will need to connect to contentupload.radica.com. When you sign up to our services you will be provided with an FTP login to your folder. If you have lost your login, please click here ...

I can’t connect to the Storage Server.
This could be due to an incorrect username and password. Double-check the username and password that you have and try again. If you still can’t connect please click here ...

I am unable to upload my files to the Storage Server
This is likely to be due to running out of space on your folder. All folders are limited to the purchased storage amount. Try deleting some files, or if you want additional storage please contact sales@sharp-stream.com ...

How do I upload podcasts?
Pod casts are uploaded to podsupload.radica.com via FTP. You will need to use an FTP program such as CuteFTP and log in using the information you were provided with when you first signed up. If you have lost this information please click here ...

Do SharpStream provide encoding computers?
We do not provide encoding computers as standard with our service; however, we can offer these at point of sale. Please remember that all encoding computers do not come with technical support. ...

What is full load balancing?
This is where more than one Streaming Server shares the workload of your Internet Streaming. The Php script that you are first given when you sign up to our services has all the server information. If a server was to crash or go off line, you will still be able to stream from the remaining servers. Any users that were connected to the Streaming Server that crashed will automatically be redirected to another server. ...

Do you offer Geo-Blocking?
We do offer a Geo-Blocking service. Please click here to enquire with our sales team. ...

I have SDSL – Can I stream?
It is easily possible to stream over SDSL. It works in the same way in which standard streaming works. ...

I have seen products like the Roku – can I use this to stream my audio or just to receive.
The roku is a stand-alone Wi-Fi Internet Streaming receiver. It enables you to listen to Internet streaming without the need for a PC. ...

Can you set up the encoder for me?
SharpStream to provide a encoder installation service. Please contact the sales team to discuss this by emailing sales@sharp-stream.com stating your enquiry. ...

What happens if I have too many listeners listening to my stream?
It is not possible to have too many listeners listening to your Stream. When you first start your service with SharpStream, you are given an option of how many people at any one time you would like to be able to listen. If this appears to be at a maximum a lot of the time, you can easily upgrade. ...

I don’t understand routers; can you configure mine for me?
SharpStream provide an installation facility should you need to use it. Please contact the sales team to discuss this by clicking here. ...

Does it cost more for Stereo or Mono?
No, however, it does depend on your bit rate as to how many listeners you have signed up for. ...

How many concurrent listeners do I need to start with?
The thing to remember hereis that ‘concurrent listners’ does not mean ‘total number of listeners’. For example, if you have 50 listeners concurrently connected you can serve 1000’s of people in a week. ...

I have logged on to sawmill and I don’t understand it.
Please see the sawmill user manual by using the following link. http://www.sawmill.co.uk/docs/SawmillDocumentation.pdf ...

Why does my stream keep buffering all the time?
This could be due to a problem with the encoder session or connection line between the encoder and our servers. Try creating a new encoding session and see the results. If this does not work, test your encoder on a different broadband line. It is common that your connection to the internet may be having troubles uploading the data at a constant rate. If you still have further troubles, please contact us. ...

How to make a podcast
you can download our how to make a podcast document here ...

Flash Streaming
You can find out all about flash streaming here ...

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