Internet radio

There are two types of commonly used server, both can handle video and audio media transmission over the internet, but with good and bad points for each. They are, Standard Host Web Servers and Streaming Media Servers. Standard host servers use a basic HTTP protocol and are normally used for holding things like web sites, FTP and email. Streaming media servers are dedicated media servers and use two possible types of streaming application protocol (as used by MicroSoft ®). Those are HTTP version 1.0 or 1.1 and MMS (Multi Media Server) protocol. Note that the HTTP protocol used by streaming servers is a modified version of standard web server HTTP protocol and has extended pragma commands to allow real time streaming. Normal HTTP does not allow for this. Streaming media servers have distinct differences compared to normal host web servers. One difference is that media placed on a normal host web server using standard HTTP protocol does not require a special server or software for viewing or even downloading. Another difference is that streaming servers using MMS (like Microsoft Windows Media Services) feed the media to the viewer in real time from a streaming server. This type of server using MMS can reach huge audiences while standard HTTP servers would slow down and eventually stop when large audiences log on at the same time.

In most cases, standard Host Web Server material can easily be downloaded by the viewer, simply by right hand clicking a link button on a web site. The viewer can then select ‘download’ and make a copy of the file on the local hard disk. This means the viewer can watch the file off line and at any time. Also, copies can be made of the media file. This kind of media transfer is called ‘progressive’ streaming and is similar to downloading a document or FTP file over the internet. Streaming media servers on the other hand, are not so easily downloadable, in fact, they are not supposed to be downloadable at all! Microsoft has tried to ensure that no one has the information or software to do this. They have never supplied downloading software or protocol information simply because they do not want clients to be able to download material for copyright, pay per view model and traffic advertising reasons. Microsoft tell us that the content cannot be downloaded, reassuring that its safe and copy proof. Well, since this protocol is not even encrypted and most server operators don’t encode with digital rights management information (automatic artist web page referral), I find that assurance a little misleading.br> Furthermore, every time a client wants to view a media, they must do so on line, with no copy or download ability being available. Fact: most on line streamed media breaks down while viewing. Something like 7 out of 10 streams will have to re-buffer at some point or worse, disconnect. And because you can’t download it for break free viewing later, then this is as good as it gets. However, 3aLab iRadio allows clients to download streamed HTTP v1.1 protocol media from a streaming media server. True MMS protocol streaming is coming soon.