Public Interactive streaming solution is:

• Easy to implement: Public Interactive provides and maintains all hardware and software needed to live stream. If your encoder malfunctions, we will replace it at no additional charge.
• High Quality: All streaming is distributed via an enterprise-level content delivery network that provides a geographically distributed redundant network optimized for streaming. This ensures quality, scalability and reliability.
• Reliable: Unlimited 24/7 help and support is included.
• Fully-featured: We provide a streaming access page complete with online help and FAQs. Stations have access to enhanced streaming reports that include the max number of simultaneous streams,monthly, weekly, and daily usage data.
  

FAQs

Q. What live streaming services does Public Interactive provide?
A. Public Interactive provides your station with a competitive "best of breed" live streaming audio solution that includes revenue opportunities.

When you sign up for streaming, the station receives:

• 24/7 online stream of your terrestrial broadcast
• Unlimited simultaneous audio streams to your listeners
• All hardware and software needed to stream (encoder, encoding software, etc.) We maintain the encoder, so if it malfunctions we replace it at no charge.
• An industry standard player and web space with station branding
• Online help section and technical support
• Monthly and daily streaming usage reports

B. When your visitors click a link on your web site, they will be taken to your station's streaming web space. The pages have your custom station logo, look and feel, and site navigation.

Q. How many on-line visitors will be able to listen to our live stream at any given time?
A. We allow an unlimited number of simultaneous listeners. While the bandwidth requirements for streaming audio are quite substantial (about 60-80 28.8 streams per T1), our streaming provider's extensive streaming network, intelligent routing, and proprietary technology gives us the ability to scale to handle an unlimited number of listeners without a decrease in stream quality.

Q. What are the technical requirements for the station?
A. The station must be able to deliver one stream to one streaming server via the Internet. To do so, a station must to provide a minimum of 32kbps of bandwidth per stream, ideally we recommend 96 kbps per stream to allow for back ups and redundancy. We recommend that your station's total bandwidth be equal to or greater than DSL or cable modem. Options include ISDN, and T1.
B. A DSL connection must terminate in an external gateway that provides PPPoE support.
C. Stations must also provide a static fixed IP address for the encoder.
D. Staff member time to help set up the encoder. Although only a short amount of time is needed, it can be spread over a few days, so please take vacations, etc. into account.

What about streaming usage reporting? Will I know how many people are listening?
A. At this time, we provide monthly listening statistics. We also provide detailed daily, weekly stats.

What streaming bit rates are available? What about a high bandwidth stream?
A. Clients generally start off at the minimum of 20-32 kbps. For reference, a near CD quality stream rate is 128kbps.
B. Clients can stream at higher bit rates (e.g., 32-96 kbps).
C. We recommend that clients start with a 20-32 kbps stream, to better gauge bandwidth usage. Please contact Suzanne Brendle for more information.

I'd like to add a second stream. Is that possible?
A. Yes, it is possible to add additional streams. Please contact Client Relations  for details.

How do I get my signal on the Internet?
A. Public Interactive will deliver all necessary hardware and software to the station. The station's signal is fed into the soundcard of the encoder, where it is encoded by the appropriate encoding software, and then delivered to our streaming provider via the Internet. Our streaming provider replicates the stream as needed using their network.

What type of hardware and software do you provide? Will I need to supply any equipment? How much work will I have to do?
A. Public Interactive makes it easy.  We send stations all necessary hardware and software. This includes a pre configured streaming computer loaded with necessary software.
B. This computer will encode analog audio (your live air signal) using the appropriate encoding software. The encoder is preconfigured to plug into your local network and connect with the remote streaming server via the Internet.
C. We also maintain the encoder. If it breaks, we'll fix it.

Why is a static IP address required?
A. A static IP address is used to determine the best entry point on our streaming provider's network for you to stream your live stream.
B. The source IP address of the stream is validated for security reasons to ensure that no invalid content is sent.
C. Windows streams are "pulled", meaning the stream is pulled from the encoder. Our streaming provider pulls the stream from the designated IP address.

Why do you recommend streaming in mono?
A. At rates of 20-56kbps, we recommend that stations stream in mono. At 20-56kbps, mono delivers a higher definition stream than stereo, and listeners will not receive the stereo separation cues. Stereo effects are generally not appreciated for streams under 64kbps. For reference, to stream at near CD quality, you'd have to stream at 128kbps.
B. Furthermore, the majority of listeners are listening through PC speakers that will not represent a compressed stereo signal with much definition.
C. You can stream at higher bit rates with Public Interactive. We recommend that stations set up two streams, one low bit rate and one high bit rate.

What about licensing: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and RIAA?
A. The CPB has negotiated online streaming licensing agreements with the copyright organizations SESAC, RIAA and ASCAP on behalf of all CPB-qualified stations, and is in the process of negotiating a license with BMI. Public Interactive does not cover the costs of any RIAA, ASCAP, BMI or related royalty fees associated with station generated or station licensed content.
B. For more information, and to sign up, the station must register online at (http://stations.cpb.org/musicrights/account.php?mode=create)
C. Stations are responsible for acquiring necessary clearances for streaming programming from network distributors and producers.

What is Peer to Peer (P2P)?
A. Several of our clients have asked questions about "peer-to-peer" (P2P) technology. For streaming, Peer-to-Peer technology (P2P) uses all the members of a network to distribute streaming content. When a listener installs the P2P software, that computer becomes capable of both receiving the stream from and sending the stream to other listeners. This is in direct contrast to the client/server model (such as a web browser) where all listeners request the streaming content from the network of streaming servers only. At Public Interactive, we are actively experimenting with a number of peer-to-peer technologies, but we remain guarded in our enthusiasm. The potential of P2P to lower costs is very attractive, but until we can ensure the security and privacy of our listeners while continuing to provide reliable content distribution, we're taking a conservative approach.

How long till my station is streaming online?
A.It typically takes 15-20 business days from receipt of payment and station streaming specifications to streaming live.

Does Public Interactive offer on-demand storage, or archiving, for audio clips?
A. Yes. You have the ability to upload audio and video clips in Public NewsRoom and Public Arts, and also for use on other parts of your site via JukeBox.

Does Public Interactive offer a way to stream C24?
A. Yes! As long as you're a PRI affiliate, you can stream c24. There is a $250 one time set up fee to add the stream, then your bandwidth usage is applied to your allowance. And from PRI's end, there is an additional small licensing fee of $250 per quarter. See the following for info and the PRI agreement:
http://www.pri.org/infosite/resources/streaming/announcepg.cfm
http://www.pri.org/infosite/resources/streaming/c24pg.shtm