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Shoutcast Stream Providers

TimmyWA

TimmyWA

I'm looking for low cost US-based stream providers. I've come across a couple that look promising. Right now I have a freebie deal with cloudbroadcaster.com but I'm constantly filling the 25 slots. They have an upgrade to 100 slots for $30 which is pretty good. I also found this one: http://stream-host.net/product_info.php/products_id/31 which says 128kb/s unlimited listening for $43/mo. Is that too good to be true? It looks like it's not in the US either.

Can anyone recommend some good sites to look at?

Thanks.
 
Remember, you get what you pay for. Some of the low cost providers offer terrible bandwidth, therefore, lots of drops in the stream during peak times during the day; not a desirable thing.

My recommendation is to go with a company that offers a decent price with bandwidth providers that offer great service. I have a few to recommend to you. Shoutcaststreaming at shoutcaststreaming.us, Bandwidthdaddy at bandwidthdaddy.com or KWD Services at kwdservices.com are all companies I would recommend.

Depending on the bit rate, costs will vary. If you want to contact me offline, I may be able to see what I may be able to negotiate with these hosts, as I already do business with them.

At 128K, look at 70 to 90 cents or a little more per slot. For 100 slots at 128K, you can expect to pay from 70 to 100 bucks U.S. It is definitely worth the extra expense to go with a quality provider.
 
I used "budget" hosting once when I had my stream and my stats took a big hit downward. It's not worth saving a few bucks if your stream is down unpredictably. I used StreamGuys and the non-comm FM I do some work for has as well and they are quite reliable and provide good service. If I were to re-start my stream I would go back to them in a heartbeat.

Don't cheap out, as you'll pay for it in the long run.
 
I second Mr. DeFellice's comment - www.streamguys.com is a great company to work with, they work with you when there are problems, actually care about resolution to your issues with follow up, are reliable and provide a great sounding stream.

If you want a quality sound and quality service check them out.

I don't work for them by the way, but they've been our stream provider for more than five years.

Rickity
www.gulchradio.com
 
Thanks everyone for your tips! I will look into these options. Please continue to post if you have more recommendations!
 
Kahuna said:
Try Voscast..I stream on it and it only cost me 13.00 a month and its unlimited..The URL is www.voscast.com
Click to expand...

Therein lies the rub. Unlimited slots at $13/mo, well won't be long the server is over-subscribed and poof. Been there, done it and worn out the T-Shirt!

I've always been extremely happy with Randy @ fast-serv.
 
streamer said:
Kahuna said:
Try Voscast..I stream on it and it only cost me 13.00 a month and its unlimited..The URL is www.voscast.com
Click to expand...

Therein lies the rub. Unlimited slots at $13/mo, well won't be long the server is over-subscribed and poof. Been there, done it and worn out the T-Shirt!
Click to expand...
Not only that but you're limited to 48K (No mention of AAC support either)

Cheers :D
 
I use http://iCastCenter.com and have been for about a year and they have treated me right with excellent service. Their prices aren't that bad either. I haven't experienced any buffering issues with them. The problem with cheap providers and "unlimited" plans is their servers are oversold which causes buffering.
 
if u want cheep and good stream hosting hit me up [email protected] the guy i been with for over 4 years now i only had 1 problem the hole time Ive been with him i used a lot them cheap cheap ass hosting and they always went down or they started telling me i was using to much bandwidth and they had charge me more then that when i left and found the person im with now hes a great guy
 
bobperry said:
We've been doing this for years and have dealt with great and horrible hosts. We recommend ShoutcastStreaming and have a number of clients using them and have nothing but good things to say.

http://www.shoutcaststreaming.us/whmcs/whmcs/aff.php?aff=058
Click to expand...

I would recommend shoutcaststreaming.us as well. They have been the best for LMTTRR, and have rock solid servers.
 
I like to use Gavin Bell. Been with him for almost 6 years now. I run Acoustic Alternative Radio & Alternative Revolt Radio (Alternative Revolt Magazine) off his servers with ZERO issues. He is located in the UK but has servers all over the world. http://bellonline.co.uk.
 
wsimkins said:
I like to use Gavin Bell. Been with him for almost 6 years now. I run Acoustic Alternative Radio & Alternative Revolt Radio (Alternative Revolt Magazine) off his servers with ZERO issues. He is located in the UK but has servers all over the world. http://bellonline.co.uk.
Click to expand...

Yeah I recomend Bellonlne too.. I have used them for a few years now and despite having a value plan with him which are not on the preimum servers i am quite pleased.
 
I have some spare capacity on my server. Here's some information:

  • Professionally hosted and managed at WiredTree
  • They use Level 3, etc. for connectivity (no Cogent)
  • Server Grade motherboard, Core 2 Duo, with ECC Memory
  • RAID 0 drives to guarantee continuous operation in case of a drive failure
  • 1 hour SLA on hardware failure
  • Current uptime is 191 days
  • Running Icecast software

It is an advertising server for my biggest (and currently, only) customer. They basically pass along clicks from their URL to another URL, and the software processes payments, statistics, creating new URLs, etc. All of that uses very little bandwidth but demands an extremely high uptime or they lose money.

What this means for streaming, is tons of available bandwidth combined with extremely high uptime. Since the station I run will never use all of this, I am offering the spare capacity for sale. Send me a PM if you are interested and we can work out a deal. In the next few weeks I will launch a formal website to sell the capacity.
 
MikeRichardson said:
I have some spare capacity on my server. Here's some information:

  • Professionally hosted and managed at WiredTree
  • They use Level 3, etc. for connectivity (no Cogent)
  • Server Grade motherboard, Core 2 Duo, with ECC Memory
  • RAID 0 drives to guarantee continuous operation in case of a drive failure
  • 1 hour SLA on hardware failure
  • Current uptime is 191 days
  • Running Icecast software
Click to expand...

I will shoot you a PM, might be interested.
 
Hardheadhosting.com is what my company, AudioVision, uses. They've been very great and reliable to us so far. I'd recommend them to anyone.
 
I agree with the "don't cheap out" comment. It's very easy to rationalize going on the "dirt cheap," but experience says you'll have drops quite a bit, not very good tech support when it does drop, and what's the point if listeners go away and don't come back b/c your stream is bad? I say do a good month's worth of research. Shop often, ask a lot of questions. There are places to get decent prices and good results.
 
ServerWire.net

The site is still being developed, but we're currently taking orders.

Plans:

Bitrate
24 kbps $0.12 per slot
32 kbps $0.16 per slot
48 kbps $0.24 per slot
56 kbps $0.28 per slot
64 kbps $0.32 per slot
96 kbps $0.48 per slot
128 kbps $0.64 per slot

*Same day setup!
*Unmetered bandwith!

Send us a e-mail if you're interested. [email protected]
 
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