How to Stream Live Audio using a home Pc and Internet Connection.
A step by step guide
Minimum Requirements:

256kbps Upload Speed on DSL Internet Connection or similar

Pc - Windows Operating System.

Streaming Software



Recommended:

T1 or LAN connection i.e. College Campus LAN, home LAN etc.

Server - Windows 2000/3 Server

Streaming Software



It is possible to use a normal home Pc and Cable/DSL internet connection to stream live audio accross the web. This is not recommended for streams expecting a high amount of trafic or streams transmitted in high quality!

To set up your audio stream using the above you must first learn the IP address of your internet connection and establish whether it is Static or Dynamic, A Static IP mean's your IP does not change, Dynamic mean's it doe's.

To find the IP address of your internet connection open command prompt and type "ipconfig" and check the entry for your Internet Network Interface Card or your modem which ever apply's. Alternatively providing you are not behind any firewalls or proxys visit Whatismyip.Com

If you have a Static IP address then you are in business, if not all is not lost!

Visit www.no-ip.com or www.dyndns.org there you can get a free account and a piece of software that will automaticly update your account each time your IP changes!!

They will issue you with a URL such as http://silverside.kicks-ass.net/ this will always be updated to your most recent IP providing you are running the update client!!

Ok hopefully we have that sorted now the rest is pretty simple.

Download Windows Media Encoder from Microsoft that believe it or not is for once free providing you are not using the software for comercial purpose's.

Windows Media Encoder Home Page

Once downloaded double click the downloaded file to start the installation, then follow the step by step instructions.

After installation the program will be accessible via your Start > Programs > Windows Media > Windows Media Encoder.

Ok so now open Windows Media Encoder and you will be presented with the 'New Session' window, in the 'Wizards' section select 'Broadcast a Live Event'

Next select your Pc's audio device i.e. Sound Card you wish to use as your source > Press Next

Now select 'Pull from the encoder(the server or player initiates the connection)' > Press Next

Now press 'Find free port' and note down the port number that is set, we will need that for lata. > Press Next

Now select the quality of your stream, we suggest as low quality stream as possible. > Press Next

Now choose if you would like to keep a copy of your live stream. Select the file location. > Press Next

Now quite simply enter the details of your stream > Press Next

Now select 'begin broadcasting when i click finish' > Press Finish

Press ok to the warning popup if you receive one.

Now providing there is no firewall or proxy blocking your stream, your stream should now be availiable.

Example address: http://your-ip-or-domain-name:port_selected_above.

So if your domain name was livestream.com and the port selected was 1000 your address would be http://livestream.com:1000

Alternatively if your IP was 192.156.1.25 for example the address would be http://192.156.1.25, once you have figured out your address take a note of it, we will require it when adding our stream to a webpage.

Cool, now if all is working we can add some website code.

The code to add your stream to your website would be as follows:

<OBJECT classid="CLSID:22D6F312-B0F6-11D0-94AB-0080C74C7E95"
        codebase="http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/mplayer/en/nsmp2inf.cab#Version=5,1,52,701"
        type="application/x-oleobject" WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=128 align="absmiddle"
        standby="Loading Microsoft Windows Media Player components..."
        ID="NSPlay">
        <PARAM NAME="FileName" VALUE="http://livestream.com:1000">
        <PARAM NAME="ShowControls" VALUE="1">
        <PARAM NAME="ShowDisplay" VALUE="1">
        <PARAM NAME="ShowStatusBar" VALUE="1">
        <PARAM NAME="AutoSize" VALUE="1">
        <Embed
        src="live.asx"
        width=300
        height=128 align="absmiddle" type="application/x-mplayer2"
        pluginspage="http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/Downloads/Contents/Products/MediaPlayer/"
        filename="live.asx"
        Name=NSPlay
        ShowControls=1
        ShowDisplay=1
        ShowStatusBar=1> </embed> </OBJECT>

this example uses http://livestream.com:1000 please change this to suite your address.