The Process of Free Internet Radio

  1. Audio is either recorded onto a computer or other digital media storage component or played back through a computer soundcard.
  2. The audio files are then encoded and translated from audio from the sound card into a streaming format of bits and packets. It is now compressed in this format and can be more quickly sent over a network.
  3. The compressed audio is sent to a server which is connected to the internet.
  4. The server then sends the audio data stream over the internet to a user’s player software, such as Windows Media Player, iTunes or Winamp.
  5. That software translates the audio data stream from the server and uses the sound card on the receiving computer to playback the original sound file.

The important thing to remember about internet radio that sets it apart from music downloading is that the music will not be stored on the user’s computer. It is only played through an audio program and cannot be played back. This is similar to traditional radio.

Stay current with the issues surrounding radio and internet radio legislation by reading the FCC News Release website.