Licensing Provider

[Gazzo]

Which one is better?

 

LoudCity VS. SWCast

 

SWCast is cheaper than LoudCity, like $10 for intro plan.. but is there any restrictions?

 

I found that, SWCast:

 

Publishing stream server addresses in outside directory listings like iTunes or Windows Media Guide, etc. is not permitted, listeners must be directed to the SWCast Network Website either via our official homepage or via your personal station page., etc. Is this same as Loudcity?

 

BTW, how this licensing work?

 

I can play any song, artsist, and just report them or I have to play the song/artists that are signed with them?

 

do we need to report revenue? a lot of work?, etc. any suggestions?

[Trueheart]

Hey there.

 

Loudcity is different, they do allow you to list in iTunes and Windows Media Tuner. Both iTunes and WindowsMedia can launch streams listed with them because they pay the companies for that ability. But they do require that you direct your listeners to your Loudcity portal page (if you have a hobby plan) or your Custom Content Page (if you have a pro plan) both which are on the Loudcity.com domain.

 

Check out this link for more information http://loudcity.com/broadcast

I hope that helps.

[Brutish Sailor]

Here is the nice thing about Loudcity...

They give you a VERY nice launch page.

 

They make it easy to plug in streams for encoders, and if you have ever tried to configure a streaming widget yourself, the first time is a NIGHTMARE.

 

I'm not bias at all though. As long as you are supporting the legal community, I wont hold it against you. Eventually as SC gets more popular, its going to be used as fuel for Sound exchange to choke us out as far as pricing, and of course they are going to blame pirate radio eventually for rate increase.

 

So by paying the royalty fees, not only are you protecting yourself, but you are protecting our proud independent broadcast community.

 

So take an extensive look. Put yourself in your typical listeners shoes, and ask yourself, "How easy is it for me to access this radio station?" Ask yourself, "Will this be a plan that can grow with my needs?"

 

...and no, you don't track for yourself, Loudcity has monitor servers that track everything you play.

 

and if I remember right, SWhost has the same.

[Trueheart]

Very well said Brutish Sailer!

[Gazzo]

Thanks All for reply.

 

So you guys use LC...

 

Anyone use SWCast?

[shoutcaststreaming]

We have a bunch of broadcasters who use SWcast. And they all are very happy with SWcast. The only negative thing I've heard about them is they are a little slow in answering support tickets.

 

They also let you go on iTunes and Windows Media Tuner.

 

They are a bit cheaper than LoudCity.

 

A nice thing about SWcast is they don't require you to use their Icecast servers for small broadcasters, which LC requires. You can go with whichever Stream Host that you want. Probably because they just do licensing and not trying to make money from Stream Hosting, Auto DJ, etc. like LC does.

[aaronsnet]

We have a station licensed with both SWCast and Loudcity. Loudcity seems to have a much active community, while SWCast is cheaper for a smaller hobby broadcaster that wants to choose their own hosting provider. SWCast did take several days to setup our account initially, and offer a very limited "custom launch page." To get a custom launch page from LC, you have to spend at least +$10 more. Originally, LC was MUCH cheaper than SWCast...but it appears that SWCast has taken the place of LC's original intention (giving the very best royalty deal to the small broadcaster).

 

I do remember when LC launched in 2005. I found out about them by searching in the Winamp fourms..and added myself to their mailing list awaiting the official announcement when they would be launching. I would've never been able to afford 2005 SWCast prices, so if it weren't for LC I would've been screwed with $$. Now, it is just the opposite. [An interesting story...I had gotten the $19.05 hobby plan from LC originally but wanted custom content. Well, for just 2 days LC accidently turned on custom content for EVERYONE. I uploaded my custom content, and the link was turned off. For a couple of years, I never changed the custom content..and LC never said a word (without me paying the adt. fee for it). Finally...I needed to change the content..so I broke down and upgraded to pro (+$16/month). I have been pondering moving all stations over to SWCast.]

 

In my opinon, Both LC and SWCast are still using out of date portals for stations to launch from...and really need to focus on updating them.

[Brutish Sailor]

Close, but not on the money.

 

LC DOES allow you to use shoutcast servers. Just with the basic plan, they provide the webhosting.

 

With loudcity, you can do either:

 

1) Sign of as a hobbiest. As a hobbiest, they provide Icecast servers to stream to. The nice thing about this service is that you are:

 

1A) Edcast is not that hard to setup. Same thing as shoutcast DSP, and I prefer to use it over The SC DSP even for SC servers.

 

1B) You are assigned port 80 by default for your streaming with Icecast.

 

1C) You are given a chance as a hobbiest to stream multiple bitrates without additional licensing per stream.

 

A nice deal, but no auto DJ or anything cool like that. The nice thing about this is unlike SWcast, All deals are based on ATH (I'll go into that in a second). So yes, it is cheaper until you get a big turn out. With LC's basic plan, thats not required. Also a custom page can be bought for $15 a month with the hobby package.

 

 

 

OK, so ow lets move to the pro plan. This is where SWhost has the upper hand on LC.

 

You want to only use them as a licensing host? You get up to 5000 ATH for $35. you get your LC page. Your LC custom contnet page free.

 

ATH works like this:

 

1 listener for 1 hour= 1 ATH

2 listeners for 30 minutes = 1 ATH

and so on...

 

BUT the nice thing about this is you can go through a webhost like ShoutcastStreaming, IWEBFusion, or Streaming Solutions. This enables you to get a control panel for your SC DNAS, and you can add the little cool bells and wistles like...intro files, backup files, auto-DJ, ect.

 

SO.... If your looking to push above 50 heads with your programming, you might be better off with a pro plan from SWhost (which is obviously cheaper) and a webhost. Or LC. Thats my take on it.

 

But Brandon at LC has worked VERY hard to get a setup for the hobby broadcaster thats affordable. It just wasn't the plan for me because I really like having the stuff that SC servers offer. Including SC_Trans, and if you havent heard, auto DJ's keep your ISP at bay when it comes time to see how much bandwidth you have used uploading.

[Brutish Sailor]

I had gotten the $19.05 hobby plan from LC originally but wanted custom content. Well, for just 2 days LC accidently turned on custom content for EVERYONE. I uploaded my custom content, and the link was turned off. For a couple of years, I never changed the custom content..and LC never said a word (without me paying the adt. fee for it). Finally...I needed to change the content..so I broke down and upgraded to pro (+$16/month). I have been pondering moving all stations over to SWCast.]

 

 

Now its $35, and I tell you what, that hurts the finances BIG TIME LOL. Yeah, for the price of a pro plan, SWcast has seemed like the way to go.

[aaronsnet]

Close, but not on the money.

 

LC DOES allow you to use shoutcast servers. Just with the basic plan, they provide the webhosting.

 

With loudcity, you can do either:

 

1) Sign of as a hobbiest. As a hobbiest, they provide Icecast servers to stream to. The nice thing about this service is that you are:

 

1A) Edcast is not that hard to setup. Same thing as shoutcast DSP, and I prefer to use it over The SC DSP even for SC servers.

 

1B) You are assigned port 80 by default for your streaming with Icecast.

 

1C) You are given a chance as a hobbiest to stream multiple bitrates without additional licensing per stream.

 

A nice deal, but no auto DJ or anything cool like that. The nice thing about this is unlike SWcast, All deals are based on ATH (I'll go into that in a second). So yes, it is cheaper until you get a big turn out. With LC's basic plan, thats not required. Also a custom page can be bought for $15 a month with the hobby package.

 

 

 

OK, so ow lets move to the pro plan. This is where SWhost has the upper hand on LC.

 

You want to only use them as a licensing host? You get up to 5000 ATH for $35. you get your LC page. Your LC custom contnet page free.

 

ATH works like this:

 

1 listener for 1 hour= 1 ATH

2 listeners for 30 minutes = 1 ATH

and so on...

 

BUT the nice thing about this is you can go through a webhost like ShoutcastStreaming, IWEBFusion, or Streaming Solutions. This enables you to get a control panel for your SC DNAS, and you can add the little cool bells and wistles like...intro files, backup files, auto-DJ, ect.

 

SO.... If your looking to push above 50 heads with your programming, you might be better off with a pro plan from SWhost (which is obviously cheaper) and a webhost. Or LC. Thats my take on it.

 

But Brandon at LC has worked VERY hard to get a setup for the hobby broadcaster thats affordable. It just wasn't the plan for me because I really like having the stuff that SC servers offer. Including SC_Trans, and if you havent heard, auto DJ's keep your ISP at bay when it comes time to see how much bandwidth you have used uploading.

 

*SWCast (not SWHost ;-)

 

I was referring to how SWCast does allow the small (hobby) broadcaster to choose a 3rd party hosting provider. You can choose to have your own server with LC, but must purchase a minimum plan of at least $35/month. With SWCast, that minimum is not set.

 

$19.05 was for a hobby broadcaster..but you got up to 10,000 TLH...while SWCast was $16.95 and offered you about half of that (if I recall).

[Brutish Sailor]

One last thing about SW_Cast I like....

 

You can actually license your SC_Serv on your comp.

 

So it would be like $10 Total. But that's if you have an extra computer to stay inactive, and when power outs/ fuse blows/ computer fails, your screwed. I would HIGHLY recommend finding a webhost that suits your needs as far as budget/quality of broadcast.

 

Always remember, this hobby is like a car.

 

If you can afford to drive a junker, drive a junker. With a little time invested in it, you can mask most problems.

 

If you want performance and options, you need to invest time to jerry rig it, or invest a little cash and relieve the headache.

[Brutish Sailor]

*SWCast

 

I was referring to how SWCast does allow the small (hobby) broadcaster to choose a 3rd party hosting provider. You can choose to have your own server with LC, but must purchase a minimum plan of at least $35/month. With SWCast, that minimum is not set.

 

 

I see what you are saying. Like I said before, I have NOTHING against SWCast.

 

Legal is legal, and either you are supporting this community to keep the fees down, or you are a pirate waiting to catch the end of the RIAA's love stick. Whatever licensing you decide, I support you 100 percent.