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BBC Reopens Ogg Streams
garf writes: "Once again, back by popular demand, the BBC has opened up live streaming of Radio 4, to test with the new codecs, especially for modem users. Hop over here.
And for those wishing to listen to Radio 1 try these (link one),
(link two).
But beware: '[Radio 1 streams] are available sporadically at the moment. Don't be surprised if it cuts off, as I've probably just killed it ready for restarting with different settings.'
Please email support to the BBC for their continued support for the ogg format. Happy listening."
Even lame supports ogg coding through libogg.
merkac
Cool, but useless.
Primary ogg-related feedback address: oggfeedback@bbc.co.uk
The BBC itself has a pretty extensive feedback gathering mechanism: here are online feedback forms you can fill out:
Feedback form about the BBC website/services
Feedback form about BBC Radio
BBC News suggestions form
But remember: you can gush all you want about the BBC's OGG decision--but I have a feeling the BBC is more interested in how many people are actually tuning in. The best way to get this to stay up is to really listen... and it's worth doing, especially if you're in the US and want 15% less state propaganda in your news. I don't just mean now, as long as this story is on the /. homepage, but next week, too...
I understand what you mean. Broadcasting in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or Windows Media on the net is like broadcasting on the waves in a secret format that can only be decoded by one brand of radio receiver.
But the "radio receiver" is given away for free? Well the "radio receiver" has strange buttons and features that some people can't stand, isn't compatible with your "car" (Operating System), could be tracking what you listen, etc. That doesn't make sense, does it? Well that's exactly what's happening right now with net radio.
The ogg format, by being documented, is the equivalent of plain radio: everyone can build a receiver.
Note that you need the latest Ogg release (RC3, download here) to play the streams; older versions didn't work for me. They seem to be using some features of Vorbis not available previously (e.g., the web page says, "I've decided to drop Radio 4 to a 32kHz samplerate and use the RC3 'quality' settings instead of enforcing an upper bitrate").
With RC3, things are working beautifully. Good to see such support for an open, free standard.
The only times I've seen it fail to keep up with demand are Sept 11th and every single Budget day (watch out on April 17th this year). That's "news.bbc.co.uk" though. Netcraft says this about the news site and this about the main site.
This sig made only from recycled ASCII
I encourage others to give the BBC positive comments, and encourage them to continue the testing, and beyond.
Send them to oggfeedback@bbc.co.uk
Here is what I sent:
Subject: Thank You! Keep it up!
Thank you for testing your streaming with ogg. Myself and hundreds of thousands of unix and unix-like operating system users around the world truly appreciate this.
It's often hard to have faith in large media companies. The BBC has always been the exception in my mind, and here it's shown again.
This is especially useful being in the USA, as it is very difficult to get your radio programming. I'll surely be listening using ogg frequently.
I hope the testing goes well, and ogg streaming becomes a future daily stream.
Good Day
Yes I know its not just unix / unix-like operating systems.
-- Note: If you don't agree with me, don't bother replying. I won't read it.
Radio 4 also has a lot of varied content.
;-)
I think it is worth pointing out that they have some of the best origonal content in radio.
If you like comedy there is grounbreaking stuff there as well as old favourites.
Most of the best comedy coming out of the UK in the past 10-15 years has had it's roots in radio 4.
As for Radio 1 I would reccomend anyone into music checks out John Peel, one of the longest running DJ's in teh world an the man who has broken almost every major genre in the last 30 odd years.
There's pretty much music for everyone there, best to check out evenings and early mornings (GMT) as they put their more challenging programmes on, but tehy do have top class DJ's on these shows.
As for handling the load. The BBC is better placed than many to deal with it. I don't know teh stats these days but at one point they were the largest web presence in europe and second in the world only to M$
Anyway, good on Auntie Beeb, that's what I say
Working for the (other) man