Although RHZ is interested in creating a technological
system that can grow without technological limitations,
the actual internet network is quite limited to bandwith
and server access. The optimal custom software is just in
the beginning stages, as the ideal system would be a peer-to-peer,
self-scheduling, streaming audio software that could run
off any home computer with a DSL/Cable connection.
Currently RHZ is running on a streaming audio network. However
the problem with streaming is that as it becomes more popular
it can surpass the capabilities of the system. Imagine that
the information is coming out like water through a hole,
if each receiver needs a small stream to have continuous
content then there is only a limited number of streams that
can come out of one hole. In order to support more streams
you need a bigger hole i.e. a larger bandwidth or more holes.
The Calarts Intergreted
Media Department server has a T1 connection, and because
AM broadcast is mono (not FM stereo) more streams can come
from the same hole- in this case about 100.
Scheduling software, streaming software, and peer-to-peer
software are all out there, however the hybrid of the three
has not been developed. While mirror sites can be donated
to support streaming media, this still does not truly provide
an architecture where a networked radio system can be run
from the typical home computer with a common DSL connection.
In just one idea by Buck McGibbony, RHZ will be experimenting
with an automated Bittorrent
parceling service, that will automatically send out files,
schedule them on the node computer, and play them simultaneously.
Originally dealing with 6-8 hour files that will loop for
several days, the process will attempt to build closer and
closer to “real time” audio.
We are attempting to build completely in open source, and
while we might be using some proprietary software to begin,
essentially the goal is to be completely free. We are currently
experimenting blending frequency
clock (by radioqualia),
with Peercast and and synchronizing
the stream with either supplimentary GPS or atomic clock
hardware.
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