          _ _          __ _        _             _              _   
 _ _ _  _| | |___ ___ / _| |_   __| |_  ___ _  _| |_ __ __ _ __| |_ 
| ' \ || | | (_-</ _ \  _|  _| (_-< ' \/ _ \ || |  _/ _/ _` (_-<  _|
|_||_\_,_|_|_/__/\___/_|  \__| /__/_||_\___/\_,_|\__\__\__,_/__/\__|
====================================================================
                                              streaming audio system

README.TXT v1.0 for SHOUTCAST SOURCE PLUG-IN 1.0b - Dec 30 1998

Table of Contents:
  Introduction
  Updates
  Pricing
  Bug reporting
  Credits 
  Installation
  Configuration
  Tech Notes / How it Works
  A Word To The Unwise
  License

Introduction:

  SHOUTcast is a streaming audio system for Windows and Un*x platforms.
The SHOUTcast dsp plug-in is essential to the system, and facilitates
the link between Winamp and the SHOUTcast server.  Its tasks include
encoding audio at the desired bitrate, establishing contact with the
SHOUTcast server, transmission of data for the SHOUTcast directory,
and transmission of the encoded audio stream to the SHOUTcast server
for subsequent delivery to listeners.

  SHOUTcast is a product of Nullsoft, Inc, makers of the fantastically
popular Winamp audio player for Win32.  The SHOUTcast system relies on
Winamp for playback and content sourcing.  Winamp is available at
http://www.winamp.com

Updates:

  SHOUTcast world headquarters is at http://www.shoutcast.com.  Stop by 
to snag the latest version and view online documentation (with pictures,
no less.)

  You can view other cool stuff Nullsoft does by visiting the Nullsoft 
home on the web at http://www.nullsoft.com.

Pricing:

  SHOUTcast is designed to be a by the people, for the people product.
If you are a nonprofit or non-commercial agency, you are free to use
the SHOUTcast product at no cost whatsoever.

  Commercial agencies (radio stations, for-profit audio broadcasters, etc)
are asked to help defray the cost of production and maintenance of the
SHOUTcast directory by purchasing SHOUTcast.  The price is currently set
at $299 per server.  Contact sales@shoutcast.com for more info, or visit
the web page.

  There is no per-unit charge for the SHOUTcast DSP plug-in.

Bug reporting:

  SHOUTcast is freeware, and doesn't really have a support team to back it
up.  If you come up with an intelligent question or notice a glaring bug,
please notify us at bugfixes@shoutcast.com, but be advised we cannot 
guarantee we'll be able to get back to you.

Credits:
  Justin Frankel        -     System design, and coding.
  Tom Pepper            -     Database design, and coding.
  Dana Dahlstrom        -     Web wonking.
  Jennifer Spencer      -     Moral support.
  Laura Gunn

  Thanks to our faithful (and reliable) beta testers:
  Taber, Jamuraa, Dr_Dan, and D4.

Installation:

Unzip the dsp_sc.dll file into your Winamp Plug-Ins directory (usually
c:\program files\winamp\plugins).  Quit and restart Winamp to ensure
Winamp recognizes the plug-in.

You will also need to install an MP3 codec on your machine.  They're
available from the shoutcast website at http://www.shoutcast.com in
the Download section.

Configuration:

In Winamp, enter the Preferences and hit the Misc Plug-Ins tab.  Under Sound
Processing, select the Shoutcast Source plug-in, and hit Configure.

Define the IP address of the SHOUTcast server, the port it's running on, the
password set up on the server, and information for the directory server, if
you would like your stream to be listed on http://yp.shoutcast.com.  Hit OK
when you're done.

Select some MP3, WAV, MOD, etc. files to play, and when Winamp starts playing,
you'll be streaming to the server (and the world!)

While playing back, changing the volume will have no effect on the streamed
audio.  However, changing the EQ *does* have an effect.  You can cheat and do 
fades with the preamp on the EQ if you time it right.

IMPORTANT:  Input sources which DO NOT use winamp's internal dsp system
(i.e. CD audio, line input, MIDI) ARE NOT COMPATIBLE with the SHOUTcast 
Source plug-in.

Workarounds:  

  There's a cool cd-da input plug-in replacement on winamp.com in
the plug-ins section.  It reads data off the CD and decodes it in software.
It's compatible with SHOUTcast.

  The Liverec input plug-in for Winamp was designed specifically for SHOUTcast
to allow line input to be streamed.  It's available at shoutcast.com.

  There is no known method of streaming MIDI files, excepting that you connect
another CPU or loop the output back into the line input and play your MIDI
file in another program.

Tech Notes / How it Works:

The SHOUTcast Source DSP Plug-in takes audio data from Winamp, encodes it
into the bitrate desired, and passes it to the SHOUTcast server.

A Word To The Unwise:

All listeners are only able to listen at what their connections can support.
For most users on the net, when you consider modem/PPP overhead, internet 
congestion, and the fact that most modems out there are around 33.6kbps, it
makes sense to use 24kbps for most public streaming. Even though, 
theoretically, 33.6 users should be able to listen at 32kbps, with overhead 
it becomes impossible.

Anyone with a 56k modem sending to an upstream server is affected by the 
asymmetric nature of 56k modems. That is, the fastest a 56k modem can download 
data as fast as 53kbps, the upload data is at most 31.2kbps. Sorry, no
56 or 32kbps streams are servable over a 56k modem.

License:

SHOUTCAST SOURCE DSP PLUG-IN(TM)
	SHOUTCAST(TM), all versions, are copyright protected and are the property 
of Nullsoft, Inc.  Until further notice, this software may be used for personal
purposes for free and need not be registered with Nullsoft, Inc.  SHOUTCAST(TM) 
may not be copied, sold, distributed or used in any other manner without the 
prior written consent of Nullsoft, Inc.  Those interested in licensing 
SHOUTCAST(TM) for other than personal or individual commercial use should 
contact Nullsoft, Inc. c/o sales@shoutcast.com.

	To the maximum extent permitted by law, Nullsoft, Inc. disclaims all
warranties regarding this software, express or implied, including but not
limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose.  In no event shall Nullsoft, Inc. be liable for consequential,
special, incidental or indirect damages arising out of the use or inability
to use this software even if Nullsoft, Inc. is aware of the possibility of
such damages or a known defect.

	By using this software, you are agreeing to the above terms.
