Service Wizard

Step 1: Choose a streaming media format

Choose your streaming format:

Which format is right for me?

Window Media Flash Quick Time SHOUTcast
Free Encoders [?] Windows Media, Flash, and SHOUTcast encoders are free, while QuickTime streaming requires you to pay for software to encode into those formats.
Live Streaming
On-Demand Streaming [?] SHOUTcast requires manual set-up.
Link to Stream [?] Windows Media streams are the only format that can be ‘hyperlinked’, all other formats require an embedded player.

Hint: If you do not have a preference, or are a first-time streamer, choose Windows Media – it’s the easiest way to get started, and you can always change formats at a later date.

Step : Live Streaming or On-Demand Streaming

Choose your primary streaming service:

Live Streaming

» Live Streaming functions much like a television channel or radio station: when a viewer or listener ‘tunes in’, he sees and hears whatever is being broadcast at that point-in-time.

» Your stream can deliver real-time as well as pre-recorded video or audio content (much like a television channel can broadcast both live coverage of events and recorded TV shows).

Examples: Internet radio, online television, live coverage of church sermons, sporting events, lectures, music concerts etc.

On-Demand Streaming

» On-Demand streaming is the process of delivering stored pre-recorded content.

» Your audience can play individual video or audio clips whenever they want, and as many times as they want.

» Viewers or listeners have full control of the stream’s playback: allowing them to fast-forward, rewind, pause, stop and play as they please.

Examples: Online delivery of recorded lectures, music clips, TV shows, movies or movie-trailers. Video clips on video-sharing websites (like YouTube).

Step : Concurrent or bandwidth based pricing

Choose your pricing option:

Bandwidth pricing

Bandwidth pricing is based on estimated usage. This pricing structure is generally recommended, as it allows your stream to reach an unlimited audience.

» You prepay for a set amount of bandwidth based on your estimated usage.

» Each listener or viewer who connects to your stream will use up bandwidth out of your pre-paid ‘bucket’.

» If you go over your prepaid amount, the difference is billed as overage.

» You can reach an unlimited audience, as viewers or listeners are never denied access to your stream.

Concurrent pricing

Concurrent pricing is based on a maximum amount of viewers/listeners you define per stream. This pricing structure is ideal for broadcasters who want to stream with a “fixed cost”.

» A fixed amount of viewers or listeners will be able to access your stream at any given point in time.

» When the maximum amount of users connected to a stream is reached, additional users trying to access the same stream will be denied.

» No possibilty of overages.

» Requires manual set-up by NetroMedia tech department.

Step : Concurrent pricing calculator

Step : Bandwidth pricing calculator

Concurrent Settings:

Concurrent viewers [?] Concurrent viewers: The limit on how many people can connect to your stream at one time. If you select, for example, 25 concurrent viewers, the 26th viewer attempting to connect will be denied. :

Bitrate [?] The Bitrate determines the quality of your broadcast, and is set by you in your encoder settings.

Common recommended settings: 37kbps – for an audio broadcast, 282kbps for a video broadcast. :

Remember: you can change your service package at any time, as determined by your needs. If you need to move up or down, you can make that change in our NetroPortal.

Total Usage:

Total Usage:  GB

Note: For help with pricing please click ” Create Service“.

Please provide project information on the left-hand side to get an estimate.

Monthly Bandwidth:

Daily viewers [?] Daily viewers: The amount of people you expect to connect to your stream each day.

Hint: For a first time streamer, this number is always an estimate. Try to consider things like how much traffic your website receives, or what kind of advertising you plan to do. :

Average Duration [?] Duration: How long you expect each viewer to watch the stream on average.

Hint: Think about your content. For example, if you are running a half-hour live show it’s reasonable to expect people to watch the whole half hour, while if you have an all-day event your audience may watch short periods throughout the day. :

Bitrate [?] The Bitrate determines the quality of your broadcast, and is set by you in your encoder settings.

Common recommended settings: 37kbps – for an audio broadcast, 282kbps for a video broadcast. :

Remember: you can change your service package at any time, as determined by your needs. If you need to move up or down, you can make that change in our NetroPortal.

Final Step

Choose your method:

What is the difference between Concurrent and Bandwidth pricing?

Bandwidth pricing is also known as usage-based. This pricing structure is generally the best way to go. Using this structure, you prepay for a set amount of bandwidth based on your estimated usage. Each listener or viewer who connects to your stream will use up bandwidth out of your pre-paid ‘bucket’. if you go over your prepaid amount, the difference is billed as overage. There are no limits on what you can stream, you can change bitrates at any time, and no viewer or listener is ever denied service.

Concurrent pricing can be good if you need to absolutely have a ‘fixed cost’ for your streaming. Using this structure, you select a maximum amount of listeners, and specify a bitrate. You are then locked in to that bitrate, and cannot exceed the maximum listeners. There is no posibility of overages with this structure. Concurrent pricing requires manual set-up.

For example: You select a bitrate of 32k, and 25 listeners. If you have 25 listeners, and a 26th person attempts to connect, they will be unable to do so.