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Q. What is Streaming Audio and Video?
A. Streaming audio and video are similar to what you hear and see on
radio and television, except delivered via the Internet, instead of by
broadcast signals.
Q. Why is it called “streaming?”
A. This kind of media is called streaming because it is passed from
our computers to yours ready to view in real time… in short, you don’t
have to download all of the content before you can enjoy it.
Q. What difference does it make that Bob & Tom content is streamed,
instead of downloaded?
A. Audio and video files are very large. Most people would spend many
minutes or hours waiting for them to be downloaded to their computer
if they weren’t streamed. Streaming media lets you enjoy this content
in just a few seconds, instead of having to wait for it.
Q. What special equipment do I need to use the streaming features of
bobandtom.com?
A. All you really need are three things: A computer that is relatively
current, the capability to listen to sound through your computers, and
a piece of software (called a player) that can receive and process our
audio streams.
Q. How can I tell if I have everything I need?
A. Most computers that are less than 3 years old will have everything
needed. If you have speakers, and you have heard them play any words
or music (like the “mail” message when you first sign onto the
Internet), chances are you’re okay. If you still aren’t sure, you
might want to contact the manufacturer of your computer. Plus, we have
a little test you can perform a few questions down.
Q. Can I receive streaming through my Macintosh? What about Web TV?
A. All Macs made for a number of years are capable of receiving
streaming audio. You may have to download and install some new, free
software. More about that in the next question. Web TV is a different
matter. We’re sorry, but most versions of Web TV can’t receive
streams. But a few can. You may want to check with the Web TV people
to see if your model is supported.
Q. Tell me more about these media players? Do I have one? Is it the
right kind?
A. A media player isn’t a piece of equipment… it is a kind of software
that “recognizes” the stream coming into your computer, and plays it
through your speakers. There are three different formats of media
players that are most commonly used. Your computer may have some, all,
or none of them already installed. Here are the types:
Windows Media Player- Most computers that use the Windows operating
system have Windows Media Player installed. If your version is very
old, you may need to download and install a more current one in order
to use streaming (don’t worry, it’s free). We’ll tell you how to do
that in a moment. Anytime you see the words “Windows Media” in a
picture or text link, it means that you will receive the stream in
Windows Media format. Incidentally, there is a free version of Windows
Media player for the Macintosh, too.
Real Audio- Real Audio is another format of streaming. Many, many
computers come from the manufacturer with Real Audio players
installed. Like Windows Media player, you may need an up to date
version. At bobandtom.com, we make only the live radio show available
in this format; short audio and video clips, as well as show archives,
are not available in Real Audio format.
Quicktime - Most Macintoshes are shipped with a Quicktime player. As
with all players, if yours is too old, you may need a new one. You can
get the live radio show, all short clips, and all show archives for
their Quicktime player. Just look for the Quicktime button or link.
Q. I need a player. What do I do?
A. Just download it! The links are below. Remember a few important
points, however. First, you only need the basic, free version of each
player to enjoy our streaming content. Some of these companies sell
upgraded versions with more features, but all supply a basic, free
version too. Sometimes they just hide the free one a bit! So don’t buy
the upgraded version unless you want to do so. Also, you can’t just
download the player… you have to install it, too. It’s easy; each of
the players has complete instructions. Just follow them. When you’re
done, come back to the test links above, and try them out. If you have
downloaded and installed the player properly, you will hear the test,
and you are ready to go!
Download Windows Media Player
Download Real Audio
Download Quicktime
or http://support.premiereinteractive.com/
Q. What kind of Internet connection do I need to have to use
streaming?
A. Well, some people report acceptable results at as slow as 14.4k,
but we don’t recommend it. The minimum for quality audio is 28.8k, and
for quality video is 56k. Faster is always better. Even if you do have
a fast modem, however, please bear in mind that any other number of
conditions may degrade your stream, from electronic “noise” on your
phone line, to slowdowns at your Internet Service Provider.
Q. Is there any downside to streaming?
A. Well, sometimes. Streaming requires that the Internet connection
between our computer and yours be free of “traffic jams.” The Internet
isn’t a direct pipeline from our computer to yours. Our streamed
content passes through many other computers along the way, and these
computers are outside our control. If any of them is carrying too much
other traffic, our streamed content may be slowed down. If you are
listening or watching our content, and it suddenly stops for a few
seconds, then returns, this is probably why.
If the problem is bad enough, you may even lose the signal completely,
and get an error message. If that happens, go back to the web page you
started from, and press the link again. We use a very sophisticated
system capable of delivering streamed content all over the World at
once, and monitor it 24 hours a day.
Q. Any other problems with streaming?
A. Streaming is completely dependent on the connection speed at your
computer. If you have a slow connection to the Internet, or your
service provider is at or near it’s capacity, you may suffer
interruptions in the stream. This is more common with video than
audio, since it requires far more “bandwidth” to deliver.
Q. What can I do to have the best chance of getting a good quality
stream?
A. First, close all unnecessary applications and windows running on
your computer. Just keep your web browser and your media player open.
If you have an adapter at your wall jack to let you plug a regular
phone into the same outlet as your computer, it is a good idea to take
it off when you want to stream. It can cause a loss of quality.
Finally, if there is a lot of noise on your phone line, you may want
to have the phone company visit. Many service packages include “inside
wire maintenance,” and you may be able to have the quality of your
connection improved.
Q. I have a problem you haven’t addressed here. Am I out of luck?
A. Not at all! We’ve built a special web page to help. Just go to
http://support.premiereinteractive.com/, and fill out the form
completely on the page. You will receive assistance by email from an
audio engineer, usually within 24 hours.
VIP All Access Pass FAQs
Q. I have a Macintosh and I'm trying to listen to the All Access audio
feed using my Windows Media Player and it's not working. What's the
problem?
A. We have identified a bug in all versions of Windows Media Player
that prevents access to the VIP All Access service. We are working
with Microsoft on this,a nd hope to have a speedy resolution. In the
interim, you are welcome to use Real Player 8 Basic, which is a free
download at: http://www.real.com/
Q. I paid, and got a confirmation email. Where do I log in to listen?
A. When you pay, and your payment is confirmed, our system leaves a
30-day cookie on your hard disk that identifies you as a member. Under
ordinary circumstances, you do not need to log in ever after your
subscription is confirmed.
Q. So, if I don't have to log in, how do I get a stream after I have
paid?
A. Just go to the website, and go to any of the streaming links, and
click them. Instead of getting redirected to a login or subscribe
page, the audio file will simply play, as long as you have a current
version of the correct media player installed.
Q. Okay, I tried that, and I still got redirected to a login page. Why
did that happen?
A. For some reason, our system couldn't find the cookie that
identifies you as a member. Use the user name and password in your
confirmation email to log in again. If it still does't work, send a
detailed email to customerservice@premiereradio.com, and we will help
you individually.
Q. I lost the email with my user name and password. Now what do I do?
A. On the login page, follow the link to "Forgot User Name and
Password?" If that doesn't work, write a detailed email to
customerservice@premiereradio.com, and we will help you individually.
Q. I bought StreamLink from my compter at the office, and I want to
listen at home, too. Can I?
A. Yes, your license is valid for up to two computers. When youa re at
your home computer, just press on the stream you want to hear. You
will be redirected to the login page. Enter the user name and password
from your confirmation email, and you will be given a new cookie that
will allow you to access all of the streams through your subscription
expiration date.
Q. What media players and browsers do you support?
A. Most modern browsers and players work, but not all are guaranteed
to work. We guarantee that the latest versions of Internet Explorer
(5.5 and up for PC, 5.0 for Mac) will work, and the same with
Netscape. We guarantee that Windows Media Player 7.x will work for all
operating systems. We guarantee that Real Player 8.x will work for all
operating systems.
Q. What if I have questions that aren't answered here?
A. Please write a detailed email to customerservice@premiereradio.com,
and we will help you individually.
Q. Can I use the version of Windows Media Player currently in my
computer?
A. Our streams are tuned to provide maximum quality, and for them to
work properly, youmust use the most current version of the free
players provided by Microsoft and Real Audio. For Microsoft, this
means using Windows Media Player 7.x. For Real Audio, theis means
using Real Player Basic 8.x. You do not need to buy the upgraded
version of Real Player to use our audio. The free version works
perfectly.
Q. What if I use an older version of Windows Media Player
A. While Windows Media Player 6.4 seems to work in some system
configurations, it fails completely in others. Notably, Windows Media
Player 6.4 fails completely when used with Netscape 4.7x. If this
happens to you, it is advised that you upgrade your player. If you
cannot, please switch from Netscape to a current version (6.x) of
Internet Explorer. We are unable to support older versions of players
and browsers.
Q. Can I copy a link and paste it in a browser, or to my favorites?
A. No, this will not work. The only way to access a stream is to click
the link on the webpage it originates from. You cannot copy and paste
an audio link into a new browser, or save it as one of your favorites
in your player.
Q. I was listening to a show, stopped the player, and returned to it
several hours later. It failed to play again. Why?
A. When listening to any one of our audio streams for an extended
period of time, you cannot stop and restart the stream. You will be
dropped or receive an access denied error message. If you do encounter
this, close your player, go back to the webpage from which your audio
link was generated and click on it again. You can then fast forward to
the point at which you wish to resume listening.
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