Introduction:

Internet Broadcasting is a term that is used broadly to cover many forms of broadcasting through the World Wide Web. The term "Webcasting" is used to describe the ability to use the Web to deliver live or delayed versions of sound or video broadcasts. Net Talk Live is an example of a former type of Internet Broadcasting. Networks use Internet sites to deliver a RealAudio sound version of a live radio or television program.

To broadcast is to cast or throw forth something in all directions at the same time. On the Internet, certain Web sites deliver original or redistributed broadcasts from existing radio and television stations, using streaming sound or streaming media techniques, to Web users who visit the Web site or "tune it in" using a special program such as Real Player. Web broadcasts are available to the public. Some programming is scheduled while other prepackaged programs may be delivered on demand.

Internet Broadcasting is an emerging technology that is practically in its infancy stage.

Leading the way in Internet Broadcasting is Java^TM technology. It is quickly emerging as the key enabler for next-generation providing services for interactive television. Flexible and open Java and Java TV technologies may be implemented on a broad scale in emerging interactive solutions. This technology addresses the needs of manufacturers, system operators, and content providers through its platform-independent, scalable, network-aware applications. Java TV allows developers to focus on creating compelling content and services that may run on any platform.

Forrester Research on Interactive Television

Forrester Research estimates that nearly one-quarter of all U.S. households will be using interactive television by 2004 and one-third of all cable households will have broadband Internet access by 2003. Advertising revenues are expected to reach $11 billion by 2004, and according to Forrester, three-quarters of all commercials will be interactive within five years.

Extended services of the Java platform enable the content creators to create platform-independent, scalable, network-aware applications for interactive television and set-top boxes. Java TV technology provides digital interactive television services such as Electronic Programming Guides (EPGs), Video-On-Demand (VOD), enhanced broadcasting, ecommerce, network games, and multiple-camera-angle television programs.

Radio Internet Broadcasting:

Radio Broadcast companies have also jumped on the Internet Broadcasting wagon to get there stations heard world wide. Listeners may tune in to there favorite stations even if they are out of town. They may listen to live radio shows or to ones they had missed while surfing the Net or working on other projects. People scan the Web instead of scanning the dial for talk or music. The content of radio on the Internet does not differ too much from traditional radio but it does add some great possibilities.

Net radio vs. traditional radio

Archives: You can listen to a show even if you missed the scheduled broadcast.
Flexibility: Radio stations can play whatever you want without considering the person who owns the transmitter.
No FCC: Radio stations can create Internet programs without having to worry about FCC standards.

It is recommended that those who are interested in Radio Broadcasting visit player sites like RealNetworks, QuickTime and WindowsMedia. View their support information. Then go to some radio station sites such as eYada.com and listen. Listen to the quality. Pay attention to the download time.

Like the early TV and radio broadcasts, the first live Internet Broadcasts are not without their imperfections. Access is the key hurdle because one must have a powerful computer to access favorite broadcasting sites.

Some Internet broadcasts are disseminated over something called the MBONE (Multicast Backbone), which is an experimental, "multicast" broadband version of the normal Internet backbone that enables the sending of video information to anyone with direct Internet access. Only specially equipped computers can receive MBONE broadcasts, which to date have taken the less flashy, less heralded form of videoconferences such as university lectures and the like. The network connection is extremely demanding, requiring a "T1" line, which is the equivalent of about 24 regular telephone lines or 12 higher-quality ISDN lines.

Today, access to MBONE broadcasts is limited to institutional sites such as college campuses, government offices, and corporate headquarters. Computers with high-speed modems may be able to access the audio feed of MBONE.

The Internet MBONE technology is based on IP-Multicast, which is an N-way unreliable data gram service. Other protocols and services used to build the system include a media streaming protocol (RTP), session announcement protocol (SAP and SDP), and standards for session addressing and scoping. A variety of application services including audio/video tools, program viewers, program archive recording/playback servers, video effects processors, broadcast configuration and management tools, question boards, note taking/annotation tools, and distributed whiteboard tools are being developed to enhance the program quality and reduce production cost and effort.

The Web-based multicast, multimedia application has the following Internet standard protocols, technologies, and real-time media:

HTTP: Hypertext transfer protocol for delivering of standard HTML pages;
SDP, SAP: Session description and announcement protocols for conference discovery;
RTP/RTCP: Data transfer and control protocol for real-time application;
Reliable Multicast Protocol: Multicast protocol for reliable delivery;
Java APIs: Java awt, net, media APIs, etc. These are used as tools for a cross-platform solution
Audio/video and HTML documents: Real-time media distributed via the MBone.

Figure 1. Structure of multicast, multimedia enhanced Web application

IP Multicast:

Efforts are being made by specialized companies to build a real-time multicast, multimedia Web application as a prototype of implementation of integrating RTP/RTCP and SDP/SAP in the Web. This application is fully Internet compliant and interoperable with MBone applications. This allows Web users to gain immediate access to MBone broadcasts seamlessly.

Figure 2: Multicast Transmission Sends a Single Multicast Packet Addressed to All Intended Recipients

Multicast is based on the concept of a group. An arbitrary group of receivers expresses an interest in receiving a particular data stream. This group does not have any physical or geographical boundaries—the hosts can be located anywhere on the Internet. Hosts that are interested in receiving data flowing to a particular group must join the group using IGMP. Hosts must be a member of the group to receive the data stream.

IP multicast also enables new classes of application or media distribution: for example, HTML pages broadcasts. This approach provides an ideal and scalable solution for the new media or application x proposed on the Internet Multicast Infrastructure in the near future.

Interactive Broadcasting:

Interactive Broadcasting across the Internet allows the presenter to convey complex technical or financial information quickly and easily to a diverse group of people using a PC, telephone and a minimum of free time. It is also scalable, unlike videoconferencing. The relatively simple and low-cost requirements of Internet-based conferencing mean that a large number of participants can genuinely contribute to an online conference.

WWW.MSHOW.com, for example, has designed its service to support audiences in excess of 5,000 people, though – equally importantly – with safeguards to ensure that those 5,000+ cannot all attempt to “speak” simultaneously, even if it is technically possible.

Interactive Broadcasting provides electronic publishers of digital and traditional media the ability to provide services for clients seeking Internet Broadcasting. Publisher’s design and host enterprise quality web sites and e-commerce solutions for clientele. They also provide custom database applications, create web-based software and database driven web sites, and produce world-class electronic and print publications for clients.