[BC] Barix Products

[Dana Puopolo]

I've done both, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
The Barix units are much smaller then a computer, so they have a big advantage
in space limited places. On the other hand, they won't stream Windows Media,
which might be a problem for you. They do Shoutcast really well which is what
we use at WSRO and WBIX. Shoutcast streaming can be really cheap-we have 100
24K mono streams for 30 bucks a month.
Of course, a computer with Winamp and the Shoutcast plug in also does
Shoutcast quite well-and computers are really cheap these days. For example,
surpluscomputers.com had refurbished Compaq 800 mHz P3's with 
Windows 2000 on them for 80 bucks.

Both computers and the Barix units occasionally need to be rebooted, by the
way

If you decide to go the Shoutcast route, your webmaster will have to create a
java applet that puts the stream address into Windows Media player and starts
it in a small window because Microsoft removed its capability to run off of
direct MP3 links to force users into using
Windows Media Player. All versions of Media Player 7 and newer are crippled in
this way-but the Java apple is a good work around (we use them at wbix.com and
wsro.com).

-D

------ Original Message ------
Received: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:57:40 AM EDT
From: "Paul B. Walker, Jr." <walkerbroadcasting at gmail.com>
To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Subject: Re: [BC] Barix Products

I need to start webstreaming on a dedicated computer. Right now, I only have
two computers in my on air studio and a 3rd is needed, which I'm currently
shopping around.

Would I be better off buying a used Desktop and reformat it so it's like new
or buy a Barix just for streaming? I know i could find a very suitable used
computer for like $250 which, in a pinch could be used for something
else..unlike the Barix which costs $400+ and can't really be used on a
continual basis.

Paul B. Walker, Jr.
WABV-AM 1590
www.wabv1590.com
www.walkerbroadcasting.com


On 3/22/07, Steve Ordinetz <hykker at grolen.com> wrote:
>
> Dana Puopolo wrote...
>
> > Barix units need to be powered down for a few seconds about every four
> > weeks,
> > otherwise they will lock up. We've had several do so recently, within
> days
> > of
> > each other.
> >
>
> How do you get them to go that long?  I have to do mine on average of once
> a week.  Tx end seems fine, it's the rx end that seems to lock up.  All
> LED indications look normal.
>
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