Note: Many topics at this site are reduced versions of the text in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications." Search results will not be as extensive as a search of the book's CD-ROM.

Internet radio brings radio stations from all over the world to your computer or "Internet radio device." Instead of receiving over-the-air radio broadcasts from relatively few local radio stations, you receive the radio programs of over 10,000 radio stations that have put their content on the Internet. The Web sites listed on the related entries page provide links to important Internet radio sites and resources. At some sites, you can create your own radio format by specifying your likes and dislikes. The station then assembles play lists for your listening pleasure.

The requirements to receive Internet radio are a media player such as Windows Media Player or Real Player, a Web browser, a sound card and speakers, and a relatively fast and stable Internet connection. The Kerbango tuning service even sells an Internet radio that is dedicated to receiving radio programs from the Internet.

Internet radio uses streaming media, a method of delivering real-time or stored information such as audio and video across networks and the Internet. When you select a radio station, the live broadcast starts to stream to your computer from the Web site and continues to stream in the background as you listen. More information about streaming media is under the topic "Multimedia."

Anyone interested in Internet radio will also be interested in digital music technologies such as MP3 and peer-to-peer technologies. These technologies are focused on music files that can be exchanged among users, while Internet radio is streaming live media that is not stored locally. See "Peer-to-Peer Communications" and "MP3."

Copyright (c) 2001 Tom Sheldon and Big Sur Multimedia.
All rights reserved under Pan American and International copyright conventions.