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RSS feedsRadio is changing. With a computer and an internet connection it's possible to tune in to radio broadcasts from anywhere in the world, or even listen to shows you might have missed the first time around.
Moreover, the latest digital technology ensures that audio quality is always crystal clear and crackle free.
So does this mean it's time to say goodbye to the FM wireless receiver? There's certainly evidence to support this view. Radio stations such as Jazz FM have found that listeners are increasingly moving away from using traditional radio sets.
The station's latest research reveals that one in five listeners are opting to tune in online or via digital radio.
A survey by the Radio Joint Audience Research organisation in December 2003 revealed that the number of respondents who had visited a radio station's website had risen to 23 per cent, compared to just eight per cent in 2000.
The number of respondents who had listened to a radio show online increased from three per cent to 15 per cent over the same period, clear evidence that more and more people are using the internet to listen to the radio.
The growing popularity of web radio broadcasts is also illustrated by the increase in the number of internet-only radio stations that are appearing.
Radio Storm, WMSL UK and Spyda Radio are just three examples of a growing number of UK-based stations that broadcast exclusively online, catering for a variety of music tastes and offering a selection of presenters instead of just broadcasting one show at a time.
For example, Spyda Radio offers 10 shows at any one time, each with a different presenter and lasting two or three hours, while Radio Storm offers a choice of hard rock, '80s, hip-hop and classic rock channels. WMSL plays '80s, '90s and current music.
All the right signals
The benefits of tuning in online are convincing. For starters, you can enjoy far better audio quality with no crackling or fading.
Also, finding a radio station on the internet is a lot easier than trying to tune in to the right frequency of an FM station manually and you don't have to worry about trying to maintain reception.
Better still, many radio stations have an online archive of aired shows so if you miss a programme the first time around you can listen in on the web later. On top of that, you can listen to content from local radio stations around the world.
If you fancy the idea of listening to radio programmes on the internet, you'll first need to consider exactly what you need in the way of computing kit.
Perhaps most obviously, you'll need an internet connection, preferably a broadband connection. While you can still tune in with a dial-up connection, broadband can handle more data so you'll get less stuttering when you listen to streamed radio content.
You'll also need a PC equipped with a sound card, which processes audio data. Most computers are fitted with a sound card nowadays but if you're in doubt, look for a speaker connection on the back of the system case. You'll also need either a set of speakers or a pair of headphones.
The software required to listen to radio programmes online depends on which stations you want to listen to. You can listen to content from most internet-only radio stations using free software such as Apple iTunes, Windows Media Player and Winamp. Windows Media Player is included with Windows but the other applications are all relatively quick to download and install.
Although you can listen in to the BBC's digital and online radio stations using these applications, if you want to tune in to the content of any of its terrestrial radio channels such as Radio 1, you'll need to install RealPlayer, which is also free to download.
Tune in
Once you are armed with the necessary hardware and software and an internet connection, you'll next need to turn your attention to finding a radio station to listen to.
A search engine such as Google or Yahoo can point you in the right direction but iTunes, Winamp, RealPlayer and Media Player all feature a list of links to online radio stations.
If you use Internet Explorer to surf the web, click on the Media toolbar button to open Windows Media Player on the left side of the window. You can also open Media Player by choosing Programs in the Start menu then selecting Accessories and Entertainment.
The stations listed are usually sorted according to music or content style (classical, country, rock, news) and most of these applications also have a search facility, although this is usually biased towards American stations.
Being able to catch up with the latest plot developments in The Archers if you've missed an episode may be very handy, but where internet radio really beats its FM counterpart is the accessibility of local radio stations around the world, so you can keep in touch with local news and sports results when you're away from home.
The Real Radio FM website features listings of local stations for Yorkshire, Wales and Scotland, while Unlimited Media provides a list of college and student-run stations that broadcast online.
For a more global perspective, check out the Radio Tower site, which lists online radio stations from around the world by country.
Save it for later
If you are connecting to the internet using a dial-up connection and paying by the minute for the privilege, you may not want to stay online long enough to listen to an entire radio show as those call charges soon add up.
Listening to streamed content over a dial-up connection can also prove frustrating if your internet connection is interrupted during a programme and you have to start listening from the start again.
Several radio stations provide content that can be downloaded to your computer, instead of being played over the internet. This not only spares you the frustration of an interrupted connection but means you can transfer the audio file to a portable MP3 player so you can listen on the move.
Radio stations such as Reggae News provide downloadable interviews and you can download a selection of topical radio shows (though not all are available for free) from the American website Audible.com.
When downloading a radio programme, it's a good idea to check the size of the file you're downloading before you start the transfer. If it's a particularly large file and your internet connection is slow, it may take a while.
The digital alternative
In addition to tuning in to radio shows online, you can also turn your PC into a digital radio or Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receiver relatively easily.
You'll need to invest in special DAB hardware to do this; either a DAB PCI card that slots into one of the PCI slots on your computer's motherboard, or an external device that connects to a USB port on your PC such as the Hauppauge WinTV Nova-t USB unit.
Such equipment is likely to cost you between £50 and £100 and some hardware will also allow you to tune in to terrestrial TV channels as well as the radio.
Like internet radio, DAB offers numerous benefits over conventional FM broadcasts, such as better audio quality and easier methods of tuning into stations (by name instead of by frequency). You can also listen to digital radio stations using a standalone digital radio or via freeview and cable TV.
Using your PC to tune in to online radio is one way of making the most of your computer's multimedia capabilities. The internet has opened up a whole new way of broadcasting and publishing and there is already a huge number of online radio stations to choose from.
As the software you'll need to install on your PC to tune in online and access to online radio stations is free, there are few reasons not to explore the content available online. The nature of radio is changing and the PC is certainly helping to push things forward.
Paying the price for broadcasting
Recent changes to laws in the US mean that online radio stations must pay royalties on any music played. Organisations such as The Performing Right Society and Phonographic Performance Ltd oversee the collection and payment of royalties within the UK and online radio stations are not exempt.
Anyone wishing to broadcast copyrighted music must contact both of these organisations to agree on payment of royalties to the writer and performer.
Currently, many stations in the UK that make content from their terrestrial broadcasts available online are regarded as having already paid the royalties on any music tracks played.
The BBC, for example, has negotiated rights with record companies to allow re-broadcast on the internet. An internet-only based radio station must, however, pay royalties for pieces of music it plays.
See also:
Online music services are back in business but this time you have to pay. We look at seven sites to see what you get for your money 12 Jul 2004
As watching telly on a PC gets easier, the choice of devices gets wider. Let our guide help you find the best TV tuner for you. 25 Jun 2004
Poor playback hampering acceptance into the living room, says Dolby 24 Jun 2004All Online
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