Following Shoutcast.com's new model of charging for the use of its streaming system, we thus recommend users to opt for Icecast. Icecast is open source and will for ever be free. It gets updated more frequently and it's more user friendly.
If you hope or want to broadcast more than 128kbps mp3 stream or will be needing the AAC format then you'll have to pay shoutcast.com for the use of shoutcast protocol. So you're better off using Icecast when ordering our service.
Why is Shoutcast.com doing this?
Well they've introduced a business model for Shoutcast, but we fail to understand the way it has been implemented and lack of care not only to it's users but it's host partners such as Streemlion that uses its technology.
What does this all mean?
Well, if Streemlion updates the server software to the latest SHOUTcast version, those on the new "free" plan will lose features such as AAC and you will have a limit of 128kbps max with MP3 broadcast. Unless you pay SHOUTcast.com directly for the new "paid" plan you won't get those features. Note this is ONLY for use of the SHOUTcast software.
What happens if Streemlion do not update the server software?
You will keep the functions and features as you have been using, however the SHOUTcast.com directory listing will no longer work, this means your station will not be listed on the SHOUTcast.com directory.
Why do we lose the directory listing?
Essentially SHOUTcast.com wish to force everyone to pay them, so they have changed the authhash functionality, this means you cannot use the new authhash generated on SHOUTcast.com on your older SHOUTcast server page as the new ones are not compatible.
But my SHOUTcast.com radio manager page is still old version with old authhash?
You will have seen a notice on the site, you currently have the option to switch to the new system/site or stay with the old one for now, however you will inevitably be forced to use the new one as they have a set switch date that will force a switch regardless, so your old authhash functionality will not work.
WHAT CAN WE DO???
If you are not planning to use the SHOUTcast paid plan for the software it looks like the best option is to switch to Icecast, Icecast is Open Source and FREE (as said above, so won't ever be charged).
What are Streemlion's future plans on this all?
We have updated the server software in order to stay secure and up to date. Users will need to be aware that from now on they may lose functionality, customers must be aware that Streemlion are not responsible for this nor can we stop it or prevent Shoutcast.com from implementing it.
What happens if i wish to switch to Icecast?
Streemlion Customers can submit a support ticket and our team will handle your request on first come basis. Please note the switch includes setting up your account from new, you can keep the same username, IPs and port numbers however some data such as statistics, logs, playlists and such will not be saved, audio files stored (for AutoDJ) MAY not be saved, depending on the amount of files stored, please, have a backup available yourself
The changes don't really bother me, so what happens?
You will simply lose the functionality not available in the now "free software plan", if this isn't an issue for you then nothing will change and you will be fine on the new version but can only broadcast at 128kbps MP3 and without AAC format.
Can't you include this in the Streemlion plans?
No, it is simply above the cost of our plans and it would not be a financially viable option.
How about increasing your Streemlion's plan prices to include it or add it as an add-on?
Not everyone will want this so we do not see any reason to force an increase of price to include something that is optional. Also, customers can only opt to pay for the new software plan direct with SHOUTcast.com if they wanted it. The radio manager mini-site on SHOUTcast.com is aimed at direct-to-customer control, we do not see adding it as an add-on an option.
I'm not happy, I will cancel my Streemlion plan!
Please be aware that every service provider that offers SHOUTcast servers/streaming services will have this same problem, since this is not service providers issue it is a core software company issue, you are not going to avoid it by moving providers. You can view the Shoutcast.com paid plans here: https://shoutcast.com/Pricing Pricing is per server instance (per stream account).
Those on IceCast need not panic, as you're already good.
