Online Internet Radio Stations

Your computer is a radio

Yes, the chances are that your computer is a world wide radio receiver. The number of Internet online radio stations is growing by the day, and all you need is a computer with a sound card, some loudspeakers and an Internet connection. As most modern PCs have this equipment, you are probably ready to go.

So what do you want to listen to? Hip hop, heavy rock, Beethoven, Grieg? Or maybe some talk radio -- the latest news, perhaps, or sports? In co-operation with the TVRadio Network Pandia has launched a special online radio directory, giving you thousands of TV and radio stations from all over the world, categorised by type or country/state.

Click here to go to the Pandia Radio Search directory!

Read on to learn how to use it.

Online radio software

In order to listen to an Internet online radio station, you need some special software that can convert the stream of digital code into music. Again, the chances are that you have one of the relevant programs on your computer, as at least one of the most popular media players normally are included in the set ups of modern browser like Explorer or Netscape. There is no need to despair if you do not have them, as they can be fetched for free from the Internet.

The most popular programs for so called "streaming media" is the RealPlayer and the Windows Media Player. The RealPlayer is the most popular and there a versions for most computer systems. The basic version is free and can be downloaded from the Real.com website. Microsoft's Windows Media Player can be found at the Microsoft site.

Unlike the famous MP3 music files, you cannot save a radio broadcast on your computer. Sorry about that...

We suggest you visit Mike Powers' excellent About site on online radio if you want to learn more about the various radio formats.

Please note that you need at least a 28.8K modem connection to listen to online radio. A fast computer also helps. If the net connection is congested, you may from time to time experience that the radio transmission stops or "stutters". Just wait a bit, it will normally catch up. In order to watch streaming Internet TV, (i.e. a TV broadcast that is downloaded to your computer at the same time as you are watching the show) you will need some kind of broadband connection.

How to use Pandia Radio Search

Click on the "Category" and "Location" buttons in the upper left corner to change between category and country/state listings. You will find the radio and TV stations listed in the centre frame. Some are marked "live", meaning that you will be listening to their ordinary "wireless" broadcast, others are recorded for the Web.

To the right you will find two columns, one for the Real Player format, the next for the Windows Media Player. Select the format that suits you best and click on the connection speed that fits your computer and modem. Most radio stations have transmission rates that fit an ordinary 28.8 or 56K modem (i.e. a standard phone line connection). If you have an even faster connection, select a "high" transmission, if available.

You can gather your favourite stations in a folder called "my stations", making it easy to get back your favourite news or music. Click on the "?" to get more help and the "Get Plug-ins" button to download the necessary software.

Researchbuzz has called Pandia Radio Search "a good directory with plenty of information divided into useful categories," and the Go directory has given it its top ranking.

The Pandia Powersearch page has links to even more radio and TV directories. Go to the "Broadcasting" section in the left column.