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--- audio_broadcasts [2026/01/08 17:37] – admin
+++ audio_broadcasts [2026/01/10 18:47] (current) – [How to listen?] admin
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ======Audio Broadcasts======
-Audio Broadcasts can be made by an author of a geminar anytime.  But usually, authors broadcasts when he/she receives a "beckon" notification from an audience member.
+Usually, authors can broadcast live audio when he/she receives a "beckon" notification from an audience member. However, an author is actually free to broadcast live audio whenever needed. The current audience viewing that //Geminar// page would be able to hear the author.
-Audio Broadcasts are always paid by the author and never by the audience. Our home page has the current pricing: A tiny amount of credits are deducted for each minute of audio broadcast.
+====How are authors beckoned?====
+Any viewer of the //Geminar// can click on the "Beckon Author" button at the top of the chat area. This will result in a notification being sent specifically to the author. If that author had setup the notification app (ntfy.sh) he/she would get the notification inside his/her own phone.
-Broadcasts are done using a simple //broadcasting// software. We recommend BUTT -- it is available for Windows, Macs and Linux https://danielnoethen.de/butt/
+====How to broadcast?====
+Broadcasts are done using a simple //broadcasting// software. We recommend BUTT -- it is available for Windows, Macs and Linux https://danielnoethen.de/butt/  You can also broadcast audio from your mobile phone. Use the //CoolMic// app to broadcast from an Android phone. The author of BUTT also has an app for iPhones that can be used for broadcasting.
-You can also broadcast audio from your mobile phone. Use the //CoolMic// app to broadcast from an Android phone. The author of BUTT also has an app for iPhones that can be used.
+For a complete list, see the section on //source clients// here: https://icecast.org/apps/
-//To be continued... we'll explain how to set up the broadcasting software so that you can broadcast for a specific Geminar//
+====Configuring a source client====
+A //source client// is named thus due to the fact that the audio source originates from that software.
+Any such "source client" software; i.e. one that would transport your live audio to your audience, would need the following data:
+  - The type of broadcasting to be done. Choose ICECAST (or ICECAST2 if that's available.) Do not choose "SHOUTCAST" or "WEBRTC" as those are different technolgies.
+  - The address of our icecast2 server setup for //Geminars//. This would be //radio.//Geminars//.com// And its port is 8199
+  - The "mount point" used for that //Geminar// you are broadcasting into -- it will look something like this /GEM_xxxx That means the first 5 characters are ///GEM_//  Some broadcasting software omits the first slash.
+  - The mount points are shown for each //Geminar// in the author's own dashboard -- and nowhere else. Please keep these mount points private. //Use the correct mount point for the //Geminar// you want to broadcast into!//
+  - The codec to be used. This MUST be //OPUS//
+  - The bitrate to be used. This MUST be 96kbps or less. If your Internet connection is slow, choose 64kbps.
+  - The username to be used -- this is always the author's own username at //Geminars//.
+  - The password to be used. This is used //only// for that author. It is NOT the same as the regular account password. You can read this password in the Profile dialog.
+All "source client" would surely need the above information. Each software has its own way to configure. We'll explain how to do that with BUTT -- you can search for the same settings in any other software that you use. Here are [[BUTT|the details for BUTT]]
+====Should the author be on the Geminar page when broadcasting?====
+Not necessarily, though it helps to keep the //Geminar// page open when broadcasting. Why? There can be comments appearing in the chat there; and the author can modify his/her the live audio broadcast accordingly.
+However broadcasting can be done directly from the "source client" software. For example; an author may be out for a walk outside and then may end up getting several "Beckon" notifications on his/her mobile phone (See [[Notifications|How to configure Notifications]] ) It may not be possible to go to the //Geminar// page and see what is going on. Instead, the author may choose to broadcast using an audio "source client" app on his/her own phone.
+====How to listen?====
+Listening is quite easy. When an author starts broadcasting using any of the mentioned //source clients// with the correct settings, then the current viewers of that //Geminar// will get a system sent message in the chat; telling them what to do.
+Those who had sent group chat message on the geminar (but are currently absent) would get a notification on their notification app. So they too can join in and listen to the live broadcast of the author.
+Typically, an extra "Hear!" button will be seen just below the video area. Click on that to listen to the author speaking. If the //Geminar// video was currently playing, it would get paused. Viewers do NOT need any extra software. It works within the browser itself. Do not leave the page, though.
+====Payments====
+Audio Broadcasts are always paid by the author and never by the audience. Our home page has the current pricing: A tiny amount of credits are deducted for each minute of audio broadcast. The deduction is done at the end of the broadcast.
 ----
-[[faq|Frequently Asked Questions]] | [[tos|Terms of Service]] | [[privacy|Privacy Policy]] | [[For Authors]] | [[For Viewers]] | [[credits|About Credits]] | [[Beckoning Authors]]
+[[faq|Frequently Asked Questions]] | [[tos|Terms of Service]] | [[privacy|Privacy Policy]] | [[For Authors]] | [[For Viewers]] | [[Notifications]] | [[credits|About Credits]] | [[Beckoning Authors]]

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