How to listen to Retro Hit Radio Online
So what is aacPlus?
Many internet streams are in mp3 or wma format.
Our online stream is in aacPlus format, and is used for Digital Radio in many countries. We chose the "next generation" aacPlus format as it saves you a lot in monthly data costs, and the audio quality sounds close to FM radio!
We stream at 48000hz @ 32kbps. If you're interested to hear aacPlus compared to wma and mp3 streams at the same bitrate, why not listen to our stream demo. This file is about 30 seconds long, and cycles through each format every 5 seconds, in this order;
aacPlus > wma > mp3 > aacPlus > wma > mp3 > aacPlus
So if you listened online for an average of 3 hours a day, every day for a month, the average bandwidth cost each month might total about $1.45. We can only achieve this using aacPlus, which gives you a good quality stream to listen to, and costs a speck of dust.
Speakertest
We challenge you to plug your PC into your stereo system at home, and flick between your local FM stations and us. You'll find little difference in quality. Why not try our speakertest as well - if you're an enthusiast or have a 5.1 surround setup, then this audio file will come in handy. Here is the configuration;
Config changes every 4 seconds;
1. All speakers
2. Right Only ('beep' on left)
3. Left Only ('beep' on right)
4. Mono (or 'middle' in 5.1)
5. 5.1 rear speakers
6. 5.1 subwoofer
7. All speakers
Sounds good - so what do I need to listen to your aacPlus stream?
A media player on your computer. There are plenty out there with aacPlus decoding already built-in, along with mp3 and other formats. These are the recommended FREE media players by our tech-ferrets:
Winamp
Winamp is a popular and very versatile media player for Windows PC's. It has aacPlus decoding built-in, so Winamp Lite is our highest recommendation. [Download Link - scroll to the bottom to find "Lite"]
Bonus merit - The full version of Winamp is iPod friendly and can help you manage your music library all in one. [Download Link]
Foobar2000
We like Foobar2000, as it is an Open Source media player with all the bells and whistles. It is a smaller download too, and has aacPlus decoding built-in as well. [Download Link]
VLC Media Player
VLC is the media player we recommend you choose, if your operating system is MAC or Linux. You get aacPlus decoding built-in as well. [Download Link]
Windows Media Player
We do not recommend the default player on Windows PC's, as Windows Media Player does not know what aacPlus is, and will just sit there doing nothing unless you have an additional plugin to tell it what to do.
You can download and install the plugin if you wish by going here and completing the install process. Once done, you will see you have a tuner2 icon on your desktop after installation. Open this and search "Retro Hit Radio" as your station. The results will display for you to click. Windows Media Player will then be able to play our aacPlus stream.
Fairly complicated huh?
I have an iPhone - how can I listen to your stream?
Thanks to the efforts by these great people, here are a couple of great applications.
Tuner2 ($)
Listen to Retro Hit Radio on your iPhone, via Tuner2We are excited to announce that the team at Tuner2 have developed the first official iPhone application that is licensed by the developers of aacPlus! Point your iPhone to this address: http://is.gd/LsNO (we shortened it for you) to purchase and dowload the application from the iTunes store, or if you are viewing this page on your iPhone, then GO HERE. Once installed, just search us "retro hit radio" in the directory, and save us as a favourite.
FStream (free!)
The first iPhone application, developed in 2008 is FStream. You will need to download and install this to your iPhone or iTouch. This application is free.
The next step is to create a new 'favourite'. This is a manual process for now. In the URL field, you will need to copy this address exactly as follows: icyx://stream1.outcastdigital.com:8000/retro - make sure you save the title of the stream 'Retro Hit Radio' so you wont have to manually enter that address every time - then turn it up!
See the FStream English FAQ if you have any concerns with their software.
I don't have an iPhone, but still want to listen using my phone.
If your phone is a BlackBerry, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola, and even an iPhone - you're good to go! Pull up the browser in your phone and browse to the Moodio website: m.moodio.fm - create a FREE account, then simply search for Retro Hit Radio. Remember to add us as a favourite!
If you've already done this, and viewing this page on your phone, then simply click here
I'm still having trouble, or my office has blocked internet streaming
By this stage, there is very little we can do to guarantee you access to our stream. However, here is one more option to explore. You never know, it might just work.
Use your USB flash drive (if you have one)
If you can't install Winamp or Foobar onto your computer, it's likely you aren't allowed to or your IT department have restricted the computer from installing anything. While this is a good security measure, it stops you from installing the player that will ALLOW you to listen!
Never fear - if you have a USB flash drive, you can install 'portable' programs onto it!
Even better news, both Winamp and Foobar are available as portable versions! Give this a go.
Create a new folder on your USB, and call it "Portable Programs"
Create a new folder inside this directory and call it "Installers"
Download Portable Winamp or Portable Foobar to the new "Installers" folder on your USB.
click icon to download Portable Winamp
click icon to download Portable Foobar
Run the installer you downloaded. When it asks which directory to install the program, click browse and find your USB drive and the "Portable Programs" folder. Choose this, click OK.
When its finished installing, you can now launch the media player direct from your USB. Hopefully now, when you click our stream link, you will be prompted to choose a media player. Choose your portable player from the list, and hopefully the Retro goodness will fill your speakers/headphones.
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