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Audio
Streaming Frequently Asked Questions 
How do users connect to the broadcasts?
What kind of technical support
does Stretch provide?
Why does Stretch use QuickTime?
How is the sound quality?
How many listeners can tune in
to the webcasts?
Can we broadcast two events
happening at the same time?
Does Stretch provide a money-back
guarantee?
Are there any long-term contracts?
What equipment do we need?
Can we charge listeners?
Can we include our advertisements
during the broadcasts?
How much do other streaming
companies charge?
Can we simulcast our
radio broadcasts over the Internet?
How do users connect
to the broadcasts?
We provide you with a simple bit of HTML code to
copy and paste on your web site. That "embeds"
your broadcast schedule on your web site, complete
with all of the necessary links for listeners to
download QuickTime, contact us for technical support
and, of course, listen to the broadcasts. We leave
the creation of a broadcast schedule page up to
you for two reasons: 1) it allows complete freedom
for you to make changes as necessary, and 2) users
go through your web site (rather than our's) to
launch the broadcast...we want the experience to
be as seamless as possible for your listeners.
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What
kind of technical support does Stretch provide?
Stretch provides unlimited phone and e-mail support
to its member schools and organizations. We also
provide e-mail support to your listeners. We don’t
expect you to have the time or expertise to help
listeners who are experiencing any type of problems
with the webcast. Your broadcast page has a link
to our outstanding support page and includes our
support e-mail address. We respond to most support
e-mails within 10 minutes.
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Why does
Stretch use QuickTime?
Quite simply to save you money. Unlike other streaming
servers, QuickTime Streaming Server does not charge
"per-stream" license fees. That means
we can offer streaming to an unlimited number of
listeners without raising our fee. QuickTime also
offers many other benefits, such as the creation
of customized ad-based interfaces. And though QuickTime
is an Apple product, QuickTime 6 was downloaded
more than 350 million times, with 98% of those downloads
by PC users (at a rate of over 10 million per month).
For more on the "QuickTime advantage,"
visit
the QuickTime web site.
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How is the
sound quality?
Our broadcasts are remarkably clear and audible,
assuming we're getting a decent feed from your end.
We use the Qualcomm PureVoice codec, which encodes
audio at exceptionally low bit rates while providing
exceptionally clear audio. To ensure high-quality
results, we work with each school or organization
individually to fine-tune the sound. We will run
several tests before your first broadcast to make
sure the audio is as good as it gets.
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How many
listeners can tune in to the webcasts?
Stretch utilizes relay streaming servers to accommodate
an unlimited number of listeners. Your listeners
will never encounter buffering or "choppy"
audio.
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Can
we broadcast two events happening at the same time?
Yes! We have several secondary systems that we can
utilize for simultaneous broadcasts. We just ask
that you give us advance notice so that we can provide
you with a secondary dial-in number.
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Does Stretch
provide a money-back guarantee?
Yes. If you’re unhappy with our service, we’ll
give you a prorated refund, based on your targeted
number of total broadcasts. For example, if you
had scheduled 50 broadcasts and you cancel your
service 10 games into the schedule, we'll give you
an 80 percent refund.
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Are
there any long-term contracts?
Unlike several streaming services, Stretch does
not lock in teams or schools to lengthy contracts.
Schools that want to take advantage of the $1,999
first-year special must sign a two-year contract.
Service is negotiated on a year-by-year basis after
the initial contract expires.
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What equipment
do we need?
You don't need ANY additional equipment beyond the
standard broadcasting gear. It's as simple as dialing
into our server when you're ready to broadcast and
we take it from there. We have streamed several
webcasts that originated from nothing more than
a cell phone with a standard $25 headset (and the
quality was good!). Of course, more elaborate professional
mixers and headsets will allow for studio sound,
but even the most basic equipment will provide an
excellent audio broadcast. Stretch can suggest several
alternatives, depending on your budget. Our "Get
in the Game" package includes all the equipment
you'll need for just $199. We have also joined forces
with Broadcast Supply Worldwide to secure preferred
pricing on every item they carry.
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Can we
charge listeners?
Not currently. Stretch's credo is to make streaming
so affordable for schools and organizations that
fans don't have to pick up the tab.
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Can we include
our advertisements during the broadcasts?
The "airtime" is your's. That means you
can run as many advertising spots as you wish. And
don't forget that you also can incorporate unlimited
rotating banner ads into the QuickTime interface.
Stretch does reserve the right, on occasion, to
utilize the interface for spot advertisements, though
we will never run ads that conflict with your sponsors.
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How
much do other streaming companies charge?
Stretch is the one and only audio streaming company
to incorporate unlimited annual streaming for a
one-time fee. Other companies charge schools per-game
fees that range from $100 to $250 (check
out our comparison chart). Or worse...they charge
fans to listen to their favorite schools or teams.
We don't think fans should have to pick up the tab.
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Can
we simulcast our radio broadcasts over the Internet?
In almost every case, Stretch can fluidly simulcast
radio broadcasts over the web. As long as the radio
station has an available phone line that can be
patched into the live, on-air feed, Stretch can
transmit the audio over the web. About 75 percent
of our members have radio simulcasts, so we're very
experienced at working with radio stations.
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