"Radiko.jp" challenge that distributes the radio almost 100%

■ Expanded from Osaka to Kanto / Kansai area

Editorial Department: First, please tell us about the intention to distribute IP Simal.

Editorial Department: I heard that the test distribution was being conducted in Osaka before the test distribution.

Aoki: The IP Simal Radio Council was launched in December 2009, but before this, the "IP Radio Research Council" launched by six radio stations in Dentsu and Osaka in April 2007.I have.Here, we were conducting experiments to resend radio stations in Osaka online.

Editorial Department: What kind of experiment was specifically?

Aoki: Delivery uses IPv6's multicast technology for distribution, and for those who join NTT Nishi -Japanese's "FLET'S Hikari Premium" in connection with IPv6, it is a 1,000 -only monitor.I did it.

Miyazawa: Because it was limited to 1,000 people, I did not announce it very much.

Editorial Department: After this experiment, did you spread to Kansai and Kanto next?

Miyazawa: Even on local radio, there are times when the programs sent from key stations in Tokyo may be played, so even in Osaka experiments, the Tokyo Key Bureau will be involved in the experiment indirectly due to content supply.I was.

Aoki: As the area expands, the distribution technology has adopted IPv4 unicast from the multicast of IPv6.This allows anyone to access.

Editorial Department: What was the response of the test distribution in Osaka?

Aoki: We conducted a questionnaire, "How do you feel about listening to the radio on a PC?"I used IPv6, so I was expecting people with high PC literacy as a monitor, so I expected that FM music programs would be popular, but opened the lid.If you look at the AM radio, such as the AM radio, such as the MBS radio Atsushi Hamamura, and the ABC radio, the AM radio was surprisingly popular.

Editorial Department: How many repercussions after announcing this time to expand the area in Kanto and Kansai this time?

Miyazawa: Before the announcement, I was worried, "What if nobody accesses me?" (Laughs), but I am surprised that there is a response beyond our imagination.

■ Compatible with simultaneous access of tens of thousands of people

Editorial Department: If the expectation is so high, I think that the test distribution access will be quite large, but how much simultaneous access can be used systematically?

Editorial Department: This time, IPv4 unicast is used. For example, was the distribution system using P2P technology considered?

Aoki: I considered it, but I was a little uneasy as a system, so I use IPv4 this time.

Miyazawa: For the Internet distribution, we have been consulting and coordinating with the right holder over the years, and there is a current form by proceeding one step at a time, so if you use other technologies, another problem that must be cleared.Will come out.The best technology at the moment, including that aspect, is IPv4.In addition, P2P has some parts of the right holder who copies data more and more, and does not have the impression that content goes out to the part where the control is not effective.IPv4 unicasts and IPv6 multicasts have a sense of security of one -on -one distribution.

Editorial Department: What is the distribution system itself?

Miyazawa: There is an encoding center facility that will be a master of distribution data, which receives the sound source of the broadcast in bulk.Therefore, the broadcast of each station is received in real time, encoded in a lump, and passed to the distribution server.

Editorial Department: Both the sound quality of the AM/FM/shortwaves are set to the stereo of HE-AAC 48kbps, how was this decided?

Miyazawa: It is a number that was determined as a rule in this experiment, but it was decided that it would be good if it had this much sound quality.The bit rate of each station is equal because the membership fee (the IP Simal Radio Council) is shared, including the burden on the equipment.As a result of the test distribution, if there is a response such as "I want to listen for a long time if the sound of FM is better," may be adjusted to the bit rate distribution among each station in the future.not.

Aoki: Regarding the sound quality, I often answer "Chaku -Uta Full Level".It is not the sound quality that is stressful while listening.On the contrary, I think that AM feels a beautiful sound.Aside from those who are particular about sound quality, I felt that it was a "good sound" when we listened to it on a PC.

Editorial Department: Radiko to hear.It is a system that accesses JP and uses a player made by Flash. Is it possible to output this audio with analog and record?

Aoki: Private recording is as good as a normal radio.

Miyazawa: Radiko.I think it is difficult to provide some recording (preservation) functions on the JP player side due to the problem with the right holder.

■ Almost 100%Serimal distribution is scheduled

Editorial Department: If the broadcast is to be distributed as it is, I think it is difficult to process rights, such as songs and performers contracts.

Aoki: Regarding music, we have a permission and understanding with the rights with the right holder.。The broadcast content will be almost 100%Serimal, but there are some content that is difficult to distribute right, such as the World Cup for Sports, for example, and in that case it will be a pause.The concept of distributing the same as the broadcast is the concept, so I do not consider replacing it with a different content.

Miyazawa: In terms of contracting with talent, I think it is individual to make a contract between radio station and talent for use other than program broadcasting.However, we have understood many aspects of this test distribution and have said, "We will cooperate fully."

■ Reasons for area restrictions

Editorial Department: Please tell us about the restrictions.First of all, this test distribution is for PC, but is there a possibility that you can listen to smartphones or mobile phones such as iPhone 3G/3GS?

Miyazawa: Since we have been discussing and preparing for PCs so far, it is for PC at first, but I would like to support various devices as soon as possible.As an image, I think that smartphones can respond to when they are not so far, but when it comes to mobile phones, another element may be involved.

Editorial Department: Is there any plan to publish the address of the streaming file that is conducting test distribution to increase the number of compatible devices so that you can listen to it on existing Internet radio terminals?

Miyazawa: In the test distribution, Radiko on a PC.You only have to access JP and launch and listen to Flash players.

Editorial Department: In this distribution, there is an area limit that the area of the access source is determined from the IP address and cannot access the distribution page from outside the broadcast area.Why is this?

Miyazawa: The radio broadcasting station has been doing business for a certain area according to the broadcast license for 50 years.It is important to have the benefits of breaking it and doing new things.

Editorial Department: Rather than delaying the Simal distribution time by clearing the area limit, there are problems such as leaving the radio, so it was the most important thing to start now.

Miyazawa: That's right.

Editorial Department: Is there any reason why NHK is not included in this distribution bureau?

Miyazawa: There is no particular reason, but there is a slightly different area of the area and the rights of the right holder between commercial broadcasting and NHK.However, it is not at all that NHK does not do it, and I will talk about it in the future.

■ 6 months to set up a prospect of a business

Editorial Department: IP distribution is possible, for example, I think there is a possibility that radio can be enjoyed even on TV or digital recorders connected to the Internet.

Miyazawa: That's right.I think the more equipment you can hear, the better.The radio can flow from the refrigerator, bath, and toilet seats (laughs).

Editorial Department: I think it will be possible to distribute video in the future, but if it becomes multifunctional, will it be difficult to differentiate from future digital radio?

Miyazawa: It may be no longer distinct, but I think that the radio waves are excellent in terms of transportation and bulk -like cells, so it will be divided by devices and places to listen to. maybe.

Editorial Department: What kind of results do you expect about this test distribution? What kind of results can be said to be successful?

Miyazawa: In order to prevent hearing loss, if each radio station pays costs and keeps the distribution environment, it is difficult to maintain and expand, so it is important whether it will be established as a business as a mechanism.

Aoki: So, there is no monetization (monetization) during the test distribution, but for example, when the program is announcing a ticket sales, a banner to the detailed page is issued and the difference in the number of customers attracts.You may see or do experiments for the future.

Miyazawa: At present, the client has a positive reaction, so I think that it can be expected to some extent once it starts.

Aoki: It's also the same thing that all advertisers bring a radio receiver.I think the radio is good, but I don't usually listen to it, and sometimes I don't have a receiver around me.By performing the test distribution, you can listen to the radio as long as you have a PC.Then you may be a fan of the radio and reconfirm the goodness of the radio media.I'm looking forward to it.