OpenBroadcaster

Not to be confused with Open Broadcaster Software.
OpenBroadcaster
Original author(s)Robert G. Hopkins
Developer(s)OpenBroadcaster Community
Initial release1 January 2003 (22 years ago) (2003-01-01)
Stable release
5.3.1 / 18 November 2022; 2 years ago (2022-11-18)
Repository
Written inJavaScript, jQuery, HTML5, Python, PHP,
Operating systemLinux
PlatformIA-32, x86-64, ARM
Available in11 languages
List of languages
Spanish, English, Estonian, French, German, Thai, Chinese, Bangla, Hindi, Nepali, Portuguese
TypeRadio Broadcast Automation Software Broadcast Automation Emergency Alert System Live Streaming
LicenseAGPL-3.0-or-later
Websiteopenbroadcaster.com

OpenBroadcaster is a web-based, open-source system to run community radio and television broadcast transmitters with a simple web interface.

History

The initial concept was to develop a web based radio system to run emergency messages and public service announcements for export to Africa by using a windup radio designed by Trevor Baylis.[1] . It was part of a Yukon College[2] innovation project originating from Tagish Yukon Territory Canada.

On Labour Day weekend, 1997 CFET-FM 106.7FM was launched,[3] for the benefit of communities in Tagish, Johnson's Crossing and Marsh Lake, YT. It was a one-man operation, but local volunteers could record material for sending to the station via the internet for broadcast. The system was used for the community's local emergency population warning[4] for instantaneous relay of Yukon Forestry Service alerts for Wildfire[5][6] situations. 2004 CFET-FM Radio began using OpenBroadcaster for User Generated Radio followed by CJUC-FM[7][8] forming a Yukon network of radio stations. Similar models of indigenous community radio networks[9] are supported nationally for language revitalization.[10]

Version history

Version Features Released
1.0 Shared Play lists, Scheduling, User assigned show templates and unattended emergency broadcasting. 2003-01-01
2.0 Multiple device, visual playback, support as a Joomla extension. 2008-01-01
3.0 AJAX, Python, jQuery, JSON on a Model–view–controller framework. 2009-01-01
4.0 Full blown API, HTML 5, Gstreamer, Festival tts, Modular programming environment to create plugins, skinnable UI themes.

OBPlayer Xubuntu Gtk GUI and Headless software playout Streaming media application supports unattended priority emergency notification system.

2012-01-01
4.1 Common Alerting Protocol emergency broadcasting. Touch Screen LIVE Assist controller built on a HTML5 Mobile framework. 2015-07-01
5.0 Multicast RTP with Livewire and Ravenna AoIP support. YouTube Live streaming to a Content delivery network. 2018-01-27

Components

  • OBServer: HTML5 AJAX web application for uploading content, creating smart playlists, managing users, assigning users to timeslots and for scheduling music. Decentralized file storage with centralized cloud computing management.
  • OBPlayer: Linux application with GUI for logging and managing devices connected to transmitters, digital screens and supported devices accessible through a secure http(s) admin panel. Supports Audio over IP Ravenna (networking).
  • Mobile: Cross platform application written in PhoneGap to allow users the ability to pitch electronic money to performers and artists in real time.

Practical Uses

Audio

Source client for Icecast Shoutcast streaming media server, LPFM and under regulated radio, Smart music scheduling system to microbroadcast theme based music segments for restaurants and public spaces, Tourism Radio with Audio tour GPS coded triggering for multicultural visitor experience, tourist information and highway advisory radio, User Determined Music Discovery Service, Dynamic Podcast assembler, Logging and archiving, Community radio Campus radio and High school radio networking, Special interest multicultural media in Canada broadcasters, Syndicated in store advertising and public address distribution, Music on hold for telephone systems, Computer DJ Crowdcasting Community Jukebox, Source for interplanetary Active SETI, RDS and Datacasting to remotely control Addressability devices with Crisis mapping, Song Requester 100% user-controlled radio.

Video

Low power Community television, under regulated TV service, User generated Community channel (Canada) on Cable TV, User Generated Adult Entertainment Channel[11] Digital signage and visitor information, Analogue and Digital source material distribution and archiving for display in museums, Video on demand with podcasting utilizing digital rights management, Out-of-home advertising via shopping mall directories and digital menu boards with point-of-purchase promotions.

See also

References

  1. ^ Thompson, John (2010-02-10). "Tagish techie dreams big about small radio". Yukon News. professes that he couldn't code his way out of a wet paper bag
  2. ^ Steele, Rick (2004-10-13). "YTIC Brings You Taiwanese Opera". Yukon College. there will be an all-Country, all-hurtin'-music radio station on the Ganges
  3. ^ Careless, James (2003-11-22). "Pirate Wins Government Approval to Broadcast in Yukon". Radio World International. Describing his technical education as derived "from reading discarded Popular Science magazines"
  4. ^ "Barix IP Audio Devices Gain Popularity in Radio and TV EAS Applications". Barix AG. 2007-04-12.
  5. ^ Macpherson, Erin (2001-09-13). "Enhanced Communication using a Real-Time Environment". Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. relaying critical voice and data information more efficiently thereby enabling resources and personnel to be utilized to their full potential
  6. ^ "Barix Provides Yukon Connection". Radio World International. 2007-02-15. reliable means of communicating emergency information
  7. ^ Polonsky, Bill (2005-04-22). "There's a new kid in town". What's Up Yukon. The key was to find a way to do remote broadcasting without someone having to be in a control room
  8. ^ Bramadat-Willcock, Michael (2018-03-21). "Powering Community Media North of 60". Whats Up Yukon. The audience gets to participate and choose programming they actually want to hear from comfort of their homes
  9. ^ Harnack, Kirk (2018-03-23). "TWiRT 388 - Open Broadcaster with Rob Hopkins". TWiRT. community broadcasters are using free, open-source software
  10. ^ Lamb-Yorski, Monica (2017-12-15). "The Tsilhqot'in National Government is developing a radio station to promote language revitalization and create unity". Williams Lake Tribune. The audience and these guys can run their network of radio stations from any web browser
  11. ^ Ladurantaye, Steve (2013-09-03). "Why this Yukoner asked the CRTC to license a user generated porn channel". The Globe and Mail. save time and money and let a computer do the work and run your television station with user-generated content