Listen to 88.1 WKNC online!

NEW!! Artist and Song Title information is now displayed on our streams!

Hey not all song artist/title info shows up in my streaming client!

Select an Ogg Stream

Low quality (Modem users)
Medium quality (Broadband)
High quality (On campus or other very high speed connections)


Select an MP3 Stream

Low quality (Modem users)
Medium quality (Broadband)
High quality (On campus or other very high speed connections)

WKNC is now streaming audio in the Ogg and MP3 format using Icecast technology! The Ogg stream is highly recommended for its superior sound quality and open, patent free format, but fewer players currently support it. You need to insure that you have proper streaming software installed before you can listen to the stream. Recommended software is listed below.

Select the link with the desired format and quality above. Two things can happen: (1) your browser automatically launch the associated program or (2) your browser will ask you to select a program to launch.

Depending on what software you have configured, you may see a very different screen. Select the proper software, and proceed. The software will then buffer the stream and begin to play it.

    Recommended Software:

  • Windows: Winamp (www.winamp.com) Note: Ogg isn't supported in the Lite version. Get at least the Free Full version.
  • Linux: XMMS (www.xmms.org) Note: Some linux distributions supply XMMS without mp3 support. Try the ogg stream.
  • Mac: VLC 0.8.2 or later (www.videolan.org/vlc) Note: VLC is supported on all platforms, but is especially recommended for Macs.
  • Mac (mp3 only): iTunes (www.apple.com/itunes) Note: iTunes doesn't support Ogg streaming. Try VLC and see below for detials.

Ogg Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ogg

Ogg, or more specifically Ogg Vorbis, is a completely open, patent-free, professional audio encoding and streaming technology with all the benefits of Open Source. More information about Ogg Vorbis can be found at vorbis.com

Why use Ogg

In many cases the audio quality of Ogg is better than that of mp3 at a similar bitrate. While at higher bitrates they both sound quite good, Ogg excels at the lower bitrates. Listen for yourself to compare the low and medium quality Ogg and mp3 streams.

While Audio quality is usually the primary concern of the listener, it is really only a secondary reason Ogg exists. Ogg is a completely open and patent free technology. mp3, on the other hand is closed and patented. Due to licensing restrictions and fees on the mp3 format many applications are beginning to support Ogg Vorbis in favor of mp3.

How can I listen to the Ogg stream

In Windows, Winamp is recommended. You must download at least the Free Full version, as the Lite version doesn't include Ogg support. Alternatively, if you would like to use Windows Media Player or another DirectShow capable player, you can download the DirectShow Filters for Ogg Vorbis. Other players such as Zinf, Foobar2000, and VLC also support Ogg.

Linux is based on free open source software, so in many distributions, the closed patented mp3 format is not supported. However, most distributions already come with support for Ogg. Look for XMMS, Helix Player, Zinf, or VLC in your distribution to play the Ogg streams.

For the Mac, unfortunately iTunes doesn't support Ogg Vorbis. It can play the mp3 streams fine, but to listen to the Ogg stream you'll need another program. The player I have tested and recommend for playing the Ogg stream on the Mac is VLC. There is a QuickTime component to allow you to play Ogg Vorbis files in iTunes, but it doesn't support streaming.

For the latest news on programs supporting Ogg Vorbis, check out vorbis.com


If you have any questions or comments about the webcasting, please email webcast@wknc.org