Tune in to Internet radio

Are you looking for that perfect radio station—the one that plays all swing, all the time, or hip-hop for breakfast? There's a limit to how many stations can occupy the frequencies of any locale, but Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer 5.5 (both come with Windows Me) provide easy access to radio stations from around the world, including Internet-only radio. You could be typing in Tulsa while listening to techno from Tokyo!

Streaming media has changed the way broadcast audio is delivered. Unlike standard radio transmissions, data streams aren't shared by separate stations—so megawatt Goliaths won't overpower the smaller stations. Internet radio also offers crystal-clear reception, without interference from mountains, skyscrapers, or other towering obstacles that might block a broadcast signal. Lightning and other atmospheric phenomena have no disrupting effect on streaming media (unless an electrical storm knocks the power out).

Set up your stations
You can search for stations with Windows Media Player's Radio Tuner. Just open Windows Media Player, click the Radio Tuner button, and then specify a category and subcategory:

• Format. Choose Big Band, Oldies, Alternative Rock, etc.
• Band. Choose AM, FM, or Internet only.
• Language. Choose English, French, Finnish, etc.
• Location. Choose a country.
• Callsign. Enter the four-letter code that identifies the station, and then click Find.
• Frequency. Enter the numerical wavelength the radio station broadcasts on, if applicable, and then click Find.
• Keyword. Enter a description, such as "punk," "indie," or "old school," and then click Find.

When you click to select a station, the station's home page opens, and the station begins to play. You can even create presets, so that you can access your favorite stations from a single list.

Listen while you surf
With the Radio toolbar in Internet Explorer 5.5, you can easily configure a list of stations to listen to while you surf. This means you don't have to switch back and forth between Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player every time you want to change stations (for example, when a commercial comes on). Here's how to set up the Radio toolbar:

1. On the Internet Explorer 5.5 View menu, point to Toolbars, and then click Radio.
2. On the Radio toolbar, click Radio Stations, and then click Radio Station Guide.
3. Use the Presets list or the Station Finder to find a station, pick the station you want to hear, and then click the Play button.
4. To add the station to your Favorites list, click Radio Stations, and then click Add Station to Favorites.

If you want the Radio toolbar to open automatically when you start Internet Explorer, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. In the multimedia section, select the Always show Internet Explorer (5.0 or later) Radio toolbar check box.

As you explore the World Wide Web, you can travel the world of radio, too. For more information, be sure to check the WindowsMedia.com Web site.