SopCast 3.9.2

Overview

SopCast is a package to steam content over peer to peer (P2P) networks. Whether it is audio streams or video streams, the SopCast system can be used to share digital content over peer to peer networks without the need to upload the video content to a tube site like Vimeo or YouTube. One possible benefit of this is that the user is not held back by the content restrictions imposed on Vimeo and YouTube users who can see their recently released video removed by the administrators of such sites.

Radio stations can be streamed over SopCast as well. SopCast can also be used as a media player, so no other audio player is needed to listen to radio content or view videos either.

The buffering speeds for audio or video content is typically 10 to 30 seconds, so the content will begin to play fairly quickly using this software.

Access restrictions from firewall blocks and NAT systems that prevent the use of tube sites and peer to peer networks will no longer be an issue in 90 percent of cases with the use of SopCast.

Network performance over SopCast can also be reviewed in real-time so that a drop in broadcast quality can be noted early.

Installation

The software installation is straight forward, other than the bundling in of the Ask Toolbar adware which has to be declined to avoid its installation. The software requires either Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000, but likely will also run on newer versions too as the developer is still updating the software.

Interface

The SopCast interface comprises of a main console on the left and the SopCast Player on the right. The user can enter the Sop channel address in the address bar near the top of the console. There are tabs below the address bar for Home, Live channels, Rec. channels, MyServer, and FAQ. There are several buttons just below the tab bar and at the bottom of the console to control channel selection and playback. The player looks pretty similar to Windows Media Player.

Pros

• Real-time audio and video streaming over peer to peer networks
• Monitoring of network performance and broadcast quality in real-time
• Content buffering within 10-30 seconds
• Listen to radio stations
• SopCast can act as a media player
• Simple SopCast URL naming conversion (sop://) and (channel url)
• Firewall and NAT traversal which gets around 90% of content blocks and P2P blocking
• Low CPU usage and memory footprint
• Stream many types of files including WMV, MP3, ASF, RM and RMVB
• Encrypted messaging with end-to-end security
• SopPlayer and SopServer can run in Windows, Mac and Linux
• Android version now available

Cons

• Most likely best suited to experienced peer to peer users

Conclusion

SopCast is a useful peer to peer broadcasting system that does not require the user to upload some audio or video content to a tube site to share it.