>>>>>Hi All,
>>>>>
>>>>>I have usually programmed using VFP but the app I am now involved with seems to need to be multi-threaded and Fox doesn't do that.
>>>>>
>>>>>I need to stream via multicast, multiple live audio streams over a local intranet. We will need both server and player software and my boss is pretty hot about getting it done. This is not a school project, monies will be paid to qualified programmers.
>>>>
>>>>A quick Google search found at least one open-source project that seems it can do this:
>>>>
>>>>http://www.videolan.org/
>>>
>>>Hi Al,
>>>
>>>Thanks for the response.
>>>
>>>Already tried VLC. I need multiple channels and VLC's latency was too high. Fact is VLC is my primary player.
>>>
>>>I've tried both Windows and Linux solutions (icecast, shoutcast, darwin, etc.) The best I have been able to accomplish is using multiple Windows Media Encoder sessions with multiple USB audio devices. I got it to run 16 channels with 1 second latency.
>>>
>>>AudioTX Multiplex Server was the most elegant solution I've found so far but their pricing started at $3995.00 and goes up depending on the licensing. They had a fine demo, though.
>>
>>Can you explain further why you need low latency? What are you trying to do?
>>
>>One area where I think low latency might be desirable would be in the security/surveillance business. I don't know if there are any low-cost or open-source solutions there but it might be worth checking out.
>>
>>Hmm, I *only just* noticed you're talking about audio, rather than video (somehow I read video instead of audio in your first message). Took a look at your site - looks like you're already in the audio narrowcast business, but not yet over IP - maybe that's what you're trying to get into?
>>
>>If that's the case maybe you could check out VOIP PBXs like Asterix. I don't know much about them but I imagine they have conference-call capabilities, and they should be well-optimized for low latency on *2-way* conference communications, thanks to the requirements of telephone conversations. In comparison, one-way multicasting should be a piece of cake for a system like that.
>
>Hi Al,
>
>OK and with no NDA here's the 411.
>
>Real world example - LDS church General Conference - foreign visitors are afforded personal receivers to hear real time translated audio of the event. That is why multi channel low latency is an imperative.
>
>I've alteady looked into VOIP and PBX and DSP systems but the boss doesn't want to build it, just to buy it.
>
>I think that in the long run we will have to build another receiver to make this work. That is where the biggest cost will be.
>
>My current interest is with WinChat and VoiceChat C# programs I am looking to merge to do the server side.
>
>That is why I'm looking for a proficent C# programmer.

OK, thanks for the clarification.

As to buy instead of build, my understanding is some vendors have taken Asterix and made a turnkey/appliance solution out of it e.g. TrixBox ( http://www.trixbox.org/ ). Maybe you could ask them if it's possible, and what it would cost, for them to create a custom appliance for you.