Streaming Encoder Setup

Section 15: Streaming Encoder Setup

Live365 Encoder Connection

To set up NextKast with Live365, follow these simple steps:

1. Log in to Live365:
   • Go to the Live365 website and log in to your account.
   • Navigate to your station’s status screen.
2. Access Live DJ Settings:
   • Click on the “Sources” tab.
   • Select “Live DJ.”
3. Configure NextKast Broadcast Settings:
   • Open NextKast and click the “Broadcast Settings” button.
   • Set the encoder to Encoder 1.
   • Choose the type as Live 365 2017, which is the new format for Live365.
4. Enter Encoder Details:
   • Copy the Host Name from the Live365 website and paste it into the “Server Path” in NextKast.
   • Copy the Port Number and paste it into the appropriate field.
   • Copy the Mount Point and paste it in the “Mount Point” field.
   • Ensure the Username is set to “source.”
   • Copy your Password and paste it into the “Password” field.
5. Save and Enable the Encoder:
   • After entering each detail, click Save to ensure the settings are stored.
   • Enable the encoder and select “Auto Reconnect” to handle any network interruptions automatically.
6. Load Your Rotation:
   • Load a rotation and start broadcasting.
   • Adjust the volume if needed for licensing purposes.
7. Optional Information:
   • Enter your station name, website, genre, and description if required.
   • For TuneIn integration, enter your Station ID, Partner ID, and Partner Key if you have an account. Do not enable this if you do not have a TuneIn account.

By following these steps, you’ll be successfully connected to Live365 using NextKast.

Connecting to Other Stream Providers

To connect to other stream providers using NextKast, follow the steps below:

1. Obtain Server Information:
   • Get the email from your stream service provider (e.g., Shoutcast, Icecast) containing details such as the IP address, port, server type, and bitrate.
2. Open NextKast Broadcast Settings:
   • Go to the “Broadcast Settings” window in NextKast.
   • Select the appropriate encoder (e.g., Encoder 1).
3. Select Server Type:
   • Choose the server type you’re using:
     • Shoutcast Version 1 or 2
     • Live365
     • Icecast Version 1 or 2
4. Enter Required Details:
   • For Shoutcast Version 1:
     • Enter the Server Path and Port Number.
     • Input your Password.
   • For Shoutcast Version 2:
     • Enter the Server Path, Port Number, and Stream ID (usually a value from 1 upwards).
   • For Icecast Version 1 or 2:
     • Enter the Server Path, Port Number, and Mount Point (e.g., /mount).
     • Input your Password.
5. Additional Information:
   • Enter your station or stream name, URL, genre, and description.
   • Check the “Make Public” option to list the stream in the public directory, if desired.
   • Select “Auto Reconnect” to handle any connection interruptions automatically.
   • Make sure to select the correct Audio Format (e.g., MP3 or AAC+) and the appropriate Bitrate that matches your server’s settings.

By following these steps, you can easily set up NextKast to connect with any supported streaming provider, ensuring a smooth live broadcast to your audience.

Additional Information for Internet Radio Setup

NextKast is specifically designed for internet radio and includes built-in encoders to push your stream to Shoutcast1 and 2, IceCast 1 and 2, and Live365. It also features a section for automatically pushing song title and artist information to TuneIn.com.

• Setting Up Encoders:
  • It is crucial to set the encoder type correctly based on the details provided by your stream provider, such as server path, server type, and password. Enter these details in the appropriate boxes in the Broadcast Settings screen.
  • Ensure the ‘Enable Encoder’ checkbox is checked and the ‘Auto Re-connect’ option is enabled. Select the correct bitrate and encode type.
  • For Shoutcast2, enter the SID (normally ‘1’). For Icecast2 and Shoutcast2, modify the source and source password boxes only if not using the default account.
• Output to Broadcast Soundcard:
  • For stations broadcasting to a separate transmitter, the ‘Output to broadcast soundcard’ checkbox sends the same audio going to the encoder to a second sound card. This allows for in-studio previewing of tracks and voice tracks without interrupting the audio feed to the transmitter.
• TuneIn API Integration:
  • If using the TuneIn API (please contact TuneIn.com for details), make sure to enter the StationID, PartnerID, and Partner Key.

Statistical Relays

A statistical relay is a method used to gather real-time listener statistics from your streaming server. It collects data, such as the current listener count and stream status, directly from the server, ensuring that accurate listener statistics are reported back to your broadcasting software (such as NextKast). This is particularly useful for understanding listener engagement and maintaining accurate records of your station’s audience.

1. Open Encoder Settings:
   • Go to the “Broadcast Settings” in NextKast.
   • Select the encoder you wish to configure.
2. Configure the Statistical Relay:
   • Each encoder can be configured to call a special URL to retrieve the listener count from your streaming server (e.g., Icecast or Shoutcast).
   • Enter the URL provided by your stream provider in the custom stats call field. If you do not have this URL, ask your stream provider for the correct URL to use for obtaining listener statistics.
3. Use the Listener Statistics:
   • Once set up, NextKast will regularly query the server using the specified URL to obtain real-time listener statistics.
   • This data can then be used to monitor your station’s performance and make informed decisions about your broadcast strategy.

Setting up a statistical relay ensures that you always have the most up-to-date listener data, helping you optimize your broadcasts and potentially increase audience engagement.