Resellers Account Editors Interface

Account Editors Interface (for User Accounts)


A “User account” could more accurately be described as a “stream account” -- each user account corresponds to precisely one audio stream.

Centova Cast provides access to a wide range of settings for each user account which are broken down into several tabbed sheets. Some settings may differ based on the type of streaming server or streaming  source installed on your server, and these differences are noted below.


The following tabs are available:


1. Stream


The stream tab includes general settings that will be required for virtually all accounts.

These include:

Hostname
Specifies the hostname for this server. This is used by the streaming server to generate selfreferencing links, and must be specified. If no hostname is configured in DNS for this server, you should enter server's IP address here.


IP address
Specifies the IP address on which the streaming server should listen.


Port
Specifies the port number on which the streaming server should listen.

SHOUTcast note: SHOUTcast requires two ports, and will use the specified port number and the following port number. For example, if you specify port 8000, ShoutCast will use ports 8000 and 8001.


Stream title
Specifies the title for the stream. This will be displayed by listeners' media players when they tune into the stream.


E-mail address
Specifies the client's E-mail address. Centova Cast will automatically send notifications to this address when necessary.


Company/organization
Specifies the company/organization or client to whom this stream belongs.


Website URL
Specifies the URL to the web site associated with this stream (if any).


Source password
Specifies the password required by streaming sources to connect to this stream and begin broadcasting.


Administrator password
Specifies the password required to login to Centova Cast or the streaming server's internal administrative interface.


Time zone
Specifies your time zone. This will affect the display of times in areas such as the Scheduled Playlist editor.


Character encoding
Specifies your preferred character encoding. MP3 audio files do not contain any information about the language or “character set” in which they were encoded, so if you are using a non-Latin character set (Russian, etc.), you will need to set your character encoding appropriately to ensure that all of the letters in the alphabet of your language are interpreted correctly from your media.

2. Limits

The limits page configures the limits and restrictions imposed on the stream.

Options include:

Maximum listeners
Specifies the maximum number of concurrent listeners for this stream. The streaming server will never allow more than this number of listeners to be tuned in at the same time.


Maximum bit rate
Specifies the maximum bit rate for this stream, in kilobits per second (kbps). The autoDJ will be configured such that it cannot exceed this bit rate.

To enforce the bit rate on live broadcasts as well, Centova Cast will periodically check each stream and if the live broadcast is exceeding the bit rate limit, it will shut down the server (without suspending it) and send a notification E-mail to the stream owner and administrator.


Transfer limit
Specifies the maximum monthly data transfer limit for this stream, in megabytes (MB). Centova Cast automatically keeps track of the amount of data transfer used by each stream each month, and will perform the actions defined in your master settings if a stream exceeds this limit.


Disk quota
Specifies the maximum amount of disk space that this account may consume. This includes all data for the account, including logs, playlists, and media such as MP3 files for hosts with server-side streaming sources.

Centova Cast automatically keeps track of the disk usage for each stream, and will perform the actions defined in your master settings if a stream exceeds this limit.


Port 80 proxy
Specifies whether the client is allowed to use Centova Cast's internal port 80 proxy. Please refer to the section on Port 80 Proxying for more information about this feature, and the potentially adverse effects it may have on your web server.


3. AutoDJ
The AutoDJ tab includes options for configuring an autoDJ for the stream. These settings are only required if the client will be permitted to upload media (MP3 files, etc.) to the server. If the client will be providing his own, offsite source (such as SAM Broadcaster) and broadcasting live, then the autoDJ should be disabled. More information is provided in the AutoDJs section below.

Options include:


AutoDJ status
Specifies whether the server-side streaming source should be enabled. Options include:

● Prohibited (stream MUST use an offsite source): If selected, autoDJ support will be entirely disabled for this account. In this case, the client must provide his own source (such as WinAmp with the Oddcast plugin, or SAM Broadcaster).
● Permitted, but disabled: If selected, sautoDJ support will be turned off by default, but the client may turn it on if he chooses. This allows the client to switch from a live source to the autoDJ on demand.
● Permitted and enabled: If selected, autoDJ support will be turned on by default, but the client may turn it off if he chooses. This allows the client to switch from the autoDJ to a live source on demand.

Note: that if the autoDJ is enabled, but no media (eg: MP3 files) have been uploaded, or media has not been added to an enabled playlist, the server will fail to start. As such, be sure to upload at least one track, and add one or more tracks to an enabled General Rotation playlist, before
starting the server with autoDJ support enabled.


Rebuild playlist on startup
Specifies whether the playlist should be rebuilt automatically every time the server is started or restarted. If enabled, Centova Cast will re-index the client's media library and build a new playlist every time the server is started or restarted. If disabled, the same playlist will always be used unless the client manually updates it.

Note: that if no playlist exists, Centova Cast will always build one regardless of this setting. Also note that when Centova Cast is operating with realtime track scheduling support (i.e., when using ices-cc), this setting will be ignored or hidden.


Randomize playlist
Specifies whether the playlist should be randomized automatically by the streaming source.

Note: that when Centova Cast is operating with realtime track scheduling support (i.e., when using ices-cc), this setting will be ignored or hidden.


Mount point
Note: this option is only available when using the ices streaming source software, and does not appear when using sc_trans.

Specifies the mount point to which the streaming source should connect. If unsure, simply set this to /stream as a default value.


Channels
Specifies the number of channels to use in the audio stream. Use Mono for a mono stream, Stereo for a stereo stream, or Auto to play each track as it was recorded.

If set to any value other than Auto, transcoding will be enabled which will significantly increase the CPU usage of the stream.

Sample Rate
Specifies the sample rate for your stream in hertz. If set to Auto, each track will be played as it was recorded.

If set to any value other than 0, transcoding will be enabled which will significantly increase the
CPU usage of the stream.


Crossfade length
Specifies the duration in seconds of cross-fades between tracks, or 0 to disable cross-fading.

If set to any value other than 0, transcoding will be enabled which will significantly increase the CPU usage of the stream.


Mount point
Note: this option may or may not be available depending on the server and source software being used. This option is used for IceCast servers only.

Specifies the mount point to which the streaming source should connect. If unsure, simply set this to /stream as a default value.


Description
Note: this option may or may not be available depending on the server software being used.

Specifies a description for your stream, which is used when submitting metadata to various directories.


4. Start Page
The Start Page tab includes options for configuring the stream “start page” provided by Centova Cast
for each stream.

Activate start page
Specifies whether or not the start page will be available for this stream.

Enable song request widget
Specifies whether or not the Song Request widget will be enabled (both on the start page, and as a code snippet) for this stream. If enabled, users may use the song request widget to request songs, and the requests will be sent to your E-mail address.

Enable on-demand content widget
Specifies whether or not the On-Demand Content widget will be enabled (both on the start page, and as a code snippet) for this stream. If enabled, Centova Cast will provide a media browser with which the visitor can browse, download, or stream any media that the client has published in his “ondemand” folder.

Enable recent tracks widget
Specifies whether or not the Recent Tracks widget will be enabled (both on the start page, and as a code snippet) for this stream. If enabled, Centova Cast will provide a list of tracks and authors which have played recently on this stream. If the client has an Amazon.com access key ID, this feature can also display album covers for each track.

Number of recent tracks
Specifies the number of tracks which will be shown in the Recent Tracks widget.

Enable Google Maps widget
Specifies whether or not the start page will use Google Maps to plot the geographic locations of the stream's listeners on a world map in realtime. This option requires a Google Maps API key to be configured in the Centova Cast settings.

Amazon access key ID
Specifies the client's Amazon.com access key ID. If specified, Centova Cast will automatically fetch album cover images from Amazon.com to be displayed in the “recent tracks” list. This will also activate a “Buy album” link next to each album, and any sales generated through these
links will be credited toward your Amazon.com affiliate account.

Note: that this field is only displayed in the client's Start Page editor, not the administrator's view.

5. Files
The Files tab includes options for uploading various sound files for use by the streaming server.

These include:

Introduction file
Specifies the introduction media file for the stream. The introduction file is an MP3 file that is played immediately after each listener connects, before tuning in to the live stream. This may be useful for for station identification or advertisement purposes.

Fallback file
Specifies the fallback media file for the stream. The fallback file is an MP3 file that is played in a loop if the source stream disconnects. Without a fallback file, listeners will either hear silence, or be disconnected entirely if the source stream disconnects.

6. Server Overrides
Note: this tab is only available when using the SHOUTcast streaming server software, and does not appear when using IceCast.

The Server Overrides tab includes options for forcing certain settings to override values provided by a source application.

Options include:

Stream title format
Specifies the format for the stream title displayed in listeners' media players. Set this to anything you want, and optionally include the symbol “%s” anywhere in the stream to insert the stream title provided by the streaming source.

Stream URL format
Specifies the format for the stream URL displayed in listeners' media players. Set this to anything you want, and optionally include the symbol “%s” anywhere in the stream to insert the stream URL provided by the streaming source.

Public server
Specifies whether or not the stream will appear in public yellow-pages services, such as the main SHOUTcast directory at: http://www.shoutcast.com

7. Relaying
Note: this tab is only available when using the SHOUTcast streaming server software, and does not appear when using IceCast.

The Relaying tab includes options for setting up relaying to or from another ShoutCast server.

Options include:

To allow OTHER servers to act as a relay for YOUR stream
Allow other servers to relay stream
Indicates whether other servers are allowed to relay your stream.
Allow relays to make stream public
Indicates whether relay servers are allowed to publish your stream in public yellowpages services, such as the main SHOUTcast directory at: http://www.shoutcast.com

To act as a relay and receive audio FROM another stream
Stream server
Specifies the IP address or hostname of the server you want to relay.
Stream port
Specifies the port number of server you want to relay.


8. Master Relaying
Note: this tab is only available when using the IceCast streaming server software, and does not appear when using SHOUTcast.
The Master Relaying tab includes options for setting up a master relay for another IceCast server. Using Master Relay, the remote IceCast server essentially becomes the source for your own server, and all of the mount points from the remote server are made available on your server.

Options include:

Master server
Specifies the hostname or IP address of the master server whose stream(s) you wish to relay.

Master port
Specifies the port number of the master server whose stream(s) you wish to relay.

Master update interval
Specifies the interval at which the remote stream's configuration is replicated to the local server.

Master username
Specifies the username required by the remote server for relaying.

Master password
Specifies the password required by the remote server for relaying.

Relay on demand
If enabled, your IceCast server will only connect to the remote IceCast server when one or more listeners are connected, and it will disconnect from the remote server when there are no more listeners. If disabled, your IceCast server will remain connected to the remote server and continue receiving the stream even if no listeners are connected.

Enabling this setting may reduce unnecessary bandwidth usage, but may slightly increase the time required to begin streaming when your first listener connects.

9. Mountpoint Relaying
Note: this tab is only available when using the IceCast streaming server software, and does not appear when using SHOUTcast.

The Mountpoint Relaying tab includes options for setting up a relay for a single stream on a remote server. Using Mountpoint Relay, the remote stream essentially becomes the source for your own server, and listeners tuning into your server will hear the remote server's stream.

Options include:

Stream server
Specifies the hostname or IP address of the remote server whose stream you wish to relay.

Stream port
Specifies the port number of the remote server whose stream you wish to relay.

Stream mount point
Specifies the mount point for the desired stream on the remote server. If the remote server is a SHOUTcast server, you should specify /stream here.

Local mount point
Specifies the mount point for the relayed stream on the local server. If in doubt, you can specify /stream here as a default value.

Stream username
Specifies the username required by the remote server for relaying.

Stream password
Specifies the password required by the remote server for relaying.

Relay on demand
If enabled, your IceCast server will only connect to the remote IceCast server when one or more listeners are connected, and it will disconnect from the remote server when there are no more listeners. If disabled, your IceCast server will remain connected to the remote server and continue receiving the stream even if no listeners are connected.

Enabling this setting may reduce unnecessary bandwidth usage, but may slightly increase the time required to begin streaming when your first listener connects.

Relay metadata
If enabled, the metadata provided by the remote streaming server will be passed through to your own listeners. If disabled, the locally-configured metadata will be used instead.

10. Advanced
Note: the settings available on this tab will vary depending on which streaming server you are using, and is broken down into two sections below.

The Advanced tab includes options for configuring various advanced settings, and normally does not need to be adjusted.

11. Advanced: IceCast
When using IceCast as your streaming server, options include the following. Please consult the IceCast documentation for more information about these options.

Directory listings URL
Specifies the URL to your directory listings or “yellow pages” service.

Directory listings port
Specifies the port number of your directory listings or “yellow pages” service.

Suppress metadata
Prevents IceCast from sending song artist/title information to your listeners.

Relay password
Specifies the password required to relay your stream, if any.

Maximum sources
Specifies the maximum number of sources that may be connected to the IceCast server
simultaneously.

Thread pool
Specifies the thread pool size for the IceCast server.

Queue size
Specifies the queue size for the IceCast server.

Client timeout
Specifies the client timeout value for the IceCast server.

Header timeout
Specifies the header timeout value for the IceCast server.

Source timeout
Specifies the source timeout value for the IceCast server.

Burst size
Specifies the burst size value for the IceCast server.

Burst on connect
Specifies the whether IceCast's burst-on-connect feature should be enabled. Enabling this may help reduce buffer underruns.

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