Configuration - Quickstart Usage Guide

• Shoutcast Server
  • Create / Configure
  • Streaming
  • Video Streaming
  • AutoDJ Setup
• Icecast Server
• Windows Media Service
• Wowza Media Server

 

Shoutcast Server 

Configure a Shoutcast Server 

1. Login to the MediaCP via your web browser.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Create a new server
   Navigate to Configure Media Services listed under the side menu Administration heading then once loaded proceed to select Create a new server.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Locate the Service Type field and select shoutcast198.
   You can configure limits such as Listeners, Bitrate & Bandwidth from the Limits tab.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Select Create Server to begin the creation and processing of your shoutcast server.
   Each service action (ie. start, stop, restart ect.) will be placed into a queue which is executed every 1 minute. The Queue will only process 10 actions every minute.
   
   
5. That is all! Your Shoutcast server is now created.
   Continue to the next step to Stream to your shoutcast server

 

Stream to your shoutcast server 

To stream to a shoutcast service you will first require software that is capable of doing so, the most recommended software is to use Winamp in combination with the SHOUTcast Source plugin available from www.winamp.com.

1. Open Winamp and build your playlist with audio files your system is capable of opening.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Enable the SHOUTcast Source DSP by pressing CTRL + P and selecting Plug-ins -> DSP/Effect then selecting Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Select the Encoder tab then select your Encoding Type (recommended MP3) with an appropriate bitrate.
   It is important to use a bitrate of equal or less value then the limit applied in your server configuration otherwise you will be kicked automatically from streaming by Cast-Control MediaCP.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Select the Output tab if not selected already and configure your connection settings.

These details are provided for the customer’s convenience under the UserCP after selecting Manage upon the appropriate server.

 

Streaming video to a shoutcast service 

Shoutcast also supports the NSV ("Nullsoft Streaming Video") protocol and it is possible to stream to any shoutcast server in this format with no configuration changes. 

By default, Cast-Control only allows up to 320Kbps streaming and this can be changed quite easily.
We have written a small how-to article regarding this.

To stream using the NSV protocol it is required that your video files are encoded with the NSV file format, the following range of tools are available to perform this.

Download and install the NSV tools, this is what we use to encode normal video files (avi ect) to nsv format.
Download NsvGui 2, this is what we use to stream to the shoutcast server.
Extract NSVGUI 2 to a location on your hard disk, I simply used c:/nsv/

Converting Video to NSV

1. Open NSV Tools -> NSV Batch Encoder
2. Select File -> Add Source Files and select a video file (avi, mpeg, mpg or mov)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Select Edit Profiles than select the Default Profile and finally Edit

These are the options available for video processing, select NSV Encoder Configuration to configure further options such as Bitrate. Once finished, setup the output destination and press OK. Select the files you wish to encode and press the green arrow to encode.

 

Streaming NSV Video Files

1. Open NSVGUI 2
   
   
2. Locate the files you have just encoded and add these to the playlist.
   
   
3. Cnofigure the server address, port and password.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Ensure Send File Name as Title is selected, you might also want to use the Loop function
   
   
5. To connect to the server, select Stream -> Let's Stream noting that this will only connect and not start streaming just yet.
   
   
6. To actually stream to the server, select Stream -> Let's Stream again, this is useful if you are doing a presentation and require all to be connected before streaming.

 

Viewing the NSV Stream

Please note NSV stream only works with NSV players such as Winamp, Windows Media Player is NOT supported. To use Windows Media Player you must use Windows Media Services. 

 

Enabling an AutoDJ Source Plugin 

1. Navigate to Administration -> Configure Media Services, locate your shoutcast service and select Manage to enter the service overview page.
   
   
2. Select Manage from the provided options to enter the service configuration page.
   
   
3. Select the Source tab, this contains all your AutoDJ / Source information.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   !      By default, No Source Plugin will be selected.
   
   
4. Select your preferred option, the default options will stream directly to your selected server – you may wish to modify the bitrate, channels and sample rate accordingly:
   
   
   

	Capable of transcoding	Play files without transcoding	Description
Sctrans v1	Mp3	NO	The original AutoDJ software provided by nullsoft.
Sctrans v2	Mp3, AAC+	YES	Contains many more features than sctransv1
Ices04	Mp3	YES	Recommended as it is possible to stream files directly without reencoding the file format. Will save on CPU Usage.

   5.  You can now build and configure a playlist from the AutoDJ link available on the server overview page.

 Configuring a Relay Server

A relay server PULLS the stream from a remote shoutcast server and rebroadcasts in the exact same format. It is not possible to rebroadcast in another format without software such as Stream Transcoder V3.

Prerequisites:

You will need to configure the server you wish to rebroadcast from to allow relay connections

1. Navigate to Administration -> Configure Media Services, locate your shoutcast service you wish to stream from and select Manage to enter the service overview page.
   
   
2. Select the Relay tab then select Allow Public Relay as Yes.
   
   
3. Save the configuration by selecting Update. (A service restart will be required)

Configure your relay:

1. Navigate to Administration -> Configure Media Services, locate your shoutcast service you wish to act as a rebroadcast and select Manage to enter the service overview page.
   
   
2. Select the Relay tab then set the following options:
   
   Allow Relay: Yes
   Relay Server: The IP address or domain of the server you wish to relay from.
   Relay Port: The portbase of the server you wish to relay from.
   
   
3. Save the configuration by selecting Update. (A service restart will be required)
   
    !      The service will begin rebroadcasting immediately upon being started.
   
   
   

Icecast Server 

Create an Icecast Server

1. Login to the MediaCP via your web browser.
   
   
2. Navigate to Configure Media Services listed under the side menu Administration heading then once loaded proceed to select Create a new server.
   
   
3. Locate the Service Type field and select icecast.
   
   !     You can configure limits such as Listeners, Bitrate & Bandwidth from the Limits tab.
   
   
4. Select Create Server to begin the creation and processing of your icecast server.
   
   !      Each service action (ie. start, stop, restart ect.) will be placed into a queue which is executed every 1 minute. The Queue will only process 10 actions every minute.

 

Stream to an Icecast Server

To stream to an icecast service you will first require software that is capable of doing so, the most recommended software is to use Winamp in combination with the SHOUTcast Source plugin available from www.winamp.com.

1. Ensure the Icecast server configuration has a mountpoint set to “stream” under the tab labelled Plugin.
   
   
2. Open Winamp and build your playlist with audio files your system is capable of opening.
   
   
3. Enable the SHOUTcast Source DSP by pressing CTRL + P and selecting Plug-ins -> DSP/Effect then selecting Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP
   
   
4. Select the Encoder tab then select your Encoding Type (recommended MP3) with an appropriate bitrate.
   
   !      It is important to use a bitrate of equal or less value then the limit applied in your server configuration otherwise you will be kicked automatically from streaming by Cast-Control MediaCP.
   
   
5. Select the Output tab if not selected already and configure your connection settings.

These details are provided for the customer’s convenience under the UserCP after selecting Manage upon the appropriate server.

 

  Enabling a AutoDJ Source Plugin

1. Navigate to Administration -> Configure Media Services, locate your icecast service and select Manage to enter the service overview page.
   
   
2. Select Manage from the provided options to enter the service configuration page.
   
   
3. Select the Source tab, this contains all your AutoDJ / Source information.
   
   !      By default, No Source Plugin will be selected.
   
   
4. Select your preferred option, the default options will stream directly to your selected server – you may wish to modify the bitrate, channels and sample rate accordingly 
   
   

   	Capable of Transcoding.	Play files without transcoding.	Description.
   ices04	Mp3	Yes	Recommended as it is possible to stream files directly without reecoding the file format
   ices02	OGG	Yes	Exactly the same as Ices 04 but instead provides only OGG support.

   
   
   

5.  You can now build and configure a playlist from the AutoDJ link available on the server overview page.

 

Windows Media Service 

Creating a Push Publishing Point

1. Login to the MediaCP via your web browser.
   
   
2. Navigate to Configure Media Services listed under the side menu Administration heading then once loaded proceed to select Create a new server.
   
   
3. Locate the Service Type field and select WindowsMediaServices.
   
   !      If this is not available Windows Media Services is not installed with your MediaCP.
   
   
4. Ensure the field Source Location contains “Push:*”
   
   !     You can configure limits such as Listeners, Bitrate & Bandwidth from the Limits tab.
   !     You can configure the Publishing Point name from the Plugin tab.
   
   
5. Select Create Server to begin the creation and processing of your publishing point.
   
   !      Each service action (ie. start, stop, restart ect.) is executed IMMEDIATELY.

 

Stream to a Push Publishing Point (LIVE)

Before continuing, you will require software capable of streaming to a Windows Media Service.

You can download Windows Media Encoder from the Microsoft.com website

1. Start Windows Media Encoder and select Broadcast a live event from the wizard.
   
   
2. Select Your Audio Source and select next.
   
   
3. Select Push to a Windows Media server then Next to continue.
   
   
4. Enter the IP address and Publishing Point name for your service
   
   !      (located under User Control Panel -> Configure Media Services -> Manage)
                  Select Next to check the settings and continue.
   
   
5. You will be required to select a bitrate, it is important to select a bitrate below the limit applied to your account. Noting that a CBR bitrate is variable and not always exact, if your bitrate limit is 25Kbps you should select 23Kbps to be safe.
   
   !      Press Finish to continue
   
   
6. You will be prompted to enter your Username and password.
   
   !      Username: Your username is, by default a combination of “cast:” and your selected portbase, for example “cast:8000”.
   !      Password: Your password is available from the User Control Panel -> Configure Media Services then select Manage.

Streaming to a Push Publishing Point (MP3 Files on Disk)

Before continuing, you will require software capable of streaming to a Windows Media Service.
You can download Windows Media Encoder from the Microsoft.com website

1. Start Windows Media Encoder and select Custom Session from the wizard.
   
   
2. Select Source from: as File
   
   
3. Select from the dropdown menu from At End, the option Roll over to next source.
   
   
4. Select your video or audio files (you may select multiple files)
   
   !      Multiple files will automatically add to the sources.
   
   
5. Select the Output tab then tick Push to server.
   
   !      Make sure Pull from encoder is deselected.
   !      Enter the IP address and Publishing Point name for your service (located under User Control Panel -> Configure Media Services -> Manage) Select Next to check the settings and continue.
   
   
6. Select the Compression tab.
   
   !      You will be required to select a bitrate, it is important to select a bitrate below the limit applied to your account. Noting that a CBR bitrate is variable and not always exact,
    if your bitrate limit is 25Kbps you should select 23Kbps to be safe. 
   
   
7. Press Apply to continue
   
   
8. You will be prompted to enter your Username and password.
   
   !      Username: Your username is, by default a combination of “cast:” and your selected portbase, for example “cast:8000”.
   !      Password: Your password is available from the User Control Panel -> Configure Media Services then select Manage.

 

 Stream Authentication

Enabling Stream Authentication will by default block all IPs that attempt to connect to the stream.
By using the listen links provided by cast-control MediaCP then entering an associated username and password, our software will automatically allow the listeners IP address to access the stream.

!      Stream Authentication must be first enabled by an administrator
!      All Access will be granted until the Encoder IP field is entered within the control panel.

 

Enabling Stream Authentication

1. Navigate to Administration -> Configure Media Services, locate your WMS service and select Manage to enter the service overview page.
   
   
2. Select Manage from the provided options to enter the service configuration page.
   
   
3. Select the Feature tab then ensure Stream Authentication Support is Enabled.
   
   
4. You will now be required to enter an Encoder IP, this is the IP that your stream source (if using Push, your local PC that pushes content) will be streaming from.
   
   !      If this is not entered, you will receive Access Denied.
   
   
5. Update and restart service to apply these new changes.

You can now configure the user accounts for stream authentication through the link provided on the service overview page.

 

Wowza Media Server 

Wowza Media Server allows you to stream both video and audio to multiple devices such as a flash player, iphone, ipad, blackberry, android and set top box.

There are three primary configurations that Cast-Control MCP supports:

1. Live Audio/Video Broadcasting
   
   
2.  Ondemand Video(with FTP)
   
   
3. Shoutcast Relay (to flash format)

Live Audio/Video Broadcast

1. Login to the MediaCP via your web browser.
   
   
2. Navigate to Configure Media Services listed under the side menu Administration heading then once loaded proceed to select Create a new server.
   
   
3. Locate the Service Type field and select Wowza Media Server.
   !     You can configure limits such as Listeners, Bitrate & Bandwidth from the Limits tab.
   
   
4. Select the Plugin tab to configure the Service Type of “Live Streaming”.
   
   
5. Select Create Server to begin the creation and processing of your icecast server.
   
   !      Wowza Media Services are created instantaniously. Please note that updates to the service after creation might not be applied until you physically restart Wowza Media Server. On Linux/Debian you can generally use the following to restart the system service “service WowzaMediaService restart”.

 

 Broadcasting  Live Audio/Video

1. Download and install Adobe Flash Media Encoder 3.2 from Adobe Website:
   http://www.adobe.com/products/flashmediaserver/flashmediaencoder/
   
   
2. Start Adobe Flash Media Encoder.
   
   
3. The connection settings are available from the service overview page.
   
   
4. Select User Control Panel -> Configure Media Services then select the service you have created above. The FMS URL and Stream name are presented on the overview page, these are the settings you will require for Adobe Flash Media Encoder:
   
   !     It is important that the “Stream” be the Unique ID or Publishing Point of the service. Statistics and other control panel functionality will only work using this Stream.
   
   !     For Streaming to Iphone, we find a Baseline 3.1 (not lower) profile is required. This can be configured by pressing the Tools icon next to the Format (see below).
          Read here for Blackberry & Other Mobile Phone Devices

Example