How to Set Up Your Windows Media (WMA) Encoder
The WMA encoder is popular because any computer operating system from Windows XP or higher will come equipped with a Windows Media Player. WMA also works nicely with Microsoft Silverlight.
Before you start, you must retrieve server details from your Quality DJ Streaming account. For the sake of example, let's say you've signed up for a Centova hosting account.
- Log into your cPanel
- Under the "Configuration Settings", DJs link the left menu, click to go to that page.
- On this page, you can view each DJ's Username and password.
- Either leave this page open or copy it so you can use it when setting up your WMA encoder
To set up your WMA encoder, open SAM Broadcaster and follow these steps:
- Click on "Desktop B" in the toolbar
- In the "Encoders" window, click the plus sign ("+") to add a new encoder
- Select "WMA (v9 advanced [ROBUST])"
- Click "OK"
The WMA (v9 advanced [ROBUST]) encoder window will then appear.
In the "Profile" tab:
- Select the streaming profile that applies to you
- To avoid a failed connection, select a profile that will stream at a bitrate that's less than or equal to what you signed up for with Quality DJ Streaming. For example, if you signed up for a 64 kbps stream, your profile must stream at 64 kbps or lower
- Make sure your bandwidth can support your streaming bitrate. The combined bitrate of all your streams should never exceed 80% of the value of the upload speed reported byspeedtest.net
In the "Stream Options" tab:
- Check "Auto start encoder after" if you want the encoder to start automatically each time you launch SAM Broadcaster. If you check this option, make sure to specify how many seconds you want to elapse before the encoder starts
- Select "Use PULL distribution" if you're experienced with setting up routers, and "Use PUSH distribution" if you're not
- Under "Media server host/IP," fill in your server details. Your server IP should be 70.35.201.123
- Under "Publishing Point," use the same "Alias" you provided on your Centovaaccount
- Leave the space under "Template publishing point" blank
- Type in your username and password under "Authentication"
- Check "Auto reconnect encoder after" under "Error recovery" so SAM Broadcaster can recover from network errors
In the "Stream Archive" tab:
- Check "Save stream to file" if you want to save a copy of your stream to your local hard drive
Once you've configured all your settings, click "OK" to close the WMA (v9 advanced [ROBUST]) encoder window.
How to Set Up Your MP3 Encoder
MP3 is one of the oldest streaming formats, which means it's compatible with most players on most software, sound devices, and browsers. Its low-bitrate sound quality isn't as good as, say, AAC format, but MP3 is very popular.
Before you start, you must retrieve your server details from your Centova. For the sake of example, let's say you've signed up for a SHOUTcast hosting account through SpacialNet.
- Log into your cPanel
- Under DJ Manager" on the left menu, click to go to that page.
- On this page, you can view each DJ's Username and password.
- Either leave this page open or copy it so you can use it when setting up your MP3 encoder.
To set up your MP3 encoder, open SAM Broadcaster and follow these steps:
- Click on "Desktop B" in the toolbar.
- In the "Encoders" window, click the plus sign ("+") to add a new encoder.
- Select "MP3 (LAME_ENC)."
- Click "OK."
The MP3 (LAME) encoder window will then appear.
In the "Converter" tab:
- Set your "Bitrate" under "Setting." The bitrate is the amount of bandwidth used by a single stream. The higher the bitrate, the better the sound quality. However, a higher bitrate also costs more and will require more bandwidth. For a good cost/quality ratio, we recommend 64 kbps
- To avoid having your streaming service suspended, select a profile that will stream at a bitrate that's less than or equal to what you signed up for with Quality DJ Streaming. For example, if you signed up for a 64 kbps stream, your profile must stream at 64 kbps or lower
- Make sure your bandwidth can support your streaming bitrate. The combined bitrate of all your streams should never exceed 80% of the value of the upload speed reported byspeedtest.net
- Set your "Mode" under "Setting." For bitrates higher than 48 kbps, select "Stereo." For bitrates lower than 48 kbps, select "Mono". There are several "Sampling rate" options to choose from. Selecting "Auto" means the encoder will automatically select the best sampling rate for your chosen bitrate
- Select "Joint stereo" for optimized stereo compression
- Select "Dual channel" if you have different audio content (for example, in different languages) on each channel
- Under "General options," check "Auto start encoder after" if you want the encoder to start automatically each time you launch SAM Broadcaster. If you check this option, make sure to specify how many seconds you want to elapse before the encoder starts
- Under "General options," leave "Auto reconnect encoder after" checked so SAM Broadcaster can recover from network errors
- Under "General options," leave "Allow scripts in a stream" unchecked, since modern players don't use this feature
In the "Server Details" tab:
- Select the server you want to send your MP3 file stream to. You have the choice between SHOUTcast (versions 1 and 2), Live365, IceCast, or no server
- We recommend selecting the "SHOUTcast" server to reach a broader audience
- If you select "No server," the encoder will archive your audio content without streaming it.
- Fill in your server and radio station details. If you select SHOUTcast 2, you will have to provide a valid SID
- Your "Server IP" should be 70.35.201.123
- You can find your "Server Port" in your Quality DJ Streaming account details
- Use your DJ password
- In "Station Details," write your radio station's name, select a genre from the drop-down menu, and provide your website's URL
- The "AIM," "ICQ," and "IRC Channel" fields are optional
- We recommend checking "List on public station listing" to include your station in SHOUTcast directory
- You may leave "Enable title streaming" checked to stream song information
- We recommend keeping the "Caption template" default setting ("$combine$")
In the "Stream Archive" tab:
- Check "Save stream to file" if you want to save a copy of your stream to your local hard drive.
Once you've configured all your settings, click "OK" to close the MP3 (LAME) encoder window.
How to Set Up Your AAC Encoder
There are many advantages to setting up an AAC encoder. For one, it has the best sound quality at a lower bitrate, so it will save on streaming costs. It's also supported by Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, and a wide range of mobile devices, giving your listeners different options for tuning in.
Before you start, you must retrieve server details from your Centova account. For the sake of example, let's say you've signed up for a SHOUTcast hosting account through SpacialNet.
- Log into your cPanel
- Under DJ Manager" on the left menu, click to go to that page.
- On this page, you can view each DJ's Username and password.
- Either leave this page open or copy it so you can use it when setting up your AAC encoder
To set up your AAC encoder, open SAM Broadcaster and follow these steps:
- Click on "Desktop B" in the toolbar
- In the "Encoders" window, click the plus sign ("+") to add a new encoder
- Select "aacPlusV2"
- Click "OK"
The aacPlusV2 encoder window will then appear.
In the "Converter" tab:
- Under "Output format settings," select your bitrate using the drop-down menu under "Format"
- Selecting an AAC bitrate with "Parametric stereo" provides the best low bitrate/sound quality ratio
- To avoid having your streaming service suspended, select a profile that will stream at a bitrate that's less than or equal to what you signed up for on Quality DJ Streaming.com. For example, if you signed up for a 64 kbps stream, your profile must stream at 64 kbps or lower
- Make sure your bandwidth can support your streaming bitrate. The combined bitrate of all your streams should never exceed 80% of the value of the upload speed reported byspeedtest.net
- Under "General options," check "Auto start encoder after" if you want the encoder to start automatically each time you launch SAM Broadcaster. If you check this option, make sure to specify how many seconds you want to elapse before the encoder starts
- Under "General options," leave "Auto reconnect encoder after" checked so SAM Broadcaster can recover from network errors
- Under "General options" leave "Allow scripts in stream" unchecked, since modern players don't use this feature.
In the "Server Details" tab:
- Select the server you want to send your AAC file stream to. You have the choice between SHOUTcast (versions 1 and 2), Live365, IceCast, or no server
- We recommend selecting the "SHOUTcast" server to reach a broader audience
- If you select "No server," the encoder will archive your audio content without streaming it
- Fill in your server and radio station details: If you select SHOUTcast 2, you will have to provide a valid SID
- Your "Server IP" should be 70.35.201.123
- You can find your "Server Port" in your Quality DJ Streaming account details
- Use your DJ password
- In "Station Details," write your radio station's name, select a genre from the drop-down menu, and provide your website's URL
- The "AIM," "ICQ," and "IRC Channel" fields are optional
- We recommend checking "List on public station listing" to include your station in SHOUTcast directory
- You may leave "Enable title streaming" checked to stream song information
- We recommend keeping the "Caption template" default setting ("$combine$")
In the "Stream Archive" tab:
- Check "Save stream to file" if you want to save a copy of your stream to your local hard drive
Once you've configured all your settings, click "OK" to close the aacPlusV2 encoder window.
For NON-Auto DJ's this information is the same as your radio information in your email.