Different station types include or miss certain options, that might be crucial for the broadcasting experiencedifferent options.
To navigate through your station and get each feature explained, have a look here.
Streaming only/ No playout
This station type can only broadcast using a third party broadcasting tool or by relaying another stream. The credentials you will need to add to the broadcasting tool of your choice, are in settings>broadcast. This is where you can also find the Failover Server Address, which you can use for can be used as a backup with a different tool encoder (best on a different computer and network), in the case that the the primary server address stops encoder disconnects. If In this occurscase, the broadcasting tool that is set up with pointing to the Failover Server Address will take over.
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No audio content can be uploaded on “Streaming only” stations |
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Loop channel
This station type can broadcast by playing the content uploaded within its library (which is called “playlist”) or by relaying another stream. Compared to the “streaming only” station, this station type has the added “Playlist” feature , compared to the “streaming only” station. and lacks the Master link credentials. Having no Master link credentials means that a broadcasting tool cannot connect to the stream. The “Playlist” can be used to upload audio content, that will take over automatically if your connection from the broadcasting tool is lost or if you are not broadcastingwhen another source is not being relayed. This guarantees your station has audio content streaming 24x7. “Loop channel” stations lack the “Failover server address”, which means that one broadcasting tool can be connected, with no option for another one to take over in the case of a disconnection. The only “server address” can be found in settings>broadcast.
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In Loop Channel stations, a user can also adjust the Output media format and bit rate in settings>advanced, as in Streaming only stations this can be done through an encoder.
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There is a limit of 500 tracks that can be uploaded to a station's Playlist |
Due to the Fact that Loop channel Stations have an “auto-start” and “auto-shutdown” function enhanced, there is no Shut Down option in Settings>Advanced.
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The round indicator in the playlist, appears next to the track currently playing or the track that the playlist stopped on when the last listener left the stream (and therefore the playlist entered sleep mode). When the playlist is active, the indicator is green. When the station has remained idle for some time or when the playlist is not the current audio source of the station (relaying another stream), the indicator is amber.
Relay Stations
A relay station is basically a copy “copy” of the main stream that helps better track the broadcaster's audience.
Usually relays are separated per platform.
A broadcaster can have different relays: for apps, for their website, etc.
Different uses apply for relay stations; for example, you could track the audience of your station in different directories, devices or platforms.
You can easily create one through the “Stream URL’s” section of your station
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With a transcoding relay you can change alternate some settings, like the bitrate or the media format. This can be very useful in some cases, like if the relay is created for listeners with, for example, no wifi and only using mobile data.
The layout of a relay station is similar to the one of a (master) station. Some options, naturally, are not included, like the Station master link credentials or the Playlist (if the relay of a Loop channel station).
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Relay stations can be created for all types of (master) stations.