Different station types include or miss certain options, that might be crucial for the broadcasting experience.
To navigate through your station and get each feature explained, have a look here.
Streaming only/ No playout
This station type can 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 can be used as a backup with a different encoder (best on a different computer and network), in the case that the primary server address encoder disconnects. In this case, the broadcasting tool that is pointing to the Failover Server Address will take over.
“Streaming only” stations do not contain the option to upload any audio content.
Loop channel
This station type has the added “Playlist” feature, compared to the “streaming only” station. “Playlist” can be used to upload audio content, that will take over automatically when your connection from the broadcasting tool is lost or if you are not broadcasting. 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 Master link credentials can be found under settings>broadcast.
Relay Stations
A relay station is basically a “copy” of the main stream.
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
With a transcoding relay you can alternate some settings, like the bitrate or the media format. This can be very useful, if the relay is created for listeners with, for example, no wifi and only 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 master link credentials or the Playlist.
Relay stations can be created for all types of (master) stations.