Icecast Streaming Media Server

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

Hello, I run an internet radio station, we currently use shoutcast to stream (running in simplecast). Im thinking of moving over to icecast if the feature I require is achievable.

The station has dj's from many places, all streaming from their own homes at different times of the day. When the dj's arent live the stream is dead.

The people we use for our shoutcast server at the moment offer a back-up file that plays when the dj's log off. However, the back-up file can only be 5 minutes long, & is only played to people who are already connected to the stream. For anyone else trying to connect after that point the stream is offline.

Is there any way, using icecast, that every time a dj stops their show, archives are automatically streamed from a server, until the next dj logs on. That are vailable to all & not just the people allready connected. Thus eliminating dead airtime gaps in the schedule.
It would need to be something that knows the stream has dropped though, so dj's dont have to manually turn archives on & off themselves.

I have limited knowledge of this, but I understand we will need to get our own server space to install the software needed to automate archives & host the files. & use scripts so the software knows when the stream has stopped/started. Is this information correct? And can someone give me any information on what this entails, as I have no idea what software need to be installed on the server etc.

I look forward to your replies. Sorry for the newbie longness.

Thanks

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

Anyone have any info on this atall?
Thanks

karlH · Code Warrior Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 5476 Location: UK

The fallback-mount is the key mechanism to use, so that you redirect the listeners to an alternative mountpoint. You can specify a filename that exists in webroot but from your description it sounds like you want a separate source client feeding that alternative mountpoint.

karl.

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

Hi, thanks for reply.
If the fall-back file is streaming will it automatically turn off when a dj logs on to do their show?

karlH · Code Warrior Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 5476 Location: UK

yes as long as the fallback-override is enabled.

karl.

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

Hi, thanks for reply.
And also will the fall-back file always start from th beginning of the file? Or can I do something so it starts say from the middle of a file? So listeners arent hearing the same archive over & over.
Ideally it would be better if I could have a selection of files as fall-back that are picked at random or in an order I select. Is this possible?

Also is there a limit to how long the fall-back file can be? Sometimes the station has an 8 - 12 hour gap before a dj comes on.

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

Hello, I have just done some more research & it would seem that the fallback file feature isnt what Im looking for, as the fallback file is only played to people connected to the stream at the time.'

karlH · Code Warrior Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 5476 Location: UK

for that sort of duration, you don't want a fallback to file but a separate stream to fall back to. something like an automated playlist. You could use url auth/on-disconnect of the main mountpoint to trigger a track track or even a start up of the automated source client.

karl.

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

ok this sounds like the kind of thing Im looking for.
Is 'url auth/on-disconnect of the main mountpoint' a setting that is in the icecast server software or in the software dj's will use to stream?

I will now go about getting a server & installing icecast server onto it. Is there a tutorial anywhere to show me how to set the server software up?
Thanks

karlH · Code Warrior Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 5476 Location: UK

The settings I mentioned are icecast settings. The basics are covered in the supplied docs and the various Howto guides which you can find through search engines.

karl.

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

Hello, thankyou for the reply.
I have been looking at server space to rent to run icecast on. But it would appear that the servers Im looking at only let me upload things to the servers like pictures & websites, not install software.
Am I going to need to get my own server machine for this project or are there companies anyone knows of that offer server space I can install icecast onto?
Thanks again.

karlH · Code Warrior Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 5476 Location: UK

Many streaming providers that handle shoutcast also provide for icecast services although some are not so clear about it. You'll need to speak to the actual providers to see what level of service they will give but if you want to go the dedicated server approach then that is possible as well.

karl.

peepo · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 88

Hello, I cant find any icecast hosting companies that offer an 'automatic switch to archives' facility. Sad

And because my station streams at 128k dedicated server prices are too high for the bandwidth we shift.
How about having my own server at home, is this an option for such high bandwidth?
Thanks

karlH · Code Warrior Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 5476 Location: UK

A home connection is probably not suitable for most people due to very limited upload bandwidth. There are a number of providers which have authentication settings but I don't know how flexible they are in terms of configuration, You'll need to speak to them about it.

All I can say is that icecast itself provides for what you need, you could have the backup stream always on and just use the mount_remove url trigger to tell your stream to switch to the next track.

karl.