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Alternative Broadcasting Software and Clients

From The RadioReference Wiki

Broadcasting Software

RadioReference provides customized broadcast software for users that want to broadcast their feeds from a Windows based PC (Windows 2000/XP/Vista). This download and setup information is sent to every feed provider when their feed application is approved. (Note: Software and setup information is sent to the email on your RadioReference account)

For individuals who want to use alternative software, the Icecast configuration settings you should use to configure the client you select can be found at the bottom of the owner's page for your feed.

When configuring a client, for a mono feed select a bitrate of 16kbps, for a stereo feed (where you have two scanners providing the audio) use a bitrate of 32kbps. In both cases, select a samplerate of 22050Hz to make sure the audio is compatible with as many players as possible.

RR Live Audio Streaming Ports

The RR Live Audio application normally uses port 80. You can also use ports 8000, 8080, or 8500. The alternate port numbers are typically used to get around firewall problems.

You may also need to set up your router to do port forward. Contact your router manufacturer for these details.

Alternative Broadcasting Clients

Windows

Mac

Linux

Standalone (no computer needed)


ScannerCast Setup Instructions

Quick Start to Launch and Stream:
1 Launch ScannerCast.
2 Select the "Icecast" tab at the top.
3 Check "Send Stream To Icecast".
4 Check "Auto-Configure my RR Feed".
5 Enter your RR user name and password.
6 Click "Login To Get RR and get config".
7 After you see the green check beside "Feed To Send" chose your feed.
8 Press "Start Broadcast".

Note: You may have to allow ScannerCast through your firewall.

Advanced Setup Instructions:

Config Tab:

  • Scanner Model: Select the scanner model. Select Audio Only if you are not sending tags.
  • Server: Stream Name: Enter the name of your feed.
  • Server Port: Leave as is unless you need to change it.
  • Audio: Sound Input: Select the Sound input for your computer.
  • Audio: Set MP3 Bit Rate to 16kbs for a mono stream or 32kbs for a stereo (duel scanner) stream.

Change your feed Display Name:

1 Select the "Config" Tab.
2 Press "Stop Broadcasting".
3 Enter the name of your feed into the "Stream Name" window.
4 Close and reopen ScannerCast to save the settings. Your feed description should now be showing in the "Stream Name" window.
5 Press Start Broadcasting.

ScannerCast will now feed out your feed description title vs K1PGV ScannerCast!.

Everyone will now know it is your stream they are listening to when they use any of the players.

Icecast Tab:

  • Use Quick Set up instructions to auto config your feed.
  • For manual, input the needed info.

Status Tab:

No changes needed

Advanced Tab:

Tag Formatting and Audio Options: Check Enable Stereo Input if you are doing a stereo (duel scanner) feed.

ProScan ScanCast Setup Instructions

ProScan ScanCast is capable of streaming audio from the computer sound card to IceCast (RadioReference) servers and Shoutcast servers. Multiple instances of ScanCast can run on the same computer streaming to multiple servers/ports providing each instance of ProScan is in its own directory.


Steps:

  • Audio Setup
  • Scanner Setup (Optional - Needed for sending ProScan generated Metadata)
  • Metadata Setup (Optional - Needed for sending Metadata from ProScan or from another program)
  • ScanCast Setup


Audio Setup: The audio settings are located in the Audio Control tab under ScanCast.

  • Select the Input Sound Device. In most cases, this will be the Primary Sound Device or the 1st item in the selection.
  • Select the Mode: Combined (Mono) or Stereo. Stereo for streaming two audio sources to the same server & port.
  • Select the Samples Per Second and the mp3 Bitrate. It’s recommended that these settings be kept at the default for the 1st time users.
  • Left and Right level controls should be at 100%.
  • The line in or mic input setting may need to be configured in the Windows mixer. Clicking the Mixer button loads up the Windows mixer.
  • The Left and Right level indicators should move with the scanner audio if the audio setup is correct.


Scanner Setup:

The ProScan Comm. Port must be the same as the port that the scanner is connected to. The ProScan Baud Rate must match the scanner Baud Rate.

  • Select the scanner type located in the menu Options – Scanner Type
  • Select the Comm. Port and Baud Rate located in the menu Options – Comm Port


Metadata Setup:

The source of Metadata can come from ProScan or from another program that puts descriptive information such as the channel name in the title / caption bar of that program.

  • Select the Web Server / ScanCast tab and click on the Metadata Source button. To choose the source, click a row in the grid the grid. Under Application Name is the source. Choose Me (for a ProScan generated metadata), and Custom Format.

Custom Format: Using the format specifiers: %S, %G, and %C where %S = System, %G = Group, and %C = Channel, the Metadata can be customized. Example: Any City - %C will show as “Any City – Montclair FD”.

  • Show Previous Metadata option if unchecked will display the text from the Scanning Tag box such as “Scanning. If this option is checked then the last Metadata sent during transmission will be show.

The metadata that is streamed with the audio will show below the Metadata button.


ScanCast Setup:

  • Select the Web Server / ScanCast tab
  • Automatically configuring ScanCast
    • Click the button “RadioReference Auto Config.
    • Enter your RadioReference User Name and Password.
    • Optionally check the Remember Me box.
    • Click the Connect button.
    • If success logging in then the options should fill with data.
    • If you have more then one feed associated with your RR User Name, then you the Mount needs to be selected.
    • Click the Set button.
  • Manually configuring ScanCast
    • Fill in the following data:
    • Server Type - Should to be Icecast2
    • Server IP Address or Name - Supplied by RadioReference
    • Stream Description - Any description conforming to the RadioReference guidelines
    • Server Port - 80
    • Password - Supplied by RadioReference
    • Mount - Supplied by RadioReference

Basic Barix Instreamer 100 Setup Instructions

Audio:

  • Input source: Select Line
  • Channel Mode: Set to Mono or stereo as needed (mono for one radio, stereo for two radios)
  • Encoding+Frequency: Set to "22.05kHz"
  • MPEG Encoding Quality: Set to "0"
  • /D amplifier gain: Set as needed. Depends on signal level but 6-7.5bd max

Streaming

  • Own Name: Enter your stream name (Example: Home City Fire)
  • Streaming mode: Set to "send always"
  • Buffer Underrun mode: set to "skip"
  • Streaming strategy: Set to "lowest latency"
  • Radio path: (Mount point) Set to what ever is supplied by RR
  • icy-url / SIP user: Set to http://www.radioreference.com/
  • icy-genre: Set to Scanner
  • Shoutcast stream: Set to Public
  • Type of Service/DSCP: Set to 0
  • Under Stream to: Set to Iceast Source
  • Connection Type: Select "Icecast source"
  • Enter supplied IP address for the address of the server and specify 80 for the port number. You will need to contact RR Live Audio for this IP address.

Security: Password:

  • Ice/Shoutcast: Enter what ever is supplied by RR.

You can find the needed RR settings by looking at the feed owner page for the feed in question. Then copy and past the Server, Port, Mount, and Password info in the Instreamer 100 as needed.


Mac and Nicecast Setup Instructions

Mac Sound Settings:

  • Set for Line In
  • Set Input Volume as needed but poss no higher than the first line.


Nicecast Server Section:

  • Name: Enter your stream name (Example: Home City Fire)
  • Server type: Set to Icecast2
  • Password: Enter what ever is supplied by RR
  • Address: Enter what ever is supplied by RR
  • Port: 80 or possibly 8000
  • Mount point: Enter what ever is supplied by RR

Nicecast Broadcast Section:

Source Tab:

  • Select Built in Line.

Info Tab:

  • Name: Enter your stream name (Example: Home City Fire)
  • URL: http://www.radioreference.com/
  • Genre: scanner
  • Description: Enter same as your stream name.: (Example: Home City Fire)

Titles Tab:

  • Should all be set automatically

Quality Tab:

  • Preset: Set to Custom
  • Bitrate: Set to 16kbps for a mono (one scanner) feed or set to 32kbps for a stereo (two scanner feed)
  • Sample Rate: Set to 22,025Hz
  • Channels: Set to Mono or stereo as needed (mono for one radio, stereo for two radios)
  • CPU Usage/Quality: Set to what you need. I have mine set to a little more than 2/3.

Share Tab:

  • Should be set automatically

Effects Tab:

  • Turns ON & OFF effects.


After all above is set, exit Nicecast and relaunch to save the settings.

You can also set Nicecast and the Mac to reboot when power is returned.

Press "Start Broadcast" in the Nicecast Broadcast Section. If there is a connection to RR, State will show On Air.

You can find the needed RR settings by looking at the feed owner page for the feed in question. Then copy & past the Server, Port, Mount, & Password info in Nicecast as needed.