Internet DJ Console: The Server Window


Here is the server window which is how Internet DJ Console (IDJC from now on) connects to the internet. It is also where the off-line recorder lives. This feature allows you to make podcasts. Anyway the bulk of the window is taken up with the Server side of things, and if you have access to a SHOUTcast® or Icecast server you should know what to type into these boxes.

The Connection frame is concerned with the details necessary for establishing a connection with an Icecast or Shoutcast server. To make an entry, fill in the necessary details in the boxes and click the Add button. The connection Type refers to the type of server you are attempting to connect with. The Stats/Relay types are for gathering listener stats only so if you wish to stream you will need to add one and only one master server. The Hostname and Port number should be familiar to you, but for Icecast servers there is also the Mount point and Login username. If you don't know the Login name, try source (it is considered the default login name for an Icecast server source). Finally Pass is an abbreviation of password. If you wish to turn off stats retrieval for a particular server you can do so by unchecking the box in the asterisk column after having added your server to the list.

The Format frame is for setting the samplerate, bitrate, and format of the stream of which you can choose between Ogg and mp3 and a wide selection of bitrates and samplerates, however not all of them are going to be valid, for instance all the valid mp3 samplerates are those listed in the drop down box. Additionally there is a status bar to indicate the state of the stream encoder and an Update button for changing the encoder parameters while the stream is running.

The Stream Info pane (not shown) is for entering information about your stream which is irrelevant to the connection. Be descriptive here if you want the information to be displayed on a listings site. See Make Public.

Make Public causes your radio station to be catalogued on whichever listings site the server is configured for (as an example: www.shoutcast.com) however it may not show up immediately and the server may be configured not to use a listings site at all. If you use this option make sure to fill all the fields in the Stream Info pane.

The Shoutcast Contact Info pane (also not shown) allows for the setting of contact information for the IRC, AIM, and ICQ networks, ostensibly to allow listeners to make contact with the DJ. This feature does nothing when the connection is to an Icecast server and may also be disabled, if that is the case this particular pane will not be shown.

Server Connect triggers a connection attempt to the server. Notice the state of the status LED in the stream tab. When it goes solid green you are connected. To disconnect, click the Server Connect button once more. Alongside are controls to allow automatic server connection and disconnection based on a 24 hour clock, which can also be set to coincide with the starting of a media player and a recorder.

The Metadata line is for entering custom text to be sent along with the stream. Typically just the song title is sent which can be achieved by entering "%s" in the box and pressing the Update button. The checkboxes are for specifying which streams are to be affected by the change.

Regarding the recorder, left to right we have the Stream Selector, the Save Directory Chooser, the recording time elapsed counter, the Stop Button, the Record Button, and finally the Pause Button. It is not necessary to be streaming in order to make a recording.



Other Windows In IDJC

Main Window Jingles Prefs