Advanced Icecast Configuration on Centovacast: Tips and Tricks Print

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Login to Centovacast:

   • Open your web browser and navigate to the Centovacast login page.
   • Enter your username and password.
   • Click Login.

2. Access Your Icecast Stream Settings:

   • From the Admin Dashboard, select your Icecast stream from the list.

3. Stream Configuration:

   • Navigate to the Configuration tab.
   • Ensure the basic settings (Stream Server IP, Port, Mount Point, Password) are correctly entered.

4. Advanced Configuration Settings:

   a. Bitrate and Sample Rate:

   • Go to the Advanced Settings section.
   • Set the Bitrate and Sample Rate according to your desired audio quality. Higher values provide better quality but require more bandwidth.
     • Recommended settings: 128 kbps bitrate and 44.1 kHz sample rate.

   b. Listener Limits:

   • Configure the maximum number of listeners in the Listener Limits section to match your hosting plan.
   • Set the Burst Size to manage the initial buffering size for listeners.

   c. Metadata:

   • Enable Metadata Updates to display song titles and artist information to listeners.
   • Configure the metadata update interval to control how often the information is refreshed.

   d. Mount Points:

   • Add multiple mount points to broadcast different streams or content.
   • Configure each mount point with unique settings for bitrate, sample rate, and metadata.

   e. Relaying:

   • Set up Stream Relaying to relay another Icecast stream.
   • Enter the source stream URL and configure the relay settings as needed.

   f. Crossfade:

   • Enable Crossfade for smoother transitions between tracks.
   • Set the crossfade duration to your preference (e.g., 2-5 seconds).

   g. Authentication:

   • Configure Listener Authentication to restrict access to your stream.
   • Set up username and password protection or use IP-based access control.

5. Save and Apply Settings:

   • After configuring the advanced settings, click Save to apply the changes.

6. Monitoring and Optimization:

   • Regularly check the Dashboard for listener statistics and stream health.
   • Use the Logs section to monitor for any errors or issues.
   • Adjust settings as needed based on listener feedback and performance metrics.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Connection Issues: Double-check the Stream Server IP, Port, Mount Point, and Password. Ensure there are no typos.
• Audio Quality Problems: Revisit the bitrate and sample rate settings. Ensure your source audio files are of good quality.
• Listener Limits Exceeded: Upgrade your hosting plan if you regularly hit the maximum listener limit.
• Metadata Not Updating: Ensure metadata updates are enabled and configured correctly.

For further assistance, please contact our support team. Happy streaming!