Our system at http://autodj.host2stream.com has been designed to be as user friendly as possible while including advanced features such as scheduled playlists. We recommend reading this page before using your AutoDJ.

1. What is AutoDJ?

2. How many listeners do I get with AutoDJ?

3. Configuring your stream

4. Uploading MP3's

5. Restricted DJ access

6. Creating playlists

7. Playlist scheduling

8. Can I purchase AutoDJ without SHOUTcast server?

9. Why won't AutoDJ play my MP3's?

1. What is AutoDJ?

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AutoDJ is a source for SHOUTcast. It provides a simulated live stream to your SHOUTcast server. This means the source is live, but it is being controlled from our servers, following a playlist - but when listeners tune in, they won't hear any difference and will just hear as if it is a normal live DJ broadcasting.

AutoDJ allows you to upload your MP3 files and walk away, it will stream 24/7 to ANY SHOUTcast server, meaning you can achieve a professional image and allow listeners to tune in to your internet radio station at any time day or night.

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2. How many listeners do I get with AutoDJ?

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AutoDJ is an Add-on for SHOUTcast, meaning your listeners will not listen directly to the AutoDJ service - they will connect to your SHOUTcast server with the number of listener-slots you have purchased. You will need a SHOUTcast server as well as the AutoDJ for it to function.

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3. Configuring your stream

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Before streaming, you will need to configure AutoDJ to stream to your SHOUTcast server.

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REQUIRED FIELDS

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Server IP *
This is where you enter the IP or host name of the SHOUTcast server that you wish to stream to.

Server Port *
Enter the port number of the server that you wish to stream to.

Stream Password *
This is the password that you have configured your server with.

OPTIONAL FIELDS

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Stream Title
The title that you enter here will be displayed on the SHOUTcast DNAS admin page, the stream directory at shoutcast.com and will be displayed to your listeners in their player when they log on to your stream.

Stream URL
This will be displayed in the SHOUTcast directory as a link. It will also be displayed on the SHOUTcast DNAS admin page.

Genre
Enter the genre of your stream, this is required if you wish to be listed on the SHOUTcast directory. You can specify multiple genres but try not to enter too many.

Shuffle Playlist
Plays your MP3's in a random order.

Encode MP3's
This option encodes your MP3's to the bitrate, sample rate and channels as specified below. This is also useful if all of your MP3's are at a higher bitrate than your host allows you to stream at, for example you can upload 128k MP3's and set them to play at 64k.

Important: If your SHOUTcast server has a bitrate limit, make sure you do not exceed this! If you do so it will result for your SHOUTcast server to be suspended.

Stream Bitrate
This is the bitrate that MP3's are encoded to. If you disable encoding (see above) then your MP3's won't be encoded. This also defines the bitrate shown on your SHOUTcast DNAS and directory.

Channels
This is the number of channels to stream at (in other words stereo or mono). If encoding is disabled then this will make no difference to your stream.

Stream Sample Rate
This is the sample rate to stream at if encoding is enabled. If you are unsure about this then we recommend using the default option (Auto) and the system will use the best sample rate.

Crossfade
This option will mix your MP3's into eachother. This is a useful feature to discourage stream rippers and gives your stream a more professional sound. You can crossfade up to 10 seconds.

Public Server
When set as a public server, your stream will be listed in the SHOUTcast directory at shoutcast.com.

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4. Uploading MP3's

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Before launching the server, it is important that you upload some files and create a playlist. The audio files must be in MP3 format.

You can upload MP3's using two methods, FTP (recommended) and web uploads. Click on the Upload link on the top menu, there you will find your FTP login details and a link to open a window to upload using our web based uploader. You can open multiple upload windows by clicking the link again.

The following FTP programs may be downloaded free of charge:

http://www.smartftp.com (Recommended)

http://filezilla-project.org

http://www.coffeecup.com/free-ftp

Note: It is very important that you upload playlist files in ASCII format or the system may not start.

If you are using an FTP program, click on HELP and search for the word ASCII. This should lead you to a section that will explain how to assure that the program is uploading your file in ASCII mode. Most FTP programs offer you three options:

1) Auto Detection (allowing the program to decide)

2) ASCII Mode (text)

3) Binary Mode (images)

Auto Detection will work fine for most files but usually does not work well for scripts. Many FTP programs, that upload files with .cgi, .pl or .txt extensions, will upload them in binary mode and this causes the script to be broken. When you are uploading a script via FTP make sure that you have chosen to upload in ASCII and do not allow the program to decide this for itself.

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5. Restricted DJ access

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If you would like to give your DJ's limited access to control the stream without giving them your account login details then you can with this option. Click the DJ Access link on the top menu and select the options that you would like to give access to your DJ's. It is important to enter a username and password for your DJ's to log in with.

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6. Creating playlists

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Our AutoDJ system allows you to create custom playlists to better control the MP3's that are played and in what order they play.

To create a playlist:

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1) Create a text file with Notepad (or your favorite plain text editor)

2) Enter each MP3 that you wish to be played, using one line each

3) Save the file as playlist.txt

4) Upload the file to your AutoDJ folder either using FTP or the web based uploader.

You can set the songs to play in a specific order or randomise them from the control panel.

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7. Playlist scheduling

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Our system includes some advanced playlist scheduling feaures:

- Daily scheduling

- Timed scheduling

Daily Scheduling (AutoDj server is located in the USA, please use American time for this option)

Daily Scheduling

You can create playlists to be activated in a specific date. If you create a playlist for a specific day, the new playlist will start straight after the song that is playing at 12:00AM - if a song is already playing then the new playlist will not interrupt the song at exactly 12:00AM.

To create a playlist:

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1) Create a text file with Notepad (or your favorite plain text editor) and enter the MP3's that you wish to be played that day - one MP3 per line (case sensitive). Alternatively you can go to the Playlist page and create the file from there.

The filename should be formatted as follows: DD_MM_YYYY.txt

So for example, to set a playlist to be activated on 9th December 2009, the format would be 09_12_2009.txt

The following examples are incorrect and will not work: 9_12_2009.txt or 09_12_09.txt - there must be two figures for day and month, and four for the year.

2) Ensure that all of your MP3 filenames are correct (they are case sensitive)

3) Upload the file to your AutoDJ folder either using FTP or the web based uploader or you can create it from the playlists page.

You can set the songs to play in a specific order or randomise them from the control panel.

Timed scheduling

Our advanced scheduling featuring allows you to create playlists to be activated at specific times in the day.

To create a playlist:

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1) Create a text file with Notepad (or your favorite plain text editor) and enter the MP3's that you wish to be played at the time - one MP3 per line (case sensitive). Alternatively you can go to the Playlist page and create the file from there.

The filename should be formatted as follows: HHMM_HHMM.txt - where the first part is the start time and the second part is the end time.

So for example, to set a playlist to be activated at 3:00PM and finish at 4:00PM, the format would be 1500_1600.txt - both times must be set in 24 hour format as shown. If your playlist isn't named correctly then it will be ignored by the system.

2) Ensure that all of your MP3 filenames are correct (they are case sensitive)

3) Upload the file to your AutoDJ folder either using FTP or the web based uploader or you can create it from the playlists page.

You can set the songs to play in a specific order or randomise them from the control panel.

It's important to note that if you have a daily playlist and a timed playlist, then the timed one will take priority.

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8. Can I purchase AutoDJ without SHOUTcast server?

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No, AutoDJ is an Add-on only. It can be purchased as an Add-on to our SHOUTcast server! 

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9. Why won't AutoDJ play my MP3's?

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