SHOUTcast Getting Started Guide
==Introduction==
The aim of this page is to help guide you through the process of getting a SHOUTcast 2 system installed and broadcasting so people can connect to it through the SHOUTcast Radio Directory and hear the great content you have and want to provide to the world.
It is assumed throughout the documentation that you have a basic knowledge of how to use the command-line console for the platform you decide to install the tools on i.e. how to run and control a program via the command-line console including being able to pass to it commands and the sending of signals as is appropriate to the platform being used. Windows users see [[#Windows_Users|section 1.2]].
Additionally it is assumed you know how to setup your network connection and router to allow your server instance to be visible when broadcasting i.e. being able to open up and forward any required ports to allow your server instance to be visible to other machines on the internet as well as so the SHOUTcast Radio Directory can see you.
This guide will refer you to other places in the documentation provided with the tools by showing references to the relevant file and section in the documentation files e.g. [[Source_DSP_Plug-in#Encoder_Tab|dsp_sc.txt - section 3.2.3]]. These referenced sections generally provide a lot more detail on the option or feature such as what would need to be set in the Transcoder configuration to allow for it to work with the DNAS Server being setup and so on.
===What is SHOUTcast?===
----
If you are new to SHOUTcast then this is probably something you may have already asked or you are trying to find out.
At its most basic, the SHOUTcast system is based around a ''''client + server'''' configuration which allows you to run a server (either directly or via a hosted service) which can then provide a stream or streams of the 'source' connected to the server to any clients which are connected to the server.
The clients connect via a direct connection i.e. '''server <->> client''' where the main flow of data (the stream data) will go from the server to the client.
So a simple SHOUTcast setup would consist of the following:
Winamp + DSP ? DNAS [sc_serv] ? Winamp
(Source) (Server) (Client)
This is not the only way to setup a SHOUTcast system and more examples can be seen in the [[SHOUTcast_System_Overview|shoutcast_system_overview.txt]] which goes into more detail about the way SHOUTcast works as well as other ways of setting up a SHOUTcast system (see section 2.0).
===Windows Users===
----
The SHOUTcast DNAS Server and Transcoder are both built to be run from the command-line console (or as a native service if using this mode) which may appear to be daunting when most interaction done with the operating system is done via a graphical interface (GUI).
If you are not acquainted with using the command-line console then you will need to find a guide which shows you the basics of using the command-line console along with getting you familiar with using it before trying to get any of the SHOUTcast tools running. If you search for 'how to use the command prompt' then you should find a guide which you can follow to help get you knowledgeable enough with using the command-line console.
This may appear to be a step backwards if you previously used the v1 DNAS Server with its very basic GUI wrapper which otherwise was acting in the same manner as the command-line console just without the look of the operating system. However the v1 DNAS Server was at its core a command-line tool just like the v2 DNAS Server is now.
===Windows Vista / 7 Specifics===
----
Due to the UAC feature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control) of these OSes you will need to remember the effect that this will have on editing and saving of files.
By default the Windows versions of the installer will choose the native 'Program Files' folder '''(*)''' but unless you have disabled UAC or do not have full access to the folder then you will find attempts to save and edit any configuration files will not work.
If this is an issue then you should either choose a different folder of all of the files or change where the tools are trying to save files and also to save any changes in your configuration files with a text editor which is running with administrator permissions.
This is an unfortunate inconvenience though for making it easier to known where all of the configuration examples and documentation can be found is better. Finally there is no reason not to choose a different folder when installing the tools if you experience this.
'''(*)''' This will be slightly different depending on if you are using the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the OS as well as the language of the OS. As well the installer will pick the native 'Program Files' folder so installing the 32-bit version on the 64-bit OS will use 'Program Files (x86)' whereas installing the 64-bit version on the same OS will use 'Program Files'.
==What is Required?==
To make your SHOUTcast system you will need the following software tools and hardware:
* A computer running on a supported operating system ([[#Supported_Operating_Systems|see section 2.1]])
* SHOUTcast DNAS Server
* An input source (Transcoder or Winamp plus Source DSP plug-in)
* Media or DJ's or a Capture device i.e. the content you want to provide to people
===Supported Operating Systems===
----
There are versions of the DNAS Server and Transcoder available on the following operating systems:
Windows 32-bit Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7
Windows 64-bit 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, 7
Linux 32-bit Requires glibc 2.5
Linux 64-bit Requires glibc 2.5 and only the DNAS Server is available
BSD 8.x
Mac OS X (Intel) Should work on 10.4.4 and up though is only tested against 10.5.5
Remember when you download the tools to get the version which fits the operating system you are using on the machine to be used for the server instance.
If using machines with different operating systems for different tasks then there should not be any problems with them working together e.g. Windows for the source and Linux for the server. This is due to the tools using the same communication style irrespective of the platform which they being run upon.
==Getting Installed==
When following the steps listed remember to only follow the parts which are applicable to the operating system and the tool or tools which you are attempting to install. If you do want to install multiple tools then it is better to work through the guide for one tool and then to do the same for the other one otherwise it may become confusing especially if you are new to command-line console tools and manual editting of configuration files.
If you are not happy with manual editting of configuration files then there is also a configuration builder included as part of the Server and Transcoder distribution - see [[#Configuration_Builder|section 4.2]]. The aim of the configuration builder is to aid in the creation of matching configuration files for both tools which should work. It is still recommended that you do read the accompanying documentation so you can understand what it is that you are doing.
===Step 1 - Download the Correct Version===
----
To begin with you will need to download the correct version of the tools you are going to use for the operating system you are setting up your SHOUTcast system on. So if you are using Windows 2000 then you would need to download the Windows 32-bit version whereas if using Windows 7 64-bit then you would download the Windows 64-bit version and so on. See [[#Supported_Operating_Systems|see section 2.1]] for clarification of the supported operating systems for the tools.
Current versions of the SHOUTcast tools can be obtained from:
http://www.shoutcast.com/broadcast-tools
or
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?t=324877 '''(*)'''
Remember you will need to download a Server (sc_serv) and a source for the server which can be the Transcoder (sc_trans) or if using Windows then you can also use the Source DSP plug-in (dsp_sc) for Winamp (which may work on non-Windows systems using WINE but is not guaranteed and no support is offered with such a setup).
Additionally there are a number of third party programs which can act as a source for a server instance. These are not covered as part of this guide and if you decide you want to use one of these programs then you will need to consult their help for getting it to work with the server instance.
'''(*)''' This is a summary page and contains links to the latest versions of the tools such as when a new release has just been released or is being tested before it is provided via the main SHOUTcast site download page at http://www.shoutcast.com/broadcast-tools
===Step 2 - Choose an Install Location===
----
Choose an install location for the tool you want to install (be it the Server, Transcoder or the source plug-in for Winamp) as is applicable for the SHOUTcast setup you are making on the machine.
On Windows this choice is handled via the installer which selects a sensible new location or it re-uses the previous install location if doing an upgrade of an install which was previously made with a v2 tool installer. This can be changed if wanted during install.
On non-Windows operating systems you can choose any location for the extracted location as long as you have the correct permission and access to the folder chosen.
===Step 3 - Installation===
----
On Windows you now need to run the installer, using the folder you have decided upon for the install location along with ensuring the option to install the documentation has been checked. Doing this will install the documentation and example configuration files which are included in the installer and referenced in later stages of this guide.
Note: If using Windows Vista / 7 then make sure to install into a location which allows you to save and edit the configuration files and to save any log files into. More information can be found on what is required in [[#Windows_Vista_.2F_7_Specifics|see section 1.3]].
On non-Windows you now need to extract the files for the tool(s) you have downloaded and ensure that you extract all contents of the archive into the install location decided on.
===Step 4 - MP3 Streaming License===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Transcoder for MP3 streaming.
If you want to provide an MP3 stream and are going to use the Transcoder then you will need to obtain a license key in-order to unlock the support to do this in the tool. Details on how to obtain this can be found in [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2#Registering_for_MP3_Stream_Encoding|sc_trans.txt - section 2.5]].
Note: AAC encoding does not need you to purchase a license though one has already been paid for you as detailed in [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2#Why_Does_AAC_Encoding_Not_Require_a_License_Key.3F|sc_trans.txt - section 2.5.1]].
In summary, once the key has been obtained you need to add the key and your name into the 'unlockkeyname' and 'unlockkeycode' values in you configuration file exactly as they have been received. So if your key is '123456' and you have used 'Bob' as the registered name you would add the following to your Transcoder configuration file:
unlockkeyname=Bob
unlockkeycode=123456
===Step 5 - Install Source DSP===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Source DSP plug-in for MP3 streaming.
If you want to provide an MP3 stream and are going to use Winamp and the Source DSP then you just need to make sure to install the Source DSP plug-in and select the MP3 encoder on the 'Output -> Encoder' tab (as detailed in [[Source_DSP_Plug-in#Encoder_Tab|dsp_sc.txt - section 3.2.3]]).
===Step 6 - Server Configuration Setup===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Server configuration
Getting the Server started you first need to open up the sc_serv_basic.conf example file in the root of the install location. Work through the file's contents and then fill in or change any of the values required for how you want to use the server.
The provided example will create a simple server configuration and contains the basic settings needed to allow for the server to work as local network only test setup.
This means that you server will not attempt to connect to the SHOUTcast Radio Directory for being listed. So to be listed in the SHOUTcast Radio Directory then you should have a look at the contents of sc_serv_public.conf as well as [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2#Getting_Started|sc_serv2.txt - section 3.0]] for how to obtain the authorisation key needed to register.
Once the authorisation key has been obtained then you will need to replace the string
streamauthhash=
to
streamauthhash=123456ABCxyz
Additionally there are example configuration files for the following scenarios:
sc_serv_public - shows how to make a public server
sc_serv_relay - shows how to relay another source
sc_serv_simple - shows most simple configuration for a public server (*)
There is more information about these example configurations in [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2#Example_Configurations|sc_serv2.txt - section 9]].
(*) Use this if you are really struggling to follow things or just want a quick server.
===Step 7 - Transcoder Configuration Setup===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Transcoder configuration
Getting the Transcoder started you first need to open up the sc_trans_basic.conf example file in the root of the install location. Work through the file's contents and then fill in or change any of the values required for how you want to use the server.
If you are wanting to use MP3 encoding then make sure you have followed '[[#Step_4_-_MP3_Streaming_License|Step 4]]' entering the required 'unlockkeyname' and 'unlockkeycode' values in you configuration file exactly as they have been received.
Additionally there are example configuration files for the following scenarios:
sc_trans_capture - shows how to use a capture device
sc_trans_dj - shows how to setup a DJ connection
sc_trans_playlist - shows how to use scheduled playlists
There is more information about these example configurations in [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2#Example_Configurations|sc_trans.txt - section 11]].
===Step 8 - Configuring the Source DSP===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Source DSP plug-in configuration
For getting Winamp and the Source DSP plug-in setup look through the [[Source_DSP_Plug-in_Configuration_Examples|dsp_sc_config.txt]] file and enter in the relevant values as described in it once you have setup the Server (from [[#Step_6_-_Server_Configuration_Setup|Step 6]]) if you are going to use the plug-in as the only source '''and / or''' the Transcoder (from [[#Step_7_-_Transcoder_Configuration_Setup|Step 7]]) if it is to act as a DJ source.
===Step 9 - Before Starting the Tools===
----
At this stage you should now have all of the relevant configuration files relating to the SHOUTcast system you are wanting to setup now correctly filled with any options needing to changed having been done. If not then go back over Steps 7 to 9 until you are happy.
With the following Steps 10 to 14, you only need to follow those which apply to the tool which you have configured to use from the previous steps. Remember it is often easier to setup one tool at a time starting with the Server first before going onto the source be it the Transcoder or Winamp and the Source DSP plug-in.
===Step 10 - Starting the Server===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Server configuration
For simplicity we will only run the Server in the command-line console though when your Server setup is completed and everything is known to be working correctly then running as a service (Windows) or as a daemon (non-Windows) can be done to automate loading of the Server.
To start the Server instance you now need to enter the correct command string for the operating system you are using in the command-line console like the following which assumes using the base example configuration file in the same directory as the Server program file:
For Windows - sc_serv.exe sc_serv_basic.conf
For non-Window - ./sc_serv sc_serv_basic.conf
If you use one of the other example configuration files or a different one then you can just change 'sc_serv_basic.conf' to the name or full path to the configuration file.
For more information on running the Server see [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2|sc_serv2.txt]] and the relevant section for the operating system you are using:
Windows - [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2#Run_as_a_Non-Service_in_the_Console|3.2.3]] (or [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2#Windows|3.2]] for more advanced options)
Linux / Mac OS X / BSD - [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2#Run_as_a_Non-Daemon|3.3.3]] (or [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2#Linux_.2F_Mac_OS_X_.2F_BSD|3.3]] for more advanced options)
===Step 11 - Errors Running the Server===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Server configuration and experience no error reports when trying to run the Server.
If an issue is reported in the console output from the Server then you first need to look at the actual issue being reported which will be prefixed with an 'E' at the start of the message in the console output.
The error message shown should make it clear as to what is wrong e.g. passing an invalid or missing configuration file passed would cause an error along with closing the server instance.
If the error message still does not make any sense then either double-check [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2|sc_serv2.txt]] or goto the SHOUTcast support forums http://forums.winamp.com/forumdisplay.php?f=140 and post the question along with a copy of the log including the error message.
===Step 12 - Starting the Transcoder===
----
For simplicity we will only run the Transcoder in the command-line console though when your Transcoder setup is completed and everything is known to be working correctly then running as a service (Windows) or as a daemon (non-Windows) can be done to automate loading of the Transcoder.
To start the Transcoder instance you now need to enter the correct command string for the operating system you are using into the command-line console like the following which assumes using the base example configuration file in the same directory as the Transcoder program file:
For Windows - sc_trans.exe sc_trans_basic.conf
For non-Window - ./sc_serv sc_trans_basic.conf
If you use one of the other example configuration files or a different one then you can just change 'sc_trans_basic.conf' to the name or full path to the configuration file.
For more information on running the Transcoder see [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2|sc_trans.txt]] and the relevant section for the operating system you are using:
Windows - [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2#Run_as_a_Non-Service_in_the_Console|2.2.3]] (or [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2#Windows|2.2]] for more advanced options)
Linux / Mac OS X / BSD - [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2#Run_as_a_Non-Daemon|2.3.3]] (or [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Transcoder_2#Linux_.2F_Mac_OS_X_.2F_BSD|2.3]] for more advanced options)
===Step 13 - Errors Running the Transcoder===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Transcoder configuration and experience no error reports when trying to run the Transcoder.
If an issue is reported in the console output from the Server then you first need to look at the actual issue being reported which will be prefixed with an 'E' at the start of the message in the console output.
The error message shown should make it clear as to what is wrong e.g. passing an invalid or missing configuration file passed would cause an error along with closing the server instance.
If the error message still does not make any sense then either double-check [[SHOUTcast_DNAS_Server_2|sc_serv2.txt]] or goto the SHOUTcast support forums http://forums.winamp.com/forumdisplay.php?f=140 and post the question along with a copy of the log including the error message.
===Step 14 - Starting the Source DSP===
----
Note: Skip this step if you are not setting up the Source DSP plug-in configuration
Using the Source DSP plug-in requires the plug-in to be set as the current DSP plug-in which is done by going to 'Winamp Preferences -> Plug-ins -> DSP/Effect' and selecting 'Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP
When this entry in the list is selected then the plug-in's configuration window will be opened and from there the plug-in will be in a state where a connection can be started via the 'Connect' button on the 'Output' tab.
'''(*)''' The string
===Step 15 - Completed===
----
You should now be up and running with a working SHOUTcast system. Happy broadcasting!
If things are still not running then go back to one of the previous steps and make sure that you have followed things otherwise please see the next ([[#Further Information|section 4.0]]) on what you can do to get help in trying to resolve the issue / problem that you are experiencing.
==Further Information==
If you have followed the setup steps detailed in [[#Getting_Installed|section 3]] and are still having issues with getting the tools running or to achieve a certain result then make sure you have the currently supported version of the tool(s). You can check this via the links referenced in section [[#Step_1_-_Download_the_Correct_Version|3.0.1]] and especially the forum link of the most current versions available.
If installing the latest version does not help or if you already are using the latest version of the tool(s) you are having issues with or if the feature is not available then please goto the SHOUTcast support forums: http://forums.winamp.com/forumdisplay.php?f=140
Make sure if you are reporting issues to provide as much information as possible for the SHOUTcast users who use the tools including the following information:
* Your SHOUTcast setup including all versions of the tools being used
* The issue you are experiencing
* The steps needed to reproduce the issue
* Anything else useful especially if you have been tinkering with options before the issue appeared
Remember when you post an issue that providing as much information in a clear and concise manner should make it easier for anyone who can help to be able to understand the issue you have. This is important as not all people frequenting the forum are native English speakers.
Finally you must remain civil to other users (however annoying or frustrating the issue is that you are experiencing) as most users will not want to make a reply to someone who does not appear to be civil - if you think about it from the other view of what you would think when looking at such a post then this should make sense to keep things civil.
===Related Documentation===
----
In the install location there will be a 'docs' folder (as long as it has been chosen to be installed [Windows] or extracted [non-Windows] which contains the main documentation relating to the SHOUTcast tool(s) installed as well as any related documentation to the other tools which may be of use in getting a SHOUTcast system configured and running
e.g. the docs\dsp_sc folder contains information on the Source DSP plug-in so you can use it to setup the plug-in as a source or so you can know what to tell a DJ so they can connect to your SHOUTcast system.
Please remember that with the SHOUTcast tools being designed to work on both the Windows and non-Windows operating systems, there is information included in the documentation which relates to either of these platforms. So when reading through the documentation, only follow the information which relates to the operating system you are using
===Configuration Builder===
----
Included in the SHOUTcast DNAS Server and Transcoder installers / archives (depending on the operating system you are using) include a Configuration Builder which create a paired configuration file for the Server and the Transcoder. This can be found in the folder 'config_builder'.
This is a very useful tool especially when making a new setup or if you find you are not happy with manually editing configuration files. Do remember that this will help to make configuration files which will work as long as the details you enter are correct and are correctly passed to the Server and Transcoder instances when run.
==Glossary==
'''Client''' - This is a program run which will connect to the Server e.g. Winamp.
'''DNAS''' - This is an abbreviation of Distributed Network Audio Server and refers to the way SHOUTcast systems are intended in providing a Stream to multiple Clients.
'''Server''' - This is the program which is run on a machine to provide to Clients the Stream.
'''Source''' - This is a program or an input device e.g. the line-in connection on the Server which is providing the data for the Stream.
'''
Stream''' - This is the data which is provided from the Server to the connected Client and is best thought of like the flow of water in a stream in how it goes from the Server (up stream) to the Client (down stream).
'''Transcoder''' - This is the software which can take taken different media files and convert them to a different format which is then compatible what the Stream wanted.
'''YP''' - This is an abbreviation of YellowPages and refers to the SHOUTcast Radio Directory listing which makes it easier for Clients to search for and then find your Stream.
'''dsp_sc''' - This is the name the SHOUTcast Source DSP plug-in is otherwise known as.
'''sc_trans''' - This is the name the SHOUTcast Transcoder is otherwise known as.
'''sc_serv''' or '''sc_serv2''' - This is the name the SHOUTcast DNAS Server is otherwise known as.