Introduction
Welcome to the CastHost Dashboard User Manual. This guide will provide you with comprehensive instructions on how to use the various features of the CastHost Dashboard effectively. Our goal is to help you maximize the potential of your online radio streaming service through our powerful and user-friendly platform.
Overview of CastHost Dashboard
The CastHost Dashboard is designed to offer a seamless and efficient experience for managing your online radio station. From tracking listener statistics to managing monetization and content, the dashboard provides all the tools you need in one place.
Key Features
- Monetization: Tools to help you generate revenue from your content.
- Statistics: Listener data reports and downloadable files.
- Widgets: Pre-coded widgets to add to your website.
- Settings: Configure your station’s preferences and settings.
- DJ: Your station’s DJ functions.
User Roles and Permissions
The CastHost Dashboard supports multiple user roles, each with specific permissions:
- Administrator: Full access to all features and settings.
- User: Customizable access to features and settings.
Getting Started
Logging In
To log in to the CastHost Dashboard, follow these steps:
- Open your web browser and navigate to the CastHost login page: https://dashboard.casthost.net.
- Enter your username and password.
- Click the "Login" button.
- If you forget your password, click on the "Forgot Password?" link and follow the instructions to reset it.
Navigating the Dashboard
Upon successful login, you will be directed to the main dashboard. The dashboard consists of the following components:
- Sidebar: Located on the left side, it contains links to different sections of the dashboard.
- Dashboard
- Statistics
- Listeners
- Countries
- Tracks
- User Agents
- Historical
- Live Listeners
- Downloads
- DJ
- Widgets
- Settings
- Support Center
- Main Content Area: Displays the content of the selected section. This is where you will interact with the various tools and data provided by the dashboard.
- Header: Contains the Listener count and max listener limit, start/stop server toggle, play stream, basic/advanced toggle & logout button.
Dashboard Pages
Overview
The Dashboard page of the CastHost Dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of your online radio station's current status and key metrics. It includes real-time information about the station, recent tracks played, and essential details for managing your broadcast.
Key Features
- Station Information: Displays the local time, the current track playing, and the playlist from which the track is being played.
- Station Details: Provides tune-in links for various media players and stream proxy information.
- Encoder Info: Detailed instructions for setting up your encoder for live broadcasts.
- Recent Tracks: Lists the most recently played tracks along with album details and purchase links.
Statistics Section
The Statistics section of the CastHost Dashboard provides detailed insights into your station's performance and listener behavior. This section includes several pages: Listeners, Countries, Tracks, User Agents, Historical, Live Listeners, and Downloads. Each page offers specific metrics and data to help you understand and manage your station effectively.
Listeners
Overview
The Listeners page provides real-time and historical data on your station's listeners. It helps you monitor listener trends, peak times, and overall audience engagement.
Countries
Overview
The Countries page provides geographical data on your listeners. It helps you understand where your audience is located and tailor your content accordingly.
Tracks
Overview
The Tracks page provides data on the tracks played on your station. It helps you monitor which tracks are most popular and how often they are played.
User Agents
Overview
The User Agents page provides data on the devices and applications used by your listeners to access your stream. This information helps you optimize your stream for different platforms.
Historical
Overview
The Historical page provides long-term data on your station's performance. It helps you analyze trends over extended periods and make data-driven decisions.
Live Listeners
Overview
The Live Listeners page provides real-time data on your current audience. It helps you monitor live listener engagement and make real-time adjustments to your broadcast.
Downloads
Overview
The Downloads page provides detailed insights into the downloadable content available to your listeners, including reports for Performance Rights Organizations (PROs).
DJ Section
The DJ section of the CastHost Dashboard provides tools and settings to manage your station's DJs and their broadcasting activities. This section includes five tabs: Playlists, Scheduling Tool, Jingles, Users, and Settings. Each tab offers specific features to help you manage different aspects of your DJ operations.
Playlists
Overview
The Playlists tab allows you to create and manage playlists for your station. Playlists are essential for both live broadcasts and AutoDJ functions, providing a structured way to organize and play your audio content.
Key Features
- Create Playlists: Easily create new playlists by adding tracks from your library.
- Edit Playlists: Modify existing playlists by adding, removing, or rearranging tracks.
- Playlist Settings: Configure settings for each playlist, such as playback order and crossfade options.
How to Use the Playlists Tab
- Creating a Playlist: Click on the "Add Playlist" button, enter a title & type for the playlist, and start adding tracks from your library. You can search for tracks by title, artist, or album.
- Editing a Playlist: Select an existing playlist to view its contents. Use the controls to add or remove tracks, rearrange the order, and adjust playback settings.
- Playlist Settings: Access the settings for each playlist to configure playback options, such as shuffle mode, repeat mode, and crossfade duration.
Scheduling Tool
Overview
The Scheduling Tool tab allows you to set up and manage the broadcasting schedule for your playlists. It provides a visual representation of your schedule, making it easy to see and adjust broadcasting times.
Key Features
- Create Schedules: Set specific time slots for playlist broadcasts.
- Recurring Schedules: Create recurring schedules for regular shows.
- Schedule Overview: View a calendar of all scheduled DJ sessions.
How to Use the Scheduling Tool Tab
- Setting Up Schedules: Click on a day to create a new schedule. Select the playlist, set the start and end times, and specify whether the schedule is a one-time event or recurring.
- Viewing Schedules: Use the calendar view to see all upcoming playlists.
- Editing Schedules: Click on any scheduled session to modify its details or delete it if no longer needed.
Jingles
Overview
The Jingles tab allows you to manage jingles and station IDs that can be played during broadcasts. Jingles are short audio clips used to identify your station, announce upcoming shows, or provide station information.
Key Features
- Upload: Upload new jingles to your library.
- Add Jingle: Create a new jingle list and select its playback settings.
- Manage Jingles: Organize and categorize your jingles for easy access.
- Playback Options: Set jingles to play at specific intervals.
How to Use the Jingles Tab
- Upload: Upload new jingles of station IDs files to your library.
- Adding Jingles: Click on the "Add Jingle" button to create a new jingles playlist. Provide a name and category for each jingle for easy identification.
- Managing Jingles: View your library of jingles, organize them into categories, and edit their details as needed.
- Playback Options: Configure settings to automatically play jingles at regular intervals or manually trigger them during live broadcasts using the DJ controls.
Users
Overview
The Users tab allows you to manage DJ accounts and permissions. This tab ensures that each DJ has the appropriate access and credentials to broadcast on your station.
How to Use the Users Tab
- Creating a User/DJ Account: Click on the "Add User" button to create a new DJ account. Enter the required details, such as DJ name, username, and password, and set the appropriate permissions.
- Managing User/DJ Accounts: View the list of all user accounts, edit their details, and modify permissions as needed. Deactivate or delete accounts that are no longer in use.
- Permission Settings: Configure permissions for each DJ account to control access to different features and settings on the dashboard.
Settings
Overview
The Settings tab allows you to configure various options for your DJ operations. This includes settings for AutoDJ, broadcast quality, and general DJ preferences.
How to Use the Settings Tab
- AutoDJ Status:
- Enabled/Disabled: Toggle the AutoDJ feature on or off. When enabled, AutoDJ will automatically manage your playlist when no live DJ is broadcasting.
- Genre:
- Specify Genre: Enter the genre of your station. This helps categorize your station and makes it easier for listeners to find content that matches their interests.
- Crossfade Settings:
- Crossfade Length: Set the length of the crossfade in seconds. This determines how long tracks overlap during transitions. A setting of 0 disables crossfading.
- Crossfade Threshold: Set the threshold for crossfade in seconds. This determines how far into the track the crossfade will start.
- General Preferences: Modify general DJ settings.
Widgets
Overview
The Widgets section provides a variety of pre-coded widgets that you can add to your website. These widgets enhance the functionality and user experience of your site by displaying dynamic content related to your radio station.
How to Use the Widgets
Using the widgets is simple and straightforward. Each widget comes with pre-written code that you can easily integrate into your website. Follow these steps:
- Select a Widget: Choose the widget you want to add to your site.
- Copy the Code: Copy the provided HTML/JavaScript code for the selected widget.
- Paste the Code: Paste the copied code into the desired location on your website.
Available Widgets
- Stream Status Summary
- Stream Details
- Recent Tracks
- On-demand Content
- Song Requests
- Tune In
- Web Player
Settings
The Settings section of the CastHost Dashboard allows you to configure various options for your account and station. It includes several tabs: Profile, Change Password, Shoutcast Premium, Relaying, Mount Points, and Advanced. Each tab offers specific settings to help you customize and manage your broadcasting experience.
Profile
Overview
The Profile tab lets you view and update your stream title, company/organization, website URL, E-mail, time zone, locale, character encoding, introduction & fallback files.
Change Password
Overview
The Change Password tab allows you to update your account password to ensure your account remains secure.
Shoutcast Premium
Overview
The Shoutcast Premium tab allows you to manage your Shoutcast Premium settings, including subscription details.
Relaying
Overview
The Relaying tab allows you to set up and manage relay servers for your station. Relaying helps extend your broadcast reach by transmitting your stream to additional servers, enabling more listeners to connect and reducing the load on your primary server.
Mount Points
Overview
The Mount Points tab allows you to configure and manage mount points for your station. Mount points are specific URLs where your streams are accessible, enabling listeners to connect to different streams based on their preferences or bandwidth capabilities.
How to Use the Mount Points Tab
- Adding a Mount Point:
- Click the "Add Mount Point" button.
- Fill in the necessary details, such as the mount point name, stream path, and use AutoDJ.
- Save the mount point to make it active.
- Managing Mount Points:
- View your list of mount points to see all currently configured streams.
- Click on the “Manage” action to view its details or update the configuration.
- To delete a mount point, select it and click the "Delete" button.
Advanced Features
Overview
The Advanced Features section of the CastHost Dashboard provides tools and options for users who need to configure more complex aspects of their broadcasting setup. These features allow for greater customization and control over the station’s performance and capabilities.