Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section addresses common questions and provides step-by-step solutions for performing key actions in the CastHost Dashboard.

Table of Contents

1. How do I create and manage playlists?
   
2. How do I schedule playlists using the Scheduling Tool?
   
3. How do I set up and schedule jingles?
   
4. How do I add and manage DJ accounts?
5. How do I analyze listener statistics?
6. How do I integrate widgets into my website?
7. How do I configure AutoDJ settings?

Q1: How do I create and manage playlists?

A: To create and manage playlists, follow these steps:

1. Creating a Playlist:
• Title: Enter the name of the playlist.
• Type: Choose General Rotation (for regular playback) or Scheduled (for specific time slots).
• Playback Order: Select Sequential or Shuffle.
• Weight: Assign a priority level (higher weight means higher priority).
• Start Time: Define the active hours (if applicable).
• Go to the DJ Management > Playlists Tab.
• Click Add Playlist.
• Fill in the required details:
• Click Save Changes to create the playlist.
2. Managing a Playlist:
• Locate the playlist in the table and click Manage.
• Edit details like title, type, or weight.
• Add or remove tracks by selecting them from the list.
• Click Save Changes.
3. Reordering Tracks:
• Click Tracks Order next to the desired playlist.
• Use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to adjust the order.
• Save changes.
4. Deleting a Playlist:
• Click Delete next to the playlist.
• Confirm the deletion to remove it permanently.

Q2: How do I schedule playlists using the Scheduling Tool?

A: Use the Scheduling Tool to automate playlist playback:

1. Accessing the Scheduling Tool:
• Navigate to DJ Management > Scheduling Tool Tab.
2. Adding a New Schedule:
• Title: Name of the schedule (e.g., "Morning Rotation").
• Playlist: Select the playlist you want to play.
• Click on a blank space in the calendar on the desired day.
• Enter the following details in the Add Schedule modal:
• Click Save Changes.
3. Editing or Removing a Schedule:
• Click on the scheduled event in the calendar.
• Update the title, playlist, or playback times, or click Remove Schedule to delete it.
• Save changes.

Q3: How do I set up and schedule jingles?

A: Follow these steps to manage jingles:

1. Adding a Jingle:
• Name: Enter the name of the jingle.
• Play After: Specify the number of songs or minutes before the jingle plays.
• Interval: Define how often the jingle will play.
• Playback Style: Choose between Random or Sequential playback.
• Go to DJ Management > Jingles Tab.
• Click Add Jingle and complete the fields:
• Click Add Jingle to save.
2. Uploading Jingle Files:
• Click the Upload button in the Jingles Tab.
• Select the jingle files from your computer and upload them to the library.
3. Managing Existing Jingles:
• Locate the jingle in the table and click Edit.
• Update playback rules or file associations.
• Save changes.
4. Deleting a Jingle:
• Click Delete next to the jingle in the table.
• Confirm the deletion to remove it.

Q4: How do I add and manage DJ accounts?

A: Use the Users Tab to manage DJ accounts:

1. Adding a DJ Account:
• Real Name: Full name of the DJ.
• Username: Unique identifier for the DJ.
• Password: Secure login credentials.
• Disk Quota (MB): Storage allocation (set to 0 for unlimited).
• Start/stop streams.
• Manage playlists.
• View listeners and logs.
• Navigate to DJ Management > Users Tab.
• Click Add User.
• Fill in the required details:
• Assign permissions such as:
• Configure login restrictions (specific days and times).
• Click Save Changes.
2. Editing a DJ Account:
• Locate the account in the user table and click Edit.
• Update details such as name, username, permissions, or login restrictions.
• Save changes.
3. Deleting a DJ Account:
• Click Delete next to the user account.
• Confirm the action to remove the account.

Q5: How do I analyze listener statistics?

A: Use the Statistics Section for detailed insights:

1. Accessing Live Statistics:
• Listeners Tuned Now: Active listeners with details like location, IP, and listen time.
• Current Top Countries: Geographical distribution of listeners.
• Current Top User Agents: Devices or platforms used by listeners.
• Navigate to Statistics > Live.
• View data such as:
2. Analyzing Historical Listener Data:
• Total Listener Minutes.
• Unique Listeners.
• Bandwidth Usage.
• Go to Statistics > Listeners.
• Select a date range using predefined options (7 days, 14 days, etc.) or a custom range.
• Review metrics like:
3. Exporting Reports:
• Click Export to download the data in CSV format for further analysis.

Q6: How do I integrate widgets into my website?

A: Follow these steps to add widgets to your site:

1. Choosing a Widget:
• Go to Widgets Section.
• Select the desired widget (e.g., Stream Status, Recent Tracks, Chat Box).
2. Customizing the Widget:
• Adjust options like character encoding, track count, or colors (where applicable).
• Preview the widget in real-time.
3. Copying the Code:
• Copy the provided HTML/JavaScript code snippets.
4. Embedding the Widget:
• Paste the code into your website at the desired location (e.g., within the <body> tag).

Q7: How do I configure AutoDJ settings?

A: Customize AutoDJ settings under the Settings Tab:

1. Enabling/Disabling AutoDJ:
• Go to Settings > AutoDJ.
• Toggle the AutoDJ Status to Enabled or Disabled.
2. Adjusting Crossfade Settings:
• Set the Crossfade Length (in seconds) for smooth transitions.
• Define the Crossfade Threshold (minimum track length required for crossfade).
3. Managing Replay Gain:
• Enable Calculate Replay Gain to normalize track volume during playback.
4. Saving Changes:
• After configuring, click Save Changes.