Encoders & Streaming

Connect your station to the world with multiple simultaneous stream outputs.

Encoder Overview

Encoder detail cards showing connection status, codec, and bitrate.

Encoders are the bridge between JaiCast and your listeners. Each encoder takes your mixed audio output, compresses it with a chosen codec, and sends it to a streaming server or writes it to a file on disk.

• Multiple simultaneous encoders — run as many as you need, each with its own codec, bitrate, and destination.
• Independent operation — each encoder connects, encodes, and reconnects on its own. Starting or stopping one has no effect on the others.
• Encoders panel — a compact status view on the right side of the main window shows connection state and basic stats for every configured encoder.
• Encoders tab — a detailed view with full configuration, bitrate history graphs, and per-encoder controls.

Supported Protocols

JaiCast can send audio to a variety of streaming server types. Choose the protocol that matches your infrastructure.

Supported Codecs

The codec determines how your audio is compressed before transmission. Lossy codecs reduce file size at the cost of some quality; lossless codecs preserve the original audio exactly.

Lossy Codecs

Lossless Codecs

Adding an Encoder

To create a new encoder and connect to a streaming server:

The encoder type picker dialog where you select the streaming protocol for a new encoder.

1. Click the + button in the Encoders panel on the right side of the main window.
2. In the encoder type picker dialog, select the protocol you want to use (Icecast, SHOUTcast, HLS, DASH, RTMP, or File Recording).
3. Configure the encoder settings:
   • Name — a label to identify this encoder in the panel (e.g., "Main MP3 Stream").
   • Codec — the audio codec to use for encoding.
   • Bitrate — target bitrate in kbps. Higher values mean better quality but more bandwidth.
   • Host — the address of your streaming server.
   • Port — the server port (typically 8000 for Icecast, 8080 for SHOUTcast).
   • Mount point — the stream path on the server (Icecast only, e.g., /live).
   • Username — source username (usually source for Icecast).
   • Password — the source password from your server configuration.
4. Optional settings:
   • Auto-start on launch — automatically connect this encoder when JaiCast starts.
   • Public directory (YP) — list your stream in the server's public directory so listeners can discover it.
   • UTF-8 metadata — send track metadata in UTF-8 encoding. Enable this unless you have a specific reason not to.
5. Click Save to create the encoder, then click Start to connect.

Icecast 2 encoder configuration with host, port, mount point, codec, and bitrate settings.

Encoder Detail View

Each encoder has a detail view accessible from the Encoders tab. This view provides real-time information and controls for the encoder.

Encoder detail view showing connection status, live indicator, data sent, and bitrate history graph.

Status Indicators

• Connection status — shows whether the encoder is Connected or Disconnected, with a color-coded indicator.
• LIVE indicator — a prominent badge that appears when the encoder is actively streaming.
• Destination URL — the full URL where audio is being sent, including protocol, host, port, and mount point.
• Codec info — displays the active codec and bitrate configuration.

Statistics

• Data sent — total amount of data transmitted since the encoder was started.
• Uptime — how long the encoder has been connected to the server.
• Listener count — the number of listeners currently tuned in (when reported by the server).
• Bitrate history graph — a visual chart showing the actual bitrate over time, useful for spotting network issues or encoder stalls.

Controls

Recording

In addition to live streaming, JaiCast can record your broadcast output to files on disk. The recording encoder works just like a streaming encoder but writes to a local directory instead of sending data to a server.

Configuration

• Output directory — choose where recorded files are saved.
• Codec — all codecs are available for recording, including lossless options (FLAC, WAV) for archival-quality captures.
• Split mode:
  • Per-track split — creates a new file each time a new track begins playing. File names are derived from the track metadata.
  • Continuous — records the entire session into a single file. Useful for capturing a complete show or broadcast block.

Auto-Reconnect

Network interruptions happen. JaiCast includes configurable auto-reconnect behavior so your stream recovers without manual intervention.

Settings

Metadata Updates

When connected to a streaming server, JaiCast automatically sends metadata updates as tracks change. This includes the track title, artist, and any other configured metadata fields. Listeners see this information in their media player as the "now playing" display.