Knowledge Base

The TundraCast Metadata and Control Service (MCS) allows broadcasters to transmit metadata for TundraCast streams, including details like song title, artist, and album, using a pipe (|) delimited string along with many other XML and JSON formats. On Windows, you can easily configure the MCS to listen for metadata on a specified port and transmit the information using the correct format.

This guide will show you how to set up and configure the TundraCast MCS on Windows using the pipe-delimited metadata string format and the metadata_listen_port setting.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Access to your TundraCast StreamID, PAU Username and PAU Password
• The correct format for the metadata string:
  [GROUP]|[CUTID]|[TITLE]|[ARTIST]|[ALBUM]
• The appropriate port defined for receiving metadata (metadata_listen_port).

1. Metadata String Format

The metadata string is pipe-delimited (|), with each field representing specific information. Here's what each part means:

• [GROUP]: This is the group or category in automation used for advertisement/music logic and send/hold logic.
• [CUTID]: A unique identifier for the track, used by the automation system. Often called Cart Number.
• [TITLE]: The track or segment’s title.
• [ARTIST]: The name of the artist or creator. Optional.
• [ALBUM]: The album or collection the track is part of (if applicable). Optional.

ROCK|73194|Peace on Earth|U2|All That You Can't Leave Behind


2. Configuring the Metadata Listening Port (metadata_listen_port)

To enable TundraCast MCS to receive metadata on a specific port, you need to configure the metadata_listen_port. This port tells MCS where to listen for incoming metadata.

Steps to Configure the Port:

1. Locate the metadata_listen_port Setting in TundraCast Configuration
   The metadata_listen_port setting is found in the TundraCast configuration file. Locate this file in the installation directory (for example, C:\ProgramData\Summit Technology Group\TundraCast\Metadata and Control Service\TundraCast Metadata and Control Service.exe.config).‍
2. Set the Metadata Listen Port
   Choose an available port (such as the default 2083) and ensure no other service is using it.

<setting name="metadata_listen_port" serializeAs="String">
                <value>2082</value>
            </setting>

1. Open the Port in Windows Firewall
   You may need to allow traffic on this port through the Windows Firewall.
   1. Open the Windows Defender Firewall settings.
   2. Click on Advanced Settings on the left-hand side.
   3. In the Inbound Rules section, select New Rule.
   4. Choose Port and click Next.
   5. Select TCP and specify the port number (e.g., 8052).
   6. Choose Allow the connection and apply the rule.‍
2. Restart the TundraCast MCS Service
   Once the port is configured and the firewall rule is set, restart the MCS service. You can do this via the Services Manager in Windows:
   1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   2. Scroll down to find TundraCast MCS, right-click, and select Restart.

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