Overview
The TundraCast Metadata and Control Service (MCS) is a lightweight Windows-based service designed to facilitate real-time metadata delivery and remote stream management for TundraCast Audio Streaming. This document outlines the configuration parameters used in the .exe.config file and provides setup instructions for deploying and customizing the MCS service.
Purpose
This guide serves technical personnel tasked with installing or supporting the MCS service. It covers key configuration options, authentication, port settings, and stream-specific behavior, ensuring a reliable and consistent metadata/control pipeline.
Configuration File Location
Upon installation, the MCS .exe.config file will be located alongside the TundraCast Metadata and Control Service.exe binary. The full path typically resembles:
C:\ProgramData\Summit Technology Group\TundraCast\Metadata and Control Service\TundraCast Metadata and Control Service.exe.config
Ensure the service is stopped before modifying this file. Any changes to the configuration require a restart of the MCS service.
Configuration Parameters (XML Breakdown)
1. Service Settings
These parameters are located under:
<userSettings>
<TundraCast_Metadata_and_Control_Service.Properties.Settings>
metadata_listen_port
- Default: 2082
- Description: The UDP port the service listens on for inbound metadata feeds (e.g., from broadcast automation systems).
command_listen_port
- Default: 2083
- Description: UDP port for command-and-control instructions such as enabling/disabling streams or enabling or disabling geo-blocking among others.
app_base_url
- Default: https://admin.tundracast.com/api/
- Description: Base URL of the TundraCast API. All metadata and command activity is directed here. Do not change the app_base_url unless instructed to do so by Summit Technology Group.
stream_id
- Description: Unique identifier for the stream this service instance is controlling. Should match the ID from the TundraCast web portal.
pau_user_id / pau_user_password
- Description: Authentication credentials used by the service to log into the TundraCast API. Should match the PAU password defined in the TundraCast web portal.
debugging
- Default: False
- Options: True or False
- Description: Enables verbose logging and diagnostics.
metadata_format
- Default: STRING
- Description: Format of metadata received. Options may include STRING, ENCO_XML, OMT_XML, BSI_XML, ZETTA_XML, NEXGEN_XML, AUDIOVAULT_XML, MYRIAD_XML, or GENERIC_XML.
kick_listeners_on_enable
- Default: True
- Description: If set to True, all current listeners are disconnected when the MCS service enables the blackout or geoblocking features.
AdGroups
- Depreciated; replaced with server-side logic.
IgnoreGroups
- Depreciated; replaced with server-side logic.
duration_format
- Default: hh\:mm\:ss\.ff
- Description: Time format string used to interpret duration metadata. Typically either hh\:mm\:ss\.ff or ms representing either hour/minute/second format or milliseconds.
2. Control Commands
These ‘control commands’ are passed as UDP strings to the service on the ‘metadata_listen_port’ set in the MCS configuration file as noted in section 1 of this document. The possible commands are listed below:
Command String
Description
GEOBLOCKING_ENABLE
Enables geoblocking per the saved settings in the TundraCast admin portal.
GEOBLOCKING_DISABLE
Disables geoblocking.
BLACKOUT_ENABLE
Disables the stream to all current and future listener connections while in a black-out state.
BLACKOUT_DISABLE
Defeats the black-out state and allows listeners to connect to the stream.
METAMODE:MUSIC
Changes the metadata mode to ‘music’
METAMODE:SHOW
Changes the metadata mode to ‘show’
METAMODE:AUTO
Changes the metadata mode to ‘auto’ allowing both the show schedule and the now playing metadata object to be displayed by players and apps.
HLS_ENABLE
Enables the HLS stream per the saved settings in the TundraCast admin portal.
HLS_DISABLE
Disables the HLS stream.
Deployment Notes
- Ensure UDP traffic on the selected metadata_listen_port and command_listen_port are not blocked by the local firewall.
- Configure the service to start automatically on boot using the Windows Services panel (services.msc).
Troubleshooting
Symptom
Possible Cause
Resolution
Metadata not updating
Port blocked or wrong stream_id
Confirm metadata data is hitting metadata_listen_port, validate stream ID
‘Unauthorized’ errors
Invalid pau_user_id or pau_user_password
Reconfirm credentials in the config file
Listeners not kicked after enable
kick_listeners_on_enable is False
Set value to True and restart the service
Commands not changing feature state
Feature not licensed, check TundraCast subscription license, wrong stream_id
Check TundraCast subscription license, confirm stream ID is correct.
Version Control
Always note the version of the .exe and the schema of the config file when contacting support. Incompatibilities may exist between older config files and newer versions of the MCS executable.
For further assistance, contact Summit Technology Group technical support at support@summittechgroup.com or submit a ticket online at https://www.summittechgroup.com/support.
