Author Topic: How to get from a Station Playlist (SPL) PC to a P164  (Read 6478 times)

JetStreamMedia

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How to get from a Station Playlist (SPL) PC to a P164
« on: November 08, 2021, 07:04:55 pm »
I’m using Station Playlist Studio Pro as my automation system. I need to get from the PlayOut computer to the P164 RDS encoder. The PC is next to the P164 and transmitter, so no STL to worry about.

Despite a few setup suggestions from SPL users in their forum, I’ve not been able to get anything but the default “Retro FM” data to display. If someone has a step by step configuration for SPL, that would be very helpful. Thanks!

Jan

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Re: How to get from a Station Playlist (SPL) PC to a P164
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2021, 07:29:01 pm »
StationPlaylist Studio supports PIRA encoders, including direct RT+ (Radiotext Plus) output:

  • In the StationPlaylist Studio, select View / Options
  • Click on 'Now Playing', then on 'Stream Metadata'
  • Fill the Output you prefer: Serial (USB) or TCP
  • Make sure the connection parameters are valid
  • Fill the template, for example TEXT=%n%r

Your RDS encoder supports X-Command, so you can instantly send RT+ to your listeners. For doing that, fill this template:

XCMD=<rds><item><dest>3</dest><text><artist>%a</artist> - <title>%t</title></text></item></rds>%r


There are other alternatives available:
  • If you need a permanent control of the encoder via the Magic RDS 4 as well, create a new Virtual port in your current Connection. The SPL will connect to this virtual port.
  • If you prefer indirect link rather (allows further text processing and filtering), configure the SPL for text file output and read this file in the Magic RDS 4 - External Text tool.

Dutchie @ Retro FM

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Re: How to get from a Station Playlist (SPL) PC to a P164
« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2023, 09:46:54 am »
StationPlaylist Studio supports PIRA encoders, including direct RT+ (Radiotext Plus) output:

  • In the StationPlaylist Studio, select View / Options
  • Click on 'Now Playing', then on 'Stream Metadata'
  • Fill the Output you prefer: Serial (USB) or TCP
  • Make sure the connection parameters are valid
  • Fill the template, for example TEXT=%n%r

Your RDS encoder supports X-Command, so you can instantly send RT+ to your listeners. For doing that, fill this template:

XCMD=<rds><item><dest>3</dest><text><artist>%a</artist> - <title>%t</title></text></item></rds>%r


There are other alternatives available:
  • If you need a permanent control of the encoder via the Magic RDS 4 as well, create a new Virtual port in your current Connection. The SPL will connect to this virtual port.
  • If you prefer indirect link rather (allows further text processing and filtering), configure the SPL for text file output and read this file in the Magic RDS 4 - External Text tool.

I've followed the above in Station Playlist, and that went fairly well. Is there something similar available for the config of the P164?

--Dutchie.

Jan

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Re: How to get from a Station Playlist (SPL) PC to a P164
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2023, 10:24:21 am »
The above configuration actually is for the P164.

Dutchie @ Retro FM

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Re: How to get from a Station Playlist (SPL) PC to a P164
« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2023, 10:27:53 am »
The above configuration actually is for the P164.

Yes, but it is the SPL side. Are there instructions to configure the P164 to receive the data?

--Dutchie.

Jan

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Re: How to get from a Station Playlist (SPL) PC to a P164
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2023, 10:46:36 am »
There's no special configuration required on the P164 side. It accepts the SPL data instantly.

You only need to configure a free communication port, according to the device manual. In case of insufficient number of available ports or in case of driving more encoders from the same SPL, create a Virtual port in the Magic RDS 4, as showed in the file m4vp.pdf, section 'Data Splitter for RDS Encoders', and let the SPL to connect to this Virtual port.