The AAE creates several formats simultaneously so that different streaming services can monitor whichever file they support:

• Artist - Title.txt — standard Artist - Title text.

• AdsWizz (Artist - Title).txt — artist and title for music; spots are reported as Advert: - Advert:.

• Now Playing.txt — artist and title enclosed in percent markers.

• BE TRE.txt and Format 1.txt — Broadcast Electronics TRE format.

• SurferNETWORK.txt and Format 2.txt — pipe-delimited SurferNETWORK format.

• Triton.txt and Format 3.txt — Triton-compatible format.

• SecureNet.xml and Format 4.xml — SecureNet XML metadata.

• Live365.xml and Format 5.xml — Live365 XML metadata.

• Liquid Compass Test.txt and Format 6.txt — Liquid Compass-style song or commercial metadata.

• SSS.txt — a legacy streaming-service format similar to the BE TRE output.

• Format 8.txt — audio type, runtime, title, and artist separated by vertical bars.

• TREPlus.xml — identifies the item currently playing and, when playlist information is available, includes up to five upcoming carts.

• RDS Text (64).txt, RDS Text (128).txt, and RDS Text (all).txt — RDS-compatible text in fixed-length and unrestricted versions.

For metadata purposes, Type M is treated as music, Type S is treated as a spot or commercial, and other audio types are generally reported as “Other.” Music normally sends the song title and artist. Some formats deliberately conceal commercial information—for example, the AdsWizz file identifies Type S audio as an advertisement. The RDS text files display the title and artist for music; during non-music material, they display the station call letters configured in APEX.

The station’s streaming or encoder software should be configured to monitor the appropriate file in its station-specific folder. Users should not manually edit these files because the AAE replaces their contents whenever the next cart takes air. If the streaming service requires a format not listed above, confirm its required field order and delimiters before selecting one of the generic Format files.

Streaming Setup Using Watched Files

1. Locate the AAE’s Streaming Services folder.

2. Open the subfolder matching the station’s serial number:

Streaming Services\<Station Serial Number>

3. Determine which file format the streaming service supports, such as:

   • Artist - Title.txt

   • AdsWizz (Artist - Title).txt

   • BE TRE.txt

   • Triton.txt

   • SurferNETWORK.txt

   • SecureNet.xml

   • Live365.xml

   • TREPlus.xml

4. Configure the streaming service or encoder to monitor the full path to that file.

5. Start a music cart and verify that the file changes to show the current title and artist.

6. Start a spot and verify that the streaming service handles the commercial metadata as expected.

A Streaming COM port is not required when the service reads one of these files. The AAE rewrites the files whenever a new cart takes air, so users should not edit them manually. Each station has its own folder to prevent one station’s metadata from overwriting another station’s information.

RDS Setup

1. In the APEX Client software, open Settings and locate RDS / Streaming Setup.

2. In the RDS Com port row, select the COM port connected to the RDS encoder.

3. Select the baud rate required by the encoder. The default is 9600, but it must match the encoder’s configuration.

4. Enter a short message in Test Text and click the RDS test button. Confirm that the message appears on the encoder or an attached receiver.

5. Enter any encoder command or prefix required by the device in RDS Encoder Scrolling Header. Leave this field blank if the encoder accepts plain text.

6. Enter the station’s call letters or desired non-music message in Call Letters for RDS.

7. Click Save Changes.

When Type M music takes air, the AAE sends the title and artist. During spots and other non-music material, it sends the configured call letters. The automatic RDS text is limited or padded to 64 characters.

Streaming Setup Using a Serial Port

1. Connect the streaming encoder or metadata device to the AAE computer.

2. In the Streaming Com port row, select the appropriate COM port.

3. Select the baud rate required by the streaming device. The default is 9600.

4. Enter a short message in the Streaming Test Text field and click the streaming test button.

5. Confirm that the receiving device displays or accepts the test message.

6. Click Save Changes.

When a new cart takes air, the AAE sends:

Type|MM:SS|Title|Artist

Music is identified as M, spots as C, and other audio as O. The RDS and streaming outputs must use different COM ports, and neither may use a port assigned to the Bridge.