Albums

The Albums tab contains options for configuring the retrieval of album art and metadata for the tracks in the media library. Album data can be retrieved from a variety of sources, known as "album data sources".

Once retrieved, the album art can be displayed in the Recent Tracks widget and in other places in the control panel. Some data sources also provide links to purchase an album, which in some cases may allow the station operator to generate affiliate revenue. When available, a "Buy now" link is also included in the Recent Tracks widget.

The Albums page is organized into sub-tabs representing each of the supported album data sources. The tabs include:

  • Settings
    Configures the order in which the album data sources are consulted when retrieving album data. If, for example, you prefer to retrieve covers from last.fm before using the iTunes store, you would drag the last.fm entry above the iTunes Store entry in the list.

  • Embedded (ID3/metadata)
    Configures the retrieval of album covers from the internal metadata of the media files. Many media files include album covers and other data embedded directly within the file, and this data source will extract the embedded data and use it in the media library.

  • Folder images
    Configures the use of images saved in the media library folders for use as album covers. This data source will search for JPEG (.jpg) images saved in the media folders in the following order:

    • In a JPEG file with the same name as the MP3 file.
      Example:
      Uploaded MP3 filename: My Music\demo_track.mp3
      Cover image filename: My Music\demo_track.jpg

    • In a JPEG file named albumartsmall.jpg in the same folder as the MP3 file. (This is a standard
      filename also used by Windows explorer.)
      Example:
      Uploaded MP3 filename: My Music\demo_track.mp3
      Cover image filename: My Music\albumartsmall.jpg

    • In a JPEG file named folder.jpg in the same folder as the MP3 file. (Much like albumartsmall.jpg,
      this is a standard filename also used by Windows explorer.)
      Example:
      Uploaded MP3 filename: My Music\demo_track.mp3
      Cover image filename: My Music\folder.jpg

    • In any JPEG file in the same folder as the MP3 file. If more than one JPEG exists, preference will be
      given to those with filenames containing the words "front" or "cover". If no filenames contain "front"
      or "cover", the first image Centova Cast finds will be used.
      Example:
      Uploaded MP3 filename: My Music\demo_track.mp3
      Cover image filename: My Music\any_filename_will_work.jpg

  • last.fm
    Configures the use of last.fm for album covers and data. This data source will retrieve album covers and data from the last.fm web site.

  • iTunes Store
    Configures the use of the iTunes Store for album covers and data. This data source will retrieve album covers and data from the iTunes Store.

  • Amazon.com
    Configures the use of Amazon.com for album covers and data. This data source will retrieve album covers and data from Amazon.com.

    • Amazon affiliate ID
      Specifies the client's Amazon.com affiliate ID. If specified, Amazon will credit your affiliate account for any albums purchased by clicking the "Buy now" link in the Recent Tracks widget.
  • Custom
    Configures the use of custom album covers and data. Custom album covers and data can be specified in the media library by right-clicking on an album and selecting Edit album details.