You can align cue point metadata if you are using the Triton Streaming Network via a third-party device or appliance, such as the Telos Zipstream or Wheatstone Streamblade.
Also see:
This method requires that a delay is preset to force the ad replacement to be late. This enables Triton to determine how much to reduce the preset delay to align the audio with the data. If your delay is early, variable, or greater than 5000 ms, see Understand Cue Point Alignment.
Step 1: Install the Tools
You will use the Audacity Audio Editor and the Triton Stream Debugger to set and test a preset delay between 2 and 5 seconds.
Audacity Audio Editor: Download it here and install it.
Triton Stream Debugger: Open in a new tab.
Step 2: Set a Cue Point Delay
Set a cue point delay in your device between 2 to 5 seconds. Refer to your device's documentation for instructions on adding a cue point delay.
Step 3: Configure Mid-roll Ad Replacement
The station needs to be configured for mid-roll ad replacement. Set up a mid-roll flight in your advertising platform to target the station.
Step 4: Stream with Stream Debugger
Use the Triton Stream Debugger to stream the station to your local computer with Audacity installed.
Step 5: Record and Review in Audacity
In Audacity, select Audio Setup > Recording Device and choose the device that Triton Stream Debugger is outputting to.
Click the red Record button. Audacity will begin recording the audio. Record until you hear a mid-roll ad and stop recording a few seconds after the mid-roll break ends.
Click the black Stop button to stop recording.
Now export the recorded file as MP3.
Next, import the saved audio file back into Audacity.
Use the selection tool to highlight the start of the break and the interrupted On Air commercial.
At the bottom of the Audacity screen the time range is displayed.
In this case illustrated here, the break started at 1.100 seconds and the On Air ad started to play and then was interrupted by the Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) inserted ad at 1.509 seconds. This demonstrates that the data is delayed behind the audio. We need to push the data forward by 0.409 seconds to align with the beginning of the break so we will not hear the On Air ad.
Step 6: Configure the Delay
The last step is to enter this delay that you just found in the device you are using:
For Telos, go to this page for information on how to do this: Aligning cue points (metadata) with audio for Triton Digital.
For Wheatstone, please contact Wheatstone Support for guidance on know where to input the metadata delay in the Streamblade GUI.