v1.0.5

Author: RaspberryPiFpcHub

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,20 @@
 
 All notable changes to this project are documented in this file.
 
+## [1.0.5] – 2025-09-23
+### Fixed
+- Port setting: default value 5010 and alternative configurations now work correctly.
+- Endian setting now functions as expected.
+- Config file handling is now Linux-conform, stored at `/home/pi/.config/udp_player.cfg`.
+
+### Added
+- Separate settings for all available audio outputs.
+- VU meter display for audio signal levels.
+
+## [1.0.4] – 2025-08-18
+###Added
+- Option to select the audio output device (Headphones/Jack, HDMI, USB sound card).
+
 ## [1.0.3] – 2025-08-13
 ### Fixed
 - Crash when the settings form was closed while no sound was being played.

README.md

@@ -1,109 +1,139 @@
-# Network Audio Receiver (UDP) for Raspberry Pi (FPC)
-
-UDP network audio receiver for Raspberry Pi with very low latency via ALSA.
+---
+layout: default
+title: Network Audio Receiver (UDP) for Raspberry Pi
+description: Lightweight UDP stereo audio receiver for Raspberry Pi with very low latency via ALSA and PipeWire. Developed in Free Pascal on Debian Bookworm.
+---
 
-The program automatically detects whether packets are being received:
+# 🎶 Network Audio Receiver (UDP) for Raspberry Pi
 
-- If packets arrive → audio is played.
-- For maximum quality, no codec is used – the audio is transmitted uncompressed.
-- This allows for very low latency, making it ideal for real-time transmissions (e.g., monitoring, live audio).
-- A separate settings window is available.
-- If the “Start Minimized” checkbox is selected, the application will start minimized.
-- A startup script for an FFmpeg audio sender (`StartFFmpegTransmitter.sh`) is provided. Place it on the desktop and start it with a double-click.
+A lightweight **UDP stereo audio receiver** for Raspberry Pi.  
+It outputs directly to **ALSA** (also compatible with **PipeWire** via ALSA emulation), ensuring **very low latency** – ideal for real-time monitoring and live audio.
 
 ---
 
-## 💠 Requirements
-
-- Raspberry Pi running Debian Bookworm
-- ALSA installed
-- Network connection for receiving UDP packets
+## ✨ Features
+
+* Receives **stereo audio over UDP** (e.g., RTP stream) with selectable audio output: 3.5 mm jack, HDMI, USB, and more (choose one device at a time)
+* Direct **ALSA audio output** for minimal delay
+* Fully compatible with **PipeWire** via ALSA emulation
+* Developed in **Free Pascal** using **Codetyphon** on **Debian Bookworm**
+* **Automatic detection** of incoming packets:
+  * Packets arrive → audio plays instantly
+  * No or silent packets for 5 seconds → audio output stops
+* **No codec** → uncompressed audio, maximum quality, minimal processing delay
+* Supports multiple audio outputs: **3.5 mm jack, HDMI, USB, and more** (selectable in settings)
+* On startup, the window is visible
+* If the “Start Minimized” checkbox is selected, the application will start minimized
+* **Lightweight** with minimal dependencies (ALSA or PipeWire via ALSA)
 
 ---
 
-## 🧪 Test Setup
+## 💡 Example Test Setup
 
-Example setup used during development and verification:
+* **Sender**: Raspberry Pi 4 streaming YouTube audio via Wi-Fi
+* **Receiver**: Raspberry Pi 4 connected via Ethernet
+* **Output**: 3.5 mm jack → HiFi amplifier, or HDMI/USB audio
 
-- **Sender**: Raspberry Pi 4 playing YouTube videos in a browser, connected via **2.4 GHz Wi-Fi** to a router.
-- **Receiver**: Another Raspberry Pi 4, connected via **Ethernet (LAN)** to the same router.
-- Receiver’s **3.5 mm jack audio output** connected to a **HiFi receiver** for playback.
-
-This setup demonstrated stable low-latency streaming under typical home network conditions.
+Result: Stable low-latency playback in a typical home network.
 
 ---
 
 ## ▶️ Usage
 
 ### 📤 Sender (System Audio)
+
 Install `ffmpeg`:
 
+```bash
 sudo apt install ffmpeg
+```
 
 To transmit system audio, use the provided startup script **`StartFFmpegTransmitter.sh`**:
 
-1. Edit the script and replace the IP address with the address of your receiver.  
-2. Set the port number to match the configuration on the receiver.  
-3. Make the script executable:  
-   ```bash
-   chmod +x StartFFmpegTransmitter.sh
+1. Edit the script and replace the IP address with the address of your receiver.
+2. Set the port number to match the configuration on the receiver.
+3. Make the script executable:
 
-    Save the file, place it on the desktop, and start it with a double-click.
+```bash
+chmod +x StartFFmpegTransmitter.sh
+```
+
+4. Save the file, place it on the desktop, and start it with a double-click.
 
 ### 📥 Receiver
 
 Start the player:
 
-./udp_player
-
-A window appears and starts playback automatically when UDP packets arrive.
-
----
-
-### 📥 Receiver
-
-Start the receiver:
 ```bash
 ./udp_player
 ```
 
-The receiver window will appear and automatically start playing audio when UDP packets are received.
+A window appears and starts playback automatically when UDP packets arrive. Select the desired audio output in the settings window.
 
-**Silence Handling:**  
-If no audio packets—or only silent packets—are received for 5 seconds, the ALSA output is stopped and released. When new packets arrive, ALSA is automatically re-initialized, allowing playback to resume seamlessly.
+**Silence Handling:**
 
----
+* If no audio packets arrive for 5 seconds, ALSA stops and releases the output.
+* Playback resumes automatically when new packets arrive.
 
-## 🎯 Optimization Notes
+---
 
-Audio latency can be configured in the receiver application:
+## ⚙️ Settings Description
+
+Control / Field | Description
+--- | ---
+**Audio Output Selection** | Choose the audio output device (Headphones/JACK, HDMI, USB audio, etc.). If no configuration exists for a device, a default configuration is created automatically at program start.
+**IP** | IP address to receive audio from. Use `0.0.0.0` to listen on all network interfaces.
+**Port** | UDP port for incoming audio. Default is `5010`.
+**Network Buffer** | Size of the receive buffer in bytes. Must be at least as large as a single sent audio block.
+**Frequency** | Audio sample rate in Hz.
+**Latency** | Audio latency in samples. Typical values: 22000 for JACK/Headphones, 3000 for USB audio.
+**Swap Byte Order** | Enable this if the incoming audio uses a different byte order (big/little endian).
+**Hide Window** | If enabled, the application window remains minimized or hidden once audio starts.
+**Activate** | Immediately applies the current settings without saving them.
+**Save** | Saves the current settings to the configuration file for future use.
+**Delete Device** | Deletes the selected device configuration. If the device exists, it will be recreated with default values at the next program start.
 
-- **Lower latency values** → reduce audio delay, improving real-time performance.
-- **Too low values** → may cause sporadic audio dropouts, depending on network type and stability.
-- **Extremely low values** → may result in distorted or crackling audio due to buffer underruns.
+---
 
-Optimal settings depend on:
+## 🎯 Latency Optimization
 
-- Network quality and stability
-- Connection type (LAN generally allows lower latency than Wi-Fi)
-- Performance of the Raspberry Pi and audio output hardware
+* **Lower buffer size** → lower delay
+* **Too low** → possible dropouts or crackling audio
+* Best settings depend on:
+  * Network type (**LAN** allows lower latency than Wi-Fi)
+  * Raspberry Pi performance
+  * Audio hardware
 
 ---
 
-## 🔊 If the audio is too quiet
+## 🔊 Audio Volume
+
+If sound is too quiet:
 
-This may occur if the receiver volume is set too low.
+```bash
+alsamixer
+```
 
-### Possible solutions:
+* Press `F6` to select the right device
+* Raise the **Master** volume
+
+Or via terminal:
 
-- Use `alsamixer`, press `F6` to select the correct device, and increase the volume
-- Or via terminal:
 ```bash
 amixer set 'Master' 100% unmute
 ```
 
 ---
 
-## 📝 License
+## 📜 License
+
+This project is licensed under the **MIT License**.
+
+---
+
+## 🌐 Other Projects by the Author
 
-This project is licensed under the MIT License.
+* [pibackup](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/pibackup) – Portable live backup and restore tool with GUI, Zstandard compression, auto-shrinking (resize2fs) and flexible restore options.
+* [DS18B20-FPC-Pi-GUI](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/DS18B20-FPC-Pi-GUI) – GUI tool to read DS18B20 temperature sensors with linearization for high accuracy.
+* [RaspberryPi-BME280-GUI](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/RaspberryPi-BME280-GUI) – Complete GUI application for accessing the BME280 I²C sensor using Free Pascal.
+* [RaspberryPi-GPIOv2-FPC](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/RaspberryPi-GPIOv2-FPC) – Simple and fast Pascal unit for controlling GPIO pins via the Linux GPIO character device interface.

bin/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+---
+layout: default
+title: Network Audio Receiver (UDP) for Raspberry Pi
+description: Lightweight UDP stereo audio receiver for Raspberry Pi with very low latency via ALSA and PipeWire. Developed in Free Pascal on Debian Bookworm.
+---
+
+# 🎶 Network Audio Receiver (UDP) for Raspberry Pi
+
+A lightweight **UDP stereo audio receiver** for Raspberry Pi.  
+It outputs directly to **ALSA** (also compatible with **PipeWire** via ALSA emulation), ensuring **very low latency** – ideal for real-time monitoring and live audio.
+
+---
+
+## ✨ Features
+
+* Receives **stereo audio over UDP** (e.g., RTP stream) with selectable audio output: 3.5 mm jack, HDMI, USB, and more (choose one device at a time)
+* Direct **ALSA audio output** for minimal delay
+* Fully compatible with **PipeWire** via ALSA emulation
+* Developed in **Free Pascal** using **Codetyphon** on **Debian Bookworm**
+* **Automatic detection** of incoming packets:
+  * Packets arrive → audio plays instantly
+  * No or silent packets for 5 seconds → audio output stops
+* **No codec** → uncompressed audio, maximum quality, minimal processing delay
+* Supports multiple audio outputs: **3.5 mm jack, HDMI, USB, and more** (selectable in settings)
+* On startup, the window is visible
+* If the “Start Minimized” checkbox is selected, the application will start minimized
+* **Lightweight** with minimal dependencies (ALSA or PipeWire via ALSA)
+
+---
+
+## 💡 Example Test Setup
+
+* **Sender**: Raspberry Pi 4 streaming YouTube audio via Wi-Fi
+* **Receiver**: Raspberry Pi 4 connected via Ethernet
+* **Output**: 3.5 mm jack → HiFi amplifier, or HDMI/USB audio
+
+Result: Stable low-latency playback in a typical home network.
+
+---
+
+## ▶️ Usage
+
+### 📤 Sender (System Audio)
+
+Install `ffmpeg`:
+
+```bash
+sudo apt install ffmpeg
+```
+
+To transmit system audio, use the provided startup script **`StartFFmpegTransmitter.sh`**:
+
+1. Edit the script and replace the IP address with the address of your receiver.
+2. Set the port number to match the configuration on the receiver.
+3. Make the script executable:
+
+```bash
+chmod +x StartFFmpegTransmitter.sh
+```
+
+4. Save the file, place it on the desktop, and start it with a double-click.
+
+### 📥 Receiver
+
+Start the player:
+
+```bash
+./udp_player
+```
+
+A window appears and starts playback automatically when UDP packets arrive. Select the desired audio output in the settings window.
+
+**Silence Handling:**
+
+* If no audio packets arrive for 5 seconds, ALSA stops and releases the output.
+* Playback resumes automatically when new packets arrive.
+
+---
+
+## ⚙️ Settings Description
+
+Control / Field | Description
+--- | ---
+**Audio Output Selection** | Choose the audio output device (Headphones/JACK, HDMI, USB audio, etc.). If no configuration exists for a device, a default configuration is created automatically at program start.
+**IP** | IP address to receive audio from. Use `0.0.0.0` to listen on all network interfaces.
+**Port** | UDP port for incoming audio. Default is `5010`.
+**Network Buffer** | Size of the receive buffer in bytes. Must be at least as large as a single sent audio block.
+**Frequency** | Audio sample rate in Hz.
+**Latency** | Audio latency in samples. Typical values: 22000 for JACK/Headphones, 3000 for USB audio.
+**Swap Byte Order** | Enable this if the incoming audio uses a different byte order (big/little endian).
+**Hide Window** | If enabled, the application window remains minimized or hidden once audio starts.
+**Activate** | Immediately applies the current settings without saving them.
+**Save** | Saves the current settings to the configuration file for future use.
+**Delete Device** | Deletes the selected device configuration. If the device exists, it will be recreated with default values at the next program start.
+
+---
+
+## 🎯 Latency Optimization
+
+* **Lower buffer size** → lower delay
+* **Too low** → possible dropouts or crackling audio
+* Best settings depend on:
+  * Network type (**LAN** allows lower latency than Wi-Fi)
+  * Raspberry Pi performance
+  * Audio hardware
+
+---
+
+## 🔊 Audio Volume
+
+If sound is too quiet:
+
+```bash
+alsamixer
+```
+
+* Press `F6` to select the right device
+* Raise the **Master** volume
+
+Or via terminal:
+
+```bash
+amixer set 'Master' 100% unmute
+```
+
+---
+
+## 📜 License
+
+This project is licensed under the **MIT License**.
+
+---
+
+## 🌐 Other Projects by the Author
+
+* [pibackup](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/pibackup) – Portable live backup and restore tool with GUI, Zstandard compression, auto-shrinking (resize2fs) and flexible restore options.
+* [DS18B20-FPC-Pi-GUI](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/DS18B20-FPC-Pi-GUI) – GUI tool to read DS18B20 temperature sensors with linearization for high accuracy.
+* [RaspberryPi-BME280-GUI](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/RaspberryPi-BME280-GUI) – Complete GUI application for accessing the BME280 I²C sensor using Free Pascal.
+* [RaspberryPi-GPIOv2-FPC](https://github.com/RaspberryFpc/RaspberryPi-GPIOv2-FPC) – Simple and fast Pascal unit for controlling GPIO pins via the Linux GPIO character device interface.