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What is TCP Streamer?

TCP Streamer is a lightweight, cross-platform desktop application built with Tauri that captures audio from your computer and streams it over TCP to any server. It’s designed for integration with multi-room audio systems like Snapcast, custom audio pipelines, and distributed audio setups.
Version 1.9.0 introduces enhanced connection resilience with exponential backoff and proper socket management to prevent connection storms during network disruptions.

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How It Works

TCP Streamer follows a simple but robust architecture: 
┌─────────────┐      ┌──────────────┐      ┌─────────────┐
│   Audio     │      │     TCP      │      │   Server    │
│   Input     │─────▶│   Streamer   │─────▶│ (Snapcast,  │
│  (Device)   │      │              │      │  Custom)    │
└─────────────┘      └──────────────┘      └─────────────┘
1

Capture

Reads audio from your selected input device at a configurable sample rate and buffer size
2

Buffer

Pushes audio into a lock-free Ring Buffer to absorb network jitter and ensure smooth playback
3

Process

Analyzes audio RMS (Root Mean Square) to detect silence and optimize bandwidth
4

Stream

A dedicated network thread reads from the buffer and sends raw PCM data via async TCP
5

Monitor

Provides real-time health monitoring including buffer usage, latency, bitrate, and connection quality

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Key Features

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Core Functionality

  • Real-time Audio Streaming - Low-latency PCM audio over TCP with sub-millisecond timing precision
  • Connection Reliability - 5-second write timeout, graceful shutdown, and exponential backoff reconnection
  • Smart Deep Sleep - Automatically disconnects on prolonged silence to prevent zombie connections
  • Robust Audio Engine - Native F32 internal architecture eliminates clipping and Linux noise issues
  • Prefill Gate - Buffers 1000ms before transmission to eliminate startup stutter
  • Adaptive Buffer Sizing - Automatically adjusts buffer based on network jitter
  • Silence Detection - RMS-based bandwidth optimization stops sending during silence
  • Multi-Profile Support - Save and quickly switch between different configurations
  • System Tray Integration - Runs in background, always accessible from system tray

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Platform-Specific Features

  • Native WASAPI Loopback - Capture system audio without virtual cables
  • Auto-adjusted 8000ms base buffer for WASAPI stability
  • Compatible with .msi and .exe installers

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Audio Configuration

  • Sample Rates: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz (CD quality)
  • Buffer Sizes: 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 samples for latency tuning
  • Input Devices: Scans all host APIs (WASAPI, MME, CoreAudio) to find available devices
  • Visual Volume Indicator: Real-time RMS meter for precise threshold tuning

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Advanced Features

  • Precision Audio Pacing - Token Bucket algorithm for mathematically perfect transmission timing
  • Hybrid Spin-Wait Strategy - Sub-millisecond timing precision via spin-loop
  • Network Presets - One-click optimization for Ethernet, WiFi, or poor connections
  • DSCP/TOS Support - QoS tagging (VoIP, Low Delay, Throughput) for network prioritization
  • Dynamic Chunk Size - Configurable buffer chunks (128-4096 samples)
  • High Priority Threading - Optional high-priority thread for reduced jitter
  • Real-time Statistics - Monitor bitrate, uptime, data sent, and network quality

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Use Cases

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Multi-Room Audio with Snapcast

Stream audio from your computer to a Snapcast server, enabling synchronized playback across multiple rooms: 
TCP Streamer → 192.168.1.100:4953 → Snapcast Server → Multiple Speakers

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Remote Audio Monitoring

Send audio from monitoring devices or security cameras to a central server for real-time oversight.

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Audio Distribution

Distribute audio from a single source to multiple recipients via a TCP relay server, perfect for hotels, restaurants, or retail environments.

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Development & Testing

Test audio processing pipelines, codecs, or streaming protocols with a reliable, configurable audio source.

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Virtual DJ/Broadcast Setup

Stream DJ mixes or live broadcasts from your computer to remote servers for distribution.

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Technical Specifications

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Audio Format

  • Format: Raw PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)
  • Bit Depth: 16-bit signed integers, little-endian
  • Channels: 2 (stereo)
  • Sample Rates: 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz
  • Buffering: Lock-free Ring Buffer (configurable 2s-15s capacity)

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Technology Stack

  • Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript with Vite
  • Backend: Rust with Tauri v2
  • Audio Library: cpal 0.15 (cross-platform audio library)
  • Storage: tauri-plugin-store for settings persistence
  • Networking: Async TCP with socket2 for advanced socket options
  • Threading: thread-priority for high-priority audio threads
TCP Streamer streams uncompressed PCM audio. At 48 kHz stereo, this generates approximately 1.5 Mbps of network traffic. Ensure your network can handle this bandwidth for stable streaming.

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System Requirements

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Minimum Requirements

  • Operating System: macOS 10.15+, Windows 10+, Ubuntu 20.04+
  • RAM: 100 MB available memory
  • CPU: Any modern processor (minimal CPU usage)
  • Network: Stable network connection to TCP server
  • Disk Space: ~10 MB for application files

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Supported Platforms

  • macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)
  • Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
  • Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch)

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Next Steps

Installation

Download and install TCP Streamer on your platform

Quick Start

Get streaming in minutes with our step-by-step guide

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