NymphCast

NymphCast is an open-source software solution that turns hardware into audio and video sources for televisions or speakers. It enables the streaming of media over a network from a client device or a dedicated media server to a receiver, as well as the streaming of internet media to a server controlled by a client. The software allows users to convert a choice of hardware, such as a single-board computer, into a functional media endpoint.

The system operates using a server application that runs on the target receiver hardware and a client device that functions as a remote control. It is deployed across various platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, and Android. Users can interact with the system through a CLI tool, a graphical application via the Qt framework, or an experimental stand-alone GUI mode for smart TV usage.

Key features

• Streaming of media files from client devices to the server
• Synchronized multi-room playback via multi-cast
• Support for all audio and video codecs supported by ffmpeg
• Streaming of media directly from URLs
• Dedicated MediaServer instances for hosting content
• Support for embedded bitmap subtitles
• Extensible server functionality using AngelScript apps
• Stand-alone GUI mode for smart TV usage

The architecture consists of several components: the NymphCast Server for the receiver end-point, LibNymphCast for client development, and a dedicated MediaServer for content availability. The server relies on C++17, LibPoco, and ffmpeg for playback, utilizing SDL2 for audio and video output. It offers different configuration profiles to suit specific needs, including audio-only, audio and video, or screensaver modes. The software is designed for users who want to build custom media receivers using hardware like the Raspberry Pi, with configurable memory buffers to fit the specific constraints of the target device.

NymphCast is positioned as a flexible framework for network-based multimedia streaming and receiver hardware customization.