Creating an OPUS codec based multicast server (android/linux)

Question

I am trying to create an OPUS based multicast server for an audio project that I am working on and it will be running on the O-Droid X (http://www.hardkernel.com/renewal_2011/products/prdt_info.php?g_code=g133999328931) for this project. At the moment I am unsure on where to start for creating and going about making a multicast server in linux or android using the OPUS codec. This is my first multicast server for audio support that I have done from scratch. If there are any pointers they would greatly be appreciated.

Also making it accessible through a web page and playable through that webpage would be an ideal situation so that a specific app on the client side would not be needed.

Answer 1

Apparently Icecast does a lot of what you're looking for. It's open source (GPL) and supports Opus streams using the Ogg container format, you could have a peek for some general software architecture ideas. My SoundWire Android app (with Win/Linux server) does Opus streaming with low latency but the network protocols are custom... I don't know any established open protocols that can do low latency (by my definition 1 second delay is not low latency).

My approach was to build a conventional network server that sets up a normal unicast UDP socket for each client. Avoid TCP if you want low latency, then you'll have to deal with the datagram nature of UDP in some way. With Opus the amount of data streamed per client is not excessive. I use multicast only for discovery (auto locate a server).

I suggest you start with some open source server code and adapt it for your needs, bring in Opus which is very easy to integrate, choose a container format such as Ogg if it's suitable (search for Ogg Opus). If you want browser compatibility then you'll more or less be implementing part of a web server (HTTP etc.) and will have to give up on your low latency goals.