[pulseaudio-discuss] java sound implementation using pulseaudio - ports

[Ioana Ivan]

Thanks, that's what we decided to do.

I have a question regarding closing the pulseaudio sinks/source. Should 
I use pa_context_suspend_sink/source_by_index/name or just mute them? 
I'm not sure exactly what pa_context_suspend_sink_by_index should do; 
I've tried using it and it didn't seem to have any effect (i.e. I could 
still hear the sound).

Colin Guthrie wrote:
> Ioana Ivan wrote:
>   
>> Hi,
>>
>> We've been trying to write an implementation of 
>> javax.sound.sampled.Mixer(and the associated classes: SourceDataLine, 
>> TargetDataLine, Clip, and Port) that uses pulseaudio as a backend. So 
>> far, SourceDataLine, TargetDataLine and Clip are working (somewhat, 
>> there are still issues that need to be fixed), but we're not sure how to 
>> approach Port.
>>
>>  From the java API:
>> "Ports are simple lines for input or output of audio to or from audio 
>> devices. Common examples of ports that act as source lines (mixer 
>> inputs) include the microphone, line input, and CD-ROM drive. Ports that 
>> act as target lines (mixer outputs) include the speaker, headphone, and 
>> line output. You can access port using a Port.Info  object."
>>
>> Ports should have an open() and close() method, and ideally they should 
>> also support volume and mute controls. There currently is an 
>> implementation of Port in openjdk that uses alsa to enumerate the 
>> devices that could connect to the sound system, and implement the 
>> required methods.
>>
>> We were wondering whether there's anything in the pulseaudio API that 
>> could be used to do something similar, and, if not, how problematic 
>> using the old version of Port(that uses alsa directly) with our mixer 
>> that uses pulseaudio is.
>>     
>
> I spoke to you on the mailing list but this is a little clearer I think.
>
> Basically you just want to expose the volume of the various Sinks and 
> Sources here. I would just get a list of all the Sinks and provide 
> playback Ports that allow volume control and muting etc. and do a 
> similar exposure for the Sources.
>
> I'd use the introspection stuff to do this (tho' not overly sure).
>
> http://0pointer.de/lennart/projects/pulseaudio/doxygen/introspect_8h.html
>
> You can probably use the source of pavucontrol to work out what to do here.
>
> You can of course export a volume on a "per stream" basis, but I'd 
> imagine this doesn't map too well to the Java API seeing as streams will 
> come and go quickly but sinks/sources will be slightly more long term 
> (tho can still come and go (e.g. when a usb audio device is plugged in 
> or a network sink is detected etc.)
>
>
> I think whatever is in the "Output devices" and "Input devices" tab in 
> pavucontrol (from git) is probably what you want...
>
>
> HTHs
>
> Col
>
>