A Debian Linux PC can integrate in the multiroom system.

Table of Contents Audio source Basic installation Audio output VLC Installation Remote control Audio output Audio sink

The installation process of

• the mopidy sound source
• the snapserver streamer

is done in a similar way to the one on the Rapspberries.

It is yet unclear to me how to redirect the default audio output to an ALSA loopback subdevice.

VLC can be used to play audio or video files. Furthermore, it can be remotely controlled.

Install VideoLAN VLC media player:

sudo apt install -y vlc

Allow remote control:

• launch VLC
• Tools > Preferences > Interface
  • radio button All
  • Interface > Main interfaces > Remote control interface
  • Interface > Main interfaces > RC > Fake TTY
  • Interface > Main interfaces > RC > Unix socket command input > /tmp/vlc.sock
  • Save
• restart VLC

Test it:

sudo apt install netcat-openbsd
echo 'help' | nc -NU /tmp/vlc.sock

Use ALSA audio output:

• launch VLC
• Tools > Preferences > Audio
  • Output module: > ALSA audio output
  • Device: > Default ALSA Output
  • Save
• restart VLC

Test it:

echo 'help' | nc -NU /tmp/vlc.sock
echo 'adev' | nc -NU /tmp/vlc.sock
echo 'adev dmix:CARD=Loopback,DEV=0' | nc -NU /tmp/vlc.sock
echo 'adev default' | nc -NU /tmp/vlc.sock

The streaming to a multiroom receiver will add delay due to the buffering. The delay adjustment can be operated with the help of the j and k keyboard keys. A delay of -1 second is a good starting point. The delay can also be given interactively:

• Tools > Track synchronization<code> (<code>Alt-S Alt-T)
• Audio track synchronization > -1 s
• Close<code> (<code>Alt-C)

It is yet unclear to me how to allow a snapclient to play on the PC's default audio output.