Internet TV/Radio Multicast

An IP Multicast model has been implemented socket programming in c.

Model Flow:

• Initially by running the server program, the server setups 2 multicast groups at different multicast address.
• Both groups have threads running for transmission of data which are active after the setup immediately.
• When a new client arrives, it receives the available stations present through a TCP Socket.
• ON selecting a group, the client immediately starts receiving the data and other stream information through UDP Sockets on 2 different threads.
• The Client can view the video/audio in real time, based on its joining time to the group.
• Client also has a functionality to pause and play the stream, by keyboard interruption.
• Multicast group address and ports are fixed in both server and client programmes.

Compiling and Running Instructions

• Server

  • Compiling: gcc server.c -o server -lpthread
  • Running: ./server PORT
  • PORT: Server Port
  • For sending audio/video files from multicast group, the files must be converted into streamable format.
    It can be done using following command:
    ffmpeg -i <inputfilename.extension> -f mpegts <streamable_output.extension>

• Client

  • Compiling: gcc client.c -o client -lpthread
  • Running: sudo ./client SERVER_IP PORT (sudo is mandatory, as it accesses accesses network interface).
  • SERVER_IP: Server IP (0.0.0.0 / 127.0.0.1 if running in same machine else IP address of Server)
  • PORT: Client Port
  • For Playing the audio/video file received through socket in client, run the following command in new window: ffplay -i <filename.extension>
  • For pause operation, press p on the terminal receiving the data. It acts as a keyboard interrupt.
  • For restart, press r on the terminal.
  • Also, do change the interface name in code according to machine (Use ifconfig command).