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pcmplay(1)             DragonFly General Commands Manual            pcmplay(1)


NAME

       pcmplay - play PCM files on audio device


SYNOPSIS

       pcmplay [ -un ] [ -d dev ] [ -b size ] [ -s bits ] [ -f freq ] [ -c num
       ] [ -g gain ] file ... |  -


DESCRIPTION

       pcmplay reads one or more files (or standard input if ``-'' is
       specified) and plays them on the audio device.  file is assumed to be a
       headerless (``raw'') PCM audio file.


OPTIONS

       pcmplay options may be either the traditional POSIX one letter options,
       or the GNU style long options.  POSIX style options start with a single
       ``-'', while GNU long options start with ``--''.

       -u, --unsigned
              The audio data is assumed to be unsigned.  The default is signed
              data.

       -n, --network
              The audio data is assumed to be in network byte order (also
              called ``big-endian'').  The default is intel byte order
              (``little-endian'').  This option only applies to 16 bit
              samples.

       -d device, --device dev
              Specify the audio device to use.  The default is /dev/dsp.

       -b size, --buffer size
              Use an audio output buffer of size Kbytes, the default is 32
              Kbytes.  If you experience short hangs in the audio output, you
              might try to reduce or enlarge the buffer with this option.

       -s bits, --bits bits
              Specify the number of bits per sample.  This must be either 8 or
              16 (the default is 16).

       -f freq, --frequency freq
              Specify the sampling frequency in Hertz (Hz).  The default is
              44100 Hz.

       -c num, --channels num
              Specify the number of channels.  This must be either 1 (mono) or
              2 (stereo).  The default is 2.

       -g gain, --gain gain
              Set audio hardware output gain (default: don't change).


OPERANDS

       The following operands are supported:

       file(s) The path name(s) of one or more input files.  If a dash ``-''
               is specified, PCM data will be read from the standard input.
               Input data is assumed to be appropriate PCM audio files.
               However, since they are headerless (raw), it is not possible to
               recognize invalid files, so it is possible to specify any type
               of file.

       BE CAREFUL: Playing inappropriate data at a too high volume can damage
       your audio hardware and speakers!  Turn the volume down before playing
       anything with this program, unless you are absolutely sure that your
       equipment can handle it.  Use this program at your own risk!


SEE ALSO

       mpg123(1), tosha(1), pcmfade(1), sox(1), intro(1)


NOTES

       If you don't use any options, input data is assumed to be linear PCM,
       44.1 kHz, signed 16 bit stereo in intel byte order (little-endian).
       This is the format of CD audio tracks.

       pcmplay does not perform any data conversion.  Use sox(1) if you need
       to convert sample rates, number of channels or other parameters.

       Your soundcard must support the specified type of audio data.  For
       example, you cannot play 16 bit samples on an 8 bit soundcard.


BUGS

       Yes.  This is an alpha version.


AUTHOR

       Copyright (C) 1997-1999
       Oliver Fromme <oliver.fromme@heim3.tu-clausthal.de>
       All rights reserved.  For more information, please refer to the file
       LICENCE which is included with the source distribution.

       Internet references:
       http://www.heim3.tu-clausthal.de/~olli/tosha/
       That's the homepage of the CD-DA reader tosha(1) which also contains
       the latest version of pcmplay.

                                  21 May 1997                       pcmplay(1)

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