slimserver

Pros of OwnTone

• Supports a wider range of audio formats, including ALAC and DSD
• Better integration with Apple ecosystem (AirPlay, iTunes)
• More active development and frequent updates

Cons of OwnTone

• Less extensive plugin ecosystem compared to Slimserver
• Fewer supported output devices and streaming services
• Limited support for older hardware players

Code Comparison

OwnTone (C language):

int player_playback_start(struct player_command *cmd)
{
  int ret;

  ret = commands_base_playback_start(cmd);
  if (ret != 0)
    return ret;

  return player_playback_start_bh(cmd);
}

Slimserver (Perl language):

sub playlistJumpIndex {
    my ($client, $index) = @_;

    my $song = Slim::Player::Playlist::song($client, $index);

    if (defined $song) {
        Slim::Player::Source::jumpto($client, $song);
    }
}

The code snippets demonstrate the different programming languages used in each project. OwnTone is primarily written in C, which can offer better performance but may be more complex to develop. Slimserver uses Perl, which is easier to read and modify but might have slower execution times for certain operations.

Both projects aim to provide media streaming solutions, but they cater to slightly different use cases and ecosystems. OwnTone focuses on modern formats and Apple integration, while Slimserver offers a more extensive plugin system and support for older hardware.

Pros of OwnTone

• Supports a wider range of audio formats, including ALAC and DSD
• Better integration with Apple ecosystem (AirPlay, iTunes)
• More active development and frequent updates

Cons of OwnTone

• Less extensive plugin ecosystem compared to Slimserver
• Fewer supported output devices and streaming services
• Limited support for older hardware players

Code Comparison

OwnTone (C language):

int player_playback_start(struct player_command *cmd)
{
  int ret;

  ret = commands_base_playback_start(cmd);
  if (ret != 0)
    return ret;

  return player_playback_start_bh(cmd);
}

Slimserver (Perl language):

sub playlistJumpIndex {
    my ($client, $index) = @_;

    my $song = Slim::Player::Playlist::song($client, $index);

    if (defined $song) {
        Slim::Player::Source::jumpto($client, $song);
    }
}

The code snippets demonstrate the different programming languages used in each project. OwnTone is primarily written in C, which can offer better performance but may be more complex to develop. Slimserver uses Perl, which is easier to read and modify but might have slower execution times for certain operations.

Both projects aim to provide media streaming solutions, but they cater to slightly different use cases and ecosystems. OwnTone focuses on modern formats and Apple integration, while Slimserver offers a more extensive plugin system and support for older hardware.

Pros of XBMC

• More comprehensive media center solution, handling video, audio, and images
• Larger and more active community, resulting in frequent updates and extensive add-ons
• Cross-platform support for various operating systems and devices

Cons of XBMC

• Higher system requirements due to its full-featured nature
• Steeper learning curve for configuration and customization
• Potentially overwhelming for users who only need audio streaming functionality

Code Comparison

XBMC (C++):

bool CVideoPlayer::OpenInputStream()
{
  if (m_pInputStream.use_count() > 1)
    throw std::runtime_error("Input stream is in use");
  m_pInputStream.reset();
  m_pInputStream = CInputStreamFactory::CreateInputStream(m_item);
  if (!m_pInputStream)
    return false;
  return true;
}

Slimserver (Perl):

sub openStream {
    my ($class, $args) = @_;
    my $url = $args->{'url'} || return;
    my $client = $args->{'client'};
    my $song = $args->{'song'};
    my $streamHandler = Slim::Player::ProtocolHandlers->handlerForURL($url);
    return $streamHandler->new($args);
}

The code snippets demonstrate different approaches to opening input streams, reflecting the languages and architectures used in each project. XBMC uses C++ with object-oriented patterns, while Slimserver employs Perl with a more functional style.