AudioBridger for Windows
========================

Stream audio between computers on your local network in real time.

This zip contains three command-line apps:

  ab_sender.exe    Picks an input device and broadcasts its audio.
  ab_receiver.exe  Listens for a sender and plays the audio out.
  ab_hub.exe       Optional. Web dashboard at http://<hub-ip>:4466 for
                   routing, monitoring, and remote control.


First run
---------

Open two Command Prompt or PowerShell windows on the same Wi-Fi or
wired LAN:

  Window A:  ab_sender.exe
             rem picks an input device when prompted

  Window B:  ab_receiver.exe
             rem finds the sender automatically over the LAN


Optional: the hub
-----------------

  Window C:  ab_hub.exe
             rem then open http://localhost:4466 in a browser

  In the dashboard you can drag wires between senders and receivers,
  mute receivers, pick output devices, and listen to any sender's AAC
  stream right in the browser.


Capturing system or app audio
-----------------------------

Windows hides system output behind a virtual driver. To capture audio
that isn't a real mic or line-in, install one of:

  - VB-Cable        https://vb-audio.com/Cable/       (free, simple)
  - VoiceMeeter     https://vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/ (free, popular for streamers)
  - "Stereo Mix"    built in to some Windows machines, hidden under
                    Sound -> Recording devices

Then pick it as the input device when ab_sender asks.


First-launch prompt
-------------------

The first time each app runs, Windows Defender will pop up a firewall
prompt. Allow access on private networks (and public if you want
cross-network use).


AAC streaming (optional)
------------------------

If you want the in-browser AAC playback feature, the sender needs
FFmpeg DLLs at runtime. Either:

  1. Install FFmpeg system-wide (e.g. via winget or chocolatey), or
  2. Drop avcodec*.dll and avutil*.dll next to ab_sender.exe.

Without FFmpeg, AAC streaming silently turns off; UDP audio still works.


Useful flags
------------

  ab_sender.exe --version          show version and exit
  ab_sender.exe --activate <CODE>  activate a paid licence (online)
  ab_sender.exe -o                 print this machine's UUID for offline activation
  ab_receiver.exe <sender-ip>      bypass mDNS, connect directly
  ab_hub.exe --http-port 8080      use a different dashboard port

Run any app with no arguments for the interactive flow.


Licensing
---------

The trial runs for 30 minutes per launch on the sender and hub.
Receivers are always free. Buy a licence at:

  https://bluetomatomedia.com/buy/audio-bridger/

See LICENSE in this zip for the full terms.


Trouble?
--------

  support@bluetomatomedia.com

Include your activation code if it's an activation problem.
