Add --audio-output-buffer

On some systems, the SDL audio callback is not called frequently enough
(for example it requests 5ms of samples every 10ms), because the output
buffer is too small.

By default, we want to use a small value (5ms) to minimize latency, but
if it does not work well, users need a way to increase it.

Refs #3793 <https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/issues/3793>

app/data/scrcpy-console.desktop

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Comment=Display and control your Android device
 # For some users, the PATH or ADB environment variables are set from the shell
 # startup file, like .bashrc or .zshrc… Run an interactive shell to get
 # environment correctly initialized.
-Exec=/bin/bash --norc --noprofile -i -c '"$SHELL" -i -c scrcpy || read -p "Press any key to quit..."'
+Exec=/bin/bash --norc --noprofile -i -c "\"\\$SHELL\" -i -c scrcpy || read -p 'Press any key to quit...'"
 Icon=scrcpy
 Terminal=true
 Type=Application

app/data/scrcpy.desktop

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Comment=Display and control your Android device
 # For some users, the PATH or ADB environment variables are set from the shell
 # startup file, like .bashrc or .zshrc… Run an interactive shell to get
 # environment correctly initialized.
-Exec=/bin/sh -c '"$SHELL" -i -c scrcpy'
+Exec=/bin/sh -c "\"\\$SHELL\" -i -c scrcpy"
 Icon=scrcpy
 Terminal=false
 Type=Application

app/scrcpy.1

@@ -33,6 +33,14 @@ Lower values decrease the latency, but increase the likelyhood of buffer underru
 
 Default is 50.
 
+.TP
+.BI "\-\-audio\-output\-buffer ms
+Configure the size of the SDL audio output buffer (in milliseconds).
+
+If you get "robotic" audio playback, you should test with a higher value (10). Do not change this setting otherwise.
+
+Default is 5.
+
 .TP
 .BI "\-\-audio\-codec " name
 Select an audio codec (opus, aac or raw).

app/src/audio_player.c

@@ -59,8 +59,6 @@
 #define SC_AV_SAMPLE_FMT AV_SAMPLE_FMT_FLT
 #define SC_SDL_SAMPLE_FMT AUDIO_F32
 
-#define SC_AUDIO_OUTPUT_BUFFER_MS 5
-
 #define TO_BYTES(SAMPLES) sc_audiobuf_to_bytes(&ap->buf, (SAMPLES))
 #define TO_SAMPLES(BYTES) sc_audiobuf_to_samples(&ap->buf, (BYTES))
 
@@ -230,8 +228,8 @@ sc_audio_player_frame_sink_push(struct sc_frame_sink *sink,
 
     if (played) {
         uint32_t max_buffered_samples = ap->target_buffering
-                + 12 * SC_AUDIO_OUTPUT_BUFFER_MS * ap->sample_rate / 1000
-                + ap->target_buffering / 10;
+                                      + 12 * ap->output_buffer
+                                      + ap->target_buffering / 10;
         if (buffered_samples > max_buffered_samples) {
             uint32_t skip_samples = buffered_samples - max_buffered_samples;
             sc_audiobuf_skip(&ap->buf, skip_samples);
@@ -246,7 +244,7 @@ sc_audio_player_frame_sink_push(struct sc_frame_sink *sink,
         // max_initial_buffering samples, this would cause unnecessary delay
         // (and glitches to compensate) on start.
         uint32_t max_initial_buffering = ap->target_buffering
-                + 2 * SC_AUDIO_OUTPUT_BUFFER_MS * ap->sample_rate / 1000;
+                                       + 2 * ap->output_buffer;
         if (buffered_samples > max_initial_buffering) {
             uint32_t skip_samples = buffered_samples - max_initial_buffering;
             sc_audiobuf_skip(&ap->buf, skip_samples);
@@ -333,11 +331,28 @@ sc_audio_player_frame_sink_open(struct sc_frame_sink *sink,
     unsigned nb_channels = tmp;
 #endif
 
+    assert(ctx->sample_rate > 0);
+    assert(!av_sample_fmt_is_planar(SC_AV_SAMPLE_FMT));
+    int out_bytes_per_sample = av_get_bytes_per_sample(SC_AV_SAMPLE_FMT);
+    assert(out_bytes_per_sample > 0);
+
+    ap->sample_rate = ctx->sample_rate;
+    ap->nb_channels = nb_channels;
+    ap->out_bytes_per_sample = out_bytes_per_sample;
+
+    ap->target_buffering = ap->target_buffering_delay * ap->sample_rate
+                                                      / SC_TICK_FREQ;
+
+    uint64_t aout_samples = ap->output_buffer_duration * ap->sample_rate
+                                                       / SC_TICK_FREQ;
+    assert(aout_samples <= 0xFFFF);
+    ap->output_buffer = (uint16_t) aout_samples;
+
     SDL_AudioSpec desired = {
         .freq = ctx->sample_rate,
         .format = SC_SDL_SAMPLE_FMT,
         .channels = nb_channels,
-        .samples = SC_AUDIO_OUTPUT_BUFFER_MS * ctx->sample_rate / 1000,
+        .samples = aout_samples,
         .callback = sc_audio_player_sdl_callback,
         .userdata = ap,
     };
@@ -356,11 +371,6 @@ sc_audio_player_frame_sink_open(struct sc_frame_sink *sink,
     }
     ap->swr_ctx = swr_ctx;
 
-    assert(ctx->sample_rate > 0);
-    assert(!av_sample_fmt_is_planar(SC_AV_SAMPLE_FMT));
-    int out_bytes_per_sample = av_get_bytes_per_sample(SC_AV_SAMPLE_FMT);
-    assert(out_bytes_per_sample > 0);
-
 #ifdef SCRCPY_LAVU_HAS_CHLAYOUT
     av_opt_set_chlayout(swr_ctx, "in_chlayout", &ctx->ch_layout, 0);
     av_opt_set_chlayout(swr_ctx, "out_chlayout", &ctx->ch_layout, 0);
@@ -383,13 +393,6 @@ sc_audio_player_frame_sink_open(struct sc_frame_sink *sink,
         goto error_free_swr_ctx;
     }
 
-    ap->sample_rate = ctx->sample_rate;
-    ap->nb_channels = nb_channels;
-    ap->out_bytes_per_sample = out_bytes_per_sample;
-
-    ap->target_buffering = ap->target_buffering_delay * ap->sample_rate
-                                                      / SC_TICK_FREQ;
-
     // Use a ring-buffer of the target buffering size plus 1 second between the
     // producer and the consumer. It's too big on purpose, to guarantee that
     // the producer and the consumer will be able to access it in parallel
@@ -458,8 +461,10 @@ sc_audio_player_frame_sink_close(struct sc_frame_sink *sink) {
 }
 
 void
-sc_audio_player_init(struct sc_audio_player *ap, sc_tick target_buffering) {
+sc_audio_player_init(struct sc_audio_player *ap, sc_tick target_buffering,
+                     sc_tick output_buffer_duration) {
     ap->target_buffering_delay = target_buffering;
+    ap->output_buffer_duration = output_buffer_duration;
 
     static const struct sc_frame_sink_ops ops = {
         .open = sc_audio_player_frame_sink_open,

app/src/audio_player.h

@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ struct sc_audio_player {
     sc_tick target_buffering_delay;
     uint32_t target_buffering; // in samples
 
+    // SDL audio output buffer size.
+    sc_tick output_buffer_duration;
+    uint16_t output_buffer;
+
     // Audio buffer to communicate between the receiver and the SDL audio
     // callback (protected by SDL_AudioDeviceLock())
     struct sc_audiobuf buf;
@@ -80,6 +84,7 @@ struct sc_audio_player_callbacks {
 };
 
 void
-sc_audio_player_init(struct sc_audio_player *ap, sc_tick target_buffering);
+sc_audio_player_init(struct sc_audio_player *ap, sc_tick target_buffering,
+                     sc_tick audio_output_buffer);
 
 #endif

app/src/cli.c

@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ enum {
     OPT_LIST_DISPLAYS,
     OPT_REQUIRE_AUDIO,
     OPT_AUDIO_BUFFER,
+    OPT_AUDIO_OUTPUT_BUFFER,
 };
 
 struct sc_option {
@@ -129,6 +130,16 @@ static const struct sc_option options[] = {
                 "likelyhood of buffer underrun (causing audio glitches).\n"
                 "Default is 50.",
     },
+    {
+        .longopt_id = OPT_AUDIO_OUTPUT_BUFFER,
+        .longopt = "audio-output-buffer",
+        .argdesc = "ms",
+        .text = "Configure the size of the SDL audio output buffer (in "
+                "milliseconds).\n"
+                "If you get \"robotic\" audio playback, you should test with "
+                "a higher value (10). Do not change this setting otherwise.\n"
+                "Default is 5.",
+    },
     {
         .longopt_id = OPT_AUDIO_CODEC,
         .longopt = "audio-codec",
@@ -1204,6 +1215,19 @@ parse_buffering_time(const char *s, sc_tick *tick) {
     return true;
 }
 
+static bool
+parse_audio_output_buffer(const char *s, sc_tick *tick) {
+    long value;
+    bool ok = parse_integer_arg(s, &value, false, 0, 1000,
+                                "audio output buffer");
+    if (!ok) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    *tick = SC_TICK_FROM_MS(value);
+    return true;
+}
+
 static bool
 parse_lock_video_orientation(const char *s,
                              enum sc_lock_video_orientation *lock_mode) {
@@ -1831,6 +1855,12 @@ parse_args_with_getopt(struct scrcpy_cli_args *args, int argc, char *argv[],
                     return false;
                 }
                 break;
+            case OPT_AUDIO_OUTPUT_BUFFER:
+                if (!parse_audio_output_buffer(optarg,
+                                               &opts->audio_output_buffer)) {
+                    return false;
+                }
+                break;
             default:
                 // getopt prints the error message on stderr
                 return false;

app/src/options.c

@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ const struct scrcpy_options scrcpy_options_default = {
     .display_buffer = 0,
     .v4l2_buffer = 0,
     .audio_buffer = SC_TICK_FROM_MS(50),
+    .audio_output_buffer = SC_TICK_FROM_MS(5),
 #ifdef HAVE_USB
     .otg = false,
 #endif

app/src/options.h

@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ struct scrcpy_options {
     sc_tick display_buffer;
     sc_tick v4l2_buffer;
     sc_tick audio_buffer;
+    sc_tick audio_output_buffer;
 #ifdef HAVE_USB
     bool otg;
 #endif

app/src/scrcpy.c

@@ -688,7 +688,8 @@ aoa_hid_end:
         sc_frame_source_add_sink(src, &s->screen.frame_sink);
 
         if (options->audio) {
-            sc_audio_player_init(&s->audio_player, options->audio_buffer);
+            sc_audio_player_init(&s->audio_player, options->audio_buffer,
+                                 options->audio_output_buffer);
             sc_frame_source_add_sink(&s->audio_decoder.frame_source,
                                      &s->audio_player.frame_sink);
         }

doc/audio.md

@@ -88,3 +88,14 @@ avoid glitches and smooth the playback:
 ```
 scrcpy --display-buffer=200 --audio-buffer=200
 ```
+
+It is also possible to configure another audio buffer (the audio output buffer),
+by default set to 5ms. Don't change it, unless you get some [robotic and glitchy
+sound][#3793]:
+
+```bash
+# Only if absolutely necessary
+scrcpy --audio-output-buffer=10
+```
+
+[#3793]: https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/issues/3793

server/src/main/java/com/genymobile/scrcpy/Server.java

@@ -81,15 +81,15 @@ public final class Server {
         // But only apply when strictly necessary, since workarounds can cause other issues:
         //  - <https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/issues/940>
         //  - <https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/issues/994>
-        boolean mustFillAppInfo = Build.BRAND.equalsIgnoreCase("meizu");
+        if (Build.BRAND.equalsIgnoreCase("meizu")) {
+            Workarounds.fillAppInfo();
+        }
 
         // Before Android 11, audio is not supported.
         // Since Android 12, we can properly set a context on the AudioRecord.
-        // Only on Android 11 we must fill app info for the AudioRecord to work.
-        mustFillAppInfo |= audio && Build.VERSION.SDK_INT == Build.VERSION_CODES.R;
-
-        if (mustFillAppInfo) {
-            Workarounds.fillAppInfo();
+        // Only on Android 11 we must fill the application context for the AudioRecord to work.
+        if (audio && Build.VERSION.SDK_INT == Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
+            Workarounds.fillAppContext();
         }
 
         List<AsyncProcessor> asyncProcessors = new ArrayList<>();

server/src/main/java/com/genymobile/scrcpy/Workarounds.java

@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ import java.lang.reflect.Constructor;
 import java.lang.reflect.Field;
 
 public final class Workarounds {
+
+    private static Class<?> activityThreadClass;
+    private static Object activityThread;
+
     private Workarounds() {
         // not instantiable
     }
@@ -28,18 +32,25 @@ public final class Workarounds {
     }
 
     @SuppressLint("PrivateApi,DiscouragedPrivateApi")
-    public static void fillAppInfo() {
-        try {
+    private static void fillActivityThread() throws Exception {
+        if (activityThread == null) {
             // ActivityThread activityThread = new ActivityThread();
-            Class<?> activityThreadClass = Class.forName("android.app.ActivityThread");
+            activityThreadClass = Class.forName("android.app.ActivityThread");
             Constructor<?> activityThreadConstructor = activityThreadClass.getDeclaredConstructor();
             activityThreadConstructor.setAccessible(true);
-            Object activityThread = activityThreadConstructor.newInstance();
+            activityThread = activityThreadConstructor.newInstance();
 
             // ActivityThread.sCurrentActivityThread = activityThread;
             Field sCurrentActivityThreadField = activityThreadClass.getDeclaredField("sCurrentActivityThread");
             sCurrentActivityThreadField.setAccessible(true);
             sCurrentActivityThreadField.set(null, activityThread);
+        }
+    }
+
+    @SuppressLint("PrivateApi,DiscouragedPrivateApi")
+    public static void fillAppInfo() {
+        try {
+            fillActivityThread();
 
             // ActivityThread.AppBindData appBindData = new ActivityThread.AppBindData();
             Class<?> appBindDataClass = Class.forName("android.app.ActivityThread$AppBindData");
@@ -59,6 +70,16 @@ public final class Workarounds {
             Field mBoundApplicationField = activityThreadClass.getDeclaredField("mBoundApplication");
             mBoundApplicationField.setAccessible(true);
             mBoundApplicationField.set(activityThread, appBindData);
+        } catch (Throwable throwable) {
+            // this is a workaround, so failing is not an error
+            Ln.d("Could not fill app info: " + throwable.getMessage());
+        }
+    }
+
+    @SuppressLint("PrivateApi,DiscouragedPrivateApi")
+    public static void fillAppContext() {
+        try {
+            fillActivityThread();
 
             Application app = Application.class.newInstance();
             Field baseField = ContextWrapper.class.getDeclaredField("mBase");
@@ -71,7 +92,7 @@ public final class Workarounds {
             mInitialApplicationField.set(activityThread, app);
         } catch (Throwable throwable) {
             // this is a workaround, so failing is not an error
-            Ln.d("Could not fill app info: " + throwable.getMessage());
+            Ln.d("Could not fill app context: " + throwable.getMessage());
         }
     }
 }