Advantages of Pipewire over PulseAudio

[dos2unix]

While I'm a fan of.. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I'm also a fan of "sometimes newer is better".

From CoPilot.
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Before PipeWire, the prevalent sound stack in Linux was PulseAudio. PulseAudio served as the default sound server for many Linux distributions, handling audio input/output, mixing, and routing. However, let’s delve into the details of both sound systems:

1. PulseAudio:
   • Purpose: PulseAudio was designed to manage audio streams, allowing applications to share audio devices and handle volume control.
   • Features:
     • Per-application volume control: PulseAudio allowed users to adjust the volume independently for each application.
     • Network audio support: It facilitated audio streaming over the network.
     • Dynamic device switching: Users could switch between different audio devices (e.g., speakers, headphones) seamlessly.
     • Mixing and routing: PulseAudio mixed audio streams from various applications and routed them to the appropriate output.
   • Issues:
     • Latency: Some users experienced latency issues with PulseAudio.
     • Complexity: Configuring PulseAudio could be intricate, especially for advanced use cases.
     • Virtual sinks: Creating virtual audio sinks required shell commands.
   • Status: PulseAudio is still widely used and remains a reliable choice for many users.
2. PipeWire:
   • Purpose: PipeWire aims to replace both PulseAudio and JACK (another audio system) by providing a unified solution for audio and video handling.
   • Features:
     • Low-latency audio: Like JACK, PipeWire offers low-latency connections for audio and MIDI data.
     • Modular architecture: It allows seamless switching between different software.
     • JACK compatibility: PipeWire can use JACK tools for audio rerouting.
     • Simplified setup: No arcane shell commands; users can easily reroute audio using tools like catia.
     • Bluetooth audio support: PipeWire works well with Bluetooth audio devices.
   • Advancements: PipeWire has made significant progress, making it a promising candidate for the future of Linux audio.
   • Note: If you’re content with PulseAudio, there’s no immediate need to switch to PipeWire. However, for those seeking more flexibility and ease of use, PipeWire is worth exploring12.

In summary, while PulseAudio served Linux users well, PipeWire’s simplicity, JACK compatibility, and overall improvements position it as a strong contender for the future of Linux audio.