GStreamer 1.12 update

With the beginning of May came GStreamer 1.12, the latest major release of the crossplatform, Open Source multimedia framework.

Noteworthy enhancements include waylandsink DMABuf importation, and access to the Fraunhofer FDK AAC encoder and decoder. However, one of the highlights is the integration for Intel’s Media SDK, the crossplatform API to access Intel’s hardware accelerated video encoder and decoder functions on Windows and Embedded Linux.

One key new features is videoconvert and videoscale using multiple threads for scaling and conversion, a big plus for real-time software manipulation of 4K and 8K streams. The RTP stack can now receive bundled streams which make it possible to send audio and video over the same port, making network traversal easier, a requirement for full WebRTC compatibility.

Python programmers will also rejoice as more features are natively accessible. In particular, GstCaps describing format can now be fully programmatically modified.

On the build side of things, one noticeable improvement is the change in plugin filenames match their plugin name. This is in preparation for a new plugin interface coming in 1.14, which will enable developers to build static and dynamic plugins simultaneously. Full support of Meson, the new build system which aims to replace the venerable autotools, has also greatly progressed.

Lastly, in terms of contributors, one notable highlight is the first ever contribution by GoPro developers, which brings compatibility with their CineForm format to GStreamer.

These latest improvements, while not groundbreaking, bring features that further expand the range of use cases for GStreamer and certainly improve the lives of its users and developers alike. Olivier Crête is the multimedia lead at Collabora Ltd.