GStreamer Interpipes
GStreamer Interpipes is a feature from the RidgeRun gst-interpipe plugin that enables dynamic pipeline communication. It allows:
- Multi-pipeline sharing – Pass data between multiple GStreamer pipelines.
- Dynamic linking – Connect or disconnect pipelines without restarting.
- Low-latency media routing – Efficiently stream audio/video between pipelines.
⚙️ Installing gst-interpipe
Before using Interpipes, ensure you have the required dependencies.
🛠️ Build System & Development Tools
sudo apt install -y meson ninja-build git
🎞️ GStreamer Core & Plugins
sudo apt install -y gstreamer1.0-plugins-base
📦 Additional GStreamer Plugins
sudo apt install -y gstreamer1.0-plugins-good gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad \ gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly gstreamer1.0-libav
🏗️ GStreamer Development Libraries
sudo apt install -y libgstreamer1.0-dev libgstreamer-plugins-base1.0-dev
📖 Documentation Tools (Optional)
sudo apt install -y gtk-doc-tools
- (You can disable GTK-Doc with -Dgtk_doc=disabled in Meson if not needed.)*
🔗 Installing gst-interpipe Plugin
To install the RidgeRun gst-interpipe plugin:
git clone https://github.com/RidgeRun/gst-interpipe.git cd gst-interpipe meson build ninja -C build sudo ninja -C build install
Verify installation:
gst-inspect-1.0 interpipesrc
Expected Output:
Factory Details:
Rank none (0)
Long-name Inter pipeline source
Klass Generic/Source
Description Source for internal pipeline buffers communication
Author Michael Grüner <michael.gruner@ridgerun.com>Plugin Details:
Name interpipe
Description Elements to communicate buffers across pipelines
Filename /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/gstreamer-1.0/libgstinterpipe.so
Version 1.1.8
License LGPL
Source module gst-interpipe
Binary package GstInterpipe
Origin URL http://www.ridgerun.com
🔗 Core Concepts
Interpipes introduce two main elements:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| interpipesink | Sends data to other pipelines. |
| interpipesrc | Receives data from interpipesink. |
📡 Controlling GStreamer Interpipes with gst-client
Each command follows this format:
gst-client COMMAND pipeline_name "PIPELINE_DESCRIPTION"
🎞️ Creating an Interpipes Source Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_create producer_pipeline "videotestsrc is-live=true ! interpipesink name=sink1"
Parameters:
- pipeline_create producer_pipeline – Creates a new pipeline named producer_pipeline.
- videotestsrc is-live=true – Generates a live video test source.
- interpipesink name=sink1 – Creates an Interpipe sink named sink1.
Use case: This pipeline produces video for other pipelines to consume.
🎞️ Creating an Interpipes Consumer Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_create consumer_pipeline "interpipesrc listen-to=sink1 ! videoconvert ! autovideosink"
Parameters:
- pipeline_create consumer_pipeline – Creates a new pipeline named consumer_pipeline.
- interpipesrc listen-to=sink1 – Reads data from sink1.
- videoconvert – Ensures format compatibility.
- autovideosink – Displays the received video.
Use case: This pipeline consumes data from sink1.
▶️ Playing the Producer Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_play producer_pipeline
Use case: Starts the producer pipeline.
▶️ Playing the Consumer Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_play consumer_pipeline
Use case: Starts the consumer pipeline.
⏹️ Stopping the Producer Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_stop producer_pipeline
Use case: Stops the producer without deleting it.
⏹️ Stopping the Consumer Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_stop consumer_pipeline
Use case: Stops the consumer without deleting it.
❌ Deleting the Producer Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_delete producer_pipeline
Use case: Removes the producer pipeline.
❌ Deleting the Consumer Pipeline
gst-client pipeline_delete consumer_pipeline
Use case: Removes the consumer pipeline.
🔀 Switching Between Interpipes
Interpipes allow you to dynamically switch sources.
🎞️ Changing the Consumer Pipeline's Source
gst-client pipeline_create new_source "videotestsrc pattern=ball ! interpipesink name=sink2" gst-client pipeline_set consumer_pipeline "interpipesrc listen-to=sink2 ! videoconvert ! autovideosink"
Use case: The consumer pipeline now receives data from sink2 instead of sink1.
🛑 Stopping GStreamer Daemon
To stop the GStreamer Daemon:
gstd -k
Use case: Terminates the running gstd.
✅ Checking if gstd is Running
To verify if GStreamer Daemon is running:
ps aux | grep gstd
Use case: Displays gstd processes if running.
📊 Summary
GStreamer Interpipes enable seamless pipeline communication via dynamic linking.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pipeline Communication | Share data across multiple pipelines. |
| Dynamic Source Switching | Change data sources on the fly. |
| Low Latency | Efficient buffer sharing for real-time applications. |
| Optimized for Embedded Systems | Reduces memory overhead. |
