8b-is/q8-caster

Q8-Caster 🎬

AI-powered display casting MCP server with comprehensive media support. Cast anything from markdown presentations to 3D models, videos, and live streams to any display.

Features

• MCP Integration: Full Model Context Protocol support for AI-driven display control
• Multi-Display Support: Control multiple displays, mirror screens, configure resolutions
• Content Types:
  • Markdown with live rendering (dark/light themes)
  • Video playback with hardware acceleration
  • Image display
  • 3D model visualization (GLTF)
  • Live streaming (RTSP, WebRTC, HLS, DASH)
  • Presentations
• Network Receivers: UPnP/DLNA, AirPlay, Chromecast support
• Content Caching: Smart caching with TTL support
• Codec Detection: Reports all available audio/video codecs
• Audio Routing: Control audio devices and routing

Quick Start

# Build the project
./scripts/manage.sh build release

# Run as MCP server (stdio)
./scripts/manage.sh run

# Or run as daemon
./scripts/manage.sh daemon

# Check status
./scripts/manage.sh status

MCP Tools

cast_content

Cast content to a display.

{
  "display_id": "display_0",
  "content_type": "markdown",
  "source": "/path/to/presentation.md",
  "options": {
    "theme": "dark"
  }
}

list_displays

List all available displays with their properties.

list_codecs

List all available audio/video codecs with hardware acceleration info.

configure_display

Configure display settings (resolution, position, mirroring).

start_receiver

Start network receivers (UPnP, AirPlay, Chromecast).

cache_content

Cache content for faster access.

discover_chromecasts

Discover available Chromecast devices on the network.

connect_chromecast

Connect to a specific Chromecast device by name.

cast_to_chromecast

Cast content directly to a Chromecast device.

{
  "device_name": "Living Room TV",
  "content_type": "video",
  "source": "https://example.com/video.mp4"
}

control_chromecast

Control Chromecast playback (play, pause, stop, seek, volume).

Examples

Cast a Markdown Presentation

{
  "tool": "cast_content",
  "arguments": {
    "content_type": "markdown",
    "source": "presentation.md",
    "options": {
      "theme": "dark"
    }
  }
}

Stream RTSP Camera

{
  "tool": "cast_content",
  "arguments": {
    "content_type": "stream",
    "source": "rtsp://camera.local:554/stream",
    "options": {
      "protocol": "rtsp"
    }
  }
}

Start AirPlay Receiver

{
  "tool": "start_receiver",
  "arguments": {
    "protocols": ["airplay", "upnp"],
    "port": 8420
  }
}

Cast to Chromecast

// First discover devices
{
  "tool": "discover_chromecasts"
}

// Connect to a device
{
  "tool": "connect_chromecast",
  "arguments": {
    "device_name": "Living Room TV"
  }
}

// Cast content
{
  "tool": "cast_to_chromecast",
  "arguments": {
    "device_name": "Living Room TV",
    "content_type": "video",
    "source": "https://example.com/movie.mp4"
  }
}

Architecture

• Display Manager: Handles display enumeration and window creation
• Media Engine: GStreamer-based media playback with codec detection
• Render Engine: GPU-accelerated rendering for markdown and 3D content
• Network Receiver: Multi-protocol network discovery and streaming
• Content Cache: LRU memory cache with disk persistence

Requirements

• Rust 1.70+
• GStreamer 1.0
• X11/Wayland (for display control)

License

MIT - Made with 💜 by 8b-is