OSC over TCP
Open Sound Control (OSC) is typically used with the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), but it can also be sent over TCP. Here’s how to do it effectively.
Sending OSC Over TCP
To send OSC messages over TCP, you need to format the OSC packets according to the OSC 1.0 specification, which requires starting each packet with a 4-byte integer indicating the size of the packet. You can use tools like the osc-utility to send OSC messages over TCP by specifying the appropriate address and port.
OSC Packet Structure
When sending OSC messages over TCP, the packet structure is crucial. Each OSC packet must start with a 4-byte integer that specifies the size of the packet. This is followed by the actual OSC message content. The total size of the packet must be a multiple of 4 bytes.
Steps to Send OSC Over TCP
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Establish a TCP Connection: Use a TCP client to connect to the desired host and port.
Format the OSC Packet:
- Begin with a 4-byte integer indicating the size of the OSC message.
- Follow with the OSC message, which includes the OSC address, type tags, and arguments.
- Send the Packet: Transmit the formatted OSC packet over the established TCP connection.
Example of Sending OSC
Using a command-line tool like osc-utility , you can send OSC messages over TCP with the following command:
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osc-utility message --address /your/address --port 3032 --host your.host.ip
Considerations
- Error Handling: Ensure that the receiving application can handle OSC packets over TCP. Some applications may expect UDP and could misinterpret TCP packets.
- Latency: TCP may introduce more latency compared to UDP due to its connection-oriented nature.
Conclusion
Sending OSC over TCP requires careful formatting of packets and an understanding of the underlying protocol. By following the correct structure and using appropriate tools, you can successfully transmit OSC messages over TCP connections.