# DisplayStreamer

DisplayStreamer is a high-performance, ultra-low latency desktop streaming application for Windows. Built with C# and .NET, it leverages DirectX 11 and Media Foundation to provide hardware-accelerated H.265 (HEVC) and H.264 video encoding and decoding. 

Designed for seamless local network streaming, it features zero-configuration UDP auto-discovery, automatic client updates, and bypasses Windows power throttling to ensure a perfectly locked 60 FPS stream.

## Features

* **Hardware Acceleration**: Utilizes GPU hardware encoders/decoders (NVENC, AMF, QuickSync) via Media Foundation for H.265 (HEVC) or H.264 streaming.
* **Ultra-Low Latency**: Uses DXGI Desktop Duplication for zero-copy screen capture and DirectX 11 SwapChains for tear-free, hardware VSync rendering.
* **Zero-Configuration Discovery**: Clients automatically discover active servers on the local network via UDP broadcast.
* **Auto-Updating Clients**: If a client connects to a server running a different version, it automatically downloads the new executable into memory and restarts itself.
* **Multi-Monitor Support**: Select specific network adapters and individual displays to broadcast.
* **Smart Downscaling**: Automatically downscales 4K displays to 1080p using fast parallel CPU scaling to maintain network performance.
* **Performance Optimizations**: Bypasses Windows EcoQoS (Power Throttling), utilizes AVRT Pro Audio thread characteristics, and uses high-resolution waitable timers to prevent frame drops when minimized or out of focus.
* **Hardware Cursor Rendering**: Captures and renders the host's cursor accurately on the client side.

## Tech Stack

* **Language**: C# 12
* **Framework**: .NET 8.0 (Windows Forms)
* **Graphics & Capture**: DirectX 11, DXGI (Desktop Duplication API)
* **Media Processing**: Media Foundation (MFT)
* **Libraries**: 
  * `SharpDX`
  * `SharpDX.Direct3D11`
  * `SharpDX.DXGI`
  * `SharpDX.MediaFoundation`

## System Requirements

### Server (Host)
* **OS**: Windows 10 or Windows 11
* **GPU**: A dedicated or integrated GPU with hardware H.265 (HEVC) or H.264 encoding support.
* **Network**: Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6 recommended for optimal latency.

### Client (Viewer)
* **OS**: Windows 10 or Windows 11
* **GPU**: A GPU with hardware H.265 (HEVC) or H.264 decoding support.
* **Network**: Stable local network connection to the host.

## Build Instructions

1. **Prerequisites**: 
   * Install [Visual Studio 2026](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/) with the **.NET desktop development** workload.
   * Ensure the .NET 10.0 SDK is installed.
2. **Clone the Repository**:
   ```bash
   git clone https://git.churchofmalware.org/mastercodeon/DisplayStreamer.git
   cd DisplayStreamer
   ```
3. **Restore NuGet Packages**:
   Open the solution in Visual Studio and restore the required SharpDX packages:
   * `SharpDX`
   * `SharpDX.Direct3D11`
   * `SharpDX.DXGI`
   * `SharpDX.MediaFoundation`
4. **Build**:
   Build the solution in `Release` mode to ensure optimal performance.

## Usage

The application acts as both the Server and the Client depending on how it is launched and configured.

### Starting a Server
1. Launch `DisplayStreamer.exe`.
2. If no servers are detected on the network, it will default to **Server Mode**. (You can also manually switch modes using the button on the UI).
3. Select the **Network Adapters** you want to broadcast on.
4. Select the **Displays** you want to capture.
5. Click **Start Streaming**. The app will minimize to the system tray to save resources. Double-click the tray icon to restore it.

### Connecting a Client
1. Launch `DisplayStreamer.exe` on another computer on the same network.
2. The app will automatically detect active servers and open in **Client Mode**.
3. Double-click a discovered server in the list (or select it and press Enter) to connect.
4. The stream will open in a borderless fullscreen window.
5. **Controls**:
   * Press `ESC` to disconnect and close the viewer.
   * Press `F1` to toggle the performance metrics overlay (FPS, Encode/Decode times).

## License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the `LICENSE` file for details.