PipeWire CLI tools

This test case tests that PipeWire can be controlled using CLI commands.

Setup

This test case should be performed on a bare machine.
The computer must be equipped with a sound device and a microphone (or another source of audio).
Install a desktop version of Fedora 34 (or later).
Log in as a common user.
Install the pipewire-utils package.
Connect your speakers (headphones) to the default sound device.
Have an audio file ready (wav).

List all available playback devices (targets).

$ pw-cat -p --list-targets

You will notice a number identifying a particular target. Also, the default target is marked with an asterisk (*).
Play a sound file over the default target.

$ pw-cat -p <audiofile>
Play a sound file and set the volume level.

$ pw-cat -p --volume=0.1 <audiofile>
List all available recording devices (targets).

$ pw-cat -r --list-targets
Connect your microphone (or a source of audio) to the default sound device.
Record a sample recording using your default sound device.

$ pw-cat -r audiotest.wav
Record a sample recording using a different volume level.

$ pw-cat -r --volume=0.1 quiet.wav
Record a sample recording using a different rate.

$ pw-cat -r --rate=6000 lowrate.wav
If you have more than one audio devices, you can repeat the previous steps with another device using the --target option, such as

$ pw-cat -p --target=XX <audiofile>

where XX stands for the device number obtained by the --list-targets option.

Playback targets are listed and they correspond to your audio devices.
The audio file is correctly played back in step 3.
The selected audio is played back much quieter when compared to step 3.
Recording targets are listed and they correspond to your devices.
The audio is correctly recorded and can be played back (using pw-cat or another application).
The audio recorded with limited volume (sensitivity) is much quieter when compared to the recording from step 7.
The audio recorded with limited rate has much lower quality when compared to the recording from step 7.
If you test different sound devices that have been recognized by PipeWire, it must be possible to use them for playback and recording via the --target option.