Media Blocks SDK .NET vs LibVLCSharp

// More code, but more flexible
var pipeline = new MediaBlocksPipeline();
var rtspSource = new RTSPSourceBlock(
    await RTSPSourceSettings.CreateAsync(
        new Uri("rtsp://camera/stream"),
        "admin", "password", audioEnabled: true));
var videoRenderer = new VideoRendererBlock(pipeline, videoView);
var audioRenderer = new AudioRendererBlock();

pipeline.Connect(rtspSource.VideoOutput, videoRenderer.Input);
pipeline.Connect(rtspSource.AudioOutput, audioRenderer.Input);
await pipeline.StartAsync();

// Simpler, less control
Core.Initialize();
var libVLC = new LibVLC();
var mediaPlayer = new MediaPlayer(libVLC);
mediaPlayer.Play(new Media(libVLC, 
    "rtsp://admin:password@camera/stream",
    FromType.FromLocation));
// Auto-renders to attached VideoView

// Natural extension of simple playback
var pipeline = new MediaBlocksPipeline();
var rtspSource = new RTSPSourceBlock(settings);
var textOverlay = new TextOverlayBlock(
    new TextOverlaySettings("Camera 1 - Live"));
var tee = new TeeBlock(2, MediaBlockPadMediaType.Video);
var videoRenderer = new VideoRendererBlock(pipeline, videoView);
var h264Encoder = new H264EncoderBlock();
var recorder = new MP4SinkBlock(
    new MP4SinkSettings("recording.mp4"));

pipeline.Connect(rtspSource.VideoOutput, textOverlay.Input);
pipeline.Connect(textOverlay.Output, tee.Input);
pipeline.Connect(tee.Outputs[0], videoRenderer.Input);
pipeline.Connect(tee.Outputs[1], h264Encoder.Input);
pipeline.Connect(h264Encoder.Output,
    recorder.CreateNewInput(MediaBlockPadMediaType.Video));
await pipeline.StartAsync();

// Requires workarounds or not easily possible
Core.Initialize();
var libVLC = new LibVLC();
var mediaPlayer = new MediaPlayer(libVLC);

// Text overlay: requires VLC string options, limited control
var media = new Media(libVLC,
    "rtsp://camera/stream", FromType.FromLocation);
media.AddOption(":sub-filter=marq");
media.AddOption(":marq-marquee=Camera 1 - Live");
media.AddOption(":marq-position=1");

// Recording: requires sout chain (complex)
media.AddOption(
    ":sout=#duplicate{dst=display,dst=file{dst=recording.mp4}}");

mediaPlayer.Play(media);
// Note: VLC sout is powerful but has complex syntax

var pipeline = new MediaBlocksPipeline();
var camera = new SystemVideoSourceBlock(videoSourceSettings);
var effect1 = new ChromaKeyBlock(chromaSettings);
var effect2 = new TextOverlayBlock(textSettings);
var encoder = new H264EncoderBlock();
var output = new RTMPSinkBlock(streamSettings);

pipeline.Connect(camera.Output, effect1.Input);
pipeline.Connect(effect1.Output, effect2.Input);
pipeline.Connect(effect2.Output, encoder.Input);
pipeline.Connect(encoder.Output,
    output.CreateNewInput(MediaBlockPadMediaType.Video));
await pipeline.StartAsync();

Core.Initialize();
var libVLC = new LibVLC();
var mediaPlayer = new MediaPlayer(libVLC);
mediaPlayer.Play(new Media(libVLC,
    "rtsp://camera/stream",
    FromType.FromLocation));

// LibVLCSharp does not support chroma key,
// custom effect chains, or RTMP output.
// These features require a pipeline-based SDK.