One month following the prior release of version 1.24.3, the GStreamer squad introduces the latest iteration within the stable 1.24 series of the widely utilized, cross-platform multimedia framework: GStreamer 1.24.4. This version places its emphasis solely on bug fixes and security enhancements, ensuring a sturdy and protected experience for all users.

Users who are on any iteration within the 1.24 series can seamlessly transition to 1.24.4 without worrying about compatibility or stability disturbances. Core bug fixes and enhancements incorporate:

• Sound Improvements: The audioconvert utility now supports configurations with more than 64 audio channels, enabling the management of intricate audio projects.
• Enhancements in Video Decoding: The avvidec now adeptly manages multi-threaded decoding of I-frame codecs like DV Video without frame drops, which is essential for upholding video playback quality.
• Support for Live Pipelines: The mpegtsmux has been modified to properly timeout in live pipelines, particularly aiding sparse streams such as KLV and DVB subtitles.
• Decoding via Hardware: Fixes in vtdec resolve deadlocks during shutdowns and modifications in format or resolution, scenarios frequently encountered in adaptive streaming situations like HLS and DASH.
• Handling of Format and Resolution: Significant fixes have also been implemented to avert deadlocks in vtdec during shutdowns and format or resolution alterations. These are common occurrences with streaming protocols like HLS/DASH.
• Improvements in Codecs: Updates to vah264enc and vah265enc enhance timestamp management and ensure that IDR frames are produced on force-keyunit-requests as opposed to I frames, critical for video encoding stability.
• User Interface and Playback: The gtk4paintablesink has undergone enhancements, incorporating support for fullscreen mode and integration with gst-play-1.0, heightening overall user interaction with multimedia content.
• Refinements in WebRTC: The webrtcsink now backs insecure TLS and features improved error and VP9 handling, enhancing its resilience for web-based multimedia applications.
• Rectifications in Hardware Acceleration: The v4l2codecs decoder gives precedence to DMA_DRM capabilities, which tackle playback issues in playbin3 and enhance performance on compatible hardware.
• Compatibility across Platforms: Updates encompass steering clear of using private APIs on iOS, aiding in maintaining compliance and operation across diverse operating systems.

Moreover, in addition to the highlighted updates, this release delivers several other bug fixes, memory leak patches, and stability improvements, guaranteeing a more dependable environment for the development and execution of multimedia applications.

Versions for Android, iOS, Mac OS X, and Windows will be launched soon. For further details on all alterations in GStreamer 1.24.4, please consult the release declaration or inspect the complete changelog.