---
name: "esdcat"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "esound-clients"
version: "0.2.41-8"
release: "Debian 6.0 (Squeeze)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/esdcat"
---

# esdcat(1)

play a sound file from stdin

## NAME

esdcat - play a sound file from **stdin**

## SYNOPSIS

**esdcat** \[-**s** *hostname*:*port*\] \[`"-n"` name\] \[-**b**\] \[-**h**\] \[-**m**\] \[-**r** *freq*\] \< file

## DESCRIPTION

The **esdcat** application pipes data from **stdin** to the sound device, using the Enlightened Sound Daemon (**esd**).

## OPTIONS

The following options are supported:

**-s** *hostname*:*port* Contact the **esd** server on *hostname* at *port*.

**-b** Specify that the output should be in 8-bit format. By default, the output is in 16-bit format.

**-h** Display help text, and exit.

**-m** Specify that the output should be in mono format. By default, the output is in stereo format.

**-r** *freq* Specify that the output rate should be set to *freq*. By default, the output rate is set to 44.1 kHz.

## EXAMPLES

**Example 1: Playing a sound file "beep" from stdin**

```
example% esdcat < beep
```

## EXIT STATUS

The following exit values are returned:

**0** Application exited successfully

**\>0** Application exited with failure

## SEE ALSO

[*esd*(1)](/esd/1.md), [*esddsp*(1)](/esddsp/1.md), [*esdfilt*(1)](/esdfilt/1.md), [*esdloop*(1)](/esdloop/1.md), [*esdplay*(1)](/esdplay/1.md), [*esdsample*(1)](/esdsample/1.md), [*esd-config*(1)](/esd-config/1.md), [*esdctl*(1)](/esdctl/1.md), [*esdmon*(1)](/esdmon/1.md), [*esdrec*(1)](/esdrec/1.md)