Release [1.0.0] - 2025-10-21 · F3NN3X/InfoPanel.AudioMeter

Initial release of InfoPanel Audio Meter Plugin with comprehensive multi-device support
Multi-device audio monitoring support for all available Windows output devices
Real-time audio level monitoring with Windows Core Audio API implementation
Enhanced VU meter functionality with ultra-responsive scaling algorithm
Professional scaling curves that make music at 100% volume consistently hit 95-100% on meters
Dynamic default device tracking that follows Windows audio device changes automatically
Individual device containers with unique device identification and friendly names
Enhanced device container pattern with separate containers per audio device
Multi-channel audio support (averages left/right channels for stereo devices)
High refresh rate monitoring (50ms update intervals / 20 FPS for smooth VU meters)
Intelligent device caching with proper COM object lifecycle management
Serilog structured logging integration for comprehensive diagnostics and debugging
Professional build system with automatic ZIP packaging and deployment
Comprehensive plugin lifecycle management (Initialize(), Load(), UpdateAsync(), Close())
Graceful error handling for missing audio devices and COM marshaling issues
Advanced resource management with proper disposal patterns and memory cleanup

Major architecture upgrade from single-device to multi-device audio monitoring
Replaced NAudio dependency with direct Windows Core Audio API P/Invoke implementation
Enhanced container structure expanded from single device to comprehensive multi-device pattern
Optimized VU meter scaling with aggressive curves for realistic music response (0.25-0.4 raw → 90-99% display)
Improved device management with robust caching, enumeration, and disposal patterns
Advanced COM interop using CoCreateInstance for reliable Windows audio system access

COM object casting errors that prevented NAudio from working with InfoPanel's audio integration
Device enumeration crashes caused by improper COM marshaling and pointer handling
Memory leaks in device caching through proper IDisposable implementation
VU meter scaling issues where full-volume music only reached 30-90% instead of 95-100%
Device identification problems with safe string marshaling from COM interfaces
Plugin stability issues through comprehensive error handling and resource cleanup

Platform: Built on .NET 8.0-windows with unsafe COM interop support
Audio System: Direct Windows Core Audio API integration via P/Invoke and CoCreateInstance
COM Interfaces: IMMDeviceEnumerator, IMMDeviceCollection, IMMDevice, IAudioMeterInformation
Device Detection: Advanced multi-device enumeration with proper COM object lifecycle management
Level Reading: Real-time peak value monitoring with enhanced VU meter scaling algorithms
Architecture: InfoPanel plugin container system with multi-device sensor data exposure
Memory Management: Comprehensive IDisposable patterns with safe COM object cleanup
Error Handling: Robust exception handling for COM marshaling and audio system failures
Naming Conventions: Kebab-case ID conventions (audio-level-meter, default-audio-meter)
Scaling Algorithm: Ultra-responsive curves designed for realistic music VU meter behavior

Professional MSBuild configuration with advanced packaging and deployment
Automatic dependency flattening and cleanup for streamlined distribution
Release ZIP packaging with versioned directories and proper file organization
PDB and debug symbol management for production debugging capabilities
Platform-specific optimizations (x64) for Windows audio system compatibility
Advanced deployment pipeline with automatic InfoPanel plugin directory deployment
Satellite resource optimization (English only) for reduced package size
COM interop compilation with unsafe code blocks and Windows-specific targeting

Full Changelog: https://github.com/F3NN3X/InfoPanel.AudioMeter/commits/1.0.0

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