diff --git a/client/client_settings.hpp b/client/client_settings.hpp
index 7900cc1b..2e12cb01 100644
--- a/client/client_settings.hpp
+++ b/client/client_settings.hpp
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ struct ClientSettings
         std::string player_name{""};
         std::string parameter{""};
         int latency{0};
-        PcmDevice pcm_device;
+        player::PcmDevice pcm_device;
         SampleFormat sample_format;
         SharingMode sharing_mode{SharingMode::unspecified};
         Mixer mixer;
diff --git a/client/controller.cpp b/client/controller.cpp
index 7e9eef13..eeba91f1 100644
--- a/client/controller.cpp
+++ b/client/controller.cpp
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@
 #include <string>
 
 using namespace std;
+using namespace player;
 
 static constexpr auto LOG_TAG = "Controller";
 static constexpr auto TIME_SYNC_INTERVAL = 1s;
@@ -92,24 +93,24 @@ std::vector<std::string> Controller::getSupportedPlayerNames()
 {
     std::vector<std::string> result;
 #ifdef HAS_ALSA
-    result.emplace_back("alsa");
+    result.emplace_back(player::ALSA);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_PULSE
-    result.emplace_back("pulse");
+    result.emplace_back(player::PULSE);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_OBOE
-    result.emplace_back("oboe");
+    result.emplace_back(player::OBOE);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_OPENSL
-    result.emplace_back("opensl");
+    result.emplace_back(player::OPENSL);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_COREAUDIO
-    result.emplace_back("coreaudio");
+    result.emplace_back(player::COREAUDIO);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_WASAPI
-    result.emplace_back("wasapi");
+    result.emplace_back(player::WASAPI);
 #endif
-    result.emplace_back("file");
+    result.emplace_back(player::FILE);
     return result;
 }
 
@@ -184,30 +185,30 @@ void Controller::getNextMessage()
 
 #ifdef HAS_ALSA
             if (!player_)
-                player_ = createPlayer<AlsaPlayer>(settings_.player, "alsa");
+                player_ = createPlayer<AlsaPlayer>(settings_.player, player::ALSA);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_PULSE
             if (!player_)
-                player_ = createPlayer<PulsePlayer>(settings_.player, "pulse");
+                player_ = createPlayer<PulsePlayer>(settings_.player, player::PULSE);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_OBOE
             if (!player_)
-                player_ = createPlayer<OboePlayer>(settings_.player, "oboe");
+                player_ = createPlayer<OboePlayer>(settings_.player, player::OBOE);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_OPENSL
             if (!player_)
-                player_ = createPlayer<OpenslPlayer>(settings_.player, "opensl");
+                player_ = createPlayer<OpenslPlayer>(settings_.player, player::OPENSL);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_COREAUDIO
             if (!player_)
-                player_ = createPlayer<CoreAudioPlayer>(settings_.player, "coreaudio");
+                player_ = createPlayer<CoreAudioPlayer>(settings_.player, player::COREAUDIO);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAS_WASAPI
             if (!player_)
-                player_ = createPlayer<WASAPIPlayer>(settings_.player, "wasapi");
+                player_ = createPlayer<WASAPIPlayer>(settings_.player, player::WASAPI);
 #endif
-            if (!player_ && (settings_.player.player_name == "file"))
-                player_ = createPlayer<FilePlayer>(settings_.player, "file");
+            if (!player_ && (settings_.player.player_name == player::FILE))
+                player_ = createPlayer<FilePlayer>(settings_.player, player::FILE);
 
             if (!player_)
                 throw SnapException("No audio player support" + (settings_.player.player_name.empty() ? "" : " for: " + settings_.player.player_name));
diff --git a/client/controller.hpp b/client/controller.hpp
index 494ec4e9..8564e2b7 100644
--- a/client/controller.hpp
+++ b/client/controller.hpp
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
     along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 ***/
 
-#ifndef CONTROLLER_H
-#define CONTROLLER_H
+#ifndef CONTROLLER_HPP
+#define CONTROLLER_HPP
 
 #include "client_connection.hpp"
 #include "client_settings.hpp"
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ private:
     void browseMdns(const MdnsHandler& handler);
 
     template <typename PlayerType>
-    std::unique_ptr<Player> createPlayer(ClientSettings::Player& settings, const std::string& player_name);
+    std::unique_ptr<player::Player> createPlayer(ClientSettings::Player& settings, const std::string& player_name);
 
     void getNextMessage();
     void sendTimeSyncMessage(int quick_syncs);
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ private:
     std::unique_ptr<ClientConnection> clientConnection_;
     std::shared_ptr<Stream> stream_;
     std::unique_ptr<decoder::Decoder> decoder_;
-    std::unique_ptr<Player> player_;
+    std::unique_ptr<player::Player> player_;
     std::unique_ptr<MetadataAdapter> meta_;
     std::unique_ptr<msg::ServerSettings> serverSettings_;
     std::unique_ptr<msg::CodecHeader> headerChunk_;
diff --git a/client/player/alsa_player.cpp b/client/player/alsa_player.cpp
index b379956d..bc7d0f07 100644
--- a/client/player/alsa_player.cpp
+++ b/client/player/alsa_player.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@
 using namespace std::chrono_literals;
 using namespace std;
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 static constexpr std::chrono::milliseconds BUFFER_TIME = 80ms;
 static constexpr int PERIODS = 4;
 
@@ -642,3 +645,5 @@ vector<PcmDevice> AlsaPlayer::pcm_list()
     snd_device_name_free_hint(hints);
     return result;
 }
+
+} // namespace player
diff --git a/client/player/alsa_player.hpp b/client/player/alsa_player.hpp
index 15d68f09..32219f89 100644
--- a/client/player/alsa_player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/alsa_player.hpp
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
     along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 ***/
 
-#ifndef ALSA_PLAYER_H
-#define ALSA_PLAYER_H
+#ifndef ALSA_PLAYER_HPP
+#define ALSA_PLAYER_HPP
 
 #include "player.hpp"
 
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@
 #include <chrono>
 
 
+namespace player
+{
+
+static constexpr auto ALSA = "alsa";
+
 /// Audio Player
 /**
  * Audio player implementation using Alsa
@@ -81,5 +86,6 @@ private:
     unsigned int periods_;
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/coreaudio_player.cpp b/client/player/coreaudio_player.cpp
index 54bffed7..bf521265 100644
--- a/client/player/coreaudio_player.cpp
+++ b/client/player/coreaudio_player.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@
 #include "coreaudio_player.hpp"
 #include <CoreAudio/CoreAudio.h>
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 #define NUM_BUFFERS 2
 
 static constexpr auto LOG_TAG = "CoreAudioPlayer";
@@ -210,3 +213,5 @@ void CoreAudioPlayer::uninitAudioQueue(AudioQueueRef queue)
     pubStream_->clearChunks();
     CFRunLoopStop(CFRunLoopGetCurrent());
 }
+
+} // namespace player
diff --git a/client/player/coreaudio_player.hpp b/client/player/coreaudio_player.hpp
index aaaf27be..f42f1c5a 100644
--- a/client/player/coreaudio_player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/coreaudio_player.hpp
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
     along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 ***/
 
-#ifndef CORE_AUDIO_PLAYER_H
-#define CORE_AUDIO_PLAYER_H
+#ifndef CORE_AUDIO_PLAYER_HPP
+#define CORE_AUDIO_PLAYER_HPP
 
 #include <AudioToolbox/AudioQueue.h>
 #include <CoreAudio/CoreAudioTypes.h>
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@
 
 #include "player.hpp"
 
+namespace player
+{
+
+static constexpr auto COREAUDIO = "coreaudio";
+
 /// Audio Player
 /**
  * Audio player implementation using CoreAudio
@@ -58,5 +63,6 @@ protected:
     long lastChunkTick;
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/file_player.cpp b/client/player/file_player.cpp
index 9c11db3f..b2d11830 100644
--- a/client/player/file_player.cpp
+++ b/client/player/file_player.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 static constexpr auto LOG_TAG = "FilePlayer";
 static constexpr auto kDefaultBuffer = 50ms;
 
@@ -128,3 +131,5 @@ void FilePlayer::stop()
     LOG(INFO, LOG_TAG) << "Stop\n";
     timer_.cancel();
 }
+
+} // namespace player
diff --git a/client/player/file_player.hpp b/client/player/file_player.hpp
index e73691e2..fb2a7f85 100644
--- a/client/player/file_player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/file_player.hpp
@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@
 #include <cstdio>
 #include <memory>
 
+namespace player
+{
+
+static constexpr auto FILE = "file";
+
 /// File Player
 /// Used for testing and doesn't even write the received audio to file at the moment,
 /// but just discards it
@@ -42,8 +47,9 @@ protected:
     boost::asio::steady_timer timer_;
     std::vector<char> buffer_;
     std::chrono::time_point<std::chrono::steady_clock> next_request_;
-    std::shared_ptr<FILE> file_;
+    std::shared_ptr<::FILE> file_;
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/oboe_player.cpp b/client/player/oboe_player.cpp
index 7cd8f959..6a4b8e03 100644
--- a/client/player/oboe_player.cpp
+++ b/client/player/oboe_player.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 static constexpr auto LOG_TAG = "OboePlayer";
 static constexpr double kDefaultLatency = 50;
 
@@ -201,3 +204,5 @@ void OboePlayer::stop()
     if (result != oboe::Result::OK)
         LOG(ERROR, LOG_TAG) << "Error in requestStop: " << oboe::convertToText(result) << "\n";
 }
+
+} // namespace player
diff --git a/client/player/oboe_player.hpp b/client/player/oboe_player.hpp
index ee463ac7..22bb407d 100644
--- a/client/player/oboe_player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/oboe_player.hpp
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@
 
 #include "player.hpp"
 
+namespace player
+{
+
+static constexpr auto OBOE = "oboe";
 
 /// Android Oboe Audio Player
 /**
@@ -56,5 +60,6 @@ protected:
     std::unique_ptr<oboe::LatencyTuner> mLatencyTuner;
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/opensl_player.cpp b/client/player/opensl_player.cpp
index d2d79cb7..00d1c29f 100644
--- a/client/player/opensl_player.cpp
+++ b/client/player/opensl_player.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 static constexpr auto LOG_TAG = "OpenSlPlayer";
 
 static constexpr auto kPhaseInit = "Init";
@@ -375,3 +378,5 @@ void OpenslPlayer::stop()
     (*bqPlayerBufferQueue)->Clear(bqPlayerBufferQueue);
     throwUnsuccess(kPhaseStop, "PlayerPlay::SetPlayState", result);
 }
+
+} // namespace player
diff --git a/client/player/opensl_player.hpp b/client/player/opensl_player.hpp
index c1479d4f..8854a83a 100644
--- a/client/player/opensl_player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/opensl_player.hpp
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@
 
 #include "player.hpp"
 
+namespace player
+{
+
+static constexpr auto OPENSL = "opensl";
+
 typedef int (*AndroidAudioCallback)(short* buffer, int num_samples);
 
 
@@ -72,5 +77,6 @@ protected:
     std::shared_ptr<Stream> pubStream_;
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/pcm_device.hpp b/client/player/pcm_device.hpp
index a466c26b..0cb6af6d 100644
--- a/client/player/pcm_device.hpp
+++ b/client/player/pcm_device.hpp
@@ -16,11 +16,14 @@
     along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 ***/
 
-#ifndef PCM_DEVICE_H
-#define PCM_DEVICE_H
+#ifndef PCM_DEVICE_HPP
+#define PCM_DEVICE_HPP
 
 #include <string>
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 static constexpr char DEFAULT_DEVICE[] = "default";
 
 struct PcmDevice
@@ -34,5 +37,6 @@ struct PcmDevice
     std::string description;
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/player.cpp b/client/player/player.cpp
index a694af2e..778bdd6b 100644
--- a/client/player/player.cpp
+++ b/client/player/player.cpp
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 static constexpr auto LOG_TAG = "Player";
 
 Player::Player(boost::asio::io_context& io_context, const ClientSettings::Player& settings, std::shared_ptr<Stream> stream)
@@ -246,3 +249,5 @@ void Player::setVolume(double volume, bool mute)
         }
     }
 }
+
+} // namespace player
diff --git a/client/player/player.hpp b/client/player/player.hpp
index fc2fb30e..df9e04e2 100644
--- a/client/player/player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/player.hpp
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
     along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 ***/
 
-#ifndef PLAYER_H
-#define PLAYER_H
+#ifndef PLAYER_HPP
+#define PLAYER_HPP
 
 #include "client_settings.hpp"
 #include "common/aixlog.hpp"
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
 #include <thread>
 #include <vector>
 
+namespace player
+{
 
 /// Audio Player
 /**
@@ -112,5 +114,6 @@ private:
     }
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/pulse_player.cpp b/client/player/pulse_player.cpp
index 0b245272..d91863b2 100644
--- a/client/player/pulse_player.cpp
+++ b/client/player/pulse_player.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@
 using namespace std::chrono_literals;
 using namespace std;
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 static constexpr std::chrono::milliseconds BUFFER_TIME = 80ms;
 
 static constexpr auto LOG_TAG = "PulsePlayer";
@@ -405,7 +408,7 @@ void PulsePlayer::start()
     bufattr_.tlength = pa_usec_to_bytes(latency_.count(), &pa_ss_);
 
     const char* device = nullptr;
-    if (settings_.pcm_device.name.compare(DEFAULT_DEVICE) != 0)
+    if (settings_.pcm_device.name == DEFAULT_DEVICE)
         device = settings_.pcm_device.name.c_str();
 
     int result = pa_stream_connect_playback(
@@ -459,3 +462,5 @@ void PulsePlayer::stop()
         playstream_ = nullptr;
     }
 }
+
+} // namespace player
diff --git a/client/player/pulse_player.hpp b/client/player/pulse_player.hpp
index 00d2b549..8bf4a5b0 100644
--- a/client/player/pulse_player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/pulse_player.hpp
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@
 #include <memory>
 #include <pulse/pulseaudio.h>
 
+namespace player
+{
+
+static constexpr auto PULSE = "pulse";
+
 /// File Player
 /// Used for testing and doesn't even write the received audio to file at the moment,
 /// but just discards it
@@ -71,5 +76,6 @@ protected:
     std::chrono::time_point<std::chrono::steady_clock> last_change_;
 };
 
+} // namespace player
 
 #endif
diff --git a/client/player/wasapi_player.hpp b/client/player/wasapi_player.hpp
index 0d2584f9..09fcd862 100644
--- a/client/player/wasapi_player.hpp
+++ b/client/player/wasapi_player.hpp
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@
 #include <audiopolicy.h>
 #include <endpointvolume.h>
 
+namespace player
+{
+
 class AudioSessionEventListener : public IAudioSessionEvents
 {
     LONG _cRef;
@@ -169,6 +172,8 @@ public:
     HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE OnNotify(PAUDIO_VOLUME_NOTIFICATION_DATA pNotify);
 };
 
+static constexpr auto WASAPI = "wasapi";
+
 class WASAPIPlayer : public Player
 {
 public:
@@ -192,4 +197,6 @@ private:
 
 #pragma warning(pop)
 
+} // namespace player
+
 #endif
diff --git a/client/snapclient.cpp b/client/snapclient.cpp
index 575e9959..1a72934e 100644
--- a/client/snapclient.cpp
+++ b/client/snapclient.cpp
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 #ifdef HAS_WASAPI
 #include "player/wasapi_player.hpp"
 #endif
+#include "player/file_player.hpp"
 #ifdef HAS_DAEMON
 #include "common/daemon.hpp"
 #endif
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 using namespace popl;
+using namespace player;
 
 using namespace std::chrono_literals;
 
@@ -58,15 +60,16 @@ PcmDevice getPcmDevice(const std::string& player, const std::string& soundcard)
 #if defined(HAS_ALSA) || defined(HAS_PULSE) || defined(HAS_WASAPI)
     vector<PcmDevice> pcm_devices;
 #if defined(HAS_ALSA)
-    if (player == "alsa")
+    if (player == player::ALSA)
         pcm_devices = AlsaPlayer::pcm_list();
 #endif
 #if defined(HAS_PULSE)
-    if (player == "pulse")
+    if (player == player::PULSE)
         pcm_devices = PulsePlayer::pcm_list();
 #endif
 #if defined(HAS_WASAPI)
-    pcm_devices = WASAPIPlayer::pcm_list();
+    if (player == player::WASAPI)
+        pcm_devices = WASAPIPlayer::pcm_list();
 #endif
     try
     {
@@ -120,7 +123,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     {
         string meta_script("");
         ClientSettings settings;
-        string pcm_device(DEFAULT_DEVICE);
+        string pcm_device(player::DEFAULT_DEVICE);
 
         OptionParser op("Allowed options");
         auto helpSwitch = op.add<Switch>("", "help", "produce help message");
@@ -132,7 +135,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         op.add<Value<string>>("", "hostID", "unique host id, default is MAC address", "", &settings.host_id);
 
 // PCM device specific
-#if defined(HAS_ALSA) || defined(HAS_WASAPI)
+#if defined(HAS_ALSA) || defined(HAS_PULSE) || defined(HAS_WASAPI)
         auto listSwitch = op.add<Switch>("l", "list", "list PCM devices");
         /*auto soundcardValue =*/op.add<Value<string>>("s", "soundcard", "index or name of the pcm device", pcm_device, &pcm_device);
 #endif
@@ -202,20 +205,21 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         settings.player.player_name = utils::string::split_left(settings.player.player_name, ':', settings.player.parameter);
 
-#if defined(HAS_ALSA) || defined(HAS_WASAPI) || defined(HAS_PULSE)
+#if defined(HAS_ALSA) || defined(HAS_PULSE) || defined(HAS_WASAPI)
         if (listSwitch->is_set())
         {
-            vector<PcmDevice> pcmDevices;
-#if defined(HAS_PULSE)
-            if (settings.player.player_name == "pulse")
-                pcmDevices = PulsePlayer::pcm_list();
-#endif
+            vector<PcmDevice> pcm_devices;
 #if defined(HAS_ALSA)
-            if (settings.player.player_name == "alsa")
-                pcmDevices = AlsaPlayer::pcm_list();
+            if (settings.player.player_name == player::ALSA)
+                pcm_devices = AlsaPlayer::pcm_list();
+#endif
+#if defined(HAS_PULSE)
+            if (settings.player.player_name == player::PULSE)
+                pcm_devices = PulsePlayer::pcm_list();
 #endif
 #if defined(HAS_WASAPI)
-            pcmDevices = WASAPIPlayer::pcm_list();
+            if (settings.player.player_name == player::WASAPI)
+                pcm_devices = WASAPIPlayer::pcm_list();
 #endif
 #ifdef WINDOWS
             // Set console code page to UTF-8 so console known how to interpret string data
@@ -223,10 +227,11 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
             // Enable buffering to prevent VS from chopping up UTF-8 byte sequences
             setvbuf(stdout, nullptr, _IOFBF, 1000);
 #endif
-            for (auto dev : pcmDevices)
-            {
+            for (const auto& dev : pcm_devices)
                 cout << dev.idx << ": " << dev.name << "\n" << dev.description << "\n\n";
-            }
+
+            if (pcm_devices.empty())
+                cout << "No PCM device available for audio backend \"" << settings.player.player_name << "\"\n";
             exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
         }
 #endif
@@ -346,18 +351,18 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         if (settings.player.parameter == "?")
         {
-            if (settings.player.player_name == "file")
+            if (settings.player.player_name == player::FILE)
             {
                 cout << "Options are a comma separated list of:\n"
                      << " \"filename=<filename>\" - with <filename> = \"stdout\", \"stderr\", \"null\" or a filename\n"
                      << " \"mode=[w|a]\" - w: write (discarding the content), a: append (keeping the content)\n";
             }
-            else if (settings.player.player_name == "pulse")
+            else if (settings.player.player_name == player::PULSE)
             {
                 cout << "Options are a comma separated list of:\n"
                      << " \"buffer_time=<buffer size [ms]>\" - default 80, min 10\n";
             }
-            else if (settings.player.player_name == "alsa")
+            else if (settings.player.player_name == player::ALSA)
             {
                 cout << "Options are a comma separated list of:\n"
                      << " \"buffer_time=<total buffer size [ms]>\" - default 80, min 10\n"