[mythtv-users] OSS -vs- ALSA sound

[David Meiser]

 From what I understand, the kernel OSS and ALSA are mutually exclusive 
(i.e. - one specifically means you cannot use another).   Mostly, this 
is because they both need to access the same hardware (i.e. - the sound 
card).

If I'm not misunderstanding (and I doubt I am understanding), you 
probably need to a) make sure that you are compiling/installing ALSA for 
your kernel, and then b) insert the module.  THis can be accomplished by 
using the modutils included with your distro.  Just make sure you remove 
EVERYTHING sound related (I was having some troubles inserting the 
modules at first, so I removed sound-core and then everything went 
honkey-dory).  Next, insert the alsa modules (USUALLY snd-somethng, SB 
Live! would be snd-emu10k1, but check your documentation, if you're 
using Mandrake, it DEFINITELY is snd-something).  Then, insert the alsa 
oss emulation module, snd-osssomething-or-other.

Finally, make sure you're a member of the sound group (or whatever group 
is assigned to the device), run alsamixer or alsamixergui (gui would 
probably be better), make sure everything is unmuted (kind of important, 
Mandrake has a tendency to mute things, which can be good as to not 
destroy your speakers), test it (using XMMS or noatun or whatever is 
handy - make sure you switch your sound daemon over to alsa-supported, 
and xmms as well), and then you're off to the races.

As for whether to use ALSA or OSS, you'll find that ALSA is what the 
pros use for 2 reasons.  First, lower latency.  At least that's what 
I've been told, it could be disputed.  Second, more control of the sound 
card.  This is very true.  I've got an SB Live! Platinum in my Linux 
box.  Before I put the ALSA drivers in (which was about 10 minutes), I 
checked the sound card to see what OSS allowed me to adjust.  I had 
maybe 10 or 15 options, that and my live drive wasn't even supported.  
Now, I've got everything unlocked.  I'm ready to go with it.  Works 
wonderfully.

Peace,
DAVE

Harondel J. Sibble wrote:

>Look in the list archives for the thread titled:
>
>"Double-audio. And yes, line in is muted and set to record."
>
>from a few days ago. My responses are regarding OSS use with an SB Live, 
>while Jarod's are in relation to an Audigy card using Alsa, either way, most 
>of the info you need is in that thread.
>
>I'm also having problems getting alsa to work again, seems to be a bit of a 
>conflict between the kernel oss driver and the alsa ones....
>
>
>
>
>On 25 Sep 2003 at 23:09, Mike Davis wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I have an SB Live Value!, using OSS drivers. (ALSA won't work for some
>>reason and I can't find the right settings for anything with ALSA) I can
>>use mplayer to watch videos in and out of MythTV. Sound is fine, although I
>>have to turn the volume up on the PCM channel to hear it. XMMS plays ogg files
>>fine.
>>
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
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