[mythtv-users] ALSA and SPDIF Out For nForce2 Motherboards

[Chua KianTeck]

Hi,

Not sure if this has been posted on this list before.  But for the 
benefit of all or the newbies, I've managed to get audio out through my 
MSI K7N2 Delta ILSR motherboard's SPDIF co-axial connector.

Follow Jarod's guide carefully.  Just before you execute the 
/usr/bin/aplay /usr/share/sounds/KDE_Startup.wav command, execute the 
following (either as root or as mythtv user):

# /usr/bin/aplay -l

Here's the output for the aplay -l for my machine:

**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: nForce2 [NVidia nForce2], device 0: Intel ICH [NVidia nForce2]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: nForce2 [NVidia nForce2], device 2: Intel ICH - IEC958 [NVidia 
nForce2 - IEC958]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

As you can see, my SPDIF is on device 2.  Now, go modify your .asoundrc 
file (this file lives in /home/mythtv/) for your mythtv user as follows:

pcm.nforce-hw {
type hw
card 0
}

pcm.!default {
type plug
slave.pcm "nforce"
}

pcm.nforce {
type dmix
ipc_key 1234
slave {
pcm "hw:0,2"
period_time 0
period_size 1024
buffer_size 4096
rate 44100
}
}

ctl.nforce-hw {
type hw
card 0
}

Note the line with pcm "hw:0,2", this is what you want to tell ALSA to 
direct your audio via device 2.

Save your .asoundrc file and continue with excuting the /usr/bin/aplay 
/usr/share/sounds/KDE_Startup.wav.  You should be able to hear the sound 
played through the SPDIF.  Alternatively, you might want to run this 
command to test the stereo output:
$ /usr/bin/aplay /usr/share/sounds/KDE_Startup_new.wav

Jarod, you might want to include the above steps into your guide.  Most 
of the above info are taken from the ALSA project website, see this link 
( 
http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/doc-php/template.php?company=Nvidia&card=nForce&chip=NM2360&module=intel8x0 
) for the nForce configuration.

Cheers
KianTeck