[mythtv-users] Mythtv analog audio HELP!

Allen Edwards allen.p.edwards at gmail.com
Tue Dec 9 15:56:18 UTC 2008


On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 3:21 AM, Ray Whiteman
<ray.whiteman at consultant.com> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I have been battling with an analogue sound output problem for a couple
> days with a new myth front end I put together using old hardware. It is
> a clean install with back ports added to bring the FE up to my current
> backend FE config. My objective is to get the FE to playback DVB-T and
> PVR-150 sampled recordings via the FE to stereo speakers embedded in an
> old 4:3 CRT TV. I have tried with and without .asoundrc files, and every
> configuration of alsamixer I could think of as well as all the options
> in mythfrontend audio configuration.
>
> My last configuration, which I thought was the closest, was the below
> configuration with the myth (Settings General > Audio) set to
> ALSA:mixed-analog
>
> I am not categorically sure that the analog output is working hardware
> wise, I think it was, I just can't get a whimper out of it now.
> Everything looks correct to me. Sorry for the spam. ANy help would be
> seriously appreciated. I suspect this is something basic. :/
>
> ===================================================================
> Hardware:
> Asus P4P800-E
> ALC850 sound (AC97)
>
> ===================================================================
> Software:
> Mythbuntu 7.10 with backports enabled (mythfrontend 0.21.20080304-1)
>
> ===================================================================
> $sudo lspci -v
>
> 00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801EB/ER
> (ICH5/ICH5R) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 02)
>        Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Unknown device 812a
>        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 22
>        I/O ports at e800 [size=256]
>        I/O ports at ee80 [size=64]
>        Memory at f7fff800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512]
>        Memory at f7fff400 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
>        Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
>
> ===================================================================
> $ hwinfo --sound
> 21: PCI 1f.5: 0401 Multimedia audio controller
>  [Created at pci.296]
>  UDI: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/pci_8086_24d5
>  Unique ID: W60f.GwekzbCBmC6
>  SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.5
>  SysFS BusID: 0000:00:1f.5
>  Hardware Class: sound
>  Model: "ASUSTeK 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) AC'97 Audio Controller"
>  Vendor: pci 0x8086 "Intel Corporation"
>  Device: pci 0x24d5 "82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) AC'97 Audio Controller"
>  SubVendor: pci 0x1043 "ASUSTeK Computer Inc."
>  SubDevice: pci 0x812a
>  Revision: 0x02
>  Driver: "Intel ICH"
>  Driver Modules: "snd_intel8x0"
>  I/O Ports: 0xe800-0xe8ff (rw)
>  I/O Ports: 0xee80-0xeebf (rw)
>  Memory Range: 0xf7fff800-0xf7fff9ff (rw,non-prefetchable)
>  Memory Range: 0xf7fff400-0xf7fff4ff (rw,non-prefetchable)
>  IRQ: 22 (19576 events)
>  Module Alias: "pci:v00008086d000024D5sv00001043sd0000812Abc04sc01i00"
>  Driver Info #0:
>    Driver Status: snd_intel8x0 is active
>    Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe snd_intel8x0"
>  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
>
> ===================================================================
> $ lsmod | grep snd
> snd_intel8x0           34972  2
> snd_ac97_codec        100644  1 snd_intel8x0
> ac97_bus                3200  1 snd_ac97_codec
> snd_pcm_oss            44672  0
> snd_mixer_oss          17664  1 snd_pcm_oss
> snd_pcm                80388  4 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss
> snd_seq_dummy           4740  0
> snd_seq_oss            33152  0
> snd_seq_midi            9600  0
> snd_rawmidi            25728  1 snd_seq_midi
> snd_seq_midi_event      8448  2 snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi
> snd_seq                53232  6
> snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
> snd_timer              24324  2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
> snd_seq_device          9228  5
> snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
> snd                    54660  13
> snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_seq_oss,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
> soundcore               8800  1 snd
> snd_page_alloc         11400  2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm
>
> ===================================================================
> $dpkg -l \*alsa\* | grep ^ii
> ii  alsa-base            1.0.14-1ubuntu2   ALSA driver configuration files
> ii  alsa-utils           1.0.14-1ubuntu4   ALSA utilities
> ii  libesd-alsa0         0.2.38-0ubuntu4.1 Enlightened Sound Daemon
> (ALSA) - Shared lib
> ii  libsdl1.2debian-alsa 1.2.11-9ubuntu2   Simple DirectMedia Layer
> (with X11 and ALSA
> ii  xfce4-mixer-alsa     1:4.4.1-3ubuntu1  Xfce4 Mixer ALSA backend
>
> ===================================================================
> $aplay -l
> **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
> card 0: ICH5 [Intel ICH5], device 0: Intel ICH [Intel ICH5]
>  Subdevices: 0/1
>  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
> card 0: ICH5 [Intel ICH5], device 4: Intel ICH - IEC958 [Intel ICH5 -
> IEC958]
>  Subdevices: 1/1
>  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
>
> ===================================================================
> $ aplay -L
> front:CARD=ICH5,DEV=0
>    Intel ICH5, Intel ICH5
>    Front speakers
> surround40:CARD=ICH5,DEV=0
>    Intel ICH5, Intel ICH5
>    4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
> surround41:CARD=ICH5,DEV=0
>    Intel ICH5, Intel ICH5
>    4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
> surround50:CARD=ICH5,DEV=0
>    Intel ICH5, Intel ICH5
>    5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
> surround51:CARD=ICH5,DEV=0
>    Intel ICH5, Intel ICH5
>    5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
> null
>    Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
>
> ===================================================================
> $ cat .asoundrc
> # ~/.asoundrc or /etc/asound.conf
> # ALSA configuration file
>
> ##### USAGE #####
> # Save this file as "~/.asoundrc" (for user-specific sound configuration) or
> # "/etc/asound.conf" (for system-wide sound configuration) and specify ALSA
> # device names ad described in the next section.
>
>
> ##### DEVICE NAMES #####
> # This configuration file defines four devices for use by the user.  Those
> # devices are "analog", "mixed-analog", "digital", and "mixed-digital".  The
> # user may also re-define "default" to be identical to one of the
> above-named
> # devices (i.e. to send all sound output to the digital output unless
> otherwise
> # specified).  Use the device names as described below:
> #  - "analog" outputs to the analog output directly and (at least on
> software
> #  sound cards) blocks other audio output.  After playback completes,
> "queued"
> #  sounds are output in sequence.
> #  - "mixed-analog" mixes audio output from multiple programs into the
> analog
> #  output (so you can hear beeps, alerts, and other noises while playing
> back
> #  an audio stream).
> #  - "digital" outputs to the digital output directly.  Since most (all?)
> #  digital outputs expect 48kHz PCM audio, this may not work for some
> playback
> #  (i.e. CD's--which are 44.1kHz PCM audio--or 32kHz audio streams from TV
> #  recordings, etc.).
> #  - "mixed-digital"
>
> # All other devices created within this file are used only by the
> configuration
> # file itself and should /not/ be used directly.  In other words, do not use
> # the devices "analog-hw", "dmix-analog", "digital-hw", or "dmix-digital".
>
>
> ##### IMPORTANT #####
> # To make this ALSA configuration file work with your sound card, you
> will need
> # to define the appropriate card and device information for the
> "analog-hw" and
> # "digital-hw" devices below.  You can find the card and device information
> # using "aplay -l".
>
>
> ##### Configuration File #####
>
> # Override the default output used by ALSA.  If you do not override the
> # default, your default device is identical to the (unmixed) "analog" device
> # shown below.  If you prefer mixed and/or digital output, uncomment the
> # appropriate four lines below (only one slave.pcm line).
> #
> # Note, also, that as of ALSA 1.0.9, "software" sound cards have been
> modified
> # such that their default "default" device is identical to the
> "mixed-analog"
> # device.  Whether using an ALSA version before or after 1.0.9, it does
> no harm
> # and has no affect on performance to redefine the device (even if the
> # redefinition does not change anything).  Also, by using this ALSA
> # configuration file, you once again have access to unmixed analog
> output using
> # the "analog" device.
> pcm.!default {
>  type plug
> ## Uncomment the following to use (unmixed) "analog" by default
> #  slave.pcm "analog-hw"
> ## Uncomment the following to use "mixed-analog" by default
>  slave.pcm "dmix-analog"
> ## Uncomment the following to use (unmixed) "digital" by default
> #  slave.pcm "digital-hw"
> ## Uncomment the following to use "mixed-digital" by default
> #  slave.pcm "dmix-digital"
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.!default {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # Alias for (converted) analog output on the card
> # - This is identical to the device named "default"--which always exists and
> # refers to hw:0,0 (unless overridden)
> # - Therefore, we can specify "hw:0,0", "default", or "analog" to access
> analog
> # output on the card
> # - Note that as of ALSA 1.0.9, "software" sound card definitions redefine
> # "default" to do mixing, meaning this device is different from
> "default" and
> # allows playback while blocking other sound sources (until playback
> # completes).
> pcm.analog {
>  type plug
>  slave.pcm "analog-hw"
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.analog {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # Alias for (converted) mixed analog output on the card
> # - This will accept audio input--regardless of rate--and convert to the
> rate
> # required for the dmix plugin (in this case 48000Hz)
> # - Note that as of ALSA 1.0.9, "software" sound card definitions redefine
> # "default" to do mixing, meaning this device is identical to "default" for
> # "software" sound cards.
> pcm.mixed-analog {
>  type plug
>  slave.pcm "dmix-analog"
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.mixed-analog {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # Alias for (converted) digital (S/PDIF) output on the card
> # - This will accept audio input--regardless of rate--and convert to the
> rate
> # required for the S/PDIF hardware (in this case 48000Hz)
> pcm.digital {
>  type plug
>  slave.pcm "digital-hw"
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.digital {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # Alias for mixed (converted) digital (S/PDIF) output on the card
> #  - This will accept audio input--regardless of rate--and convert to
> the rate
> #  required for the S/PDIF hardware (in this case 48000Hz)
> pcm.mixed-digital {
>  type plug
>  slave.pcm "dmix-digital"
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.mixed-digital {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # The following devices are not useful by themselves.  They require specific
> # rates, channels, and formats.  Therefore, you probably do not want to use
> # them directly.  Instead use of of the devices defined above.
>
> # Alias for analog output on the card
> # Do not use this directly--it requires specific rate, channels, and format
> pcm.analog-hw {
>  type hw
>  card 0
>  # The default value for device is 0, so no need to specify
> #  - Uncomment one of the below or create a new "device N" line as
> appropriate
> #    for your sound card or
> #  device 1
> #  device 4
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.analog-hw {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # Alias for digital (S/PDIF) output on the card
> # Do not use this directly--it requires specific rate, channels, and format
> pcm.digital-hw {
>  type hw
>  card 0
>  device 4
> #  - Comment out "device 1" above and uncomment one of the below or create a
> #    new "device N" line as appropriate for your sound card or
> #  device 2
> #  device 4
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.digital-hw {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # Direct software mixing plugin for analog output on the card
> # Do not use this directly--it requires specific rate, channels, and format
> pcm.dmix-analog {
>  type dmix
>  ipc_key 1234
>  slave {
>    pcm "analog-hw"
>    period_time 0
>    period_size 1024
>    buffer_size 4096
>    rate 48000
>  }
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.dmix-analog {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
> # Direct software mixing plugin for digital (S/PDIF) output on the card
> # Do not use this directly--it requires specific rate, channels, and format
> pcm.dmix-digital {
>  type dmix
>  ipc_key 1235
>  slave {
>    pcm "digital-hw"
>    period_time 0
>    period_size 1024
>    buffer_size 4096
>    rate 48000
>  }
> }
>
> # Control device (mixer, etc.) for the card
> ctl.dmix-digital {
>  type hw
>  card 0
> }
>
>
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> mythtv-users at mythtv.org
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I have a P4P800E-Deluxe MB and a myth FE running on it with analog
audio.  I delete the asound.conf file and set myth to the following:

Audio output device: /dev/dsp
Max audio channels: Stereo
Upmix:  Passive
passthrough and agressive not checked.

Hope this helps,

Allen


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