[mythtv-users] HDMI audio - MB or a Video card that just works?

[James Crow]

James Crow wrote:
> Ryan Allen wrote:
>> Hi List,
>>    I really need a recipe that is known to make HDMI audio "just work"
>>    on a newer generation motherobard/CPU with minimal tinkering?
>>
>>    I will go out and buy all new hardware if I need to.
>>
>>    I've searched the history of this thread, and I've found many
>>    problem discussions, but no actual "this hardware worked with this
>>    recipe".
>>
>>    The constraints are, my new AVR's HDMI inputs only take audio
>>    from them, I cannot specify a different source.
>>
>>    After my cat puked into my case, the component video stopped working.
>>    I bought a new ASUS EN9500GT OC/DI/512M, because it has an SPDIF
>>    input header, and hopes of running VDPAU.
>>
>>    The video from the card is awesome, but I cannot get audio for the
>>    life of me.  First, the card has NO MANUAL, so I have no idea which
>>    pin is gnd, and which pin is data.  Each iteration of tweaking 
>> ALSA is
>>    a n*2, while I try to flip the cable guessing which pin is correct.
>>
>>    Basically it's hopeless and I am out of patience.  Not because I
>>    dislike tinkering, but because I don't know what I am doing, and I
>>    don't understand the alsa settings, just following others "this
>>    worked for me" posts.
>>
>>    I prefer Mythbuntu but will try a different distro if that is
>>    recommended. 
>>    HELP!!!
>>
>>    Thanks so much...
>>
>>
>>   
> I recently upgraded my FE to HDMI audio. I have an older Asus MB with 
> a SPDIF header. I purchased a new video card 
> (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121271 same 
> one you have) that came with the wire to connect to the SPDIF header. 
> I replaced a Nvidia 8400 card so I already had the right drivers. I am 
> using JYA's backport with VDPAU and the version of the Nvidia driver 
> that he currently has available.
>
> After installing the hardware, I had to unmute the IEC958 audio in 
> alsamixer. I then went into Myth and configured the sound for alsa 
> spdif and checked the options for AC3 and the other pass through.
>
> After that I had sound working through HDMI. No fiddling with config 
> files or anything. Just make sure the SPDIF is not muted and set the 
> Myth sound output correctly.
>
> This is all with Mythbuntu 9.04 with JYA's backport repo.
>
> Cheers,
> James
>
On my card the pin closest to the hdmi connector is the data pin. The 
pin closest to the GPU is ground. The data pin has a white triangle 
above it on the PCB. I have a picture, contact me off list if you want it.

For reference my MB is an Asus M2N-MX SE Plus. The on board audio is 
listed as:

james at mythfront:~$ sudo lspci -vv -s 00:05.0
00:05.0 Audio device: nVidia Corporation MCP61 High Definition Audio 
(rev a2)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8290
    Control: I/O- Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- 
Stepping- SERR- FastB2B- DisINTx-
    Status: Cap+ 66MHz+ UDF- FastB2B+ ParErr- DEVSEL=fast >TAbort- 
<TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR- INTx-
    Latency: 0 (500ns min, 1250ns max)
    Interrupt: pin B routed to IRQ 23
    Region 0: Memory at d8ff8000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
    Capabilities: [44] Power Management version 2
        Flags: PMEClk- DSI- D1- D2- AuxCurrent=0mA 
PME(D0-,D1-,D2-,D3hot+,D3cold+)
        Status: D0 PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-
    Capabilities: [50] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask+ 64bit+ 
Queue=0/0 Enable-
        Address: 0000000000000000  Data: 0000
        Masking: 00000000  Pending: 00000000
    Capabilities: [6c] HyperTransport: MSI Mapping Enable+ Fixed+
    Kernel driver in use: HDA Intel
    Kernel modules: snd-hda-intel

In alsamixer I have IEC958 and IEC958D (IEC958 Default PCM). Both are 
un-muted.

In Myth I have

audio output device: ALSA:spdif

pass thru output device: Default

AC3 and DTS passthrough are checked.

Nvidia drivers 180.60 are installed.

I have tested this setup on two televisions and HDMI audio has worked on 
both.

If I can help you with any more settings let me know.

Thanks,
James