ION and HDMI/Optical Audio

88fingerslukee · 09-08-10, 12:27 PM

Hi Everybody,

I've read all the threads and none answer my question specifically (either wrong card or wrong problem). I apologize if this has been resolved already but after days and days of trying to fix this problem I am at my wit's end.

I have ASRock ION 330HT with HDMI and Optical audio out. I am trying to run it as an HTPC using Ubuntu. I can get the video working on HDMI with no problems.

My issues start when I try to get audio working. Here's what DOES work:

1.) 2.0-channel audio over front-speaker analog port.
2.) partial audio over optical port

That's it.

What doesn't work:
1.) Multichannel audio, period.
2.) HDMI audio out

Here's what I have tried:

1.) Upgrading to ALSA 1.0.23
2.) Unmuting SPDIF outputs in alsamixer
3.) Changing asound.conf with multiple different things (don't remember them all now)
4.) Upgrading and downgrading NVIDIA drivers
5.) Banging my head.

Can anybody please let me know what I need to post here to help solve my problems?

primerib · 09-08-10, 12:58 PM

I don't have quite the same setup but FWIW my system has working HDMI audio:

Zotac IONITX-C
Debian testing linux
stable kernel 2.6.34.5 (using in-kernel Nvidia HDMI alsa drivers)
alsa-base 1.0.23+dfsg-1
alsa-utils 1.0.23-2

aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 0: HDA Generic [HDA Generic]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 3: NVIDIA HDMI [NVIDIA HDMI]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

/etc/asound.conf:
pcm.!default {
type hw
card 0
device 3
}
ctl.!default {
type hw
card 0
}

/etc/default/grub
Since I've compiled the drivers directly into my kernel, I'm setting my driver options in the default grub command line:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="snd-hda-intel.model=3stack-dig"

After changing /etc/default/grub, update-grub must be ran.

I believe that's it.

88fingerslukee · 09-08-10, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primerib

I don't have quite the same setup but FWIW my system has working HDMI audio:

Zotac IONITX-C
Debian testing linux
stable kernel 2.6.34.5 (using in-kernel Nvidia HDMI alsa drivers)
alsa-base 1.0.23+dfsg-1
alsa-utils 1.0.23-2

aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 0: HDA Generic [HDA Generic]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 3: NVIDIA HDMI [NVIDIA HDMI]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

/etc/asound.conf:
pcm.!default {
type hw
card 0
device 3
}
ctl.!default {
type hw
card 0
}

/etc/default/grub
Since I've compiled the drivers directly into my kernel, I'm setting my driver options in the default grub command line:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="snd-hda-intel.model=3stack-dig"

After changing /etc/default/grub, update-grub must be ran.

I believe that's it.

thank you. Is your kernel a custom one then?

primerib · 09-08-10, 01:04 PM

Yes, I compile my own kernels. Although you should be okay with a pre-made kernel as long as the Nvidia HDMI driver is included (just a guess). If you're using the driver as a module, then you'll need to add options snd-hda-intel model=3stack-dig to your /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf file. Assuming that model setting is correct for your mainboard. Otherwise you'll need to adjust it accordingly.

**Stephen Warren** · 09-08-10, 02:20 PM

88fingerslukee,

Which display driver version are you using? Providing an nvidia-bug-report would help.

Can you please try each of the following:

speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,3
speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,7
speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,8
speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,9

Do any of those work?

If so, please see my post #7 here:

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=154755

In particular, problem (c) in that post.

primerib · 09-09-10, 02:59 PM

Any luck yet 88fingerslukee?

88fingerslukee · 09-09-10, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primerib

Any luck yet 88fingerslukee?

Sorry, didn't have time to test until now.

Fresh install Kubuntu 10.04.1
alsa 1.0.23
nVidia drivers 260.19.04

Code:

aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 0: ALC889A Analog [ALC889A Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 1: ALC889A Digital [ALC889A Digital]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 3: NVIDIA HDMI [NVIDIA HDMI]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,3

gives no output (the rest don't work either).

I have added the options snd-hda-intel model=3stack-dig line to my alsa-base.conf but still nothing.
I do not know how to find the correct line for my mainboard. Is there a list somewhere?

primerib · 09-09-10, 10:31 PM

And you also did your asound.conf? I'm a bit surprised it's not working to be honest. You also have unmuted the device in alsamixer as well right?

88fingerslukee · 09-09-10, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primerib

And you also did your asound.conf? I'm a bit surprised it's not working to be honest. You also have unmuted the device in alsamixer as well right?

First thing I did was to unmute the sound in alsamixer. I have read about that already. I did the asound.conf as well, yes.

This is where I am. It makes no sense.

88fingerslukee · 09-09-10, 11:25 PM

Just in case you were thinking that it's a physical hardware issue:

I had this same computer hooked up to the exact same setup while running windows 7 and it worked flawlessly. So I know for a fact that the HDMI port works and outputs 7.1 audio.

I'm stumped.

**Stephen Warren** · 09-10-10, 10:04 AM

Ah, you have this in xorg.conf:

Option "UseEDID" "FALSE"

This prevents the display driver from reading the EDID, which in turn prevents it from knowing that the monitor is capable of receiving audio, which in turn prevents it from sending audio infoframes, which prevents the monitor from knowing that audio is being sent. That's why it's not working.

88fingerslukee · 09-10-10, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Warren

Ah, you have this in xorg.conf:

Option "UseEDID" "FALSE"

This prevents the display driver from reading the EDID, which in turn prevents it from knowing that the monitor is capable of receiving audio, which in turn prevents it from sending audio infoframes, which prevents the monitor from knowing that audio is being sent. That's why it's not working.

I have that option set because I am using a custom resolution. See the attached xorg.conf file.

My plasma has significant overscan so in order for the 1920x1080 resolution to work I have to work around the EDID info.

How can I force the audio infoframes to be sent?

09-08-10, 12:27 PM	#1
88fingerslukee Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 8	ION and HDMI/Optical Audio Hi Everybody, I've read all the threads and none answer my question specifically (either wrong card or wrong problem). I apologize if this has been resolved already but after days and days of trying to fix this problem I am at my wit's end. I have ASRock ION 330HT with HDMI and Optical audio out. I am trying to run it as an HTPC using Ubuntu. I can get the video working on HDMI with no problems. My issues start when I try to get audio working. Here's what DOES work: 1.) 2.0-channel audio over front-speaker analog port. 2.) partial audio over optical port That's it. What doesn't work: 1.) Multichannel audio, period. 2.) HDMI audio out Here's what I have tried: 1.) Upgrading to ALSA 1.0.23 2.) Unmuting SPDIF outputs in alsamixer 3.) Changing asound.conf with multiple different things (don't remember them all now) 4.) Upgrading and downgrading NVIDIA drivers 5.) Banging my head. Can anybody please let me know what I need to post here to help solve my problems?

09-08-10, 12:58 PM	#2
primerib Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 128	Re: ION and HDMI/Optical Audio I don't have quite the same setup but FWIW my system has working HDMI audio: Zotac IONITX-C Debian testing linux stable kernel 2.6.34.5 (using in-kernel Nvidia HDMI alsa drivers) alsa-base 1.0.23+dfsg-1 alsa-utils 1.0.23-2 aplay -l ** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ** card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 0: HDA Generic [HDA Generic] Subdevices: 1/1 Subdevice #0: subdevice #0 card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 3: NVIDIA HDMI [NVIDIA HDMI] Subdevices: 1/1 Subdevice #0: subdevice #0 /etc/asound.conf: pcm.!default { type hw card 0 device 3 } ctl.!default { type hw card 0 } /etc/default/grub Since I've compiled the drivers directly into my kernel, I'm setting my driver options in the default grub command line: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="snd-hda-intel.model=3stack-dig" After changing /etc/default/grub, update-grub must be ran. I believe that's it.

09-08-10, 01:04 PM	#4
primerib Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 128	Re: ION and HDMI/Optical Audio Yes, I compile my own kernels. Although you should be okay with a pre-made kernel as long as the Nvidia HDMI driver is included (just a guess). If you're using the driver as a module, then you'll need to add options snd-hda-intel model=3stack-dig to your /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf file. Assuming that model setting is correct for your mainboard. Otherwise you'll need to adjust it accordingly.

09-08-10, 02:20 PM	#5
Stephen Warren Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,327	Re: ION and HDMI/Optical Audio 88fingerslukee, Which display driver version are you using? Providing an nvidia-bug-report would help. Can you please try each of the following: speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,3 speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,7 speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,8 speaker-test -c 2 -r 48000 hw:0,9 Do any of those work? If so, please see my post #7 here: http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=154755 In particular, problem (c) in that post.

09-09-10, 02:59 PM	#6
primerib Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 128	Re: ION and HDMI/Optical Audio Any luck yet 88fingerslukee?

09-09-10, 10:31 PM	#8
primerib Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 128	Re: ION and HDMI/Optical Audio And you also did your asound.conf? I'm a bit surprised it's not working to be honest. You also have unmuted the device in alsamixer as well right?

09-09-10, 11:25 PM	#10
88fingerslukee Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 8	Re: ION and HDMI/Optical Audio Just in case you were thinking that it's a physical hardware issue: I had this same computer hooked up to the exact same setup while running windows 7 and it worked flawlessly. So I know for a fact that the HDMI port works and outputs 7.1 audio. I'm stumped.

09-10-10, 10:04 AM	#11
Stephen Warren Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,327	Re: ION and HDMI/Optical Audio Ah, you have this in xorg.conf: Option "UseEDID" "FALSE" This prevents the display driver from reading the EDID, which in turn prevents it from knowing that the monitor is capable of receiving audio, which in turn prevents it from sending audio infoframes, which prevents the monitor from knowing that audio is being sent. That's why it's not working.