A NOTE has been added to this issue. ====================================================================== <https://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/alsa-bug/view.php?id=1612> ====================================================================== Reported By: Manolo Assigned To: ====================================================================== Project: ALSA - driver Issue ID: 1612 Category: 1_OTHERS Reproducibility: always Severity: major Priority: normal Status: new Distribution: Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Kernel Version: Linux 2.6.12 ====================================================================== Date Submitted: 12-02-2005 17:51 CET Last Modified: 08-03-2006 17:37 CEST ====================================================================== Summary: Ubuntu5.10 not configured for Alsa device:surround51? Description: Hardware Motherboard: Abit Ic7, Audio: Onboard (Intel ICH5) RealTek ALC650F 6-Channel AC97 CODEC. uP: Pentium4, Hyperthreading, 3Ghz Software Ubuntu 5.10 Custom compiled kernel from 'linux-source-2.6.12 2.6.12-10.24' make menuconfig Device Drivers Sound <M> Sound card support Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ---> <M> Advanced Linux Sound Architecture <M> Sequencer support <M> Sequencer dummy client <M> OSS Mixer API <M> OSS PCM (digital audio) API [*] OSS Sequencer API <M> RTC Timer support PCI devices ---> <M> All drivers <M> when option available. Open Sound System ---> < > Open Sound System Compiled Alsa packages: alsa-driver-1.0.10 alsa-lib-1.0.10 alsa-utils-1.0.10 # configure --disable-nls: configure fails otherwise. alsa-oss alsa-plugins-1.0.10 # configure,pcm/Makefile.in:Modified to compile without jack. Note: At boot, if file /var/lib/alsa/asound.state does not exist, file /etc/asound.state is overwritten with default values (No surround sound!). Alsa package is not responsible for this (Ubuntu5.10 or Kernel2.6.12??). Sound Applications aplay (alsa-utils-1.0.10) audacity 1.2.3 #Device /dev/dsp xmms 1.2.10 #plugin /usr/lib/xmms/Input/libwav.so (does not accept 5.1ChannelFile.wav) replaced by older version (Ubuntu 4.10). mplayer 4.0.2 xine v0.99.3 esd daemon running: aplay -Dsurround51 File.wav #GnomePanel or gnome-terminal 5.1ChannelFile.wav, 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave aplay -Ddefault File.wav # GnomePanel or gnome-terminal 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. No output sent to .xsession-errors audacity #GnomePanel Error Message: There was an error initializing the audio i/o layer. You will not be able to play or record audio. Error: Host error. audacity #gnome-terminal Most of the times application starts without error message. xmms #OutputPlugin:Alsa;AudioDevice:default.GnomePanel or gnome-terminal Application starts without error message No output sent to .xsession-errors 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. xmms #OutputPlugin:Alsa;AudioDevice:surround51.GnomePanel Error Message: Couldn't open audio. Please check that: Your soundcard is configured properly You have the correct output plugin selected No other program is blocking the soundcard. After several Play/ErrorMessage: 5.1ChannelFile.wav, 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave xmms #OutputPlugin:Alsa;AudioDevice:surround51.gnome-terminal Most of the times application starts without error message. 5.1ChannelFile.wav, 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave mplayer # 'mplayer -v -ao alsa:device=surround51 -channels 6' No StdError error messages (-v) All kinds of files and DVDs (Multichannel AC3) play Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave xine # 'xine --verbose --audio-driver alsa';SpeakerArrangement:Surround5.1 Error Message: The audio device is unavailable. Please verify if another program already uses it. StdError error messages (--verbose): audio_alsa_out: snd_pcm_open() of plug:surround51:0 failed: Device or resource busy audio_alsa_out: >>> check if another program already uses PCM <<< After several Play/ErrorMessage: All kinds of files and DVDs (Multichannel AC3) play Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave xine # 'xine --verbose --audio-driver alsa';SpeakerArrangement:Stereo2.0 No error Message No StdError error messages All kinds of files and DVDs play Ok. Multichannel AC3 downshifted to 2 Channels. No output sent to .xsession-errors esd daemon NOT running (killall esd): aplay -Dsurround51 File.wav #GnomePanel or gnome-terminal 5.1ChannelFile.wav, 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave aplay -Ddefault File.wav # GnomePanel or gnome-terminal 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. No output sent to .xsession-errors audacity #GnomePanel or gnome-terminal Application starts without error message xmms #OutputPlugin:Alsa;AudioDevice:default.GnomePanel or gnome-terminal Application starts without error message No output sent to .xsession-errors 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. xmms #OutputPlugin:Alsa;AudioDevice:surround51.GnomePanel or gnome-terminal Application starts without error message 5.1ChannelFile.wav, 2ChannelFile.wav: Sound Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave mplayer # 'mplayer -v -ao alsa:device=surround51 -channels 6' No StdError error messages (-v) All kinds of files and DVDs (Multichannel AC3) play Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave xine # 'xine --verbose --audio-driver alsa';SpeakerArrangement:Surround5.1 Error Message: The audio device is unavailable. Please verify if another program already uses it. StdError error messages (--verbose): audio_alsa_out: snd_pcm_open() of plug:surround51:0 failed: Device or resource busy audio_alsa_out: >>> check if another program already uses PCM <<< After several Play/ErrorMessage: All kinds of files and DVDs (Multichannel AC3) play Ok. .xsession-errors fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave xine # 'xine --verbose --audio-driver alsa';SpeakerArrangement:Stereo2.0 No error Message No StdError error messages All kinds of files and DVDs play Ok. Multichannel AC3 downshifted to 2 Channels. No output sent to .xsession-errors ====================================================================== ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Raymond - 08-03-06 05:33 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Most motherboard has only 3 jacks and rear ,center/lfe jack have to share with mic/line in jack This means you cannot perform analog surround51 and capture through mic/line in concurrently The OSS application open /dev/dsp exclusively, you need to configure your sound application to use ALSA or use aoss The default device of ALSA ntel8x0 driver is configured to use 'dmix' which allow two or more ALSA application to play mono/stereo sound. This means that you cannot play stereo and surround51 concurrently. You have to compile audacity from source (1.2.4 or later) to support ALSA ./configure --with-portaudio=v19 However audacity require exclusive access of the sound card for best quality of multi-channels capture, it only use 'hw' device instead of 'dsnoop'. If possible, upgrade to alsa-1.0.12rc1 as there are a number of dmix bugs fixed and fix for ALC650 codec http://hg-mirror.alsa-project.org/alsa-kernel?cmd=changeset;node=aa4a2c63b675;style=gitweb ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Manolo - 08-03-06 17:37 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- My motherboard has 5 jacks: -Rear_Left/Rear_Right -Centre/Sub -Mic_In -Line_In -Front_Left/Front_Right All applications are configured for ALSA except for audacity. I prefer to use distribution packages and compile applications only if there is no other way to install them. I avoid distribution audacity error messages invoking it with: { #! /bin/bash until >/dev/dsp do sleep 1 done 2>& audacity } >From my previous comment: { With just one instance of surround51 .xsession-errors still fills with: ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:819:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave } "just one instance of surround51" means "just one instance of surround51" not "stereo" plus "surround51". I have been living with this problem for so long that it does not bother me any more. Next year I'll update to the latest Ubuntu. I hope it includes a version of ALSA which works all right with surround51. Best regards, Manolo. Issue History Date Modified Username Field Change ====================================================================== 12-02-05 17:51 Manolo New Issue 12-02-05 17:51 Manolo Distribution => Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy 12-02-05 17:51 Manolo Kernel Version => Linux 2.6.12 12-03-05 13:54 Manolo Note Added: 0006898 07-28-06 05:39 Raymond Note Added: 0011283 08-02-06 20:15 Manolo Note Added: 0011390 08-03-06 03:56 Raymond Note Added: 0011394 08-03-06 05:33 Raymond Note Edited: 0011394 08-03-06 17:37 Manolo Note Added: 0011405 ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Surveys. Earn Cash. 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