Bit perfect audio in Linux

Jan-Erik · 2012-05-02 23:50

Hi all

I have search day and night for weeks to try and find the "perfect" ALSA settup to support the following:

1. HD sound like Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD output to correct speaker for 7.1 CH
2. Crossover fading between tracks for my 2 CH music
3. DTS 5.1 CH music
4. Navigating sound

I managed to get 1, 3 and 4 working with a remap of HDMI output
For crossover working Dolby TrueHD was totaly silent and only static noise for DTS 5.1 CD

What I want is all surround > 2 CH to go strait to sound card untuched (like ASIO for WIN) and if I want crossover working for only 2 CH audio, mix two 2 CH streams together.

Can someone please tell me if this is possible with ALSA or not
Are some of the ALSA output better or worse for output of bit perfect audio. Right now I only see DTS identified correctly on the AMP

**DDDamian** · 2012-05-02 23:54

I'm assuming you're using the AudioEngine builds?

Jan-Erik · 2012-05-03 00:39

(2012-05-02 23:54)DDDamian Wrote: I'm assuming you're using the AudioEngine builds?

I'm a novice here please explain what AudioEngine is (I think I was reading a frase about working on something for Linux, maybe this is it?)
If it can to what I want I'm all for it, please fill me inn. Big Grin

Jan-Erik · 2012-05-03 00:50

Found the link, this is my uname -a, (rest is in the signature) can I join the party?

Linux xbmc 3.2.0-24-generic #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25 08:43:52 UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

**DDDamian** · 2012-05-03 00:54

Here's a thread discussing the Linux implementation, and the first post has links to the main thread (it's quite large). Read up a bit, it will do all you requested.

pumkinut · 2012-05-03 03:32

Does AE support crossfading of audio tracks? I think that's pretty much an impossibility with ALSA based audio under XBMC.

**spiff** · 2012-05-03 10:03

AE does. and we have supported that since, uhm, 2008?

pumkinut · 2012-05-04 01:04

Didn't know, that's why I asked.

Last time I tried cross-fading with an out of the box install under Linux, I got the infamous "Unable to initialize audio device" error. I stopped trying after I was told it was a problem with ALSA and not being able to have more than one active stream or device at a given time.

**DDDamian** · 2012-05-04 01:58

AE blends the streams itself, so the device still sees one stream.

pumkinut · 2012-05-04 16:50

Okay, cool. I'll wait until the AE build matures some and try it out. I'm currently using my i3's IGP for output with VAAPI helping. I have a GT210 that I can put in the HTPC. Not sure which route I want to follow long term.

Jan-Erik Junior Member Posts: 40 Joined: Jan 2012 Reputation: 0	2012-05-03 00:50 Post: #4 Found the link, this is my uname -a, (rest is in the signature) can I join the party? Linux xbmc 3.2.0-24-generic #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25 08:43:52 UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux /Jan-Erik XBMCbuntu Eden Acer Aspire 3600, NVidia ION Linux 3.0.0-24-generic (Now running stable without any freeze)
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pumkinut Posting Freak Posts: 875 Joined: May 2006 Reputation: 9	2012-05-03 03:32 Post: #6 Does AE support crossfading of audio tracks? I think that's pretty much an impossibility with ALSA based audio under XBMC.
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spiff Grumpy Bastard Developer Posts: 12,187 Joined: Nov 2003 Reputation: 82	2012-05-03 10:03 Post: #7 AE does. and we have supported that since, uhm, 2008? Always read the XBMC online-manual, FAQ and search the forum before posting. Do not e-mail XBMC-Team members directly asking for support. Read/follow the forum rules. For troubleshooting and bug reporting please make sure you read this first.
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pumkinut Posting Freak Posts: 875 Joined: May 2006 Reputation: 9	2012-05-04 01:04 Post: #8 Didn't know, that's why I asked. Last time I tried cross-fading with an out of the box install under Linux, I got the infamous "Unable to initialize audio device" error. I stopped trying after I was told it was a problem with ALSA and not being able to have more than one active stream or device at a given time.
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pumkinut Posting Freak Posts: 875 Joined: May 2006 Reputation: 9	2012-05-04 16:50 Post: #10 Okay, cool. I'll wait until the AE build matures some and try it out. I'm currently using my i3's IGP for output with VAAPI helping. I have a GT210 that I can put in the HTPC. Not sure which route I want to follow long term.
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