[themedserv]

HI, just wondering if it is necessary or better to install catalyst, with xmbcbuntu. What are the advantages? I have an APU: AMD Athlon 5350 Kabini Quad-Core 2.05GHz with : AMD Radeon HD 8400. I will use HDMI as output on 5.1 channels with 3D support, is it mandatory to install catalyst on this situation?

Thanks!

[fritsch]

We don't support catalyst. Also it has absolutely no hw acceleration in linux world.

Stick with the oss drivers.

[themedserv]

Ok thks for the response!
So, i guess i need to follow this guide: http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=174854?
or it is installed by default on xbmcbuntu?

[fritsch]

xbmcbuntu is fine. Just make sure to do: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade after installation. New kernels might even help more (ubuntu mainline), but test without first.

[themedserv]

Ok Awesome!!! I will give you news as soon as it is plugged on the good system with the HDMI out. I am pre-installing it.

Thanks a lot for the great support!

[themedserv]

Ok everything works fine, except I can't get 5.1 surround sound to works on the HDMI output.. Stereo work #1!
.... When I tell XBMC to use 5.1 in the prefs, the sound is noisy bad and there is missing the lyrics.. I don't use any of the passtrough stuff.

On a terminal:
if I try:

Code:

speaker-test -Dhdmi -c6 -twav

I only have Front Left and Front Right working..

I did some research and looks like AMD + 5.1 HDMI + Linux = not good business!?

I am using Alsa, didn't install any of the pulseaudio stuff... In alsamixer got everything working there (all is 100%) and number of channel is: 6ch...

What are my options here? buy a intel video card with HDMI output? try to fix my AMD alsa?

[fritsch]

AMD with radeon drivers works perfectly, including multichannel, including dts-hd, truehd.

You cannot buy an intel video card, cause there is none.

provide dmesg | pastebinit and and xbmc Debug Log

Edit: I tested that with the very same Kabini here with my AVR.

[themedserv]

oups yeah by intel I meant nvidia. sry

Do you use PCM output or bitstream output from xbmc ?

Here is some info that could help. I will send the log later this week when I have access to the machine.
The HTPC is plugged via HDMI to the LG smart TV 3D.
In the TV: there is output coaxial audio directly into a Bose® CineMate® 1 SR Digital Home.

I was hoping to use PCM (no passtrough) to avoid some headache.

I will be back with the LOG and some Alsa output Later.
Thks again!

EDIT: I just found a clue: since my TV is outputting via optical cable and not HDMI, PCM can only 2 channels..

can send a Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 surround sound signal to your receiver for further decoding, the PCM option will only send a two-channel signal. The reason for this is that a digital optical or digital coaxial cable does not have the sufficient bandwidth capacity to transfer a decoded, uncompressed, full surround surround audio signal like an HDMI connection can.

[fritsch]

Yeah, see my signature :-)

[themedserv]

Haha the anwser was in my face all this time! I am starting with the sound stuff, PCM vs bitstream, all the encoding etc and all the terminology.. Pretty complicated story... But i'm getting there..

Thanks a lot!