Rookie needs a SoundCard with optical SPDIF for Mint 18.3

[-mcp-]

Hello together,

please have regards for, that I am a Linux-Rookie. For years I have a HTPC working on Windows. Now after Windows has crashed, I decided to try the Linux-way.
After several tries I received to install Mint 18.3 and get it work. I get all my videos and installed programs running and I am really impressed.

I have only one last problem - I can´t get the sound working. I have installed several programs like "Jack" and others to try to reach the SPDIF output of my onboard Soundcard,
but without success. My system only finds the HDMI-8-channel output, but also there ist no sound. I have filtered tons of forums and tutorials, but without success. I am as far as to give up and buy a SoundCard, which is supported out of the box.

I have a ASUS M3N78 Mainboard and need a SoundCard with 7.1 capability and optical SPDIF out.

I have found the ALSA SoundCard Matrix. Can you help me and say if there is any card, which is fully supported with optical out. Does this exist?
What else system information do you need to help me?

Thanks a lot,
best regards

[ClixTrix]

I did some quick checks. Am I correct that the motherboard has the VIA VT1708B CODEC? If so, there is an old bug at Ubuntu on that chip. However, it suggests it was fixed.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sour ... bug/298465

Also, please run the following command from Terminal and post back the results.

Code: Select all

aplay -L

[-mcp-]

Thanks a lot for the fast response!

I read the posts in the link of your text, but I don't really
know what to do now - sorry.

This afternoon I will try the command and send the
information you asked for.

Best regards

[-mcp-]

Hello together,

here the requested information:

default
Playback/recording through the PulseAudio sound server
null
Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
sysdefault:CARD=NVidia
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
Default Audio Device
front:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
Front speakers
surround21:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
2.1 Surround output to Front and Subwoofer speakers
surround40:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround71:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Digital
HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=1
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
HDMI Audio Output
dmix:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
Direct sample mixing device
dmix:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Digital
Direct sample mixing device
dmix:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
Direct sample snooping device
dsnoop:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Digital
Direct sample snooping device
dsnoop:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
Direct hardware device without any conversions
hw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Digital
Direct hardware device without any conversions
hw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Analog
Hardware device with all software conversions
plughw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, VT1708B 8-Ch Digital
Hardware device with all software conversions
plughw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Hardware device with all software conversions
hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=0
HDA ATI HDMI, HDMI 0
HDMI Audio Output
dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3
HDA ATI HDMI, HDMI 0
Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3
HDA ATI HDMI, HDMI 0
Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3
HDA ATI HDMI, HDMI 0
Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3
HDA ATI HDMI, HDMI 0
Hardware device with all software conversions


Hope this will help to find the problem. It seems that the chipset is like you said.
Do you see a possibility to fix it?

Thanks a lot

[phd21]

Hi -mcp-,

It would help to know more about your system setup. If you run "inxi -Fxzd" and "lsusb" from the console terminal prompt, highlight the results, copy and paste them back here, that should provide enough information.

Do you have an HDMI monitor connected to this HTPC? What HTPC software are you running or want to run in Linux?

FYI: I would install pulse audio volume control from the "Synaptic Package Manager (SPM)". And, there are some really nice graphical (GUI) programs for sound that start with "Qas", like the fantastic "Qasmixer", in the Software Manager or Synaptic Package Manager (SPM) that you can install and use. Sound "Mixers" can be a little confusing if you are not familiar with them. If you bring up "Qasmixer" and make it fullscreen, on the right side you will have mixer devices where you can control your system sound. If you do not see the mixer devices, hit "F6". The mixer item "sysdefault" will show all installed sound card devices, and you will have various options to adjust various volume controls using "sliders" which you can turn off and on using the "dot" below the volume slider. There are also various other check boxes below that you can use, and depending upon your sound card(s) that sometimes includes headphone checkboxes and or sliders as well, like "Headphone Jack Sense". It might help to provide us with a printscreen of the QasMixer in fullscreen.

The applications included are:
- qasconfig - browser for the alsa configuration tree
- qashctl - mixer for alsa's high level control interface
- qasmixer - desktop mixer with features similar to alsamixer

Qasmixer is a desktop mixer application for alsa's "simple mixer interface" and offers features similar to alsamixer. it also features a sytem tray icon with basic mixer functionality.



Hope this helps ...

[ClixTrix]

Well, I was correct on the CODEC being the VT1708B for that motherboard.

I do not see the S/PDIF listed (digital), so that's either a bug (old/new) or the S/PDIF is having a problem/defective. It could be a configuration problem. I would need to see the output of the following command to determine if Linux sees more than the single audio "card".

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxz

If your add-in video card has an HD audio, then it might show as Card0 or Card1.

If there is only a single audio device/card, then the output of this command will dump the configuration for Card 0.

Code: Select all

cat /proc/asound/card0/codec#0

Otherwise, try this for card1.

Code: Select all

cat /proc/asound/card1/codec#0

What I'm looking for is whether the configuration file has the S/PDIF, but it's disabled by default. Hope that makes sense.

If the easier solution is to disable the onboard and add a card, the best place for reference is here.

http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Matrix:Main

Ubuntu links to that site/list. I've used it to look for specific support on cards and any limitations.

[-mcp-]

Hi -mcp-,

It would help to know more about your system setup. If you run "inxi -Fxzd" and "lsusb" from the console terminal prompt, highlight the results, copy and paste them back here, that should provide enough information.

Do you have an HDMI monitor connected to this HTPC? What HTPC software are you running or want to run in Linux?

Thanks a lot - here the requested information:

inxi -Fxzd
System: Host: HTPC Kernel: 4.13.0-36-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
Desktop: Cinnamon 3.6.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine: Mobo: ASUSTeK model: M3N78 v: Rev X.0x
Bios: American Megatrends v: 0902 date: 05/13/2010
CPU: Dual core AMD Athlon II X2 260 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB
flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4a svm) bmips: 12800
clock speeds: max: 3200 MHz 1: 1900 MHz 2: 1900 MHz
Graphics: Card: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] RV710 [Radeon HD 4350/4550]
bus-ID: 02:00.0
Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: ati,radeon (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
Resolution: 1360x768@60.02hz
GLX Renderer: AMD RV710 (DRM 2.50.0 / 4.13.0-36-generic, LLVM 5.0.0)
GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 17.2.8 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio: Card-1 Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] RV710/730 HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 4000 series]
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 02:00.1
Card-2 NVIDIA MCP72XE/MCP72P/MCP78U/MCP78S High Definition Audio
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:07.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.13.0-36-generic
Network: Card-1: NVIDIA MCP77 Ethernet
driver: forcedeth port: b880 bus-ID: 00:0a.0
IF: enp0s10 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Card-2: Broadcom BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller
driver: b43-pci-bridge bus-ID: 01:06.0
IF: N/A state: N/A mac: N/A
Drives: HDD Total Size: 7501.5GB (0.3% used)
ID-1: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_HD154UI size: 1500.3GB
ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD10EACS size: 1000.2GB
ID-3: /dev/sdc model: SAMSUNG_HD103SJ size: 1000.2GB
ID-4: /dev/sdd model: ST4000DM000 size: 4000.8GB
Optical: /dev/sr0 model: N/A
rev: N/A dev-links: cdrom,cdrw,dvd,dvdrw
Features: speed: 48x multisession: yes
audio: yes dvd: yes rw: cd-r,cd-rw,dvd-r,dvd-ram state: N/A
Partition: ID-1: / size: 43G used: 16G (38%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb2
ID-2: swap-1 size: 6.00GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sdb6
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 30.0C mobo: 25.0C gpu: 34.0
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 2045 psu: 1054 sys-1: 1839
Info: Processes: 191 Uptime: 2 min Memory: 726.9/5961.0MB
Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35


and:


lsusb
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 1997:7b03
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 05e3:070e Genesys Logic, Inc. USB 2.0 Card Reader
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 15c2:0036 SoundGraph Inc. LC16M VFD Display/IR Receiver
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 04fc:05d8 Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd Wireless keyboard/mouse
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub


I have a RGB-Beamer installed at this HTPC (and I hope it will give up soon, to buy a new one ).
I want to run Kodi. I have been running XBMC since my first XBOX and like the software.

Even I will run "WMPC home cinema" and VLC for some single vids.

As music player I am not really sure what to use and will see

Thanks a lot for the help - that's fantastic!!!

[-mcp-]

Well, I was correct on the CODEC being the VT1708B for that motherboard.

I do not see the S/PDIF listed (digital), so that's either a bug (old/new) or the S/PDIF is having a problem/defective. It could be a configuration problem. I would need to see the output of the following command to determine if Linux sees more than the single audio "card".

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxz

If your add-in video card has an HD audio, then it might show as Card0 or Card1.

If there is only a single audio device/card, then the output of this command will dump the configuration for Card 0.

Code: Select all

cat /proc/asound/card0/codec#0

Otherwise, try this for card1.

Code: Select all

cat /proc/asound/card1/codec#0

What I'm looking for is whether the configuration file has the S/PDIF, but it's disabled by default. Hope that makes sense.

If the easier solution is to disable the onboard and add a card, the best place for reference is here.

http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Matrix:Main

Ubuntu links to that site/list. I've used it to look for specific support on cards and any limitations.

Hello, here the informations:

inxi -Fxz
System: Host: HTPC Kernel: 4.13.0-36-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
Desktop: Cinnamon 3.6.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine: Mobo: ASUSTeK model: M3N78 v: Rev X.0x
Bios: American Megatrends v: 0902 date: 05/13/2010
CPU: Dual core AMD Athlon II X2 260 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB
flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4a svm) bmips: 12800
clock speeds: max: 3200 MHz 1: 2500 MHz 2: 2500 MHz
Graphics: Card: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] RV710 [Radeon HD 4350/4550]
bus-ID: 02:00.0
Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: ati,radeon (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
Resolution: 1360x768@60.02hz
GLX Renderer: AMD RV710 (DRM 2.50.0 / 4.13.0-36-generic, LLVM 5.0.0)
GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 17.2.8 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio: Card-1 Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] RV710/730 HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 4000 series]
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 02:00.1
Card-2 NVIDIA MCP72XE/MCP72P/MCP78U/MCP78S High Definition Audio
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:07.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.13.0-36-generic
Network: Card-1: NVIDIA MCP77 Ethernet
driver: forcedeth port: b880 bus-ID: 00:0a.0
IF: enp0s10 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Card-2: Broadcom BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller
driver: b43-pci-bridge bus-ID: 01:06.0
IF: N/A state: N/A mac: N/A
Drives: HDD Total Size: 7501.5GB (0.3% used)
ID-1: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_HD154UI size: 1500.3GB
ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD10EACS size: 1000.2GB
ID-3: /dev/sdc model: SAMSUNG_HD103SJ size: 1000.2GB
ID-4: /dev/sdd model: ST4000DM000 size: 4000.8GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 43G used: 16G (39%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb2
ID-2: swap-1 size: 6.00GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sdb6
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 36.0C mobo: 26.0C gpu: 42.0
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 2096 psu: 1088 sys-1: 1880
Info: Processes: 177 Uptime: 12 min Memory: 1508.2/5961.0MB
Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35


also as:

cat /proc/asound/card0/codec#0
Codec: VIA VT1708B 8-Ch
Address: 0
AFG Function Id: 0x1 (unsol 0)
Vendor Id: 0x1106e721
Subsystem Id: 0x10438345
Revision Id: 0x100100
No Modem Function Group found
Default PCM:
rates [0x0]:
bits [0x0]:
formats [0x0]:
Default Amp-In caps: N/A
Default Amp-Out caps: N/A
State of AFG node 0x01:
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
GPIO: io=0, o=0, i=0, unsolicited=0, wake=0
Node 0x10 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x411: Stereo
Device: name="VT1708B 8-Ch Analog", type="Audio", device=0
Converter: stream=0, channel=0
PCM:
rates [0x5e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 192000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Node 0x11 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x411: Stereo
Converter: stream=0, channel=0
PCM:
rates [0x5e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 192000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Node 0x12 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x611: Stereo Digital
Control: name="IEC958 Playback Con Mask", index=0, device=0
Control: name="IEC958 Playback Pro Mask", index=0, device=0
Control: name="IEC958 Playback Default", index=0, device=0
Control: name="IEC958 Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
Control: name="IEC958 Default PCM Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
Device: name="VT1708B 8-Ch Digital", type="HDMI", device=3
Converter: stream=5, channel=0
Digital: Enabled
Digital category: 0x0
IEC Coding Type: 0x0
PCM:
rates [0x1e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Node 0x13 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x10051b: Stereo Amp-In
Control: name="Capture Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="Capture Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=0, ofs=0
Device: name="VT1708B 8-Ch Analog", type="Audio", device=0
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x14, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x06 0x06]
Converter: stream=1, channel=0
SDI-Select: 0
PCM:
rates [0x560]: 44100 48000 96000 192000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x17
Node 0x14 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x10051b: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x14, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x80 0x80]
Converter: stream=0, channel=0
SDI-Select: 0
PCM:
rates [0x560]: 44100 48000 96000 192000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x1e
Node 0x15 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x100711: Stereo Digital
Converter: stream=0, channel=0
SDI-Select: 0
Digital:
Digital category: 0x0
IEC Coding Type: 0x0
PCM:
rates [0x1f0]: 32000 44100 48000 88200 96000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x21
Node 0x16 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20050b: Stereo Amp-In
Control: name="Rear Mic Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=2, ofs=0
Control: name="Rear Mic Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=2, ofs=0
Control: name="Front Mic Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=4, ofs=0
Control: name="Front Mic Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=4, ofs=0
Control: name="Line Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=3, ofs=0
Control: name="Line Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=3, ofs=0
Control: name="CD Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=1, ofs=0
Control: name="CD Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=In, idx=1, ofs=0
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x17, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x17 0x17] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80]
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 6
0x10 0x1f 0x1a 0x1b 0x1e 0x25
Node 0x17 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300501: Stereo
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 5
0x16 0x1f 0x1a* 0x1b 0x1e
Node 0x18 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30050d: Stereo Amp-Out
Control: name="Surround Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="Surround Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1b, nsteps=0x1b, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x10 0x10]
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x11
Node 0x19 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
Pincap 0x0000001c: OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x01011012: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x2
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Unsolicited: tag=02, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x18
Node 0x1a [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
Pincap 0x00002334: IN OUT Detect
Vref caps: HIZ 50 100
Pin Default 0x01a19036: [Jack] Mic at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
DefAssociation = 0x3, Sequence = 0x6
Pin-ctls: 0x21: IN VREF_50
Unsolicited: tag=06, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x26
Node 0x1b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
Pincap 0x00002334: IN OUT Detect
Vref caps: HIZ 50 100
Pin Default 0x0181303e: [Jack] Line In at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Blue
DefAssociation = 0x3, Sequence = 0xe
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN VREF_HIZ
Unsolicited: tag=08, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x18
Node 0x1c [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40058d: Stereo Amp-Out
Control: name="Front Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="Front Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1b, nsteps=0x1b, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x10 0x10]
Pincap 0x0000001c: OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x01014010: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x0
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Unsolicited: tag=01, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x16
Node 0x1d [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40058d: Stereo Amp-Out
Control: name="Headphone Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="Headphone Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1b, nsteps=0x1b, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x80 0x80]
Pincap 0x0000001c: OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x0221401f: [Jack] HP Out at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0xf
Pin-ctls: 0xc0: OUT HP
Unsolicited: tag=05, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 2
0x16* 0x25
Node 0x1e [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
Pincap 0x00002334: IN OUT Detect
Vref caps: HIZ 50 100
Pin Default 0x02a19038: [Jack] Mic at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
DefAssociation = 0x3, Sequence = 0x8
Pin-ctls: 0x21: IN VREF_50
Unsolicited: tag=07, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x27
Node 0x1f [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400401: Stereo
Pincap 0x00000020: IN
Pin Default 0x90370137: [Fixed] CD at Int N/A
Conn = Analog, Color = Unknown
DefAssociation = 0x3, Sequence = 0x7
Misc = NO_PRESENCE
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Node 0x20 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400701: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x00000010: OUT
Pin Default 0x985601f0: [Fixed] Digital Out at Int HDMI
Conn = Digital, Color = Unknown
DefAssociation = 0xf, Sequence = 0x0
Misc = NO_PRESENCE
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x12
Node 0x21 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400601: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x00010030: IN OUT EAPD
EAPD 0x0:
Pin Default 0x47c421f0: [N/A] SPDIF In at Ext Rear Panel
Conn = RCA, Color = Grey
DefAssociation = 0xf, Sequence = 0x0
Misc = NO_PRESENCE
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Node 0x22 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
Pincap 0x00000014: OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x01016011: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Orange
DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x1
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Unsolicited: tag=03, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x26
Node 0x23 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
Pincap 0x00000014: OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x01012014: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Grey
DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x4
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Unsolicited: tag=04, enabled=1
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x27
Node 0x24 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x411: Stereo
Converter: stream=0, channel=0
PCM:
rates [0x5e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 192000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Node 0x25 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x411: Stereo
Converter: stream=0, channel=0
PCM:
rates [0x5e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 192000
bits [0xa]: 16 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Node 0x26 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30050d: Stereo Amp-Out
Control: name="Center Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=1, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="LFE Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=2, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="Center Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=1, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="LFE Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=2, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1b, nsteps=0x1b, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x10 0x11]
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x24
Node 0x27 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30050d: Stereo Amp-Out
Control: name="Side Playback Volume", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Control: name="Side Playback Switch", index=0, device=0
ControlAmp: chs=3, dir=Out, idx=0, ofs=0
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1b, nsteps=0x1b, stepsize=0x06, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x10 0x10]
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
Connection: 1
0x25


I had found the list of supported SoundCards by myself, but i am not sure if all the features of the listed cards
are supported, or only the main features - do you know this?

Normally the S/PDIF should be working without hardware bug. In windows it worked perfectly and i haven't
changed the system - i think it is a software matter.

Thanks a lot for your help and time!!

[phd21]

Hi -mcp-,

You are welcome...

Would still help to be more specific as to how everything is connected.

What is a "RGB-Beamer"? Is that a projector? How is that connected using HDMI, DVI, VGA? Are you trying to connect one or two monitors, or a projector and or a monitor?

What do you want the optical SPDIF connection for, where would that connect to?

Please provide us a screenshot of QasMixer fullscreen on the "sysdefault" mixer option.

You only have 6gb of system memory (ram) and a dual-core processor (CPU), so Kodi (xbmc) will install and run, but it may not be fast. It will play your videos and music, and much more, etc... There is Plex Home Theater as well, and other options too.


Hope this helps ...

[-mcp-]

Hi -mcp-,

You are welcome...

Would still help to be more specific as to how everything is connected.

What is a "RGB-Beamer"? Is that a projector? How is that connected using HDMI, DVI, VGA? Are you trying to connect one or two monitors, or a projector and or a monitor?

It is a old LCD-projector, connected vie VGA. There is a VGA-switch, which switches between incoming signal from XBOX, or HTPC and outgoing signal to projector, or
LCD-TV.

What do you want the optical SPDIF connection for, where would that connect to?

For my home cinema I have a Yamaha amplifier. The SPDIF from the HTPC is used to give the sound signal from films and music via toslink to my amplifier.
The amplifier is connected to the XBOX, sat receiver, HTPC, internet Radio and BlueRay player. All digital inputs are used at the amplifier, so that I need the
toslink port for the HTPC in that combination.

Please provide us a screenshot of QasMixer fullscreen on the "sysdefault" mixer option.

Coming this evening - I am at work

You only have 6gb of system memory (ram) and a dual-core processor (CPU), so Kodi (xbmc) will install and run, but it may not be fast. It will play your videos and music, and much more, etc... There is Plex Home Theater as well, and other options too.

I know that it is a old computer, but the performance with Mint is far enough for me. I had 8gb of ram, but one blow up - this crashed my Windows. Until this moment the HTPC
was nearly in daily use. Years ago I had installed Ubuntu with KDE desktop on my HTPC. I remember having many troubles to get the sound and graphics working. But at least it worked.
also sound via toslink. I changed to windows after installing the current graphics card. I was not able to use hardware acceleration within linux. Now my second try


Hope this helps ...

See my answers in your text below the questions.

[-mcp-]

Pin Default 0x47c421f0: [N/A] SPDIF In at Ext Rear Panel
Conn = RCA, Color = Grey
DefAssociation = 0xf, Sequence = 0x0
Misc = NO_PRESENCE
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Power states: D0 D1 D2 D3
Power: setting=D0, actual=D0


Does this mean, Linux finds the port, but doesn't recognize the connected fibre cable??
The cable is actually connected.

[ClixTrix]

Need to verify some items.

I want to make sure this is your motherboard on this link.

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M3N78/

It appears you have added an ATI video card with integrated HDMI sound.

The audio on the inxi listing does not show device Card 0, which appears to be the onboard audio chip. Here's what shows: the add-on HDMI audio via the ATI Raedon, and the onboard nVidia HDMI audio.


Audio: Card-1 Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] RV710/730 HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 4000 series]
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 02:00.1
Card-2 NVIDIA MCP72XE/MCP72P/MCP78U/MCP78S High Definition Audio
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:07.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.13.0-36-generic

I'm not sure why Card 0 isn't showing, but that does appear to be the VIA VT1708B. It's as though the system disabled it, perhaps due to the presence of the ATI or nVidia HDMI sound. Do you need both onboard and add-on video for a reason? BIOS might be confused or not disabling what you don't want/need.

[-mcp-]

I want to make sure this is your motherboard on this link.

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M3N78/

Yes, it is my Mainboard.

It appears you have added an ATI video card with integrated HDMI sound.

Yes, I did this years ago. I am using the ATI card.
It has better hardware acceleration for HD-Videos.
The performance under Windows was much better.

The audio on the inxi listing does not show device Card 0, which appears to be the onboard audio chip. Here's what shows: the add-on HDMI audio via the ATI Raedon, and the onboard nVidia HDMI audio.


Audio: Card-1 Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] RV710/730 HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 4000 series]
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 02:00.1
Card-2 NVIDIA MCP72XE/MCP72P/MCP78U/MCP78S High Definition Audio
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:07.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.13.0-36-generic

I'm not sure why Card 0 isn't showing, but that does appear to be the VIA VT1708B. It's as though the system disabled it, perhaps due to the presence of the ATI or nVidia HDMI sound. Do you need both onboard and add-on video for a reason? BIOS might be confused or not disabling what you don't want/need.


Isn't it possible to reactivate the VIA onboard chip? I don't remember having seen such a option in BIOS.
The onboard graphics was not really successful in HD videos. Perhaps it is possible to deactivate it?

See my answers under your questions - Thanks

[ClixTrix]

Yes, try to disable the onboard video and the HDMI audio for nVidia. I'm hopeful that will help (or at least uncomplicate the sound situation), but uncertain what options/changes you might have tried to activate the S/PDIF.

Might be best to test by booting Mint from Flash Drive/DVD to see if a clean install works.

Edit: Just be clear, disable in BIOS.

[-mcp-]

I have deactivate the HDMI sound in BIOS. It is set to the internal NVIDIA chipset.

below the screenshots out from QasMixer in the sysdefault mixer and a view, where you can see
Card 0 now.

Bildschirmfoto vom 2018-03-06 19-32-42.jpg

Bildschirmfoto vom 2018-03-06 19-35-31.jpg

Unfortunately there is no sound yet...

Cannot boot from DVD today, perhaps will try it tomorrow. Too bad - so let's
continue searching.

Sorry

[phd21]

Hi -mcp-,

Is the S/PDIF connection on the motherboard or the other video sound card?

I would not have disabled the HDMI in the bios until after providing the screenshots. I also said make the qasmixer fullscreen before taking a screenshot because not all options are displayed if it is not fullscreen, like your 2nd screenshot is missing some bottom options. Also, I cannot read the language of your screenshots, what is that German? Can you provide them in English? And are these the default options of QasMixer, or did you change some, and if yes, which ones. I was hoping to find some S/PDIF options that could be enabled from the various mixer and device options on the right of QasMixer.

[-mcp-]

Hi phd21,

the S/PDIF connection is on the mainboard.

I disabled the HDMI in BIOS, cause ClixTrix said this.
I can reactivate it and provide you new screenshots.

Yes the program surface is in German - because I am in Germany here
I will try to change it into English.

These are the default settings of qasmixer. I changed nothing, just made the screenshots. I had a look on all screens of qasmixer (without changing options), but there was nowhere a information about S/PDIF.

I will try to provide you the needed information this afternoon, but I am not sure if it works. If not, I do it as soon as possible.

Thanks a lot