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HDMI video output works, but not audio

Graphical Environments, Managers, Multimedia & Desktop questions.
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gurfle
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HDMI video output works, but not audio

#1 Post by gurfle »

I can see my Panasonic CF-54 laptop display to a TV via the laptop's HDMI port, but pulseaudio doesn't think the HDMI audio is connected. I know the hardware side of the HDMI audio connection I'm using works, because it works from Windows on a separate partition on the same machine.

So it's some sort of audio configuration issue in Linux:

pavucontrol (in its "configuration" tab) shows a "Profile" for

Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output (unplugged)

which I guess means it knows there is an HDMI plug in the hardware that supports audio output, but thinks that it is not attached to anything even though testing from the windows partition proves that it is. Selecting this "Profile" puts the device "Built-in Audio Digital Stereo (HDMI)" in the Output Devices" tab with the "Port" listed as "HDMI / DisplayPort (unplugged)", with no sound going to the TV, probably because of the unplugged" status. All the HDMI-identified pulseaudio configuration tab profiles say unplugged whether or not the cable is plugged in.

None of the few "solutions" online to similar problems I've discovered so far apply to my pretty basic stretch install with mate variant of gnome desktop.

In case this helps, here is what pulseaudio show (whether or not the hdmi connection is attached):

Code: Select all

nick@newlaptop:~$ pactl list cards
Card #0
	Name: alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3
	Driver: module-alsa-card.c
	Owner Module: 6
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xf7448000 irq 130"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "9d70"
		device.product.name = "Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "0"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	Profiles:
		input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 0, sources: 1, priority: 60, available: no)
		output:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 6000, available: yes)
		output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Duplex (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 6060, available: yes)
		output:hdmi-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 5400, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 5460, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 300, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 360, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 300, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 360, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra1: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 5260, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra1: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 2) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra1: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 2) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra2: Digital Stereo (HDMI 3) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 5260, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra2: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 3) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra2: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 3) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra3: Digital Stereo (HDMI 4) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra3+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 4) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 5260, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra3: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 4) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra3+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 4) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra3: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 4) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra3+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 4) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra4: Digital Stereo (HDMI 5) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra4+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 5) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 5260, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra4: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 5) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra4+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 5) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra4: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 5) Output (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra4+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 5) Output + Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 160, available: no)
		off: Off (sinks: 0, sources: 0, priority: 0, available: yes)
	Active Profile: output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo
	Ports:
		analog-input-headset-mic: Headset Microphone (priority: 8700, latency offset: 0 usec, not available)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
			Part of profile(s): input:analog-stereo, output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-stereo+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-stereo-extra1+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra1+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra1+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-stereo-extra2+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra2+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra2+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-stereo-extra3+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra3+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra3+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-stereo-extra4+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra4+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra4+input:analog-stereo
		analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority: 10000, latency offset: 0 usec)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
			Part of profile(s): output:analog-stereo, output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority: 9000, latency offset: 0 usec, not available)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
			Part of profile(s): output:analog-stereo, output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo
		hdmi-output-0: HDMI / DisplayPort (priority: 5900, latency offset: 10000 usec, not available)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
			Part of profile(s): output:hdmi-stereo, output:hdmi-stereo+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround, output:hdmi-surround+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71, output:hdmi-surround71+input:analog-stereo
		hdmi-output-1: HDMI / DisplayPort 2 (priority: 5800, latency offset: 0 usec, not available)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
			Part of profile(s): output:hdmi-stereo-extra1, output:hdmi-stereo-extra1+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra1, output:hdmi-surround-extra1+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra1, output:hdmi-surround71-extra1+input:analog-stereo
		hdmi-output-2: HDMI / DisplayPort 3 (priority: 5700, latency offset: 0 usec, not available)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
			Part of profile(s): output:hdmi-stereo-extra2, output:hdmi-stereo-extra2+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra2, output:hdmi-surround-extra2+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra2, output:hdmi-surround71-extra2+input:analog-stereo
		hdmi-output-3: HDMI / DisplayPort 4 (priority: 5600, latency offset: 0 usec, not available)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
			Part of profile(s): output:hdmi-stereo-extra3, output:hdmi-stereo-extra3+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra3, output:hdmi-surround-extra3+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra3, output:hdmi-surround71-extra3+input:analog-stereo
		hdmi-output-4: HDMI / DisplayPort 5 (priority: 5500, latency offset: 0 usec, not available)
			Properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
			Part of profile(s): output:hdmi-stereo-extra4, output:hdmi-stereo-extra4+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround-extra4, output:hdmi-surround-extra4+input:analog-stereo, output:hdmi-surround71-extra4, output:hdmi-surround71-extra4+input:analog-stereo
nick@newlaptop:~$ 
TIA, Nick

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#2 Post by Segfault »

Well, if your car won't start then you could start troubleshooting making sure your mother-in-law is on the back seat. This would be the same if you start audio troubleshooting with Pulseaudio. Pulseaudio is a parasite layer between the real audio system (ALSA or OSS4) and sound application. In reality it is not needed, anything it does can be done without it. Actually, most Linux user would do better without it. PulseAudio is just sitting on top of ALSA, adding some extra CPU load and some latency to your sound. However, Red Had has decided it is a great invention and is pushing it as it does with their systemd.
Anyhow, brushing the Red Hat smoke aside, you should make sure ALSA is actually handling your HDMI sound. Does it show up in 'aplay -l' as an available audio output?

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#3 Post by CwF »

Open pavucontrol and set the "Output Devices" and "Configuration" appropriately. Make the window big enough to see all the tabs...

For me it works fine. Delay free, but with many streams and multiple devices some things do drop for a few seconds. It's convenient for 5+ playback devices on a strong computer.
Sucking 36Mb and never leaves 0% CPU.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#4 Post by gurfle »

@segfault: Many HDMI channels are available, as this shows:

Code: Select all

nick@newlaptop:~$ aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 0: ALC256 Analog [ALC256 Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 3: HDMI 0 [HDMI 0]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 7: HDMI 1 [HDMI 1]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 8: HDMI 2 [HDMI 2]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 9: HDMI 3 [HDMI 3]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 10: HDMI 4 [HDMI 4]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
nick@newlaptop:~$ 
The problem is that when an HDMI cable connected to a TV is plugged in, no sound device is recognized as being on the other end of the laptop port (while the video device is).

The software installed with the mate desktop is set up to somehow automatically detect when devices are connected to various ports such as, for example the headphone jack, and I presume - if everything is correctly configured - the hdmi sound channels as well. The former happens, the latter not. I do not know how to verify such "hotplugging" state changes except via pulseaudio, which instantly recognizes when the headphone jack is connected to a headset, but not when something appears on the HDMI sound channel - as can be seen from the "pactl list cards" output in the original post.

Some linux driver(s) must not be loaded or properly configured, but I am at a loss as to how to troubleshoot that with alsa or anything else.

As I said in the original post, I know from WIN10 on another partition of the same machine that the hardware connection from laptop HDMI jack to TV is fully functional, so it has to a Linux software issue.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#5 Post by djk44883 »

I can switch video outputs, including HDMI. Audio is separate, sometimes they follow each other not always. In sound preferences, check both hardware tab and output tab

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#6 Post by gurfle »

OK, the prompt by @djk44883, got me to once again check everything at the GUI-level (unfortunately pretty much all that my limited expertise is able to accomplish at this point), and here is what's strange when looking at mate-volume-control (whose gui window is labeled "Sound Preferences"):

HDMI is selected in the output tab which is great
Image

However, I cannot understand why HDMI does not show up in the hardware tab
Image

This points to some sort of inconsistency that might relate to sound not actually getting out of the HDMI port:
From what I gather "Analog Stereo Duplex" is the name given to the internal "analog" speaker/headset audio system, not the digital HDMI system.
Could it be that snd_hda_intel not the correct sound driver to use for a panasonic toughbook CF-54, or it needs to be loaded with other than default options or it conflits with the hdmi driver snd_hda_codec_hdmi?

Code: Select all

nick@newlaptop:/boot$ lsmod | grep snd
snd_hda_codec_hdmi     49152  1
snd_hda_codec_realtek    94208  1
snd_hda_codec_generic    69632  1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_soc_skl            77824  0
snd_soc_skl_ipc        49152  1 snd_soc_skl
snd_soc_sst_ipc        16384  1 snd_soc_skl_ipc
snd_soc_sst_dsp        32768  1 snd_soc_skl_ipc
snd_hda_ext_core       24576  1 snd_soc_skl
snd_soc_sst_match      16384  1 snd_soc_skl
snd_soc_core          217088  1 snd_soc_skl
snd_compress           20480  1 snd_soc_core
snd_hda_intel          36864  4
snd_hda_codec         126976  4 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_core           77824  7 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_ext_core,snd_soc_skl,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hwdep              16384  1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm                98304  8 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_ext_core,snd_hda_core,snd_soc_skl,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_soc_core
snd_timer              32768  1 snd_pcm
snd                    77824  17 snd_compress,snd_hda_intel,snd_hwdep,snd_hda_codec,snd_timer,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_soc_core,snd_pcm
soundcore              16384  1 snd
nick@newlaptop:/boot$ 

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#7 Post by djk44883 »

That's almost it! I use mate as well. In the hardware tab, in the drop down list is there an option for HDMI - as well as the Output tab. I don't have an explanation, but when I swap or change monitors, sometime sound follows one way and I have to manually change it back. On the "plus" side there is flexibility separating video and audio output devices or occasion.

(I'd add a screen shot, but I get the message "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached.")

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#8 Post by gurfle »

djk44883 wrote:in the drop down list is there an option for HDMI - as well as the Output tab.
Do you mean drop down list next to the "Profile:" label in the Hardware tab and "Connector:" label in the Output tab? If so, then the answer for me is "half and half":

In Output tab there is only one option in the list, namely the one for HDMI seen in the picture I posted.

In Hardware tab there is no HDMI option, just the "Analog Stereo Duplex" option seen in the other posted picture, along with the not-seen "Analog Stereo Output" and "Off" options.

This is the inconsistency I am wondering about.

With no other ideas, I will next investigate the two drivers snd_hda_intel and snd_hda_codec_hdmi.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#9 Post by djk44883 »

I still can attach a screen shot :? :( Yes, that was the one.

I do have a Dell laptop with similar setting, maybe. I'll have to check them. I do recall some system I had where one would disappear sometimes switching. But on this system, yes I have the option, in the hardware tab for analog and HDMI and setting for the same in the output tab. Other than, it's "suppose to" work, I can't help more.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#10 Post by gurfle »

See this for how to put images in posts. Apparently there is not enough admin support in the forum to handle unlimited attachments on the system, so you have to put the actual image (or whatever attachment desired) somewhere else on the web, and then put the link to it in your post. Basically, whereever you want your image to appear, just put something like what I used here for my first image

Code: Select all

[img]http://staff.washington.edu/dreyern/webpage/randomimages/mate-volume-control_output_tab.png[/img]
I'll of course post back as soon as I find out anything useful on the subject of this thread.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#11 Post by djk44883 »

That is so lame for a User Forums... for Debian, not to be able to directly post a screen shot.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#12 Post by gurfle »

djk44883 wrote:That is so lame for a User Forums... for Debian, not to be able to directly post a screen shot.
Well, this forum is a 100% volunteer operation, and I understand the forum server is a single, simple machine sitting in somebody's home. Managing an unending influx of gigabytes of file attachments is probably unrealistic to expect, and really not essential, as there are the alternatives achieving the same effect shown in the link I gave you.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#13 Post by gurfle »

Back to the topic at hand, I blacklisted snd_hda_codec_hdmi in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf:

Code: Select all

blacklist snd-hda-codec-hdmi
This yields some changes in the pavucontrol "configuration" tab that seemed a little encouraging, but still produced no sound:

Instead of four "unplugged" numbered HDMI output "profiles", I get only two that both are now not identified as "unplugged". The ones numbered 4 and 5 are gone, and numbers 2 and 3 are indicated as available (i.e. not "unplugged"). The one "unnumbered" HDMI output "profile" is still unplugged, and none (whether "unplugged" or not) produces any sound when selected.

Two slightly odd things to note:
1) snd_hda_codec_hdmi still gets loaded somehow in spite of blacklisting in /etc/mod[robe.d, but it looks like it's advisable to blacklist it anyway to prevent some duplicate attempt to load it that turns all HDMI output "profiles" besides the "unnumbered" one to be labeled "unplugged". But even when not labeled as "unplugged", no sound comes out when selecting such a "profile", so for now it doesn't really matter.

2) The "unplugged" labeling is not affected by the existence of an actual HDMI cable connection. So the connection detection (which for example works on my system for the headset plug) is not operating for HDMI sound.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#14 Post by djk44883 »

Ok, I checked my Dell laptop. I have it set up more as a desktop with 2 monitors, one via display port (can be used with a HDMI adapter). So it's not exact, but similar.

Image https://photos.app.goo.gl/bcL85JchRq2EqdTd6

I have analog output and HD audio output. There are not options for the HD, I have used it in the past with an HDMI. I can't trial N error in my current configuration - there was a time I had a dock for this. Something about about the monitor had to be the primary or on while booting for the system to recognize it like it should. I'd set, in the power setting, when lid is closed do nothing. Press the power button, and close it up so it'd switch over to the monitor - or maybe a proprietary key combination. I think there was only a small window for that to work.

I don't recall exactly. Don't think it's sensible. But I do recall fumbling around with getting the sound to work and not work and switching and it being more of a PITA than necessary.

Maybe this isn't even relevant to your system... maybe it's enough to give you a clue.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#15 Post by gurfle »

Thanks @djk44883 for your effort trying to help. It is appreciated, even though in fact, as you suggest, it isn't really related to my system.

BTW, the link to your image works, but it is not embedded in the post. I suspect there is a typo somewhere. Should just be Image.
You know you can check before actually posting using the "Preview" button, and to fix something like this after you post you can hit the "Edit" button at the top of each of your posts.
EDIT: I just tested it myself with your actual link, and something weird prevents the picture from showing up in the post itself, even thought the link is fine. I would not be surprised if it some ugly thing google does, which I stay away from at all cost, but who knows . . .

The main difference between your setup and mine is that with me (using very vague, non-technical terms) HDMI is just considered another "device" on the single "card" that seems to consists of the entire built in audio system of my laptop.

For this level of troubleshooting, pulseaudio is not really too useful, so I am digging into alsa now, which unfortunately is very tough to comprehend. But it is clear that alsa recognizes the existence of some sort of HDMI "device" (actually it reports three, but I am not sure why) on the single hardware "card" of my system:

Code: Select all

nick@newlaptop:~$ aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 0: ALC256 Analog [ALC256 Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 3: HDMI 0 [HDMI 0]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 7: HDMI 1 [HDMI 1]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 8: HDMI 2 [HDMI 2]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
nick@newlaptop:~$ 
This is just as I reported in a previous post, but now devices "HDMI 3" and "HDMI 4" are not there because I "blacklisted" snd_hda_codec_hdmi in /etc/modprobe.d, which has the "benefit" of at least not making "HDMI 1" and "HDMI 2" show up as "unplugged" in pavucontrol. Here is a fuller "picture" using alsamixer (click on image for more readable, higher resolution image):
Image

I am not completely sure about this, but I think that the three HDMI "devices" reported by "aplay -l" are what alsamixer labels as "S/PDIF". If this is really the case, then it is consitent with pulseaudio's showing the "non-numbered" HDMI device as "unplugged", which corresponds to the "MM" (mute) in alsamixer (like the actually unplugged Headphone!), and the two numbered HDMI devices as "available", which corresponds to "OO" (on) in alsamixer (like the speakers, which are only switched to "unplugged" when Headphone is in).

Whatever configuration glitch I have is pointed to in the alsamixer display by the missing volume bar on all three HDMI devices, regardless of "MM" or "OO" state.

Still how alsa is in fact configured, and most importantly, how it interacts with the sound driver kernel modules remain very unclear to me.

Alsa configuration seems to have been completely removed from /etc where I expected it, and it used to be, but I see this extensive folder:
/usr/share/alsa/
and this file, which looks like it gets built when the system boots:
/var/lib/alsa/asound.state

But how does all this work, and most usefully, how does one tweak it for a situation like mine, which is:

Laptop: Panasonic Toughbook CF-54
Audio device: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio (rev 21)
Kernel: 4.19.0-0.bpo.5-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.19.37-4~bpo9+1 (2019-06-19) x86_64

djk44883
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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#16 Post by djk44883 »

gurfle wrote:Thanks @djk44883 for your effort trying to help. It is appreciated, even though in fact, as you suggest, it isn't really related to my system.

BTW, the link to your image works, but it is not embedded in the post. I suspect there is a typo somewhere. Should just be [img]URL[/img].
You know you can check before actually posting using the "Preview" button, and to fix something like this after you post you can hit the "Edit" button at the top of each of your posts.
EDIT: I just tested it myself with your actual link, and something weird prevents the picture from showing up in the post itself, even thought the link is fine. I would not be surprised if it some ugly thing google does, which I stay away from at all cost, but who knows . . .
I used the image tag, I'm guessing it left the word IMAGE because it wasn't an actual .png .jpg or graphic. Yes, I'm aware of preview function, I sometimes use to proof my post depending on my mood and topic, the edit is self explanatory.
I completely agree with your take on google. I've had the account since the early days, when they had "don't be evil" for a moto, but they've lost that long before dropping the phrase.

As for you audio, I'd suggest to keep it simple. Just install the minimal controls you need. mate-volume-control-applet is basic and should configure your system's audio. pavucontrol has more control, but until you get things working, cut the unnecessary overhead. Remove layers that aren't truly needed for basic function, if pulsaudio is enough you may not need alsa

I recall something about sink and configurations in /etc/pulse ...but there have been various systems, I don't have thing changed to remind me here.
I truly hope you get this conquered very soon!

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gurfle
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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#17 Post by gurfle »

djk44883 wrote:I used the image tag, I'm guessing it left the word IMAGE because it wasn't an actual .png .jpg or graphic.
Yes, I had that thought too, and in fact just confirmed by briefly changing the file extension on one of mine. Probably the forum software requires certain file extensions like .png, as you suggest.

I will first peel away pulseaudio, since it is much more complicated, and many say not necessary. We'll see how far I then get with only alsa to deal with. Would be nice if one could find at least a complete list of all the options for such widely used drivers like snd-hda-intel. I've encountered a few partial lists that have been built by volunteer contributors, but they are generally way out of date, and not relevant to my setup.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#18 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

gurfle wrote:Would be nice if one could find at least a complete list of all the options for such widely used drivers like snd-hda-intel.

Code: Select all

E485:~$ ls /sys/module/snd_hda_intel/parameters/
align_buffer_size  enable      index        patch         power_save             probe_only
bdl_pos_adj        enable_msi  jackpoll_ms  pm_blacklist  power_save_controller  single_cmd
beep_mode          id          model        position_fix  probe_mask             snoop
E485:~$
deadbang

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gurfle
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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#19 Post by gurfle »

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

Code: Select all

E485:~$ ls /sys/module/snd_hda_intel/parameters/
align_buffer_size  enable      index        patch         power_save             probe_only
bdl_pos_adj        enable_msi  jackpoll_ms  pm_blacklist  power_save_controller  single_cmd
beep_mode          id          model        position_fix  probe_mask             snoop
E485:~$
Very interesting!

It looks like this lets you discover what parameters have been set for each option.
What I really meant was a list of all the possible parameters for each option, and what they do, since I would like to know if there is something that hasn't been correctly set.

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Re: HDMI video output works, but not audio

#20 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

deadbang

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