[User 161650]

Hi all, my HTPC Kodi-based machine has a strange problem: after a random amount of time, audio starts crackling/echoing/(see links below), in short is heavily distorted. This happens only through HDMI, even enabling passthrough. I checked out pretty much everything I could, but with no luck, and now after almost 2 months since this problem first appeared I'm going crazy!
I'm running an up-to-date ArchLinux system, on a AMD A4-5300 APU and a Asrock FM2 A75 Pro4-M.
I am using alsa (AE_SINK=ALSA set).
Here's what I already tried:
-another HDMI input port, another TV
-restoring an old system backup
-reinstalling a new, clean Arch system with just Kodi and little else, even on another disk
-swapping the APU with an identical one
-testing/swapping DDR3 modules
-disconnect everything but the HDMI and power cord (obviously )
-every other test I could imagine

Using a PCI-E AMD GPU works fine.
Also, I have another AMD based HTPC (Sempron 3850/Asrock AM1H-ITX), running Arch&Kodi too, and it's ok.

Well, at this point one could think it's just an HW problem, probably the mobo is faulty or something...BUT:
-running Windows 8.1 with Kodi is just ok
-running VLC on Arch and LXDE is fine

So...WTF is happening here?

Log: http://0bin.net/paste/D2Lom+gHrex6b6Gr#V...EKgRBnqS7O

UPDATE:
Audio sample 1: http://www.mediafire.com/download/1iwliryxiz71r6w/0.mp3
Audio sample 2: http://www.mediafire.com/download/hngzho6e1ead3y5/1.mp3

[fritsch]

Sadly known .... it's a kernel bug :-( by AMD. The only way around it is using pulseaudio as it uses a shared memory with the kernel which does not show this issue.

Edit: Have a look here: https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=77677

[User 161650]

Sadly known .... it's a kernel bug :-( by AMD. The only way around it is using pulseaudio as it uses a shared memory with the kernel which does not show this issue.

Edit: Have a look here: https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=77677

The strangest thing is that I've been using Kodi without any issues for at least 2 years, and suddenly, without any change/modification, this problem appeared...
BTW, I am now trying pulseaudio, we'll see if it helps.
Thanks

[fritsch]

Without a change?

Are you really sure that you did not upgrade some packages of the OS? Lookinf at your log: It's seems like ARCH malady :-) latest and greatest in a nice mix, combined with an ancient kernel - "nothing changed" <- looks different, hehe.

[BrooksyX]

Dang, I came here to post the exact same problem. Just built an AM1 5350 system and the audio stutters about every minute or so with the HDMI audio output. Tried updating the kernel on my Ubuntu 14.04 build to 3.19 and did not solve the issue. Would installing the official AMD closed source drivers help? Is there currently any way to fix this over HDMI?

[fritsch]

Nope - as this driver has no kodi support. It cannot decode any videos.

Try to install pulseaudio and use kodi via pulseaudio. See our wiki on howto setup kodi for passthrough with PA.

[BrooksyX]

Ok thanks, I just switched it to Pulseaudio passthrough. Will try tonight to see if it resolves the issue.

[User 161650]

Without a change?

Are you really sure that you did not upgrade some packages of the OS? Lookinf at your log: It's seems like ARCH malady :-) latest and greatest in a nice mix, combined with an ancient kernel - "nothing changed" <- looks different, hehe.

Yep, I installed an older (backupped) system and I am pretty sure totally sure* the problem was there, without having touched anything.
And, LTS or not, the problem perists with the current system.

BTW, with pulseaudio seems to be ok...maybe I should have chosen the "other side" at the time http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=...pid1453277

*EDIT: I've just reloaded (again) the backup: no change on a system that was working fine, and the problem is there. Mystery...

[BrooksyX]

Nope - as this driver has no kodi support. It cannot decode any videos.

Try to install pulseaudio and use kodi via pulseaudio. See our wiki on howto setup kodi for passthrough with PA.

Setting up Pulseaudio pass through did not resolve the issue.

[fritsch]

Debug Log or it did not happen ...

[BrooksyX]

Debug Log or it did not happen ...

Ill post it tonight when I get home. Thanks.

[BrooksyX]

debug log:

http://xbmclogs.com/pukgomv6t

[fritsch]

Your issue rather is a broken vdpau installation:

22:00:24 T:140030093817600 NOTICE: CDVDVideoCodecFFmpeg::GetFormat - Creating VDPAU(720x404)
22:00:24 T:140030093817600 NOTICE: VDPAU::CreateContext - creating decoder context
22:00:24 T:140032596080384 NOTICE: PulseAudio: Opened device alsa_output.pci-0000_00_01.1.hdmi-stereo in pcm mode with Buffersize 179 ms
22:00:24 T:140030093817600 NOTICE: vdp_device = 0x40008a00 vdp_st = 0x00000001
22:00:24 T:140030093817600 ERROR: (VDPAU) unable to init VDPAU - vdp_st = 0x1. Falling back.
22:00:24 T:140030093817600 NOTICE: (VDPAU) Close
22:00:24 T:140030093817600 NOTICE: VAAPI::Close

You most likely miss: mesa-vdpau-drivers.

Your audio issues are cause of too few performance when playing video ...

[BrooksyX]

Great, I just installed them and will test again tonight. Thanks again. Appreciate the help!

[fritsch]

Also provide: vdpauinfo | pastebinit and dmesg | pastebinit if problems persist.