[Dragm@]

Hello, I am not able to solve a problem.

In all times i tried XBMC, I'm not able AC3 and DTS to play multichannel analog output correctly, always downmixed to stereo.

My hardware: E8500, P5Q, EN9400GT, Audiotrack Prodigy 7.1 Hi-Fi, also tried integrated audio on-board.

I tried from version 17xxx (under Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10) until 21088 with Ubuntu 9.04.1, de-selected option in Setting->System->Audio hardware, compiled and PPA version.

Also tried upgrade Alsa to 1.0.20.

The same files play correctly with VLC and 5.1 option.

I've read this: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=40249 , and the old bug is solved, but not for me.

I've read all audio problem posts, but nothing can help me .

Sure I'm in mistake, what else can I try?

Thanks in advance and sorry for my bad english

[Dragm@]

Here the xbmc.log:

http://pastebin.com/m29e989a8

[bobo1on1]

Go to settings->system->audio hardware and disable "Downmix multichannel audio to stereo", see if that helps.

Also try disabling pulseaudio.

[Dragm@]

Thanks for your help bobo1on1, but i have always disabled that.

[Dragm@]

After a normal installation, if I install XBMC Live from Synaptic, multichannel analog is ok .

After that, every boot directly with XBMC, audio is always ok, so I tried Live CD and playing AC3 file is ok.

Strange? So I think that something is wrong with Ubuntu desktop....

Can be Pulse Audio the problem? Again?

[Dragm@]

With onboard audio, solved disabling Pulse Audio from Synaptic after installation of XBMC from repository.

Now trying with Prodigy 7.1 HIFI

[Dragm@]

Same installation and configuration with Audiotrack Prodigy HiFi 7.1 (VIA Envy24HT, ICE 1724), but AC3 audio on XBMC reports failure, stereo audio is ok.

With Pulse Audio enableb audio is ok, but multichannel is bad.

Alsa upgrade Alsa to 1.0.20, nothing changed.

Any ideas, please?

[bobo1on1]

Run "speaker-test -c8" and see what happens.

[Dragm@]

New installation with audio on-board (Realtek ALC1200):
Ubuntu 9.04 desktop i386 + update
nVidia 185.18.14
XBMC from Synaptic, link: http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=HOW-TO_insta...ep-by-step
steps from Adding the XBMC Repo to Installing XBMC
VLC installed
configure ALSA like:


If I play a AC3 5.1 video file on XBMC:

Left and center signals are downmixed to left, right and center channels.
Right signal is played ok, only in the right channel.
Rear signals are downmixed to alla channels.

The same file played with VLC:

Front and center signals are ok, rear signals are downmixed to each rear channel.

With "speaker-test -c8" or "c6"
Left and center signals are downmixed to left, right and center channels.
Right signal is played ok, only in the right channel.
Rear signals are downmixed to alla channels.

With "speaker-test -Dplugurround51 -c8" or "c6"
Front and center signals are ok, rear signals are downmixed to each rear channel.

Remove Pulse Audio

If I play the same AC3 5.1 video file on XBMC:

Front and center signals are ok, rear signals are downmixed to each rear channel.

The same file played with VLC:

Front and center signals are ok, rear signals are downmixed to each rear channel.

With "speaker-test -c8" or "c6"
Left signal is downmixed to left and center channels.
Center signal is mute.
Right signal is played ok, only in the right channel.
Rear signals are mute.

With "speaker-test -Dplugurround51 -c8" or "c6"
Front and center signals are ok, rear signals are downmixed to each rear channel.

[bobo1on1]

What about "speaker-test -Dplugurround71 -c8".

You might have some strange 5.1 to 7.1 upmix going on here, maybe you need to use the output of the side speakers for the rears (switch the jack).

[Dragm@]

I made some interesting tests under Windows XP Media Center.

My old tests were made with a Star Wars original DVD. There is a surround test, but seems to be not right for some configurations.

I made myself some 5.1 surround files with Sony Vegas Pro 8.0:

1) audio file .ac3
2) audio/video file .wmv
3) audio/video HD file .m2ts

Prodigy 7.1 HiFi: signals play right all 3 files, in 5.1 and 7.1 configuration.

Realteck ALC1200: signals play right under 5.1 configuration, under 7.1 rear signals are played out to side speakers instead rear speakers, and it is not correct.

So I decide to use only Prodigy to make tests under Ubuntu. And it is the audio board I'd like to use.

What about "speaker-test -Dplugurround71 -c8".

You might have some strange 5.1 to 7.1 upmix going on here, maybe you need to use the output of the side speakers for the rears (switch the jack).

Signals with command with Dplugurround x 1 are always played to the correct output channels, but with command only speaker-test the signals are downmixed to all channels.

So I think that Pulse Audio is the problem, and not XBMC, but I can't remove it completly, because other problems come.

Seems like that Pulse Audio is always in stereo, and searching I find the answer:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4928900
In fact, installing pavucontrol i find always 2 channel playing in Pulse Audio.

I search again and I find this:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=795525
And when I modify /etc/pulse/daemon.conf setting 6 channels, than ALL IS FINE!!!

Command "speaker-test" is ok, and XBMC plays all AC3 and other multichannel files with right audio channels.

Thanks bobo1on1 for your help .

Regards
Dragm@