Cannot get HDMI signal

[Rudy81]

After my previous attempt to get SnakeOil to work  I decided to start fresh on a different machine in hope of getting the OS to work.  I am now using a NUC5CPYH.  Fresh install on an SSD.  Snake Oil install and update to 1.1.8 went well.  I then added Jriver 25 and 26. All installs worked perfectly.  In my previous attempt, I could not get the alsamixer to retain settings.  That is no longer a problem and settings are now retained in this machine. 

My problem is that I cannot get HDMI to send a signal to the pre/pro I am using.  I do not think it is a machine issue since Daphile does work via HDMI on my system. I would really like to use SnakeOil for my audio system and would prefer HDMI to be the source.  I am about to go out and buy an optical cable to see if that end of the hardware works. 

I would greatly appreciate any help in getting the HDMI signal path to work.  I am not proficient in Linux, but can follow directions. That is how I loaded Jriver. Thanks for any help.

[Rudy81]

I obtained an optical cable with the requisite 3.5mm termination and SnakeOil with Jriver works perfectly.  I have not messed with many Jriver settings, but I am getting a Direct connection that is at least as good as my Windows 10 Jriver setup. 

Yes, I can use the digital SPDIF optical connection and call it good.  But, if at all possible I would like to have the HDMI connection also working. If for nothing else, to figure out where the issue is.

While I'm at it, I have a question concerning accessing the JRiver GUI.  I have been able, following your instructions, to connect via the VNC viewer.  I would, however, like to be able to interact with the JRiver GUI from a monitor directly connected to the computer.  For now, all I get is the SnakeOil terminal screen.  Is there a command to call up the JRiver GUI?

[agent_kith]

I obtained an optical cable with the requisite 3.5mm termination and SnakeOil with Jriver works perfectly.  I have not messed with many Jriver settings, but I am getting a Direct connection that is at least as good as my Windows 10 Jriver setup. 

Yes, I can use the digital SPDIF optical connection and call it good.  But, if at all possible I would like to have the HDMI connection also working. If for nothing else, to figure out where the issue is.

Can you try MPD and see if that works first? Also make sure you don't have any other monitors connected (e.g. VGA). I suspect by default the video card may just pick an output device. So if you have a VGA connector connected, the HDMI may be disabled. And when that happens, probably the audio goes out with it.

While I'm at it, I have a question concerning accessing the JRiver GUI.  I have been able, following your instructions, to connect via the VNC viewer.  I would, however, like to be able to interact with the JRiver GUI from a monitor directly connected to the computer.  For now, all I get is the SnakeOil terminal screen.  Is there a command to call up the JRiver GUI?

Snakeoil designed all GUI applications to be run in a virtual environment. If you want to display JRiver locally, you can start a X session, then run vncviewer and connect to the virtual session.

At the end of the day, Snakeoil is designed to run headless and be assessed from a remote computer/tablet. No monitor or keyboard attached (esp USB keyboards).

For remote access one can use a VNC remote connection app on a tablet and connect to the remote session. But once configured, most will use the JRiver remote control app to queue playlists.

[Rudy81]

AK, thank you.  I tried MPD, via HDMI, but no luck.  No sound, no connection. Tomorrow I will see if I can disable VGA via the BIOS, although I have never used a VGA video monitor on the machine.  I have only used a monitor via HDMI.

Thanks

[agent_kith]

AK, thank you.  I tried MPD, via HDMI, but no luck.  No sound, no connection. Tomorrow I will see if I can disable VGA via the BIOS, although I have never used a VGA video monitor on the machine.  I have only used a monitor via HDMI.

Thanks

No need to disable VGA in the BIOS, all good if there's no VGA monitor connected.

What DAC are you using? Note that some DAC uses a HDMI connector but it's only doing audio - DSD. These are HDMI signals.

For HDMI audio to work you need to connect it to something like an AVR. If your PC monitor has built audio out or speakers, you should get audio then. Looking at the status (in use), HDMI audio is working AFAICT.

[Rudy81]

AK, thank you again.

I am using an AVR, Integra DHC 9.9 with 4 HDMI inputs.  Today, I tried a different, known working, input with a totally different cable and no luck.  This is an HDMI input that for sure works. So, I have ruled out cable or AVR input issues.  The AVR indicates there is no HDMI signal.

I tried MPD, but no luck in HDMI either.  As I said, the good news is that the headphone jack and the SPDIF optical work well.  I have had no other issues with your latest firmware.  I guess the best thing is to stick with SPDIF optical and quit wasting time trying to get HDMI to work.  If you come up with an idea to try, let me know.  I appreciate all your help.

[agent_kith]

AK, thank you again.

I am using an AVR, Integra DHC 9.9 with 4 HDMI inputs.  Today, I tried a different, known working, input with a totally different cable and no luck.  This is an HDMI input that for sure works. So, I have ruled out cable or AVR input issues.  The AVR indicates there is no HDMI signal.

I tried MPD, but no luck in HDMI either.  As I said, the good news is that the headphone jack and the SPDIF optical work well.  I have had no other issues with your latest firmware.  I guess the best thing is to stick with SPDIF optical and quit wasting time trying to get HDMI to work.  If you come up with an idea to try, let me know.  I appreciate all your help.

It's probably the Snakeoil kernel then. I'll take a look into this and get back to you later in the week.

[Rudy81]

AK.  Thank you very much.  I noticed that the Alsamixer has various SPDIF options. Are they select-able by the OS automatically, or is that something the operator must choose?  I don't see many controls other than muting and in some cases numerical scale changes as options.

[agent_kith]

AK.  Thank you very much.  I noticed that the Alsamixer has various SPDIF options. Are they select-able by the OS automatically, or is that something the operator must choose?  I don't see many controls other than muting and in some cases numerical scale changes as options.

Can you take a screencap of the options?

In most cases you have to run alsamixer and make sure everything is set up correctly. The WebApp can unmute the channels, but that's about it. Looking at your earlier screeencap, pretty sure the volume is already set correctly.

As far as I can tell the audio should be working correctly, just not entirely sure what the problem is. A bug in the current kernel could be one. Have you check and confirmed your AVR is using the HDMI as the digital input and not coax/optical? I know some AVRs don't have auto input selection, but not fully aware how yours work.

[Rudy81]

The screen cap above has not changed.  It is exactly the same and I have not messed with it. 

Today I verified the HDMI input worked correctly by sending a signal from another HDMI source.  The AVR immediately detected the signal.  I have verified that "HDMI" is the selected input both in the setup and in the digital display of the input.  I am familiar with the selection of the input since I regularly switch back and forth between Optical SPDIF and HDMI. The optical input still works perfectly.  Analog audio also working fine. 

If you happen to find the solution, that would be great.  Otherwise, I can use the Optical output. I would guess the sound quality will be as good or maybe even better than HDMI via SPDIF/Optical.

Regards,