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Author Topic: Surround sound with OpenAL under GNU/Linux - using ALSA and realtime AC3 encodin  (Read 12591 times)
OmegaPhil
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« on: October 24, 2015, 09:43:48 AM »

Has anyone got the a52 ALSA plugin to work (realtime AC3 encoding thats than passed through S/PDIF), then hooked OpenAL with it?

I'm using Debian Testing currently, the final post here looks promising, but with just the following ALSA configuration (everything else ALSA is default):

# Surround sound attempt for OpenAL/Open Arena
pcm.a52encode {
    rate 44100
    channels 6
    type a52
}


Any attempt to use the resulting a52encode device fails, e.g.

$ aplay --dev=a52encode '<music file>'

Playing raw data '<music file>' : Unsigned 8 bit, Rate 8000 Hz, Mono
aplay: set_params:1228: Access type not available


Similarly when OpenAL tries to use it with Open Arena:

AL lib: (EE) ALCplaybackAlsa_reset: snd_pcm_hw_params_set_access(self->pcmHandle, hp, SND_PCM_ACCESS_RW_INTERLEAVED) failed: Invalid argument


I think the ALSA configuration is currently too simple.

I've normally kept away from ALSA configuration as its seriously over-the-top (by default its able to cope with normal S/PDIF out and AC3 passthrough so I haven't needed to fight it much), I'm just hoping another GNU/Linux user is here with a working config that I could look at.
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andrewj
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« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2015, 02:32:05 AM »

While I am not sure, I think the ioquake3 engine simply does not support multi-speaker setups like 5.1, 6.0, 6.1, etc....
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OmegaPhil
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« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2015, 04:00:11 AM »

See under features here.
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Gig
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« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2015, 07:30:23 AM »

I didn't know OA was on SourceForge, too. I do not know who thbrn is.

Let's hope they do not include crapware as SourceForge often does! Although the .zip nature of the download seems a good hint (they often add bloatware in installation programs).
« Last Edit: October 26, 2015, 02:33:17 AM by Gig » Logged

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OmegaPhil
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« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2015, 08:47:47 AM »

Oh... so basically it might be an invalid fork... damn.
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Gig
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« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2015, 10:18:49 AM »

I don't know whether that is 1:1 identical to official OA 0.8.8 or has got some difference.

However, openal support is something added by ioquake3... so one may also search for ioquake3 infos about it.

I just gave a quick look to the sourceforge page, it mentions "openal surround sound". Surround sound maybe does not automatically mean 5.1, 7.1 etc...

I don't know a lot about 5.1 etc... however a few infos about OpenAL
(DO NOT LINK) h t t p s : / / openarena . wikia . com/wiki/OpenAL

Are you sure your OA is actually using OpenAL driver and not base SDL audio driver? Looking at console output should give some clue (while seeing OpenAL button/variable enabled isn't enough).
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OmegaPhil
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« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2015, 01:28:29 PM »

Yes, I already said it was - see what I posted originally. There isn't 'surround' without at least 5.1.  Even if Open Arena itself isn't capable, my ALSA config is probably wrong so it'll have to wait until an example one comes along.
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fromhell
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« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2015, 02:07:25 PM »

OA should already have OpenAL support since the 0.7 versions at least.


Sourceforge/oarena is not official fyi.    I would never depend on any Sourceforge service, especially not in these days.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2015, 02:19:37 PM by fromhell » Logged

asking when OA3 will be done won't get OA3 done.
Progress of OA3 currently occurs behind closed doors alone

I do not provide technical support either.

new code development on github
grey matter
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« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2015, 05:27:33 PM »

See under features here.
Those were mostly copied from the ioq3 description, I've never tried surround sound myself (only got a headset).

I didn't know OA was on SourceForge, too. I do not know who thbrn is.

Let's hope they do not include crapware as SourceForge often does! Although the .zip nature of the dowbload seems a good hint (they often add bloatware in installation programs).
I uploaded those files ages ago, think I've posted them as a mirror as well.

All the files are untouched originals, you can check their SHA1/MD5 on the "view details" popup of each file at SourceForge. This is assuming they do no tamper with them after storage on their server or before/while downloading, so better recheck after download as well.

Sourceforge/oarena is not official fyi.    I would never depend on any Sourceforge service, especially not in these days.
I can try to remove the project, if they still allow that. Anyways, as long as you verify hashes and do not click any of the ads, you should be fine for now.
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Gig
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« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2015, 02:55:58 AM »

I uploaded those files ages ago, think I've posted them as a mirror as well.
You're right, SourceForge is also linked in OA "download mirrors" wiki page.
(DO NOT LINK) h t t p s : / / openarena . wikia . com/wiki/Manual/Download_mirrors

Unless SourceForge guys messed up with the files after you uploaded them, I can guess it may be okay...

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I never want to be aggressive, offensive or ironic with my posts. If you find something offending in my posts, read them again searching for a different mood there. If you still see something bad with them, please ask me infos. I can be wrong at times, but I never want to upset anyone.
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