Mythbuntu improperly supports Realtek ALC889A audio

[creg082004]

I am using a Gigabyte MA790X-DS4 motherboard that has built-in Realtek ALC889A audio. Mythbuntu detects this as ALC885 and the sound channels do not work properly. For example:

1) Left and right sound channels are reversed. (applies to analog outputs only; S/PDIF and Toslink works correctly)
2) When running speaker-test, the center channel activates with the left channel.
3) When running speaker-test, the center, side, rear, and subwoofer channels do not work.
4) When a stereo source such as music in VLC is played, all 8 channels are active and appear to play the same signal.

Note: When using the S/PDIF or Toslink outputs, everything works correctly. Stereo sources are transmitted through the link as 2-channel PCM audio. AC3 and DTS passthrough also work fine and carry all 6 (or 5.1) channels.

[MarcRandolph (mrand)]

Thank you for your bug report. What version(s) of Mythbuntu did you try? If you haven't already, would you be able to try either the current alpha release of 8.10, or the beta release (coming out late next week)?

Some random debugging links and info:
It seems this particular Realtek audio chip has been somewhat problematic, both pre 8.04: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4653915, and post 8.04: http://ph.ubuntuforums.com/showthread.php?t=856390. To make matters worse, there appears to be two versions of that chip (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=877815).

Depending on the exact problem, http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=877815 has a possible solution. There are other hits in launchpad and the forums as well.

[creg082004 (creg082004)]

This happens in both Mythbuntu 8.04.1 and Mythbuntu 8.10 Alpha 6.

--- On Sat, 9/27/08, MarcRandolph <email address hidden> wrote:
From: MarcRandolph <email address hidden>
Subject: [Bug 275289] Re: Mythbuntu improperly supports Realtek ALC889A audio
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2008, 8:17 PM

Thank you for your bug report. What version(s) of Mythbuntu did you
try? If you haven't already, would you be able to try either the
current alpha release of 8.10, or the beta release (coming out late next
week)?

Some random debugging links and info:
It seems this particular Realtek audio chip has been somewhat problematic, both
pre 8.04: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4653915, and post 8.04:
http://ph.ubuntuforums.com/showthread.php?t=856390. To make matters worse, there
appears to be two versions of that chip
(http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=877815).

Depending on the exact problem,
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=877815 has a possible solution.
There are other hits in launchpad and the forums as well.

** Changed in: mythbuntu
       Status: New => Incomplete

--
Mythbuntu improperly supports Realtek ALC889A audio
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/275289
You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
of the bug.

Status in Mythbuntu, Ubuntu derivative focused upon MythTV: Incomplete

Bug description:
I am using a Gigabyte MA790X-DS4 motherboard that has built-in Realtek ALC889A
audio. Mythbuntu detects this as ALC885 and the sound channels do not work
properly. For example:

1) Left and right sound channels are reversed. (applies to analog outputs
only; S/PDIF and Toslink works correctly)
2) When running speaker-test, the center channel activates with the left
channel.
3) When running speaker-test, the center, side, rear, and subwoofer channels do
not work.
4) When a stereo source such as music in VLC is played, all 8 channels are
active and appear to play the same signal.

Note: When using the S/PDIF or Toslink outputs, everything works correctly.
Stereo sources are transmitted through the link as 2-channel PCM audio. AC3
and DTS passthrough also work fine and carry all 6 (or 5.1) channels.

[MarcRandolph (mrand)]

Note to other bug triagers: should another ubuntu project be added to the affects list?

[Joakim K (joakim-oblivioncreations)]

I have revision 0x100101 on my Realtek ALC889a (Gigabyte EP45-DS4 motherboard) and it doesn't correctly recognize it, instead it's recognized as ALC885 and I can't get sound to work. I don't get any errors, I just don't seem to get any sound. (I have only tried S/PDIF since that is the only output I ever use.)

I use Ubunty 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) and the latest ALSA available in Synaptic (1.0.17.dfsg-2ubuntu1).

[Annie Mack (lunargirl32)]

I use ubuntu 9.10 and I have the same integrated realtek sound. I was unable to have any sound at all until I applied the mentioned in bug #462821. The sound works now but the channels are reversed. I have a strange feeling that these two bugs are somehow connected.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

Hi creg082004,

Please be sure to confirm this issue exists with the latest development release of Ubuntu. ISO CD images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/ . If the issue remains, please run the following command from a Terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal). It will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this report.

apport-collect -p alsa-base 275289

Also, if you could test the latest upstream kernel available that would be great. It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please remove the 'needs-upstream-testing' tag. This can be done by clicking on the yellow pencil icon next to the tag located at the bottom of the bug description and deleting the 'needs-upstream-testing' text. Please let us know your results.

Thanks in advance.

    [This is an automated message. Apologies if it has reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

[Thomas Mashos (tgm4883)]

Marking invalid as this release isn't supported anymore. Can anyone confirm that this issue is still present on a supported Mythbuntu/MythTV release? If so, feel free to reopen.

[Paul White (paulw2u)]

No reply to comment #6 or any further comments for nearly 9 years so closing.