No bitstream with hd-sound and "passthrough"

harteknut · 14 May 2022 10:23

Hello all,
I have a rather strange behaviour of my Vero 4K+ in when playing movies with hd-audio like Dolby true HD:
When I switch from LPCM to bitstream by activating “passthrough”, the audio output disapears completely an my Soundbar is quiet. I checked the HDMI-Signal with HDFury’s Arcana, no audio signal is displayed anymore. Audio comes back when I deactivate “passthrough”, but only “LPCM multi channel 7.1”
The problem does not exist with DD 5.1.

I created a log (start up, starting movie without passthrough, activating passthrough): https://paste.osmc.tv/ediwuyegaw

My Setup:

Vero 4K+ with osmc 4.9.113-64
HDMI-eARC-Switch Feintech VAX04101
Soundbar Sonos Arc
Projector Benq W5700

I would be very glad if anyone could explain this issue to me!
Thanks a lot
Simon

JimKnopf · 15 May 2022 06:11

Hi,

there are strange errors in the logs indicating a problem to work with the device device hdmi:CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0 description AML-MESONAUDIO

2022-05-14 11:59:32.437 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA::EnumerateDevice - device default description 
2022-05-14 11:59:32.446 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: confmisc.c:767:(parse_card) cannot find card '$CARD'
2022-05-14 11:59:32.446 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:4568:(_snd_config_evaluate) function snd_func_card_driver returned error: No such device
2022-05-14 11:59:32.446 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: confmisc.c:392:(snd_func_concat) error evaluating strings
2022-05-14 11:59:32.446 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:4568:(_snd_config_evaluate) function snd_func_concat returned error: No such device
2022-05-14 11:59:32.446 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: confmisc.c:1246:(snd_func_refer) error evaluating name
2022-05-14 11:59:32.446 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:4568:(_snd_config_evaluate) function snd_func_refer returned error: No such device
2022-05-14 11:59:32.446 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5047:(snd_config_expand) Evaluate error: No such device
2022-05-14 11:59:32.450 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.450 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.450 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:4898:(parse_args) Unknown parameter DEV
2022-05-14 11:59:32.450 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5031:(snd_config_expand) Parse arguments error: No such file or directory
2022-05-14 11:59:32.451 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:4898:(parse_args) Unknown parameter DEV
2022-05-14 11:59:32.451 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5031:(snd_config_expand) Parse arguments error: No such file or directory
2022-05-14 11:59:32.452 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.452 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.452 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.452 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.452 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.452 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.452 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0
2022-05-14 11:59:32.453 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:5014:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO
2022-05-14 11:59:32.454 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: confmisc.c:1281:(snd_func_refer) Unable to find definition 'cards.AML-MESONAUDIO.pcm.hdmi.1:CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,AES0=4,AES1=130,AES2=0,AES3=2'
2022-05-14 11:59:32.455 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: conf.c:4568:(_snd_config_evaluate) function snd_func_refer returned error: No such file or directory

By that the next reachable device AML-MESONAUDIO: HDMI, S/PDIF & analogue is chosen … which is not passthrough capable

2022-05-14 11:59:32.475 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA::EnumerateDevice - device hdmi:CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0 description AML-MESONAUDIO, 
                                                   HDMI Audio Output
2022-05-14 11:59:32.476 T:2758    DEBUG <general>: CAESinkALSA - Unable to obtain ELD information for device "hdmi:CARD=AMLMESONAUDIO,DEV=0" (not supported by device, or kernel older than 3.2)
2022-05-14 11:59:32.476 T:2758     INFO <general>: CAESinkALSA - ALSA: pcm_hw.c:1216:(snd_pcm_query_chmaps_from_hw) Cannot read Channel Map TLV
                                                   : No such file or directory
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>: Found 1 Lists of Devices
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>: Enumerated ALSA devices:
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:     Device 1
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_deviceName      : default
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_displayName     : Default (AML-MESONAUDIO: HDMI, S/PDIF & analogue)
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_displayNameExtra: 
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_deviceType      : AE_DEVTYPE_PCM
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_channels        : FL, FR, UNKNOWN1, LFE, FC, BC, BL, BR, BLOC, BROC
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_sampleRates     : 32000,44100,48000,64000,88200,96000,176400,192000
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_dataFormats     : AE_FMT_S24NE4,AE_FMT_S32NE,AE_FMT_S16NE,AE_FMT_S16LE
2022-05-14 11:59:32.477 T:2758     INFO <general>:         m_streamTypes     : No passthrough capabilities

Perhaps @grahamh can shed some light here … otherwise I suggest you reinstall the device from scratch.

grahamh · 15 May 2022 08:42

@JimKnopf that indicates the HDMI/IEC958 is working. User has turned on detailed logs for audio which always spews out loads of errors as that’s just how alsa works (ie try one thing and if it doesn’t work try something else).

But I couldn’t think of anything else to suggest, so perhaps a reinstall is needed.

harteknut · 17 May 2022 20:52

@JimKnopf @grahamh thanks for your replies!
I did a full reinstall from scratch, set the audio-passthrough-settings, added a nfs-source for movies started the logger and made a restart. After this, the following happend:

I tried to watch (actually tried to hear) a movie, and the first try worked (= bitstream-output over hdmi).
I tried another movie, and the bitstrem disapeared
I scwitched back to te first movie and there was silence again, no bitstream any more.

I made a log of that sequence and would be glad if you can give me some hints whats wrong:
https://paste.osmc.tv/abejemucad

grahamh · 17 May 2022 21:42

I can’t see anything unexpected in the logs.

Was this connected to the Vero or to the output of the Feintech?

harteknut · 17 May 2022 21:47

It’s a Sonos Arc (Soundbar), connected via eARC to the Feintech switch.
I have a second Player (Apple TV 4K) connected, this one goes up to Atmos via bitstream, so I think the cables etc. are OK.

JimKnopf · 18 May 2022 04:45

So where was the HDFury’s arcana placed?

Between Vero and Feintech?
Or between Feintech and soundbar?
What does the Arcana indicate when connecting between Vero and Feintech?

harteknut · 18 May 2022 05:18

For this test, I used the Arcana instead of the VAX04101.
Both components are eARC splitter, but the Arcana has only one HDMI input, so I can only use one Player at the same time.
The advantage of the Arcana is its display, so you can see what’s happening on the hdmi.
That’s the reason why I am quite sure that the issue is not a „not-played bitstream by Sonos“ but a „not-sent bitstream by vero“.

Sorry for my bad English, I hope you understand what I am trying to say…

JimKnopf · 18 May 2022 06:01

mhhh, I think you already tried toggling between the audio formats auto-2.0-5.1-7.1 on the Feintech.

Only idea I have at the moment is to try to deactivate the CEC on the Vero in case this confuses the connected splitter devices, I think you’re German

GUI -> Einstellungen ->  System -> Eingabe -> Peripheriegeräte -> CEC adapter

and reboot the Vero after you’ve deactivated CEC.

harteknut · 18 May 2022 14:23

You got it, German. But I do my best!
Unfortunately, deactivating CEC did not help, there is still no bitstream output.

I just checked what happens if I set the “Reset Kodi on next reboot”-Option. And abacadabra, it works. Now I will get back to my used Layout and check wich option causes the issue.

harteknut · 8 March 2023 20:12

So I just want to dig this one old topic out, maybe i helps other users:
After months of trouble with my vero4k+ in concerning HDMI-CEC (Volume) and Audio (passtrough HD-Audio) I ordered a Nvidia Shield TV Pro last week.
I made a fresh install of osmc (2023.01-1) on my Vero, added a nfs-share of my NAS an made the audio setup (allow passtrough, expert-mode: everything except for DTS-HD).
On the Shield, I installed Kodi via play store and adjusted the same settings.
Result:
With the Shield:

Dolby Atmos passthrough is just working
changing the Volume via CEC (shields remote) is possible

With the Vero:

no Dolby passthrough
no Volume-changing via veros remote

As a conclusion I think that for som kind of reason the vero seems not to work with my setup (Feintech VAX04101, Sonos ARC, Benq W5700) and I have to use the shield.