[SOLVED] No sound with OSSv4 and Nvidia nForce2

[jalbert_ami]

Hello,

I’m trying to get FMOD working with OSS version 4 build 1016. I’m using CentOS 5.3 with an Nvidia nForce2 AC97 sound codec and FMOD version 4.32.02 from http://www.fmod.org.

Other OSS applications play sound correctly, but with I try using FMOD I get the following error:
“osscore: Output timed out on audio engine 2/’Nvidia nForce2 (VMIX0)’ (count=0)”

This error repeats indefinitely on the terminal until the application exits.

cross posted on FMOD's support site at http://www.fmod.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14455

[igorzwx]

Hello,

I’m trying to get FMOD working with OSS version 4 build 1016. I’m using CentOS 5.3 with an Nvidia nForce2 AC97 sound codec and FMOD version 4.32.02 from http://www.fmod.org.

Other OSS applications play sound correctly, but with I try using FMOD I get the following error:
“osscore: Output timed out on audio engine 2/’Nvidia nForce2 (VMIX0)’ (count=0)”

This error repeats indefinitely on the terminal until the application exits.

cross posted on FMOD's support site at http://www.fmod.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14455

Do you mean "fmodex"?

Code: Select all

$ yaourt fmod
1 community/fmodex 4.32.07-1
    An advanced audio engine
2 aur/fmodex-devel 4.31.01-1 (23)
    An advanced audio engine
3 aur/hsfmodem 7.68.00.14full-1 (Out of Date) (20)
    Linux drivers for the Conexant HSF Softmodem family (kernel modules)
4 aur/hsfmodem-dell 7.80.02.06full-1 (0)
    Linux drivers for the Conexant HSF Softmodem family (kernel modules), with Dell binaries
5 aur/hsfmodem-utils 7.68.00.14full-1 (Out of Date) (33)
    Linux drivers for the Conexant HSF Softmodem family (userspace tools and libraries)
6 aur/hsfmodem-utils-dell 7.80.02.06full-1 (0)
    Linux drivers for the Conexant HSF Softmodem family (userspace tools and libraries), with Dell binaries
7 aur/hsfmodem-zen 7.68.00.14full-1 (Out of Date) (0)
    Linux drivers for the Conexant HSF Softmodem family (kernel modules)
8 aur/lib32-fmodex 4.32.07-1 (45)
    An advanced audio engine
9 aur/osgaudio-svn 84-1 (0)
    osgAudio is an OpenSceneGraph nodekit that wraps OpenAL and FMOD to enable sound toolkits in OSG
10 aur/pdfmod 0.9.1-1 [installed] (68)
    A simple tool for modifying PDF documents
==> Enter n° of packages to be installed (ex: 1 2 3 or 1-3)
==> -------------------------------------------------------
==>


It seems that you are trying to use a semi-"deprecated" version of FMOD

Note: Any version released before 4.30 is now deprecated and no longer supported. The older 4.30, 4.32 branches are still maintained and bug-fixed for users who want to stay on an older branch and not upgrade. Find old versions in the "previous versions" link below.
http://www.fmod.org/index.php/download

[igorzwx]

Your version of OSS4 (version 4 build 1016) might be too old. It is, perhaps, of 2008. It is not likely to be supported.
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2740

You may try a new OSS4 on Arch LiveCD

Code: Select all

# pacman -S fmodex

if it is what you need.

[jalbert_ami]

Yes, I'm using fmod ex

I just tried the latest stable version 4.34.05, and I'm getting the same issue

[jalbert_ami]

Your version of OSS4 (version 4 build 1016) might be too old. It is, perhaps, of 2008. It is not likely to be supported.
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2740

You may try a new OSS4 on Arch LiveCD

Code: Select all

# pacman -S fmodex

if it is what you need.

Unfortunately I need to stick with CentOS 5.3, and if possible I'd like to keep the current version of OSS. FMOD is the only new variable in this equation, so I'm trying to change as little of everything else as possible.

I'll try updating to the latest OSS rpm and see if it works with my application.

I did go through the OSS change logs, but I didn't see anything that might be related to this issue.

[igorzwx]

1. To try OSS4 on a LiveCD, you do not need to install anything on your computer.
2. If it works on a LiveCD, you may try to fix it on your CentOS.
3. If it does not work on a LiveCD, somebody else might be able to reproduce your "experiment", provided that it is described in detail.

There are related threads of 2008:

Open Sound System • View topic - osscore: Output timed out on ...
4 posts - 2 authors - Last post: 24 Jan 2008
osscore: Output timed out on audio engine 0/'AudigyLS front' (count=0) have anyone seen this? specs: OSS 4.0 (b1012/200801240205) BSD (C) ...
viewtopic.php?t=2449 -

It may also depend on the version of the Linux kernel. Do you have a very old one?

[jalbert_ami]

Still haven't gotten this fixed.

I've updated both OSS and FMOD Ex to the latest versions, but neither had any effect on the issue.

I compiled the FMOD playsound example application, and I've configured it to specifically use OSS.

I tested my application on a separate nForce4 motherboard, also configured to use OSSv4 but with a different oss_hdaudio.ko kernel module - the nForce2 board uses the oss_ich.ko module. Everything worked correctly on this machine.

Back on the nForce2 machine, I changed the "vmix0-channels" setting from "Stereo" to "Multich". With this the playsound application started giving me sound, but very garbled - like the speakers were behind an oscilitating fan. I tried a separate pair of headphones plugged directly into the motherboard to verify that it wasn't the speakers themselves.

[igorzwx]

What is your version of Linux kernel?

On Arch, we have now this one:

Code: Select all

$ pacman -Qi kernel26
Name           : kernel26
Version        : 2.6.39.1-1

There is also LTS version for servers:

Code: Select all

$ yaourt kernel lts
1 core/kernel26-lts 2.6.32.41-2
    The Linux Kernel and modules - stable longtime supported kernel package suitable for servers
2 core/kernel26-lts-headers 2.6.32.41-2
    Header files and scripts for building modules for kernel26-lts
3 extra/nvidia-lts 275.09.07-1
    NVIDIA drivers for kernel26-lts


[cesium]

Try to strace the app and see what it does with the dsp. (strace -e trace=ioctl -ff ... and check for SNDCTL_DSP_... this or this strace is better)

[jalbert_ami]

I've gotten this issue fixed with some feedback from the FMOD support team.

They suggested changing FMOD's buffer size from the default of 1024 samples using System::setDSPBufferSize. Here's the comment from their help page on that function:

Sets the FMOD internal mixing buffer size. This function is used if you need to control mixer latency or granularity. Smaller buffersizes lead to smaller latency, but can lead to stuttering/skipping/instable sound on slower machines or soundcards with bad drivers.

I doubled it to 2048 samples, and the sound started working and the "Output timed out" OSS error message went away.