Hey guys, I recently went through the dilemma of using the stock open source drivers or ati propriety ones.. I recommend trying both and discovering what works for you. I personally found that the open source drivers were a little more responsive and smooth, although the lack of HDMI audio sucked.

In this guide im going to explain how to update your kernel to enable HDMI audio for RADEON cards while using open source drivers !

*NOTE* Please be aware that this kernel is still a release candidate, there may be bugs and also I dont take any responsibility for anything you break.

PREPARATION:

Code: [Select All]

sudo sh /usr/share/ati/fglrx-uninstall.sh

The above command only applies if you have propriety drivers currently installed. This will uninstall them, you must reboot after uninstalling to complete the process.

Code: [Select All]

sudo apt-get install gcc

This should be installed by default, just in case its not.

Code: [Select All]

sudo apt-get install libncurses5-dev

Random library which is needed, no idea what the purpose of it is.. dont care.

Code: [Select All]

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Update & upgrade.

DOWNLOAD & EXTRACTION

Code: [Select All]

wget http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.0/testing/linux-3.3-rc7.tar.bz2

At the time of writing this 3.3-rc7 was the latest version I recommend going to kernel.org and verifying this is the latest version.

Code: [Select All]

sudo tar -xvf linux-3.3-rc7.tar.bz2 -C /usr/src/

Extract the goodies.

Code: [Select All]

cd /usr/src/linux-3.3-rc7/

Change directory to extracted goodies.

INSTALLATION

Code: [Select All]

sudo make menuconfig

This is where you can configure the kernel, if you are unsure about these settings I recommend leaving them as is.

Code: [Select All]

sudo make

This will take quite some time to compile, this is normal.. dont freak out.

Code: [Select All]

sudo make modules_install install

First stage of installation.

Code: [Select All]

sudo update-initramfs -u -k 3.3.0-rc7

Final stage of installation.

Code: [Select All]

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

Modify GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT to the following & save:

Code: [Select All]

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash radeon.audio=1"

Code: [Select All]

sudo update-grub

Update grub.

Code: [Select All]

sudo reboot

Restart system.

You should now have HDMI audio while using open source drivers ! Enjoy.

Oh also if you experience a two second lag when first of playing audio, this is a problem I had with on both propriety and open source. I think it may have something to do with certain types of TV's here is a little work around:

Menu

Startup Applications

Add

Command "aplay -c2 -r48000 -fS16_LE < /dev/zero &"

Save

Reboot

What that does is play a loop of a silent sound which keeps the HDMI channel open for the next audio to be played ! This does not affect performance what so ever and if it does you need to update your PC.

This will add "ALSA plugin [a-play]" in "Sound preferences.." I like to use this as a indicator that the loop is running.

Hope this helps!

fOmey · 11-03-2012 04:10 AM

KERNEL RC7 RELEASED
FIXED THE ONE AND ONLY BUG IV FOUND WHICH WAS THE MEDIA KEY KERNEL PANIC BUG.

Very close to perfection now.. defiantly recommend updating.
Follow the guide from DOWNLOAD & EXTRACTION onward if your going to be updating.

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode HOW TO: ATI :: HDMI audio with open source driver
Share\|	Translate