Re: ALSA/SBLive problem

[Greg Norris <haphazard@kc.rr.com>]

On Wed, Jun 04, 2003 at 08:39:33PM -0600, Tom Schutter wrote:
> I am having problems setting up ALSA on my Debian box.  When I try to
> play an OGG file using XMMS, XMMS hangs.  When I try to play an OGG
> file using alsaplayer, I get no sound, and alsaplayer moves through
> the song at 30x.  The soundcard is builtin on a Dell Dimension 4550,
> but it is advertised as a SoundBlaster Live!

I'm having identical problems with a Dell Dimension 8300... in fact, I
posted them here earlier today under the subject "bizarre ALSA problems
with SBLive".  I've since learned that Dell's OEM card is significantly
different from the retail version.  It's advertized as a Soundblaster
Live, and is similar enough that ALSA detects it as such, but they're
NOT the same.  Here are a few snippits from Dell's Soundblaster Live
FAQ, which I found in their "Home: Dimension: Audio" forum.

   Q: Is the SB0200/0203 really a Creative card?

   A: Yes, this is a card manufactured by Creative; however, it is not
      sold in retail packaging, and is therefore unsupported by
      Creative.

   Q: What's different about this SB0200 card than the CT series?

   A: The SB0200 uses the EMU10K1X software-accelerated Digital Signal
      Processor (DSP), whereas the CT series was based on the EMU10K1
      hardware-accelerated DSP core. Audio performance may be affected
      by high loads on the processor more often than with the previous
      DSP.  Also, this OEM version contains the front-panel headphone
      jack connector, as well as other features required by Dell for
      use within Dell systems.

   Q: If Creative doesn't support it, why is it called Sound Blaster
      Live?

   A: The Sound Blaster Live! designation is due to the feature set of
      the card, which includes:

       * EAX (software accelerated)
       * 5.1 analog channel output
       * Digital output

I replaced the bundled card with it's retail counterpart, and
everything seems to be working properly... the downside is that I lost
use of the headphone jack at the front of the case.  I'm planning to
return the soundcard for credit, since I just purchased the system.