Enable digital output for digital speakers?
 

I've looked around everywhere... but i just can't get my speakers to work.

When i plug my headphones into the audio out jack, it works FINE.

But my speakers don't work.

I have Altec Lansing ADA885 Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Speakers. I have an nForce2 board (Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe) and i am using the on-board sound.

For the headphone/output jack, i'm obviously getting analog out which my speakers don't seem to be able to read. What is the way to get this to output digital instead (i'm using ubuntu, so i guess any debian-like users will know). Of course i'm using alsa and all that junk. My distro successfully detects and installs the on-board sounds and identifies it as "nForce MultiMedia audio [Via VT82C686B]" and "nForce2 AC97 Audio Controler (MCP)".

And if i get this working... it would be even better... would be if someone told me how i can get that special digital S/PDIF out to work on the back of my computer. I'd like to enable this if possible.

If anyone can help me... I have a fresh install and didn't mess with anything yet.... so i'm ready for taking any immediate action without any pre-tampering.

Thanks

are you using alsa or oss?

alsa i guess... i want to use whatever works.

Realtek ALC650 Rev 3 for nForce2 board...

they have drivers on their website for linux that i'm suppose to compile myself and stuff. But it's wierd... the directions DO NOT match what is included inside of the zip!

you know what... forget it.

i installed the linux header files for my version of the kernel using synpatic/apt-get, and just used the www.nvidia.com unified driver. and it worked with NO hassles.

alsa.... kiss it. been messing with it for way too long.

wierd
 

Now that i'm reading the readme for the nvidia audio/network drivers... it's wierd that this even works.

In it, it states that all the driver install does is "put the drivers where linux can use them". It says it doesn't configure them, and that you need to do it yourself manually. It then has step by step instructions to manually configure the drivers (replace forcedeth with nvnet, alias the snd_card to the right one, etc...).

I didn't do ANY of these... but my sound started instantly working about install. It comes out of the S/PDIF in awesome quality.

Why did this work? Am i still using alsa.... but maybe the nvidia drivers gave my system the kick it needed?

$lsmod

if the modules says snd_blah, blah

your using alsa.