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7.1 Sound under OS X

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Slim_Fishguttz:
Preamble -  I'm mostly a PC person.

Synopsis - Using PC MC, under Tools -> Options -> Audio -> DSP & output format, I can correctly specify 7.1, or really anything.  I put it in a 'Movie' zone and use a zone switch when MediaType is video.  Works as expected.  Using OS X MC, I couldn't get anything other than 2 channels.  For a long time, I just shrugged my shoulders and used the PC version.  Enough is enough, and I discovered that my Mini thinks I only have 2 output channels.  Then I found the MIDI app. I set my HDMI output channels to '8ch-24 bit 96000 Hz' and in Settings -> Sound I set my output device to my Onkyo receiver. Under Tools -> Options -> Audio -> Audio Device, I point to 'HDMI [Core Audio]'.  Great, works as expected.  The problem is that I can't get OS X to remember the OS X relevant settings.  After a boot, or seemingly whenever OS X feels like it, it reverts to believing only 2 channels are available for output and Tools -> Options -> Audio -> DSP & output format goes back to 2 channels, of course.   I can perform the odious, burdensome, intrusive chore of resetting output channels, but although it isn't apocalyptic, it is a real PITA.

Question - What am I, in this regard, doing wrong?  Is it because that if I leave my Mini running, but turn off my receiver, OS X reverts back to 2 channels?  Can I get around this?

BTW - Ironic that Windows handles this better than OS X, since Microsoft is notorious for not caring about audio.  Witness the necessity of downloading special Windows drivers from DAC manufacturer's web sites.

Thanks

Awesome Donkey:

--- Quote from: Slim_Fishguttz on September 17, 2016, 07:28:58 am ---BTW - Ironic that Windows handles this better than OS X, since Microsoft is notorious for not caring about audio.  Witness the necessity of downloading special Windows drivers from DAC manufacturer's web sites.
--- End quote ---

Actually, starting with Redstone 2, Windows should natively support USB Audio Class 2.0. ;)

I'm not sure if 7.1 is supported on the Mac or not, especially over HDMI, so good question.

pschelbert:
Hi

looks you are using HDMI to output from Mac?
May be its an issue with the HDMI between Mac and Onkyo.

I use USB with a multichannel DAC (RME Fireface UFX), that works with all channels that are available, a lot more than 7.1

Peter

Slim_Fishguttz:

--- Quote from: pschelbert on September 20, 2016, 04:54:57 pm ---May be its an issue with the HDMI between Mac and Onkyo.

--- End quote ---

pschelbert -

thanks for your reply. 

i can also get all the channels i want.  the problem is that i can't get my selection of channels to persist.  it seems that if i shut off the receiver, but leave the Mini on, then the Mini reverts back to thinking there are only 2 output channels available.  sometimes it seems this happens even without shutting down Onkyo.  with Onkyo turned back on, i can go back to Midi screen and reset channels to 8, or whatever.

very annoying and burdensome.

do you go thru a receiver?  if so does powering receiver off, but leaving Mac on, affect your available channels?

out of frustration, i've gone back to Plex over Fire TV, which is less than desirable.

- Slim

blgentry:
I would probably try doing the various Mac resets to see if this helps.  Like resetting the SMC for example.

But I really don't expect that to work.  The issue seems to be that the Mac sees the HDMI target disappear and it (silently) reconfigures it.  Something like the HDMI Detective, would make the Mac think that the HDMI connection was active all the time.  But I'm not sure if it would solve this problem or not.  You'd need to do more research or experimentation.

Just some info for you to consider.

Brian.

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