[Alsa-user] Invalid type for PCM rear definition, ALSA 1.0.0rc2 on Shuttle SK41G

[edraven]

I am a new Linux user, I have Debian on a Shuttle SK41G that I intend to use 
as a media center to watch DVDs among other things. I compiled and installed 
ALSA 1.0.0rc2 from source because I couldn't find a Debian package of the 
latest version and earlier versions didn't seem to know how to configure the 
sound card. With the new version, alsaconf properly identified the VIA 8235 
along with another card that I presume handles the front mic and headhone 
jacks. I'm ignoring that second card for now. Using alsamixer I can 
configure the card to copy the front channels to the rear, and when this is 
set the sound does come from both the front and rear speakers. However, 
whether this is set or not I have been unable to get sound to play from the 
rear speakers independantly. For example: 

[EMAIL PROTECTED]:~$ aplay -D rear testsound.wav
ALSA lib pcm.c:1812:(snd_pcm_open_conf) Invalid type for PCM rear definition 
(id: rear, value: cards.pcm.rear)
aplay: main:502: audio open error: Invalid argument 

Interestingly, aplay -D surround51 plays the sound without complaining, but 
only from the front speakers unless the mixer is set to copy to the rear. I 
don't know if that's the expected behavior, but thought it would be worth 
mentioning. Playing the surround sound setup from a DVD (through Ogle 0.9.2) 
to test the speakers seems to give almost random results from the front and 
rear, but no sound ever comes from the center channel or subwoofer. PCM, 
Surround, Center, and LFE are all turned on and turned up in the mixer. 

I'm new to Linux but have some experience working in a UNIX environment. I'm 
quite resolved to have this working in Linux. I appreciate any help that 
anyone can be. Please let me know if there's further informatino I need to 
provide. Thanks in advance. 

Chuck

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