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Product Support => HiMedia Q10 Pro, Q5 Pro => Topic started by: Chairman on December 01, 2020, 04:57:16 AM

Title: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Chairman on December 01, 2020, 04:57:16 AM
I have a Yamaha HTR-2071 AVR which won't handle the best audio formats (Atmos, TrueHD, etc) but will do pretty much everything else. When I'm watching a stream on Kodi it will play fine if audio passthrough is disabled, however if I enable it then it plays audio for a second and then the stream chunks up and starts playing without any audio.

Is there something I'm missing? I'd prefer to let the AVR decode the audio rather than Android but most of the stuff I play comes through as PCM, sometimes I get DTS / DD+ on the native Himedia media player.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 01, 2020, 04:36:45 PM
I have the same issue.  Kodi doesn't play any DTS streams and the option to select DTS passthrough is not even an option for me. No clue why.  I get no audio at all when I try to use Passthrough in Kodi.

Using the MediaPlayer or the Wrapper the audio is passed through fine and my receiver decodes it correctly but not Kodi. Since I prefer the Kodi player it is a big pain.

I have yet to find anyone to help me when I have asked this before. So hopefully someone will be able to help us.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Chairman on December 02, 2020, 01:21:24 AM
I have the same issue.  Kodi doesn't play any DTS streams and the option to select DTS passthrough is not even an option for me. No clue why.  I get no audio at all when I try to use Passthrough in Kodi.

Using the MediaPlayer or the Wrapper the audio is passed through fine and my receiver decodes it correctly but not Kodi. Since I prefer the Kodi player it is a big pain.

I have yet to find anyone to help me when I have asked this before. So hopefully someone will be able to help us.

It's pretty annoying, hopefully someone will reply. I find just playing things in Kodi in general is a hassle on this box but I'm not sure why
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: stl on December 02, 2020, 06:57:29 PM
With the regular versions of Kodi passtrough doesn't work, I think you have to install the shitty builds. Google it
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 03, 2020, 03:31:42 AM
I have tried to find that but every time I tried to install I got a parsing error.  I even asked in the main custom firmware thread if someone had the APK used for it but no one responded.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Rob on December 03, 2020, 06:21:23 PM
I think you need to use the custom firmware,  works with mine.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 03, 2020, 06:49:50 PM
I have the custom firmware, however I foolishly updated Kodi via google play.  So i need the apk of the kodi build used in the firmware.  I have tried to find a shitty build online but when i tried to install i get an error.

I dont want to have to totally reflash the firmware and lose all my settings.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: futeko.com on December 03, 2020, 08:49:56 PM
This is the Kodi apk from 2.1.7 custom firmware: https://www.futeko.com/misc/org.xbmc.kodi-1.apk
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Rob on December 04, 2020, 12:14:21 AM
What Kodi build you running? I think mine is 18.6 , but my firmware is only 2.0.9, was looking at updating that though soon.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 04, 2020, 01:02:48 AM
What Kodi build you running? I think mine is 18.6 , but my firmware is only 2.0.9, was looking at updating that though soon.

I am running 2.1.7
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 04, 2020, 01:03:22 AM
This is the Kodi apk from 2.1.7 custom firmware: https://www.futeko.com/misc/org.xbmc.kodi-1.apk

Thank you!
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Chairman on December 04, 2020, 01:39:14 AM
This is the Kodi apk from 2.1.7 custom firmware: https://www.futeko.com/misc/org.xbmc.kodi-1.apk

You are the MAN! Will download this and give it a go, cheers.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: laager on December 04, 2020, 03:06:04 AM
Is there a version of the HiMedia wrapper for Ubuntu or Windows? Or, a wrapper with similar features for Ubuntu or Windows?
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 04, 2020, 03:56:28 AM
Ok.  Not sure why but that apk says it is corrupt and won't install.  Same thing happened to the one I found via Google search.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: pcristi on December 04, 2020, 10:10:08 AM
Most extend Kodi(XBMC) mirror server (http://ftp.igh.cnrs.fr/pub/xbmc/xbmc/).
Kodi 18.2 and some of other Kodi apk use/test it with CFW here (https://www.mediafire.com/?2rzvwj41q3bn0).
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Chairman on December 04, 2020, 10:20:12 AM
Most extend Kodi(XBMC) mirror server (http://ftp.igh.cnrs.fr/pub/xbmc/xbmc/).
Kodi 18.2 and some of other Kodi apk use/test it with CFW here (https://www.mediafire.com/?2rzvwj41q3bn0).

Do we download the shitty-armeabi or the forceraw-armeabi?
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 05, 2020, 02:02:45 AM
Most extend Kodi(XBMC) mirror server (http://ftp.igh.cnrs.fr/pub/xbmc/xbmc/).
Kodi 18.2 and some of other Kodi apk use/test it with CFW here (https://www.mediafire.com/?2rzvwj41q3bn0).

Which specific one was in your 2.1.7 CFW?
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: pcristi on December 05, 2020, 10:13:53 AM
Official Kodi 18.2 (kodi-18.2-Leia-armeabi-v7a.apk)
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: pcristi on December 05, 2020, 10:31:19 AM
Do we download the shitty-armeabi or the forceraw-armeabi?

-- vanilla(official) --> use with CFW.
-- shitty-armeabi(PCM "hack") --> for try with OFW.
-- forceraw-armeabi(build for Nvidia Shield 2015/2017) --> then try for HiMedia box with DRM L1 and CFW if Kodi Netflix addon not passthrough Atoms track like DD/DD+.

Note:
mkv with (EAC3)DD+ passthrough is unsupported in almost all Android device except Nvidia Shield 2015/2017.
Nvidia Shield 2019 still have audio cuts with Kodi player.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 07, 2020, 04:40:35 PM
Thank you for this information.

I must have messed something up because now I am getting static when playing videos in Kodi.  DTS plays fine but DD or EAC are just static.  They played fine before and my receiver decodes every audio format currently used.

When I play the same video through the media player/wrapper the audio outputs fine and my receiver shows the input audio correctly as DTS, DD, DD+, AAC, PCM, etc. 

I guess it is a Kodi issue?

Not sure what I did wrong.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: pcristi on December 08, 2020, 11:10:56 AM
For Android Kodi developer has real supported Nvidia Shield TV 2015, everything else is luckily less or more working.
Nvidia Shield TV 2015/2017, 2019 and FireTV 4K are still getting some more "if" in source code.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 08, 2020, 06:02:26 PM
Thanks for the information.  I just don't understand why the DD and AC3 audio worked fine in Kodi before the update but now I can't get it to even though I reverted back to version above.  I will try to ask on a Kodi specific forum I guess since the box can clearly pass AC3 in the MediaPlayer/Wrapper so it isn't a problem with the box.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Rob on December 08, 2020, 06:14:07 PM
Thanks for the information.  I just don't understand why the DD and AC3 audio worked fine in Kodi before the update but now I can't get it to even though I reverted back to version above.  I will try to ask on a Kodi specific forum I guess since the box can clearly pass AC3 in the MediaPlayer/Wrapper so it isn't a problem with the box.

Maybe some setting went to default? Is number of speakers set to 2?
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 08, 2020, 07:20:22 PM
Speakers are set to 2.  I have the same exact settings as I did before as far as I can tell, but of course it is possible some setting I am unaware of changed.  It is not in the System - Audio section though because that is the same as before.  I even loaded my backup which obviously worked before and same static issue for any DD or AC3 audio file.  Not HD audio mind you. Regular DD and AC3.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: pcristi on December 10, 2020, 01:10:26 PM
As you have Kodi backup then from Kodi.log can get Kodi version and build.
What firmware and Kodi version when is was working?

Between can give a try aftv4k builds too
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=358899&pid=2994556#pid2994556
Start test with Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC3) capable receiver: Disable then late try Enabled.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 10, 2020, 04:07:03 PM
It was the build in your most recent CFW, whatever that was.  18.2?  It worked fine.  Kodi updated automatically via Google Play due to my settings for auto update I guess and then when I reinstalled 18.2 linked by futeko in this thread, DD and AC3 do not play correctly in Kodi. Just static (in passthrough).  Wrapper plays same audio perfect.

Maybe i just need to reflash the whole CFW again?
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: pcristi on December 10, 2020, 06:55:01 PM
Don't know.
CFW/ATV v2.1.1-v2.1.7 use same official Kodi 18.2 mirrors.kodi (http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/android/arm/kodi-18.2-Leia-armeabi-v7a.apk) and preset for passthrough,
AC3/AC3-Transcode/E-AC3/DTS with AudioOutput 2.0.
Preset settings for E-AC3 passthrough is false start with v2.1.5 as that not rely supported.
If you still run CFW/ATV can try uninstall Kodi, install Kodi 18.2(mirrors,futeko,mediafire) reboot box, wait 2-3 minutes after box rebooted, open Kodi 18.2 will see is present for passthrough then check if is running well for you.
Note: Use play with VideoPlayer to not be tricked then get play with Wrapper&HiMediaVideoPlayer.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 11, 2020, 05:57:19 PM
Ok, I am getting somewhere.  I had AC-3 transcoding on which was causing the issue. Once I turned that off, I got audio instead of static.  So I now have DD and DTS and AC3 all playing correctly. 

However my box is not playing AAC 5.1 correctly.  It only outputs in 2.0.  When I play the same file over Plex or USB in my receiver directly, it decodes it correctly.  I have a lot of live concerts that bands released themselves digitally using AAC as the only codec so I hope I can play in 5.1.

This is via Kodi, the wrapper, and the video player from the media center.  I did some searching and it seems like the box can play 5.1 but not 6.1 or 7.1 correctly?  Why can I not play 5.1 now?

And a big thank you to everyone who has responded and helped me in this thread. It is greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: unclejoshc on December 14, 2020, 05:12:10 PM
Am I out of luck in getting this box to play 5.1 AAC?  Audio does play correctly from other players in the receiver so it is capable of decoding and playing if the bitstream signal is sent.  I guess the Q10 cannot bitstream multichannel AAC?
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Chairman on February 27, 2021, 03:06:58 PM
Bumping so UncleJosh can get AAC 5.1 working
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Phil181 on March 04, 2021, 04:45:39 AM
As for AAC 5.1, it certainly passes through with no issues, using the media player (or Kodi with wrapper).  I often watch movies with this audio track and get all 5.1 channels to my Yamaha AVR (via HDMI).

The weird issue is still playing AAC 7.1 (that I noted years ago here).  It will pass through fine, as long as there is another audio track in the same file! 
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Cojondongo on March 07, 2021, 03:18:38 PM
I have tried different official and custom firmwares, none allow passthroug.

I bought it as an audio player, using the optical output with an SMSL Sanscrit Mini DAC connected to a high-end tube amplifier and a pair of original Pro-Ac Response 2.5 the sound is really very good.

But you always think of improving a bit and a week ago I replaced the DAC with a model from the same manufacturer, SMSL, this time the Sanskrit 10th MKII, with a display and much more capacity in terms of sampling rate, 32kHz ~ 192kHz, data bits. 1bit ~ 32bit, DSD64 ~ DSD512.
My surprise has been to find that regardless of the file it plays it always plays at 44kHz, it doesn't matter whether it is 41kHz or 768kHz the DAC always works at 44kHz.

I have tried with the following firmwares:
Q10 PRO FIRMWARE 2.1.4. INSTALL ON ANDROID 7 v2.0.4 + ONLY. FUTEKO. HMD-2.1.4 2019-05-31-01
update_Q10Pro_HMD-2.1.7 2020-08-18.140128
update_Q10Pro_ (update & themed & Kodi18.2) [v1.1] -HMD-2.1.7 2020-08-18.140128 (from pcristi)

First without updating Kodi and after updating, choose the passthrough mode you choose, the result is always the same 44kHz.

I have tried different sources and it shows the sample rate correctly.

I think some thing are missing in the kernel.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: pcristi on March 07, 2021, 05:34:16 PM
Android driver is always resample to 48kHz on that SoC.
Passthrough over HDMI will get 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz.
Better HiFi experience will provide with USB DAC and dedicate player like USB Audio Player PRO.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Cojondongo on March 07, 2021, 09:04:24 PM
Plugging the DAC into a USB port, it hadn't occurred to me, I'll give it a try.

Extracting the signal from the HDMI and reconnecting it to the DAC could be another interesting option ...

Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: Cojondongo on March 26, 2021, 12:22:16 PM
Android driver is always resample to 48kHz on that SoC.
Passthrough over HDMI will get 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz.
Better HiFi experience will provide with USB DAC and dedicate player like USB Audio Player PRO.

I have finally been able to test the HDMI output to extract the audio through an HDMI Audio Extractor and I have not been able to go higher than 48KHz.
I'm going to try other Firmwares to see if I'm lucky and one of them allows me to get closer to 192KHz.
Title: Re: Can't passthrough audio in Kodi
Post by: avenger89 on June 03, 2021, 02:43:16 PM
Ok, I am getting somewhere.  I had AC-3 transcoding on which was causing the issue. Once I turned that off, I got audio instead of static.  So I now have DD and DTS and AC3 all playing correctly. 

However my box is not playing AAC 5.1 correctly.  It only outputs in 2.0.  When I play the same file over Plex or USB in my receiver directly, it decodes it correctly.  I have a lot of live concerts that bands released themselves digitally using AAC as the only codec so I hope I can play in 5.1.

This is via Kodi, the wrapper, and the video player from the media center.  I did some searching and it seems like the box can play 5.1 but not 6.1 or 7.1 correctly?  Why can I not play 5.1 now?

And a big thank you to everyone who has responded and helped me in this thread. It is greatly appreciated.

I had the same issue.. But turning on-off both AVR and Himedia resolved the issue. Also I set my Denon AVR to Direct.