HDMI audio on Dell XPS 13 with Ubuntu 14.04

Question

Hello!

I've recently purchased a Dell XPS 13 developer edition and so far have been very satisfied with it. I'm struggling however to get the sound over Minidisplay/HDMI to work when I connect the computer to TV.

Xrandr detects HDMI and the video is fine:

~$ xrandr
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1920 x 1080, maximum 32767 x 32767
eDP1 connected primary 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 294mm x 165mm
   3200x1800      60.0 +
   2048x1536      60.0
   1920x1440      60.0
   1856x1392      60.0
   1792x1344      60.0
   1920x1200      60.0
   1920x1080      59.9*
   1600x1200      60.0
   1680x1050      60.0     59.9
   1600x1024      60.2
   1400x1050      60.0
   1280x1024      60.0
   1440x900       59.9
   1280x960       60.0
   1360x768       59.8     60.0
   1152x864       60.0
   1024x768       60.0
   800x600        60.3     56.2
   640x480        59.9
DP1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI1 connected 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 160mm x 90mm
   1920x1080      60.0*+   60.0     59.9     60.0     30.0     24.0     30.0     24.0
   1920x1080i     60.1     60.0
   1280x1024      60.0
   1280x720       60.0     59.9
   1024x768       60.0
   800x600        60.3
   720x480        60.0     59.9
   640x480        60.0     59.9     59.9
   720x400        70.1
VIRTUAL1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

but aplay doesn't see it, and consequently, it's unavailable under Sound Settings:

~$ aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 1: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 0: ALC3263 Analog [ALC3263 Analog]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

Does anyone know a fix for that? I've tried all possible solutions suggested on Ubuntu forums, that had to do with Alsa. Also, I'm confident that both my Minidisplay-HDMI adapter and the cable itself support audio.
Thank you very much.

cloph · Answer

install the pulseaudio mixer (pavucontrol) ~ that allows you to switch to the appropriate output variants (speaker, headphone-jack, displayport/hdmi).

MrTSolar · Answer

Which adapter are you using? I have the Onite 3 in 1 adapter, and except for having to go to settings to change the output to displayport, it shows right up. I also have the PulseAudio Equalizer installed, but I don't know if that makes a difference.

Here's the adapter I have:

www.amazon.com/.../188-8604946-9935220;qid=1439217693&sr=8-1&keywords=onite+dvi+white

radekp · Answer

Thanks for your answers!

I've installed pavucontrol and unfortunately the minidisplay/hdmi doesn't appear anywhere...

Do you think it might be a problem with the adapter? I purchased this one:

www.amazon.com/.../B00NUWGSV0;redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

The reviews claim that it supports audio, although nobody mentions working with Ubuntu. I'll try to buy the one you suggested then!

MrTSolar · Answer

No, it was plug and play. What I did is after you connect the HDMI display and can see your desktop, go to Settings -> sound, and the HDMI output should be listed.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I do have PulseAudio equalizer installed. Also, try the obvious, use different ports on the TV, and maybe even swapping the ends on the cable (end plugged into TV instead goes to computer and vice/versa.)

radekp · Answer

Hello again!

MrTSolar, did you have to make any changes or instal some drivers for the adapter that you recommended?
I got the same one and unfortunately my Dell XPS 13 still doesn't recognize HDMI as an audio output.

I'll appreciate any help on this topic!

radekp · Answer

After some frustrations, I managed to solve the problem by upgrading the kernel to 3.19. Now, HDMI appears among the output audio options upon plugging in the cable. And it works for both adapters. Thanks!

jeanraoul · Answer

Hello radekp, I have the same problemI installed the kernel from this source:http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.19-vivid/ , but the XPS crashes at startup . Can you tell me the version 3.19 you have installed?Thanks

radekp · Answer

Hi jeanraoul,

My kernel is 3.19.0-31-generic. I never experienced problems with system crashing after installing it, but I did replace the Broadcom wifi card with Intel. Let me know if I can be of any more help.

jeanraoul · Answer

Thank you for your answer can you help me find where this version ?

Linux General

HDMI audio on Dell XPS 13 with Ubuntu 14.04

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