Question regarding X86 audio input

Discussion in 'UDOO X86' started by jlaakso, Apr 14, 2017.

  1. jlaakso

    jlaakso New Member

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    First post on the forum, so please forgive me if asking questions that are already answered many times :) Tried search though :)

    I am looking for replacement for my desktop computer (core i3 mini-itx board with lesser specs than X86 Ultra..). Ultra would satisfy my at least most of my needs but one thing is not clear to me yet. Is the analog audio input mono or stereo? Stereo input is a strict requirement as I will be conducting audio measurements with ARTA and it needs dual channel input. ARTA of course support single channel measurements, but for loudspeaker measurements (designing and building crossovers) requires 2ch measurements to have accurate timing information as well.

    Planned setup would be Ultra X86 with SSD and latest Ubuntu Mate.
     
  2. Markus Laire

    Markus Laire Active Member

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    The manual says on page 28 that there is only single MIC_IN, so it's only mono.
     
  3. Laura

    Laura UDOOer

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    Wonder if it features jack detection, so if a stereo microphone is connected to the headphone part of the TRRS jack, it will switch from stereo output to stereo input.

    The Audio IC used in the UDOO X86 is the Realtek ALC283CG, which although I cannot find specs on this particular chip, others from the Realtek rang offer jack detection, so it's possible this one does too.

    To test, you would install the HD Audio Manager from Realtek, and use a TRRS splitter (CTIA / AHJ version, not OMTP) and plug a stereo mic into the stereo headphone jack.
     
  4. Maurice

    Maurice Active Member

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    This sounds like a perfect task for the Arduino part of the X86. If it can be measured, the Arduino is your friend, especially as the Arduino part will provide you with accurate timing, which is much harder to guarantee on the X86 part as it will be running multiple processes competing for the CPU.
     
  5. Markus Laire

    Markus Laire Active Member

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    If UDOO X86 supports that, it really should be mentioned in manual.
     
  6. LDighera

    LDighera UDOOer

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    What's not clear to me is how that single jack would support audio output and input simultaneously. If it does't, we're not going to be able to Skype. I suppose it's easy enough to test by plugging a gaming headset into the jack, and observe how it performs.
     
  7. Markus Laire

    Markus Laire Active Member

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    It is TRRS jack with four signals:
    • tip left channel out
    • ring1 right channel out
    • ring2 ground
    • sleeve microphone in
    Note that there are different TRRS standards, so you might require adaptor if your headset doesn't use same standard.
     
  8. LDighera

    LDighera UDOOer

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    Thank you for the information.

    I ordered these adapters:
    www.ebay.com/itm/112062093657
    www.ebay.com/itm/332058841674
    www.ebay.com/itm/142102770216
    www.ebay.com/itm/262941804748

    I don't really need the speaker output at this time, because I'm using the on-board speaker ports with two of these remarkably "HiFi" (Frequency range: 200-20KHz) mini speakers with these connectors. But it could be useful for other things...

    I intend to use the microphone port with an old USB camera I had laying around. The resolution isn't the best, but the adjustable LED illumination is useful.
    I wrote this little shell script for use with it:
    Code:
    #set +x    # DEBUG
    # snapshot.sh    This script will capture and display jpg images
    #
    # LGD: Sat Jun  3 13:57:30 PDT 2017
    #
    
    FILNAM=snapshot.jpg
    
    SNAP(){
    vgrabbj -f "$HOME/Desktop/$FILNAM"
    STAT=$?
    [[ $STAT != 0 ]] && echo "Failed to capture image"
    [[ $STAT == 0 ]] && echo "Image $HOME/Desktop/$FILNAM captured successfully"
    return $STAT
    }
    
    MENU(){
      cat <<!
    
    
        1.  Enter image file name
        2.  Snap shutter release
        3.  Display $FILNAM
        Q.  Quit
    
    !
      read -n 1 REPLY?"Please enter the number of your choice: [Q]? "; echo 
    # NOTE: For bash use: read -n 1 -r -p "Please enter the number of your choice: [Q]? "; echo
      case ${REPLY:-q} in
        1) echo; read FILNAM?"Please enter the File Name: "; echo; \
        echo -e "Image will be written to $HOME/Desktop/$FILNAM"    ;;
        2) SNAP                ;;
        3) ristretto "$HOME/Desktop/$FILNAM";;    # Or fbi if not in X11 mode
        *) exit 0               ;;
      esac
    }
    
    # MAIN LOOP
    while : ;do
      MENU
    done
    
     
  9. LDighera

    LDighera UDOOer

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    Of the four I ordered, this one is the only one that actually works with the Udoo X86.
     
    waltervl likes this.
  10. Jon West

    Jon West New Member

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  11. LDighera

    LDighera UDOOer

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    Thanks for the information. When I follow that link I find "NUWA External USB Stereo Sound Adapter" not M-Audio.

    I prefer to use the audio devices designed into the Udoo X86 if possible. But, I've found it to be a bit of a challenge (like the internal 32GB eMMC storage). Of course, when I plug the adapter into the audio jack, sound ceases to emanate from the speakers plugged into the on-board connectors.
     
  12. Jon West

    Jon West New Member

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    It was an example of one of the "cheaper USB sound cards"
     
  13. johncompo

    johncompo New Member

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