Lack of default and simulated audio devices.

[oshunluvr]

Since the upgrade to 24.04, VLC has been barfing when launched. The error messages regard "Default" audio device missing. Well maybe that's because there doesn't seem to be a way to assign a default audio device. Also, in the past, we could create a "simulated" audio device that allowed one to combine multiple outputs. This worked well for me as I have two monitors with speakers, bluetooth headphones, and a Bose soundbar.

I wonder if anyone else has this complaint or is it just me?

[Virginio Miranda]

Hi there oshunluvr

I have been using VLC with 24.04 and no problem at all. About a virtual ( simulated ) audio i never used it before, so i cant help on it. I am on VLC Ubuntu 3.0.20-3 build6 version from discover.

[oshunluvr]

Maybe I wasn't clear: My VLC works fine unless you have it set to "Default" as the source. When I upgraded from KDEneon 22.04 to 24.04 is when the errors began appearing. I can select a specific audio output in VLC and the errors stop, but this is sub-optimal because that means I have to change the audio device twice when I want to use a different output than I currently have selected.

Prior to the upgrade, I only had to select the audio device in the System Tray > Audio and VLC would play on whatever output I selected. This is no longer the case.

To further illustrate my point that this is a bug, the System Tray > Audio widget allows you to check "Show virtual devices" for the output but there are none because System Settings > Sound no longer has the option to create a virtual output.

[Virginio Miranda]

I got it now.

Try in konsole:

pactl load-module module-combine-sink

it works for me and i can use virtual devices. In this way i can create a virtual audio device that allowed one to combine multiple outputs.

[oshunluvr]

Sweet! Thanks. had to install pulseaudio also but after that I could enter the command you suggested and a "combined" audio device appeared. Now I need to see if I can assign it to VLC and if it will exist after a reboot.

[oshunluvr]

Unfortunately that did not work. I'm getting no sound at all.

[Virginio Miranda]

Maybe because you loaded pulseaudio server. It works for me like a charm but i dont use pulseaudio server. I use pipewire and i have pipewire-pulse instead pulseaudio server.

Try to remove pulseaudio server and use pipewire and check if you installed pipewire-pulse.

In time: this command does not survive a coldstart. I need to Know where to install the module to run.

[oshunluvr]

if the command does not require sudo, then put it in ~/.profile.

Ok, I tried again and only installed pulseaudio-utils and then the command would run. It's currently working with Amarok. I'll try and see if I can configure VLC to work also.

Would you mind checking your VLC and posting what audio source is selected? It's in Tool > Preferences > Audio > then Output module and Device. Thanks.

[claydoh]

Don't discount that if VLC is from neon, you might look at a different source, just to check. Or vice versa. I don't know off the top of my head if Neon still builds VLC or not. Neon uses pipewire/wireplumber and 24.04 is still pulseaudio, so maybe that is a factor, maybe, if it is an Ubuntu package, looking for pulseaudio, maybe?? Pure speculation though. Pipewire-pulse is supposed to handle things that want pulseaudio, but you know.....

VLC for me has been on a downturn in the past year or so, for me. Inconsistent and fidgety. I've been using Haruna myself. I've not seen your issue using this, but I also haven't used VLC to see if it is the same for me. I routinely switch between 2 to 4 different output sources.

I'll take a peek and see how VLC is misbehaving.