[KLUG Members] Sound: Alsa vs. OSS

Adam Bultman members@kalamazoolinux.org
Sun, 2 Feb 2003 22:41:28 -0500 (EST)


OK.  

I've been trying for some time now to get a few things working in linux.  
The most important is Half-Life under linux. Done.  Next is voice 
communication for programs in WINE via the microphone, which doesn't work.  

I have a friend who tells me to install the ALSA system instead of the OSS 
system, which is allegedly better.  So, this opens up a can of worms.  
I've gotten both working on my debian box now.  So far, OSS fares better.  
OSS only worked on my Cmedia PCI card, but both work on another SBLive! 
value card.  When I run OSS, I get more control over the various speakrs 
(the rear speakers) but not in Alsa. The only good aspect of ALSA that I 
can find is that it's a pain to install.

Which of you use ALSA (built in for the 2.5.x series), and which use OSS
(currently in the stable kernel source tree?)

I'm likely to stick with OSS, since it appears to work better than ALSA, 
but if ALSA is better in some way that I don't know, and I come to realize 
it, and I can actually use it, then I will. But right now, I'm 
unconvinced.

Adam

-- 
adamb@glaven.org
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