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Ok, system is linux running debian sarge rc2 with 2.6.7-2-k7 kernel. Using alsa output mode.
My vlc player seems to have horrible sound quality compared to mplayer, but vlc has some features mplayer doesn't which i enjoy greatly. How can i get better sound output, well decent sound output, like my general alsa output with xmms or any other program? I get lots of distortion in the backgroun, most of the time it's bearable (though it sorta lessens the experience), but at some scenes that rely alot on bass (i think) it gets alot worse. Has anyone had trouble with this and was able to fix it? Thanks.

Hm, I've a similar problem with VLC in Debian using Alsa: The sound quality gets bad when increasing the volume in VLC over a certain amount. Below 30 or 40 percent, everything sounds fine, but when I try to make it louder, then it sounds "strange". I can't really describe it, it's just not how it should be. It happens at least when playing AAC-Files (encoded with iTunes), I will have a closer look on some mp3s tomorrow.

2 ideas:

First make sure that's the alsa module of VLC is present and used and or in the preferences.

Then, the volume bar can be misleading ( and i'm not even sure it behave exactly the same in all interface). from 0% to 50 % it's the sound from the output ( reduced if needed) from 51% to 100%, the sound is amplified by VLC.

So if you can you better keep the sound below 50 in VLC and increase the sound with aslamixer

hth

Thank you for your tips.

When I try vlc --list | grep alsa, the result is:

VLC media player 0.8.4-svn20040920 Janus
alsa ALSA Audioausgabe

This should be ok, I suppose.

When I run vlc -A alsa, there comes the following when I try to play a file
[00000309] main private error: no audio filter module matched "alsa"
[00000307] main audio output error: cannot add user channel mixer alsa
The sound plays anyway, and there's no difference. But alsa is set as output module, at least the preferences menu shows this.
When setting the volume below 50 percent, the quality gets better, but sometimes it still sounds a bit strange.

Thank you for your tips.

When I try vlc --list | grep alsa, the result is:

VLC media player 0.8.4-svn20040920 Janus
alsa ALSA Audioausgabe

This should be ok, I suppose.

When I run vlc -A alsa, there comes the following when I try to play a file
[00000309] main private error: no audio filter module matched "alsa"
[00000307] main audio output error: cannot add user channel mixer alsa
The sound plays anyway, and there's no difference. But alsa is set as output module, at least the preferences menu shows this.
When setting the volume below 50 percent, the quality gets better, but sometimes it still sounds a bit strange.

I have the exact same problem.

Why doesn't VLC know how to use ALSA if others do? this is a bit problematic. It doesn't matter how low I set the volume from VLC, it still sounds bad.

I love VLC player as a media player, but I'm forced to use others because of the sound quality.

what I get with those commands: [/code]

Oh, and I'm using M-Audio Revolution 7.1 as my soundcard, if that information is of any help

Depending of your soundcard and of the alsa drivers, it can be use at a mixer or not.

In your case it seems you need an extra layer like Esound( if you use /gnome) or Arts ( if you use kde) to do the mixer.

And of course you need the corresponding module for VLC.

hth,

Depending of your soundcard and of the alsa drivers, it can be use at a mixer or not.

In your case it seems you need an extra layer like Esound( if you use /gnome) or Arts ( if you use kde) to do the mixer.

And of course you need the corresponding module for VLC.

hth,

Installed Esound and the support for VLC, problem persists. But, now there's no errors for audio modules