Very Computer

I recently downloaded the binaries for the Network Audio SYstem (NAS)
and it works fine.  In order to use the tools in it such as auplay, I
have to make my computer a network sound server by using the command
au -aa

The problem is that when I do this, I can't run anything else that
accesses /dev/audio.

Is there a way to correct this?

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=       Clayton Workman        =            R=V/I             =
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=             http://www.cen.uiuc.edu/~cw12699                =
===============================================================

: I recently downloaded the binaries for the Network Audio SYstem (NAS)
: and it works fine.  In order to use the tools in it such as auplay, I
: have to make my computer a network sound server by using the command
: au -aa

: The problem is that when I do this, I can't run anything else that
: accesses /dev/audio.

: Is there a way to correct this?

 I have a problem with /dev/audio and NAS as well. It's noisy as hell when
I recieve au's. BTW do you have a GUS (i do) I've gotten NAS to work
with my friend (SB16 i think) and he can recieve and send au's fine, but
my playback is riddled with an almost rhythmic interference (VERY anoying)
Any info/help is aprecieated.

: --
: ===============================================================
: =       Clayton Workman        =            R=V/I             =
: =      1001 S. Wright St.      =        ____/\/\/\____        =
: =     Champaign, IL 61820      =                              =
: =       (217) 344-5910         =    University of Illinois    =

: =-------------------------------------------------------------=
: =             http://www.cen.uiuc.edu/~cw12699                =
: ===============================================================

--

                                        Greg Stritmater

Quote:>I recently downloaded the binaries for the Network Audio SYstem (NAS)
>and it works fine.  In order to use the tools in it such as auplay, I
>have to make my computer a network sound server by using the command
>au -aa
>The problem is that when I do this, I can't run anything else that
>accesses /dev/audio.
>Is there a way to correct this?

No, NAS grabs /dev/audio, and that's the way it is.  You have
to kill the NAS server, thereby allowing other devices to
use the audio.

This sucks, admittedly.  Maybe someone will design something
like mconv2 for audio.  *sigh*  Multimedia on Unix is an ugly
thing.

-aph

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Quote:>>I recently downloaded the binaries for the Network Audio SYstem (NAS)
>>and it works fine.  In order to use the tools in it such as auplay, I
>>have to make my computer a network sound server by using the command
>>au -aa
>>The problem is that when I do this, I can't run anything else that
>>accesses /dev/audio.
>>Is there a way to correct this?

>No, NAS grabs /dev/audio, and that's the way it is.  You have
>to kill the NAS server, thereby allowing other devices to
>use the audio.

Hmm.  I suppose you could patch the kernel so as not to check for two
processes opening the file, no?  Then, of course, you run the risk of
the two processes mucking thinks up, so you'd need a s/w lock, a la
/usr/spool/uucp/LCK.. type files.  

-Joel

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|_|~~ Germany, Europe. 1940's ``A DISTINGUISHED speaker said that we must put
__|~| 16 Million DEAD.          our children first.   We in Bosnia wonder  if
                                we have any children left. Seven* thousand
 cnc  Bosnia, Europe. 1990's    children  have been killed  in Bosnia in  the
 cnc  HOW MANY MORE?            last three  years.   Those living, some  with
                                gray hair and eyes and hearts of old men, are
``May the world you             hardly children any more.''
  live in be the world                             - H. Silajdzic
  of your dreams.'' - Debbie Friedman                Prime Minister of Bosnia
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

A solution to your problem is to drop NAS and go with rplay.  The
rplayd closes /dev/audio when it isn't actively playing a sound, can
play sounds on tope of each other, has an OK library interface, has a
*nice* client-server setup (e.g. my DG AViiON with lots of drive space
contains all my sounds, which are played over the network on my
Sparcstation (at work), and my linux box.  I've found that it tends to
be a bit "cleaner" than the NAS stuff, although the latest BETA
releases have not worked well for me (maybe that's why it's BETA :).

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