audigy 2 + RM-1000W + kmix vol OSD

[nkent001]

Not really a problem, just trying to save time for others. I lost few days searching the Internet and then some more time testing.

I'm running KDE 3.5.10 on openSUSE 11.1 x64 and I wanted to use the remote that came with my Audigy 2 Platinum. I also wanted the OSD when the volume changes.

LIRC comes with openSUSE 11.1, it installs but is not configured by default. I found many documents and references on installing LIRC but none clear enough on the configuration.
I found useful information for my case at:
develia.org
LIRC - Linux Infrared Remote Control
Index of /remotes

Here are the steps needed to make the remote work on my system:
1. Enable the remote in YaST-Hardware-Sound. Edit the card and enter 1 for enable_ir.
2. Get the remote configuration file from LIRC. I used http://lirc.sourceforge.net/remotes/...conf.livedrive
3. Rename the file to lircd.conf and copy to /etc (overwrite).
4. Edit these lines in /etc/sysconfig/lirc > `LIRCD_DRIVER="livedrive_midi"` and `LIRCD_DEVICE="/dev/snd/midiC0D1"`
5. Enable lircd in YaST-System-`System Services`. Save and reboot.
6. Could test with irw the remote is working (sends codes). mode2 does not work with this remote.
7. Start IRKick from `KDE Control Center`-Hardware-`Remote Controls` - you can now configure the actions for the remote.
To make IRKick start automatically, start it and then close - it will ask to start automatically next time.

I also wanted to have some sort of OSD indication of the volume level. In previous versions I was using linEAK but is was dropped from 11.1. I was able to compile ok but it scrolls errors when trying to run.
I looked for several options for OSD and I decided to go for xosd (comes with openSUSE 11.1).
Basically I just had to add another action for remote vol- and vol+ buttons. Beside adjusting kmix volume they also run the following script:

#!/bin/sh
VOL=`dcop kmix Mixer0 masterVolume`
osd_cat -c green -b percentage -T "VOLUME" -P "$VOL" -s 2 -p bottom -o 60 -A center -d 1 -f lucidasanstypewriter-bold-24

The font may not be available on all systems - run xlsfonts and select another one.

Enjoy!

[geoffro]

Great info made a sticky hope you don't mind

/Geoff