Demystifying HDMI Audio in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

HDMI Audio + Video can be enabled on Mac OS X Lion for most graphics card and motherboard configurations without much hassle using the replacement audio driver VoodooHDA. Using the supplied AppleHDA.kext for HDMI audio is something of a challenge, but provides numerous benefits including native Mac OS X support, high quality digital surround audio and overall system integration.

Since Lion's launch, tonymacx86.com mod toleda has been exploring and experimenting using different methods, and has come up with what we think is a pretty definitive series of guides on the subject. Please note that this is an advanced process and is highly dependent on your exact hardware configuration.

Enabling HDMI audio in Mac OS X 10.7.x is comprised of three parts and six guides:

Part 1: HDMI Audio Requirements 
Determines if your system is capable of HDMI audio.

Part 2: HDMI Audio DSDT Edits
Configures your motherboard for HDMI audio.
     2a. Discrete Graphics - AMD/Nvidia
     2b. Integrated Graphics - Intel HD 3000

Part 3: HDMI Audio Kext Edits
Customizes Mac OS X for your graphics card.
     3a. AMD HD 5xxx and HD 6xxx
     3b. Nvidia GT/S/X 4xx and GT/S/X 5xx
     3c. Intel HD3000 Integrated Graphics

Check out the HDMI Audio subforum set up to host toleda's guides and general troubleshooting topics. Good luck, and let us know how it works for you!

-tonymacx86, toleda & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Demystifying Mac OS X HDMI Audio

HDMI Audio + Video can be enabled on Mac OS X for most graphics card and motherboard configurations without much hassle using the replacement audio driver VoodooHDA. Using the supplied AppleHDA.kext for HDMI audio is something of a challenge, but provides numerous benefits including native Mac OS X support, high quality digital surround audio and overall system integration.

Over the past few months, toleda has been exploring and experimenting using different methods, and has come up with what we think is a pretty definitive series of guides on the subject. Please note that this is an advanced process and is highly dependent on your exact hardware configuration.

Enabling HDMI audio via AppleHDA in Mac OS X 10.6.x is comprised of four guides:

1. Requirements - Determines if your system is capable of HDMI audio. 
2. DSDT Edits - Configures your motherboard for HDMI audio.
3. Kext Edits for AMD 5xxx - Customizes Mac OS X for your AMD 5xxx graphics card. 
4. Kext Edits for NVIDIA 4xx - Customizes Mac OS X for your NVIDIA 4xx graphics card.

We've set up a new HDMI Audio subforum to host toleda's guides and general troubleshooting topics. Good luck!

-tonymacx86, toleda & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Native Graphics Acceleration for Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx in 10.6.7

We have confirmed that Apple has included native graphics acceleration for some Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx cards in the Mac OS X 10.6.7 Update for early 2011 MacBook Pro (Sandy Bridge).  This means full QE/CI without Chameleon's GraphicsEnabler or any enabler kexts such as ATY_init.

The following graphics cards appear to be natively supported:

ATI Radeon HD 5630 Device ID 0x68D8
ATI Radeon HD 5630 Device ID 0x68D9
ATI Radeon HD 5670 Device ID 0x68D8
ATI Radeon HD 5730 Device ID 0x68D8
ATI Radeon HD 5770 Device ID 0x68B8
ATI Radeon HD 5850 Device ID 0x6899
ATI Radeon HD 5870 Device ID 0x6898

AMD Radeon HD 6850 Device ID 0x6739
AMD Radeon HD 6870 Device ID 0x6738
AMD Radeon HD 6970 Device ID 0x6718 (not working yet)

This development raises some interesting questions. Could this mean the end of the Mac-only graphics card? Could Apple be opening up the platform more? What happens to NVIDIA? Why support for cards that aren't in Macs yet? Will the 2011 Sandy Bridge iMacs contain one or more of these new 6xxx cards?

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts: 10.6.7 Update, Mac OS X 10.6.7 Update for early 2011 MacBook Pro (Sandy Bridge)

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

How To Get iBoot Functionality From MultiBeast

One of the top questions on the forum these days seems to be how to get the functionality of iBoot when booting from the hard drive. For novices, it seems like the process ends after the Combo Update. But iBoot was designed as an installation tool only- not as a permanent solution for post-installation. It is NOT a boot crutch. By using it as such, you are limiting the functionality and upgradeability of your system. Fortunately, MultiBeast contains the same drivers and files as iBoot and can allow most things to work without using a DSDT.

We created MultiBeast to solve the post-installation problem. When installed, the following MultiBeast options will allow boot from a 1 TB or less hard drive or partition, universal audio, network, and graphics. These are not the only drivers available, and may not give optimized performance. However, these options will allow you to be rid of iBoot as a boot crutch.

ATI Graphics

NVIDIA Graphics

Good luck, and see you on the forum!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Building a CustoMac: Three Updated LGA 1156 Builds for OS X

By request, here are three updated builds, based on the original CustoMac post from June 2010.  These builds are our most current 1156 recommendations for fully compatible budget builds running Mac OS X as the primary operating system.  

All three builds include:

• Gigabyte LGA 1156 Motherboard
• Intel Core i-series Quad-Core CPU
• 4GB or 8GB of RAM, expandable up to 16GB
• 1 TB Hard Drive
• CD/DVD Burner
• Case and Power Supply
• Mac OS X Snow Leopard Retail DVD

We've included all components besides monitor, as any standard monitor will do.  You can use these recommendations as a jumping off point for further customization, or as a shopping list.  Prices reflect those as of February 2011, and do not include shipping or tax. 

Budget Power Build 1

Core i5-760 / Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H / GeForce GT 240 / 4GB DDR3 RAM

$683.88

Motherboard:  GA-H55M-UD2H $94.99

Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GT 240 Superclocked 512MB $64.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-760 2.8 GHz $209.99

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 Core i3, i5, i7 Memory Kit $79.99

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB $62.99

CD/DVD Burner: Sony Optiarc Black $36.95

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 341 $39.99

Power Supply: Antec 550W Continuous Power $64.99

Operating System: Mac OS X Snow Leopard $29.00

Budget Power Build 2

Core i7-870 / Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H / Radeon HD 5770 / 4GB DDR3 RAM

$991.23

Motherboard:  GA-H55M-UD2H $94.99

Graphics: Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 $139.99

CPU: Intel Core i7-870 2.93 GHz $289.99

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 Core i3, i5, i7 Memory Kit $79.99

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB $62.99

CD/DVD Burner: Sony Optiarc Black $36.95

CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 $47.35

Case: COOLER MASTER II ATX Mid Tower $89.99

Power Supply: Corsair 650HX Modular 650W $119.99

Operating System: Mac OS X Snow Leopard $29.00

Budget Power Build 3

Core i7-870 / Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 / Radeon HD 5870 / 8GB DDR3 RAM

 $1211.41

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 $130.22

Graphics: Diamond ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB $234.99

CPU: Intel Core i7-870 2.93 GHz $289.99

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 Core i3, i5, i7 Memory Kit x2 (8GB)  $159.98

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB $62.95

CD/DVD Burner: Sony Optiarc Black $36.95

CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 $47.35

Case: Antec 900 $99.99

Power Supply: Corsair 650HX Modular 650W $119.99

Operating System: Mac OS X Snow Leopard $29.00

Optional Accessories

Apple Wired Keyboard with Number Pad $49.99

Apple Wireless Keyboard $69.00

Apple Magic Mouse  $69.00

Apple Magic Trackpad $69.00

Targus USB Bluetooth Adapter $22.98

NOTE: Only MODEL NO: ACB10us v1.0 will wake from sleep.

Oh, and don't forget, if you end up buying anything, click through one of the links above, or in the sidebar.  That way, you'll be supporting the site, as well as getting the best prices.  Thanks in advance!   

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts: 

Building a CustoMac: CustoMac Pro 2010

Building a CustoMac: CustoMac Mini

Building a CustoMac: 3 Complete LGA 1156 Builds for OS X

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

tonymacx86 Table Of Contents

Ok, so you've installed Snow Leopard. What can you do next to further tweak your system? I tried to pull together some of my most relevant posts in a sort of Table Of Contents. This is not meant to be an order of operations, although you can use it like that.

The posts below represent how we got to where we are now step by step. A good read for anyone new to the world of OSx86. I'll try to keep this post updated. Thanks for reading!

Installation Guides

1. iBoot + MultiBeast: Install Mac OS X on any Intel-based PC  (RECOMMENDED)
2. Old Boot CD Method
3. OSInstall.mpkg Method
4. USB Method
5. Dual Boot Windows 7 and OS X Snow Leopard

Post-Installation Guides

1. MultiBeast: The Ultimate Post-Installation Utility
2. Enable High Definition Audio on P55 Motherboards
3. Enable Full Graphics Card Acceleration
4. Tweaking Your System: Install Chameleon, DSDT, & Extras to EFI Partition
5. Tweaking Your System: Get Rid of PlatformUUID.kext
6. Tweaking Your System: Get Rid of Restart Kexts
   
7. How To Install Chameleon Manually From Terminal
8. Create a Chameleon Boot USB Drive
9. Enable the Apple Boot Screen
10. Fit Mac OS X Snow Leopard on a Single Layer DVD

DSDT Guides

1. DSDT Database for P55 Motherboards
   
2. Create and Modify Your DSDT.aml
3. Advanced DSDT Fixes: Enable Sleep on P55 Motherboards
4. Advanced DSDT Fixes: Enable Intel Native SpeedStep on P55 Motherboards
5. Advanced DSDT Fixes: nVidia Graphics

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

PC-EFI 10.6 Released: P55 Supported By Default

Today, netkas released PC-EFI 10.6. It is based on Chameleon RC3. According to his post:

New in this release:
* Support for desktop Radeons 4300/4500/4600 in GraphicsEnabler
* Added system-id fix, system doesn’t forget your keyboard settings anymore
* Added fix for lynnfield cpus

I put together an unofficial installer package using netkas' source. Just run it and reboot! You can also use this on a fresh system to install Chameleon.

Download the PC-EFI 10.6 Installer Package

Please note that this is an unofficial release, and any issues related should not be submitted to netkas or the Chameleon team. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!