Bug 409654

Summary:	Usability Feature: Simpler UI for handling Sound Outputs
Product:	[Plasma] plasmashell	Reporter:	Ruben <ruben.carbonbased>
Component:	System Tray widget	Assignee:	Plasma Bugs List <plasma-bugs-null>
Status:	RESOLVED INTENTIONAL
Severity:	wishlist	CC:	kde
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	master
Target Milestone:	1.0
Platform:	Neon
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Ruben 2019-07-09 16:54:05 UTC

I often have to use my laptop with sound presentations and switch setups with HDMI monitors regularly. I have done this in a number of environments:

Windows: The OS usually autodetects HDMI and switches to that automatically. I can switch it back manually (as of Windows 10, a feature I am thankful for)

Gnome/Unity/Mint: The OS detects the presence of an HDMI output, and with two clicks, I can switch to it.

KDE Plasma: There is no detection of HDMI. I have to pull up sound settings (through the app or the volume widget), navigate to "Advanced", and switch the "built-in audio" setting to some item in a list that I have to guess. 

The KDE Plasma workflow is needlessly long and difficult and adversely affects usability and productivity. I am wondering if there is any way this can be automated to fit Gnome's behavior through some clever use of profiles.

Comment 1 David Edmundson 2019-07-09 18:25:16 UTC

Enabled module "switch on connect" in the advanced settings.

Yes that could be clearer, but there are some complications around that.

Comment 2 David Edmundson 2019-07-09 18:26:10 UTC

Sorry, correct text in the UI is

"automatically switch all running streams when a new output is detected"

Comment 3 Ruben 2019-07-10 02:13:53 UTC

The problem is, the feature "automatically switch all running streams when a new output is detected" never works for me for HDMI (KDE Neon 16.2 User Edition). Even being able to see the advanced list under "Show Additional Options For Speakers" would be an improvement.

It's odd because if I plug in a USB headset, it works as I would expect. The additional sound option comes up on the list of playable devices when I click on the volume system tray icon. However, this does not happen when I plug in an HDMI cable. In Unity/Cinnamon/Gnome, both the HDMI cable and USB headset behaved in the same manner. I'm not sure why they behave differently in KDE.