Cannot get HDMI signal

[agent_kith]

I obtained an optical cable with the requisite 3.5mm termination and SnakeOil with Jriver works perfectly.  I have not messed with many Jriver settings, but I am getting a Direct connection that is at least as good as my Windows 10 Jriver setup. 

Yes, I can use the digital SPDIF optical connection and call it good.  But, if at all possible I would like to have the HDMI connection also working. If for nothing else, to figure out where the issue is.

Can you try MPD and see if that works first? Also make sure you don't have any other monitors connected (e.g. VGA). I suspect by default the video card may just pick an output device. So if you have a VGA connector connected, the HDMI may be disabled. And when that happens, probably the audio goes out with it.

While I'm at it, I have a question concerning accessing the JRiver GUI.  I have been able, following your instructions, to connect via the VNC viewer.  I would, however, like to be able to interact with the JRiver GUI from a monitor directly connected to the computer.  For now, all I get is the SnakeOil terminal screen.  Is there a command to call up the JRiver GUI?

Snakeoil designed all GUI applications to be run in a virtual environment. If you want to display JRiver locally, you can start a X session, then run vncviewer and connect to the virtual session.

At the end of the day, Snakeoil is designed to run headless and be assessed from a remote computer/tablet. No monitor or keyboard attached (esp USB keyboards).

For remote access one can use a VNC remote connection app on a tablet and connect to the remote session. But once configured, most will use the JRiver remote control app to queue playlists.