Gnome2, Sound, & MPlayer

[Drew Tomlinson]

Although I've had success with FBSD as a server, I'm a complete newbie when
it comes to using FBSD as a desktop.  I've completed a fresh install of FBSD
5.0-RELEASE, and the latest versions of Gnome2, and XWindows.  I learned
that I needed 'options pcm' in my kernel config to get sound working so I
added it and recompiled.  Now I can here event sounds when using Gnome2.

Next I installed mplayer via the port.  I added '-m WITH_GUI=yes' to the
portinstall command to get gmplayer built as well.  I can run gmplayer and
get picture but no sound when connected to a Windows Media 8 stream.  I also
tried loading a VCD.  When I attempted to play this, it would only play
track 2.  The other tracks, one and three, produced nothing.  Track 2
produced picture and a loud "hiss" for sound.  I found it interesting that
the "volume control" icon on the top right of my screen seems to have no
control over the volume, whether it's the loud "hiss" when playing the VCD
or the Gnome event sounds.  I've Googled but have not found any info that's
at my newbie level.

Can anyone tell if my problems are related to Gnome or mplayer?  Any
suggestions for further testing?  Any links how to get sound working or any
good "newbie" links for Gnome in general would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Drew