Your solution with software mixing solves the problem. I think that this should enabled by default. After all it is not obvious for everyone.
** Changed in: mplayer (Ubuntu) Status: New => Confirmed -- muting sound in mplayer causes rhythmbox to mute https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/107751 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is the bug contact for Ubuntu. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs