Archive for the 'Linux' Category

To get the HP f2304 working over DVI at 1920×1200 the following modeline must be added to xorg.conf:

154.00 1920 1968 2000 2080 1200 1203 1209 1235 +HSync -Vsync

I use an AUDIOTRAK OPTOPlay to output audio digitally to my DD/DTS receiver. More than 4 months ago I submitted a patch to the ALSA project. The patch fixes a bug in the usbaudio driver that prevents the use of sample rates other than the default with the OPTOPlay. The bug report has yet to even be reviewed. Compiling a custom kernel package just for this one small fix is a waste of time, so I usually end up just patching the binary.

objdump -h /lib/modules/*/kernel/sound/usb/snd-usb-audio.ko | grep " .text" | cut -d' ' -f19

objdump -d --prefix-addresses /lib/modules/*/kernel/sound/usb/snd-usb-audio.ko | grep "cmp    \$0x530a92" | cut -d' ' -f1

The above commands will output one offset each. Add the two together and you have the patch offset. Unload the snd-usb-audio module. Open up snd-usb-audio.ko in a hex editor. Overwrite 12 bytes starting at the patch offset with 0×90s. Save and close. Load the module. You should now be able to use sample rates other than the default with the OPTOPlay.

VLC playing WMV9 content under GNU/Linux using the VC1 reference decoder:

Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2

My Roku HD1000 unit finally arrived. The HD1000 is a HDTV STB which uses the ATI Xilleon chipset and runs Linux. The SDK is available for free. I’ve started working on VLC for the HD1000.

I’ve started writing a Linux driver for the Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 (part of Centrino). So far it only does some basic initialization, loads the microcode and firmware, and gets the MAC address.

Linus has chimed in on DRM:

I want to make it clear that DRM is perfectly ok with Linux!

Not surprising considering what he is quoted as saying when InterVideo announced their fair use-hostile DVD player for GNU/Linux:

This is another exciting day for the Linux community. The OS continues to attract industry-leading software companies like InterVideo. Their digital video and audio products will greatly enhance the Linux multimedia experience.

I haven’t Hurd about anyone getting their GNU/Linux experience enhanced by LinDVD. The product is still only available to OEMs. IBM even bragged about rolling out “legal” DVD playback for GNU/Linux.

I’ll stick to fair use-enabling DVD players such as VLC and Ogle. They’re certainly legal in Europe. Denmark has already implemented the EUCD and the Danish Ministry of Culture has stated that circumvention for playback is legal. They have even commented on my acquittal, stating that they believe I would have been acquitted in Denmark under their implementation of the EUCD.

I fired off the following question to Intel Tech Support:

Is Intel going to release an open source Linux driver for the Intel PRO/wireless 2100 LAN Mini-PCI Adapter, or provide technical specifications for the device to the Linux community?

This is the boilerplate response I received:

Thank you for contacting Intel(R) Technical Support.

Please note that Linux is supported only through ACPI enabled versions through processor.o library delivered by Intel to the major Linux distributions. A control applet is not provided.

Please check the following site for Operating system support requirements:

http://support.intel.com/support/notebook/centrino/os.htm

Please note that not all the Centrino(TM) components are compatible with Linux.

I sent an email to Intel spokesman Scott McLaughlin, but he was unable to comment further:

I assume you have read the c|net or IDG.net articles on Linux support for Centrino, which is why you have contacted me. The articles contain the extent of our comment at this time.