Re: Upgrading from FC4 to current Linux

[Devin Heitmueller <dheitmueller@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 9:04 AM, Bill Davidsen <davidsen@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> I am looking for a video solution which works on recent Linux, like
> Fedora-11. Video used to be easy, plug in the capture device, install xawtv
> via rpm, and use. However, recent versions of Fedora simply don't work, even
> on the same hardware, due to /dev/dsp no longer being created and the
> applications like xawtv or tvtime still looking for it.
>
> The people who will be using this are looking for hardware which is still
> made and sold new, and software which can be installed by a support person
> who can plug in cards (PCI preferred) or USB devices, and install rpms. I
> maintain the servers on Linux there, desktop support is unpaid (meaning I
> want a solution they can use themselves).
>
> We looked at vlc, which seems to want channel frequencies in kHz rather than
> channels, mythtv, which requires a database their tech isn't able (or
> willing) to support, etc.
>
> It seems that video has gone from "easy as Windows" 3-4 years ago to
> "insanely complex" according to to one person in that group who wanted an
> upgrade on his laptop. There is some pressure from Windows users to mandate
> Win7 as the desktop, which Linux users are rejecting.
>
> The local cable is a mix of analog channels (for old TVs) and clear qam. The
> capture feeds from the monitor system are either S-video or three wire
> composite plus L-R audio. Any reasonable combination of cards (PCI best,
> PCIe acceptable), USB device, and application which can monitor/record would
> be fine, but the users are not going to type in kHz values, create channel
> tables, etc. They want something as easy to use as five years ago.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> --
> Bill Davidsen <davidsen@xxxxxxx>
>  "We have more to fear from the bungling of the incompetent than from
> the machinations of the wicked."  - from Slashdot

I took a few minutes and put together a response to your email,
outlining the issues.  Feel free to check it out here:

http://www.kernellabs.com/blog/

Devin

-- 
Devin J. Heitmueller - Kernel Labs
http://www.kernellabs.com

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