On Wed, 12 Jan 2000, Gregg wrote:
> [...] I'd like to be able to:
>
> a. run MP3s through the sound system (via the line-out of the sound
> card)
This is self explanatory, link line out to input of your surround decoder
using 3.5mm stereo -> 2x RCA cable (get a long one! :P)
> b. watch DVD movies through the TV.
This is a tricky issue.
> c. occasionally use the TV as an X console monitor (maintenance,
> starting/stopping MP3 or DVD, possible web browsing, etc.).
This is a currently impossible(?) issue.
> d. do the above quietly while still using the box as a network server.
That's not really an issue :)
> The MP3 is no big deal but the other stuff could be if I don't choose
> wisely in my purchases. Anyone done anything similar and/or could
> recommend some LINUX supported hardware for the TV/DVD out? Are computer
> DVD players 'generic' or is there a particular type that goes nicely
> with LINUX? Do all DVDs have this 'region' nonsense that prevents you
> from playing DVDs from o/s?
Last things first, DVD region means nothing if you bought your DVD player
before today.
DVD-ROMs are pretty generic, I like my slot loading Pioneer 6x though :)
The following isn't really a Linux issue but here are a few things to note
about TV output and DVD TV output..
If you want DVD movies to play on your TV from your computer at original
DVD quality, you -need- a DVD decoder card that does -RAW TV OUPUT AFTER
MPEG COMPRESSION-. If your DVD decoder card also claims that it can do
general TV out, it probably does not do this. Cards that -do- do this are
the Creative DXR3 and the RealMagic Hollywood+, neither of these cards are
supported under Linux. Creative have opensource drivers for their DXR2
card which I know little about. I think it does raw TV out of DVD aswell
tho, so this is probably the go for you.
To do TV output for computer stuff, you'll probably need a graphics card
with TV out. Unfortunately, I know of none that work under Linux.
To sum up..
Linux + DVD is in it's infancy and I don't even think that TV out has been
addressed at all. Feel free to prove me wrong, it will be most welcome :)
Andrew.
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