--- kfir/FAQ 2002/08/09 14:27:04 1.1 +++ kfir/FAQ 2002/08/09 21:39:45 1.2 @@ -1,29 +1,261 @@ -Ad hoc FAQ, started by Bram Stolk -Suggestions to: b.stolk at chello.nl +// $Source: /cvs/linuxtv/kfir/FAQ,v $ +// $Revision: 1.2 $ +// +// $Log: FAQ,v $ +// Revision 1.2 2002/08/09 21:39:45 stolk +// Added Frank Rosengart's FAQs from apr'02 +// -Q) Why are my MPEG files 0 bytes long? -A) Maybe there is no valid PAL/NTSC signal present. - Check cables, and check input setting svideo/coax. - You may need to reload the kfir module to change - to/from coax. +[FAQ for BMK kfir started by Frank Rosengart on the MPEG mailinglist. + I've put it in cvs, and added questions 0.1 2.1.10 3.1.3 3.1.4 and 3.3.1 - Bram Stolk] -Q) What kind of streams are generated? -A) For MPEG2, the default stream is composed as: - I BB P BB P BB P BB P BB +0. Meta info +0.1. Where can I get an up to date version of this FAQ list? -Q) Why does the build process fail for me? -A) Maybe you already have i2c and v4l linux stuff in your kernel - and on your system, which may interfere with the building - of the optional modules. - Uncomment the $(MX_OBJS) part in line 6 of driver/Makefile like this: - obj-m = $(M_OBJS) # $(MX_OBJS) +It is in linuxtv.org's CVS repository at linuxtv.org:/cvs/linuxtv in the file +'kfir/FAQ'. + + +1. General questions + +1.1. Supported cards + +There is only one card supported by the Kfir driver: The +LinuxTV-Encoder-Card manufactured by BMK-Elektronik (Germany). +The Hauppauge WinTV-PVR use the Kfir-1 chip but this card *is not +supported* ! +The Kfir-2(a) chip mentioned on the Visiontech homepage *is not supported*. + + + +1.2. Supported mainboards :-) + +The are some known problems on mainboards with VIA chipsets. + + + +1.3. Buying the encoder card + +1.3.1. Where to order + +Go to http://linuxtv.org/mpeg2/kfir-bestell-en.html and fill out the +form. You will contacted by the sales office of BMK-Elektronik. They +will tell you how to pay and how they ship the board. + + + +1.3.2. Why did they told me a higher price? + +Maybe you contacted BMK directly and asked for an MPEG-2 encoder? They +tell your their list price which is around 600$/EUR. This is the +Windows-user's price :-) +Please fill out the form http://linuxtv.org/mpeg2/kfir-bestell-en.html +for 'correct' price. + + + +1.3.3. Delivery time + +If it is very, very urgent(tm) then BMK can ship the card within +germany/europe(?) until the next day. But you'll be charged for extra +postage fees. [Can someone report how long it takes to China?] + + + +1.4. Language + +1.4.1 How do I pronounce KFir? +I think like 'kay-fir'. + +================================================================ + +2. Installation + +2.1. The driver software + +2.1.1. Where can I download the driver? + +http://linuxtv.org/download/mpeg2/ +Fetch the latest tar archive und unpack it. +After that you will need the microcode. Convergence can not include this +nessesary code due to license/copyright issues. + + + +2.1.2. How do I use the cvs for the latest changes? + +cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@linuxtv.org:/cvs/linuxtv login +When prompted for a password for anonymous, simply press the Enter key. + +cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@linuxtv.org:/cvs/linuxtv co kfir + + + +2.1.3. How do I obtain the microcode? + +Get +ftp://ftp.visiontech-dml.com/pub/Win9x/KFir/KFirAppVersion4.23/KFirApp4-23_9x.zip +Install it in MS-Windows 9x +and then copy the Makefile http://linuxtv.org/download/mpeg2/Makefile to +the kfir/driver/micro folder and change the value for your DOS partition +Or get the files from http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/~laird/Linux/KFir/MS_driver/ + + + +2.1.4. Is the microcode ok? + +If everything works fine: yes. Otherwise check the included MD5-sums +against what you extracted. + + + +2.1.5. My machine locks. + +Don't panic. It's normal :-) +Possible reasons are: +- the microcode is not where it has to be +- you have USB drivers loaded: disable modules and kernel drivers +- you have found a strange timing problem known to appear on VIA +chipsets: try another mainboard or computer + + + +2.1.6. I get no output (filesize is zero) + +I did 'cat /dev/video0 > foobar.mpg' and foobar.mpg has zero bytes, even +after several seconds. + +Please check: +[ ] I am root +[ ] The harddisk is not even close to be full +[ ] I have connected the right video input with a known to be correct +video signal +[ ] I know that there is a difference between PAL and NTSC +[ ] /dev/video0 ist the Kfir card because I use neither a BTTV nor DVB card +[ ] I did only 'make insmod' and didn't pass any additional parameters +to the driver +[ ] The microcode is where it has to be; there are no errors while +loading the kfir.o + + + + +2.1.7. What options can I pass to the driver? + +loaded=1 - Altera is already loaded with microcode, so donīt do it +again + (reloading takes time and can lock your machine!) + +vidinmode - vidimode=0 for PAL, 1 for NTSC, 2 for SECAM (default PAL) + +vidoutmode - vidoutmode=0 for NTSC, 1 for PAL (default PAL) + +vidsize - vidsize=(vertical_mode<<4)|horizontal_mode, cf. KfirCMD.h + e.g. vidsize=0x12 (=(KFIR_V_288<<4)|KFIR_H_352) + (0x12 is CIF, quarter of PAL, 0x26 for PAL, default is fullsize) + +vidrate - video bitrate (4500000 for 4.5 Mbit/s) + +vidinput - vidinput=0 for composite (default), vidinput=1 for +S-Video Y/C + +mpeg1mode - mpeg1mode=1 for MPEG1 + +streamtype - streamtype=0..7 default is 3 + 0: AUDIO_ES + 1: VIDEO_ES + 2: A_V_ES + 3: PROGRAM + 4: TRANSPORT + 5: PACKET_VES + 6: PACKET_AES + 7: KFIR_SYSTEM + +sndfreq - sndfreq=0..7 default is 7 + (Values in kHz) + 0: 5_5125 = 0, + 1: 8_0000 = 1, + 2: 11_025 = 2, + 3: 16_000 = 3, + 4: 22_050 = 4, + 5: 32_000 = 5, + 6: 44_100 = 6, + 7: 48_000 = 7 + + +2.1.8 Can I encode MPEG-1 + +Please follow the mailinglist thread +http://linuxtv.org/mailinglists/mpeg2/msg00148.html + +2.1.9 Which kernel version should I use? + +Use 2.4.x + + +2.1.10 Why does the build process fail for me? + +Maybe you already have i2c and v4l linux stuff in your kernel +and on your system, which may interfere with the building +of the optional modules. +Uncomment the $(MX_OBJS) part in line 6 of driver/Makefile like this: +obj-m = $(M_OBJS) # $(MX_OBJS) + + + +================================================================ + +3. Technical details + +3.1 Working with the encoded MPEG-2 material + +3.1.1 What client is recommended? + +I recommend +vlc (www.videolan.org) +dvdview (see freshmeat.net) +hardware: the Siemens/Technotrend/Hauppauge DVB-S card with LinuxTV drivers. + + +3.1.2 How do I multicast my favourite DVB channel in my LAN? + +see our multicast tools in http://linuxtv.org/download/mbone/ +Usually: +cat /dev/video0 | anyserver 226.23.23.23 5004 128 +receiver: +mkfifo stream ; receiver 226.23.23.23 5004 > stream & vlc stream + + +3.1.3 What kind of streams are generated? + +For MPEG2, the default stream is composed as: +I BB P BB P BB P BB P BB + + +3.1.4 How can I edit the mpeg streams? + +Kees Cook's GOPChop is an excellent choice. +See http://outflux.net/unix/software/GOPchop/ +GOPChop works just fine with kfir generated streams. + + + + + +3.2. Picture qualitity + + +3.3. other measurements + +3.3.1 What is the encoding latency? + +At default settings, I've meassured it to be appr one third of a second. (Bram Stolk) + + +3.4. general hints for encoding -Q) How can I edit the mpeg streams? -A) Kees Cook's GOPChop is an excellent choice. - See http://outflux.net/unix/software/GOPchop/ - GOPChop works just fine with kfir generated streams.