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Messages - RichardP

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16
Users / Re: Display problem with nVidia 8600GT card on 1080p TV
« on: February 24, 2008, 04:09:37 am »
Colin,

You may want to look at this URL: http://home.att.net/~Tom.Horsley/easy-linux.html
Although it is for Fedora, it goes through tweaking the display frequencies. Maybe useful.
Also try using the command cvt -r -v and plugging those values into the Modeline.

RichardP,
Thanks for your advice. I set my EDID on in xorg.conf, looked at my /var/log/Xorg.0.log, got the timings, plugged them into the modeline value in xorg.conf and that did the trick.

super

Nice one... glad to be of help. If you can, can you post your values in the Wiki hardware database - it may help someone with a similar problem.

Colin, what Super says opens a whole new can of worms. Suppose your EDID is reporting the correct values, as we are reading in the log, but X is not using those values. Super's method may work for you - fully turn on EDID, record the values, then plug the values into the xorg.conf.

Just curious - if you're running at 60 hertz, have you tried playing an NTSC video to see if the tearing is reduced?

Best Regards,
RichardP


17
Users / Re: Display problem with nVidia 8600GT card on 1080p TV
« on: February 22, 2008, 06:52:43 am »

Thanks Colin,

I figured out how to turn the EDID on, by searching on other forums. That did the trick and I am on 1080p now with alpha blending. I have tried DVD playback and it has been pretty good (occasional glitch here and there). I will start transferring my media library to LMCE now.

Thanks for the font tip, my fonts are currently unreadable too. Will try your option out in xorg.conf.

We need a good section on xorg.conf. I will see if I can start something and you guys can add to it.

BTW, can you send me your xorg.conf file? I don't seem to have the ConnectedMonitor section in mine.

Glad you're running. Sorry I've been off the forum for a couple of days. For the font size, first try having EDID set your values automatically with:
Option "UseEDIDDPI" "true"
If this is already on, check the values in the Xorg.0.log to see what they are. Once you know that, turn it off, as Colin has done. (I'm assuming, since you've succesfully turned on EDID, that you're now comfortable editing your xorg.conf). Then set a DPI value of that makes sense for your monitor (usually around 96 each way for a high-def monitor). So what you should have is something like:
Section "Monitor"
  Option   "UseEdidDpi" "false"
  Option   "DPI" "96 x 96"

Good luck.
Best Regards,
RichardP.



18
Users / Re: Display problem with nVidia 8600GT card on 1080p TV
« on: February 19, 2008, 07:39:32 am »
Well, my saga of getting the display to work continues. I get the alpha blending with 720p working with Sharp Acquos 46" TV on the 7600GS with HDMI. But I want 1080p, and that's where the problem lies. I tried installing the latest drivers 169.09 from nvidia using Envy, but got the blank display after rebooting.

Anyone successfully got 1080p on a Sharp Acquos TV (Model: LC-46D62U) with one of the newer nvidia cards? Can someone post their xorg.conf file? That would help me out a lot.

When I rebooted, for some reason I could not get the A/V wizard, so I think LMCE is expecting 720p, but the newer nvidia driver could be providing 1080p. Could that be the problem?

Should I first install kubuntu only and then install LMCE? LMCE installs nvidia-glx for me and does not let me select 1080p in the setup (I can only select 720p with 4:3 TV even though my TV is 16:9 1080p)

Any help is appreciated here. Thanks.

I'm assuming you're using DVI even on the replacement card? My experience is only with the two latest beta's, so take this with a pinch of salt if you are using something else...

After you upgrade the nVidia drivers, the xorg.conf will have been replaced, and the output will most likely be sent to the VGA adapter. Check the xorg.conf, logging in from one of the text terminals (Ctrl-Alt-3 is what I use, for various reasons)

Getting your 1080p working - edit the xorg conf by hand, or use the nVidia utility. You want to make sure you are using the right connector - if you have two DVI connectors, they will be DFP-0 and DFP-1 (I think). Then you want to make sure you have EDID turned on. Once this is done, start up the X system - it's not important whether it works successfully or not.

Once that is done, go and have a read of /var/log/Xorg.0.log and you will be able to see what your card supports, what your TV supports and where the two can meet.

Best Regards,
RichardP.

19
Installation issues / Re: Serial Control
« on: February 19, 2008, 04:01:33 am »
Got it to work with hyperterminal by typing [PON] and using a Null modem cable.
Thanks for the advice.

Now trying to find a linux equivalent to winterm/hyperterminal to test my Hybrid's comm ports because the ruby script is not working for me. I am not sure if the comm port settings are even correct in the Generic Serial Device setttings and I am not sure how to check them.

I have been entering the Ruby script in the <"xxx"> format so for power on it is <"[PON]"> but this is not working for me so I will continue experimenting. I am sure I have a good cable but not sure if I have a working comm port on this machine.


Thanks

You'll probably get extra mileage out of getting the Ruby script to work. One way of checking what would go out of the serial port is to change your device from /dev/tty something to /tmp/tfile. You can then check the contents of /tmp/tfile to see what the script sent out, as compared to what you expected it to send out.

If you really want to use a terminal emulator, you can try kermit or minicom. Don't know if this will still work, but you can try installing kermit with sudo apt-get install gkermit

Best Regards,
Richard.

20
Hi Guys,

Could this be something we could do?

http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=3546.msg25253#msg25253

Best Regards,
Richard.

21
Installation issues / Re: Serial Control
« on: February 18, 2008, 03:22:18 am »
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Running Hybrid 7.10 install with an overhead HD projector as display device.
The projector is a Dwin Projector the Model is Transvision 2
It has a male serial port on the back and the users manual states that it can be controlled via RS232.
I went through the setup process to control this projector with LinuxMCE.
I tried sending the test codes via the admin website and the projector did not react in any way.
To rule out the software I decided to try to use my laptop with hyperterminal on it.
I tried null modem cables, straight through cables (with gender changer) due to male port on both PC and Projector and other cables that I was not sure of the pinout.
I get no response from this method either.

So, I know it is not a problem with MCE but was hoping someone here might know what to expect from a serial controlled device.

I have set all the settings according to the manual 9600,8,N,1 but I am not sure how a controlled device will interact, should I expect to get feedback when I type?

What is the typical cable used for serial control? Null modem cable... ect.

Thanks

Hi,

What you want to do first off is to check the cable with a multimeter if you can. Pin 2 on one side must be connected to pin 3 on the other side. Pin 5 on one side must be connected to pin 5 on the other. No other connections will matter for you.

In Hyperterminal, go to File->Properties and set the comms parameters, just as you've indicated you have. Then change the flow control to Xon/Xoff or None.

You should now be able to connect. Type '[PON]' and enter. If you don't see anything as you type, change turn on "Local Echo" in Settings under File->Properties.

Good luck.

Best Regards,
Richard.

22
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Feature Request - Database relocation
« on: February 18, 2008, 01:19:10 am »
Ah, but you are moving the database location on the core, we are not talking about moving the daemon (server).  The servername for all the scripts and programs is the core, whether it is referenced as 127.0.0.1,

You may be leaving the server in the same location, but I'm not  ;D

I'd like to have the DB running on a server which is already running both MySQL and PostgreSql, and which already has a both a tape drive and a backup plan running. Makes my maintenance easier, and also means I can nuke my system without hesitation when upgrading either software or hardware. I realise this is not for everyone, though.

Best Regards,
Richard.

23
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Feature Request - Database relocation
« on: February 14, 2008, 07:40:35 am »
LMCE is using mysql.  Mysql runs as a daemon.  When mysql daemon is started, it reads it's configuration from /etc/mysql/my.cnf.  On LMCE 0710B3, my.cnf has datadir = /var/lib/mysql.  Looking in /var/lib/mysql you will notice directories that correspond to the various databases.

Scripts, programs, etc, should not be overriding my.cnf (that's a no no).  Also they should never access the files directly (that's a big NO NO).

During my, admittedly limited, browsing of the source, I've seen just the expected mysql connection calls.


I was thinking of a different problem. When you use a DB from a script, you open a connection to a DB to access tables, stored procedures and the like. You open a connection by specifying the server (like 192.168.80.1 or localhost or dcerouter.com) and a DB name.

Lets say LMCE opens a connection to a the DB from 50 different scripts. The three possibilites are:
  • All 50 scripts get the server and DB from a central point
  • All 50 scripts each specify the server and DB
  • Some scripts do it one way and some scripts do it another

Can you see the problem we will face if LMCE does not already follow the first option? Moving the DB will have a lot of scripts breaking if they assume the Servername and DB Name

Best Regards,
Richard.


24
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Feature Request - Database relocation
« on: February 13, 2008, 03:23:44 am »
In order for the database to be relocatable, there needs to be, in LMCE, a single configuration file which points to the DB location, and from which all other scripts get the DB location when then need to access the DB. Does anyone know if this is how it is done?
If any of the scripts hold the DB location within them, then this will be a larger task than simply moving the database.

25
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Feature Request - Database relocation
« on: February 12, 2008, 01:47:44 am »
tschak909, I am laughing because the admin or somebody with authority is removing my posts.  Nice community.

Could it be that you're not using the Post button after you Preview?

26
Users / Re: LinuxMCE ignores xorg.conf?
« on: February 11, 2008, 03:27:36 am »

Hmmm... look all xorg drivers use modelines... that just fundamental to the way X works.

The AVwizard and its supporting scripts use /usr/pluto/share/Resolutions.conf


I could have sworn the nVidia driver readme said it ignored the Modelines and used just name. Can't find it now though...

The information on Resolution.conf could turn out to be pretty useful with a problem I'm trying to diagnose right now, with fon't appearing miniscule on the screen.

27
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Feature Request - Database relocation
« on: February 08, 2008, 03:39:12 am »
LOL;    Thom

I will leave that one up to the project manager.   But it is good food for thought.  Replication and a pile of other features you need in a commercial DBMS are free/open source in Postgresql.   What is your favourite flavour of crack?

What a can of worms this seems to have opened - seems to have hit a nerve somewhere. When it comes to LAMP-type projects, MySQL is (arguably) the most popular choice even though PostgreSQL is available. This is usually because MySQL is smaller, quicker (in development and runtime) and simpler. That choice comes with a tradeoff - you are giving up the scalability and other features. Put yourself in the shoes of someone starting out on a project and weighing up the possibilities. PostgreSQL has good support for transactions and MySQL has only basic support, but if I use PostgreSQL and use transactions, the project will take 20% longer. It's like you say - what flavour of crack do you prefer. In most cases, the Project Leader knows exactly what he is giving up, but is happy to give them up in return for what he is gaining. However, if the application an enterprise-wide commercial application that absolutely must have the sort of features that SQL-Server and Oracle offer, then MySQL goes out the window and PostgreSQL sits higher on the list of candidates.

When a project is under way, though, like this one, changing comes at a very high cost. Changing DB means months of work, only to find at the end of it that you haven't moved an inch in terms of new features.

Best Regards,
Richard.

28
Users / Re: VDR in 0710b3 - No key is working (except some function keys)
« on: February 07, 2008, 07:44:36 am »
Richard

Now/Next is a display format more than anything else. The EPG transmitted(able) over DVB isn't limited to this. HOWEVER - extremely annoyingly, in Australia for the last few years all channels ONLY transmitted N/N data, updating as a timeslot came to an end. An absolutely futile and pathetic attempt to stop people too easily recording the transmissions with the rapidly emerging PVRs, demonstrating a complete lack of understanding of how the market was going to develop! I'm sure most other countries wouldn't have had this problem!

However, for a while now most channels have been transmitting around a week or so of data. I say most - at least one commerical station only transmits N/N (can't remember which) and ABC/SBS can be a little patchy at times. And channel Ten rarely seems to transmit any description info.

Either way, once I have my system stable (and on 0710 release version) I hope to look into Oztivo again - they provide an XML service for all FTA/PayTV stations in AU. Apparently you can integrate these into LMCE. Especially important as I hope to get SelecTV at some point, being the only PayTV service I can find who are happy for you to use your own DVB-S card with decrypter so that I can plug this straight into the LMCE system.... so will need a consistent EPG across these...

Thanks, Colin! That confirms what I saw, then - I'm not losing my mind just yet. I was thinking the extra data was coming off the web in some unexplained fashion.

As far as updating from the web goes, it works very well. I had it working with B2 with Myth before I nuked it and loaded B3.

Best Regards,
Richard.

29
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Feature Request - Database relocation
« on: February 07, 2008, 07:34:25 am »
jondecker;

I totally agree with your statement.   I would even go as far to say that since mysql is nolonger open source that the linuxmce project follow what all serious "open" source projects are doing and plan to migrate/fork to postgresql.


Why do you say mysql is no longer open source? There have been no changes, AFAIK.

Best Regards,
Richard.

30
Feature requests & roadmap / Re: Feature Request - Database relocation
« on: February 07, 2008, 06:57:11 am »
In which case, I would say look for a MySQL backup tool and back the DB up yourself, to your RAID drive. I am hoping also to then back up my media drives incrementally to DVDs ( which in your case would include your DB) - yet to track down a reasonable backup tool to do it...

I use WebMin for a quick and easy solution to ad-hoc backups. I've heard of people using it as part of a structured backup plan, though.


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