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Q: Some computer users say they only want to use DeCSS to view their DVDs on computers that use the Linux operating system. Windows- and Macintosh-based computers can play DVDs, so is it fair to deprive the Linux community?

A: The Linux argument is a false issue. It has always been in the interest of the Motion Picture industry that there be as many legitimately licensed DVD players as possible, including those using non-Windows operating systems. However the argument that DeCSS was written for Linux players is simply false. The De-CSS utility was written for Windows-based software, not Linux.

Also, the development of two, separate, licensed DVD players for Linux systems - which use the CSS system - were recently announced. Sigma Designs (www.sigmadesigns.com) and InterVideo Inc. (www.intervideo.com) both announced the roll-out of LICENSED, LEGAL Linux-based DVD players.

Do you plan on supporting Linux?
There are no plans to support the Linux OS.

So then I look around http://www.intervideo.com/ and all I can find are windows only DVD software. WTF?

So I'm at a loss here.. Where are the liscensed linux DVD players the MPAA is referring to?

You could slap on a Sigma Designs MPEG2/DivX chip on it.

That would mean it wouldn't just be a MAME console though, but slap on a DVD-ROM and a decent soundcard and you'd have a Home Entertainment Center or something...

Creative Labs Soundblaster PCI 128

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-pci, for the video capture.

• • The Hauppauge is used only as the capture card (hardware mpeg encoding) and it comes with a TV Scheduler software. I need the TV Scheduler as there are no Electronic Program Guides (EPG) for my area. The WinTV-PVR-pci card, can do full D1 which has an image size of 704x480 for NTSC video sources or 704x576 for PAL video sources. For the best video image quality, the encoding can use MPEG2 12MB/sec. I also supports the selection of audio languages for special TV programs. (2x Mono tracks, one in French, the second one in English).

Realmagic Xcard that does MPG and DiVX playback.

• • The Xcard can play back MPG and DiVX files using hardware decode. It will only play DiVX files from 4.02 upwards, and it can't handle the DiVX 5.x ¼ pixel motion compensation (QPEL) or global motion compensation (GMC). The Xcard playback supports a resolution of 720x576 at 30fps, with a maximum bit rate of 15Mbps.

In particular the 8500 chip. They have a reference DVD player design, which just needs an IDE DVD transport, front panel and PSU to be up and running. And it's tiny. I like reference designs; they make it much easier for small companies to put together interesting kit that the big guys don't see a big enough market for.

Dunno about Linux support, tho.

2) MPEG2 decoding. The REALmagic Netstream2000TV fits the bill. No fan on the card either.

3) DVD drive. A DVD read/writer would be nice, but pricy, and a combo DVCROM/CDRW drive convenient.

4) Progressive Scan Component Video output. This is standard with the Netstream2000TV. It also handles TV output (probably via svideo and composite outputs). The earlier Netstream2000 only had SVGA (i.e. component) outputs.

5) Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. The Netstream2000TV has an SPDIF output for this.

6) SPDIF and analog two chanel audio to feed the TV would be nice when you don't want to fire up the whole theater system. Motherboard audio should be fine. This causes a bit of a wrinkle since you probably have to select which digital audio input to use on the reciever. Analog audio could go to the TV when you don't want to fire up the whole theatre system.

7) OSD. The Netstream2000TV allows for SVGA overlay, so you could use the motherboard's video. Not the best for games, but adequate for an OSD or browser.

8) 100BaseT Ethernet. Duh!

9) Wireless keyboard and mouse. Duh!

10) TV tuner/video input for PVR functionality. This is actually tough, because now you're adding another PCI card: two is about the max in an STB and you might want a high-fidelity card. Furthermore, with cable, antenna, SD, and satellite inputs, you probably won't find a tuner for all of them. However, the REAMmagic DVR might be the ticket instead of the Netstream2000TV. This encodes and decodes MPEG2 video. You only have SVGA output with this card, though, so you need a TV with component inputs. So, you could couple this with any receiver (VCR as a tuner, satellite receiver) with video output. The issue would be encoding quality (and you'd lose direct MPEG2 recording that you'd have with a DirecTIVO, for example). Dunno if you could capture component video or only composite. So, I wouldn't expect PVR quality to be all that great.

11) IR output. You want to control those outboard components, like VCR, Cable STB, and satellite receiver, right? There should be plenty of hacks to add circuits off of serial and/or parallel ports for this.

Now, I've pushed the Netstream2000TV rather heavily here (I own a Netstream2000, but no REALmagig stock, nor am I employed by them), but damn, it looks like a nice card. The Netstream2000 even came with some Linux software, but the good bits were binary only.

I think the combination of a VIA C3 processor, Netstream2000TV, and combo DVDROM/CDRW drive, would make a kick-ass STB. Add a hard disk if you can stand the noise. About the only thing remaining to worry about would be power supply fan noise.

2) MPEG2 decoding. The REALmagic Netstream2000TV fits the bill. No fan on the card either.

3) DVD drive. A DVD read/writer would be nice, but pricy, and a combo DVCROM/CDRW drive convenient.

4) Progressive Scan Component Video output. This is standard with the Netstream2000TV. It also handles TV output (probably via svideo and composite outputs). The earlier Netstream2000 only had SVGA (i.e. component) outputs.

5) Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. The Netstream2000TV has an SPDIF output for this.

6) SPDIF and analog two chanel audio to feed the TV would be nice when you don't want to fire up the whole theater system. Motherboard audio should be fine. This causes a bit of a wrinkle since you probably have to select which digital audio input to use on the reciever. Analog audio could go to the TV when you don't want to fire up the whole theatre system.

7) OSD. The Netstream2000TV allows for SVGA overlay, so you could use the motherboard's video. Not the best for games, but adequate for an OSD or browser.

8) 100BaseT Ethernet. Duh!

9) Wireless keyboard and mouse. Duh!

10) TV tuner/video input for PVR functionality. This is actually tough, because now you're adding another PCI card: two is about the max in an STB and you might want a high-fidelity card. Furthermore, with cable, antenna, SD, and satellite inputs, you probably won't find a tuner for all of them. However, the REAMmagic DVR might be the ticket instead of the Netstream2000TV. This encodes and decodes MPEG2 video. You only have SVGA output with this card, though, so you need a TV with component inputs. So, you could couple this with any receiver (VCR as a tuner, satellite receiver) with video output. The issue would be encoding quality (and you'd lose direct MPEG2 recording that you'd have with a DirecTIVO, for example). Dunno if you could capture component video or only composite. So, I wouldn't expect PVR quality to be all that great.

11) IR output. You want to control those outboard components, like VCR, Cable STB, and satellite receiver, right? There should be plenty of hacks to add circuits off of serial and/or parallel ports for this.

Now, I've pushed the Netstream2000TV rather heavily here (I own a Netstream2000, but no REALmagig stock, nor am I employed by them), but damn, it looks like a nice card. The Netstream2000 even came with some Linux software, but the good bits were binary only.

I think the combination of a VIA C3 processor, Netstream2000TV, and combo DVDROM/CDRW drive, would make a kick-ass STB. Add a hard disk if you can stand the noise. About the only thing remaining to worry about would be power supply fan noise.

It has to be quiet, and not look like a computer.

It is real hard to find a PC that does not need active cooling. Some of the STBs today come close... the Allwell iDVD3036 looks interesting, and anything with the Sigma Designs 8400 MPEG2 decoder reduces the need to do MPEG2 in software and thus the need for a fast (i.e. hot) CPU.

If I were to use a PC, I'd probably go for i810 video with a NetStream2000TV card. Adding a 3d Graphics card will almost certainly mean a fan or two. The again, gaming is not my primary goal, but MPEG2 video streaming is, so i810 mobo video is adequate.

The Netstream Console is also interesting.

It has to be quiet, and not look like a computer.

It is real hard to find a PC that does not need active cooling. Some of the STBs today come close... the Allwell iDVD3036 looks interesting, and anything with the Sigma Designs 8400 MPEG2 decoder reduces the need to do MPEG2 in software and thus the need for a fast (i.e. hot) CPU.

If I were to use a PC, I'd probably go for i810 video with a NetStream2000TV card. Adding a 3d Graphics card will almost certainly mean a fan or two. The again, gaming is not my primary goal, but MPEG2 video streaming is, so i810 mobo video is adequate.

The Netstream Console is also interesting.