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Aureal 3D Developing Linux Drivers

Posted by Hemos on from the building-the-sound dept.

Guy Saban writes "I've just received news that Aureal 3D plans on releasing Linux drivers for their Vortex sound cards in February. These cards have a good reputation for quality sound and 3D effects. The A3D technology for creating realistic acoustic effects has become a favorite among many. Apparently 4Front Technologies are working on drivers for the Vortex 1 and 2 chipsets under Linux through their OpenSound package. "

5 of 76 comments (clear)

  1. Drivers OK by mortal · · Score: 3

    I've tried the drivers w/ 2.2.15pre3 and they seem to work ok. I've got sound and no oopses yet :p
    The driver requires soundcore ("Sound card support") which can be compiled as module.
    The drivers made by 4front seem less stable (three oopses for me) and also cost money.
    Looking forward to seeing A3D in the future, and hopefully 100% Open Source drivers.

  2. Binary driver kernel compatibility. by mrsam · · Score: 3

    There was a thread on binary module compatibility on linux-kernel last month.

    The short summary is this: it ain't gonna happen. Search the mailing list archives for the details.

    I'm not sure I understand what is so terribly difficult for someone in that company to simply recompile the modules for every kernel rev that comes out. It's not like that we have a new kernel rev every day. Gee, how terrible: someone actually has to type 'make' every other month, or so.

    This seems to me to be very logical. If you want to keep your module source closed, you can go ahead and do that, but then it becomes your sole responsibility to maintain your binary-only driver.

    It seems that companies simply are looking for a free lunch. They want to keep their source closed, but then they also don't want to actively maintain their driver. Well, that's just not going to fly. If you want someone else to make sure that your module works in the next kernel rev, and you don't want that to be your responsibility, well, that's fine, but you'll have to open your source. Seems a fair tradeoff to me.
    --

  3. Excellent by Fnkmaster · · Score: 3

    I'm one of the people that was harassing (no, not really, actually politely emailing) back and forth with Aureal tech and management people at least a year ago trying to convince them to release Linux drivers and/or specs to write drivers. It actually does make a difference... admittedly, we have Creative to thank for this in a way, since releasing, then Open Sourcing the SB Live drivers forces Aureal's hand, it only forces Aureal's hand BECAUSE they know there is a significant undercurrent of interest in using Linux with their products BECAUSE people like myself and others have been lobbying them for ages. Too bad I trashed my Aureal Vortex 6 months ago in favor of an SB Live. :) Guess Aureal should have moved faster...

  4. They Delivered by 348 · · Score: 3
    Previously they stated:

    There are plans to support other operating systems besides Windows 9x and Windows NT. Currently, we are working on WDM drivers, but plans are already underway on working with different companies on Linux and BeOS drivers. We have been in contact with Be on getting supporting for the Vortex chipsets, and hopefully will follow through on that shortly.

    There are no definite plans or release dates scheduled for these drivers, however, and there are no guarantees.

    I's sure glad some folks out there deliver without expressed guarantees. The drivers can be found at Aureal

    Never knock on Death's door:

    --

    More race stuff in one place,
    than any one place on the net.

  5. Binaries available by Stiletto · · Score: 4

    There are binary tarballs available:

    linux.aureal.com

    I haven't tried them yet, though.

    ________________________________