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More Cringley on Linux Embedded Hardware Hacking

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the get-your-hack-on dept.

enrico_suave writes "I , Cringley on Linux hardware hacking (the good kind). Some neat points on what enterprising individuals are doing with Hauppauge MediaMVP streaming content settop box/client thingie." The story is mostly about Micro ISPs, including a few choice digs on Slashdot readers.

8 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. Good use of resources by caffeinefiend · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I must say, I am impressed by the Hauppauge device. It has really good functionality and a not-too-bad price tag. These exploits are really pretty interesting, and I am surprised that it took so long for them to become mainstream. I figure that it is only a matter of time before people start building specialized devices like the Hauppauge. Overall, this is one of those nifty hacks that I love.

    1. Re:Good use of resources by Racal+Vadic · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If you have one of these boxes, maybe you can answer this:

      OK, it's got a 300 MHz PowerPC. Does it have a BDM or JTAG port, or a monitor in ROM? In other words, when I accidentally scrag the firmware in flash, is it a brick now or is there a recovery path to get it bootable again?

  2. Hauppauge MVP encoding? by SendBot · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From the article:

    "... the MVP is attracting attention from people who want to alter its firmware.

    This is a very different device from the wireless router. For one thing, it has hardware MPEG video encoding and decoding."

    There's no mention of video encoding on the official product site. Is this an error, or is there a hack that allows for it?

  3. MediaMVP alternative firmware? by tji · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I did some Google searches, but didn't turn up any 'hacked' firmware options for the MediaMVP. Can anyone suggest any links?

    Does the MediaMVP support streaming of DVD VOB files from a file server?

  4. I'd like to point out by ProudClod · · Score: 4, Interesting

    that some companies get away with using GPL code illegally in their hardware projects.

    See BusyBox's hall of shame here:

    http://www.busybox.net/shame.html

    May I suggest that we at /. give these companies a little trouble. Seems like an open and shut case to me.

    --
    Gamers Europe - Gaming News. Reviews.
  5. Re:But wait a sec... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Effort is the thing. XBox needs a HW hack, Tivo needs a subscription. MediaMVP needs little effort, and a PC makes a better Tivo anyways (web admin rocks). And I can fit a pantload more storage in a tower than I can in a Tivo or an XBox.

  6. Still violating GPL? by h2odragon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The BusyBox Hall of Shame lists this device as one of several that is violating the GPL in using BusyBox, and presumably other packages too. Anyone know if Hauppauge is actually doing anything about it?

  7. FYI by trainsnpep · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's pronounced Hophog. A lot of towns (here) on Long Island have Native American names....

    - Mike

    --
    --<Mike>--