More Cringley on Linux Embedded Hardware Hacking
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.
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.
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?
that some companies get away with using GPL code illegally in their hardware projects.
/. give these companies a little trouble. Seems like an open and shut case to me.
See BusyBox's hall of shame here:
http://www.busybox.net/shame.html
May I suggest that we at
Gamers Europe - Gaming News. Reviews.
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.
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?