Small Linux Distro to play DVD's, MP3's

dfreer · 12-12-2005, 11:38 PM

Hi everyone.

I am wanting to make an original Linux Distro that will resemble HP's Quickplay software. For anyone who does not know what this is, it is basically a slimmed down OS (based on linux, I believe) that play's DVD's when a corresponding multimedia button is pressed. My main problem is battery life, and that's why I want to do this: to save my battery life by only using the hardware needed (like I wouldn't need my 5-in-1 card reader, ethernet/wifi, USB, etc).

My idea would include DVD/MP3/WMA/Audio CD support, and would be booted by the grub boot loader. Basically this would be for quick DVD playback, and would be controlled either by keyboard shortcuts or my Toshiba Satellite A70's multimedia buttons. The main reason for this OS would be:
(1). Speedy DVD playback without having to wait for Linux to boot up.
(2). Max cooling/battery life saving, I am assuming that by bypassing the OS I will save major battery life, and my processor will not have to run as hot as usual.
(3). My M$ friends being able to play DVD's without having to learn linux

Music playback would be a plus, especially if I am able to have my music playing while my laptop is in my backpack. If I tried this with Windows or Linux, I would very quickly have my laptop overheat. Anyways, I'm looking for any help I can get with this project, considering I have never compiled my own kernel or anything like this before.

Ideally, the best thing would be if someone has already done this before me and has it available for download. Anyways, if anyone could help me with this project, with ideas, sites, programs, actual help in compiling this, I would greatly appreciate it. Comments/suggestions/critiques also very welcome!

--dfreer--

cuiq · 12-13-2005, 12:28 AM

Don't know if this will help you in your endeavor, nevertheless here's a site to start with until you get more or better replies.

http://ibuild.livecd.net/

dfreer · 12-14-2005, 04:13 PM

thanks for that link, I'll check it out.

As for an update on this project, I recently was able to acquire the so-called "source-code" of HP's Quickplay software from their website. It is little more than a listing of the linux packages used in creating their software, and the packages themselves. Here is the listing:

Code:

Open source list from QP 1.0

1.Kernel:
linux-2.4.26.tar.bz2

2. Driver
alsa-driver-1.0.5.tar.bz2

3. Utilities and Librarys
freetype-2.1.9.tar.bz2
atk-1.2.4.tar.gz
bash-2.05a.tar.gz
binutils-2.13.2.tar.bz2
e2fsprogs-1.32.tar.gz
fileutils-4.1.tar.gz
gawk-3.1.1.tar.gz
gawk-3.1.tar.gz
glib-2.2.0.tar.bz2
glibc-2.3.1.tar.gz
glibc-linuxthreads-2.3.1.tar.gz
grep-2.5.tar.bz2
grub-0.94.tar.gz
gtk+-2.2.4.tar.gz
gzip-1.2.4a.tar.gz
kbd-1.08.tar.bz2
libcap_1.10.orig.tar.gz
libpng-1.2.7.tar.bz2
libtermcap-2.0.8-4.src.rpm
libtiff-3.5.7-2.tar.gz
libtool_1.5.6.orig.tar.gz
modutils-2.4.22.tar.bz2
ncurses-5.3.tar.gz
pango-1.2.4.tar.gz
sed-4.0.8.tar.gz
sh-utils-2.0.tar.gz
syslinux-2.08.tar.gz
sysvinit-2.84.tar.gz
tar-1.13.tar.gz
util-linux-2.11y.tar.bz2

This looks like a GREAT start, as I can use this list as an comparision. As far as I can see, they aren't using any kind of X window system, X11 xfree86 or whatever it is called. Does this mean they are able to play DVD's with X? Anyways, comments and feedback are still appreciated!

[EDIT] Looking around a bit more, it sounds like the quickplay software is installed "on-top" of the linux base, so I still need to find a way to play my DVD's, MP3's etc.

--Daniel--

old_laptop · 01-06-2006, 06:17 PM

Hi,
I am also trying to use my old laptop as TV and media player.
I have a TV tuner card.
My idea was, if i could run a lite version of linux, like embedded linux or simplified distribution, we can launch the programme just after booting. Also, we can install only necessary devices and drivers in the simplified distribution, where the OS doesn't eat much memory.
Mine is Toshiba with 400Mhz and 90MB of RAM, 4GB HDD. I think this is definitely possible.
We need to gather necessary source and info!

ecstatic · 01-14-2006, 02:44 PM

Hello everybody..

I did a search regarding quickplay on the internet and see this post..

My problem is i bought a laptop(hp dv 4289ea) that actually supports quickplay(as hp says) but the Hp in my country just did not give the cd containing Quickplay with it.The guys in my country at Hp says there is not a cd and the guys in the United States say there is...So there is only one thing i want to know.. Where can i find this QuickPlay software as it will work %100 on my system? Thanks all...

NecroScumBag · 01-14-2006, 04:01 PM

Here we go:

To the original post looking for some thing linux to get his friends to use linux to watch movies and listen to music with out any learning at all you might want to check out this distro. { GeeXBox } Here is there address -> http://www.geexbox.org/en/index.html .... I think this is right up your alley for what your looking for.

To the Poster of the QuickPlay issue... Yes it is on CD.. However it is only released on CD to HP certified repair centers and there techs. If you look on the HP web site I know that there is a link. But at this time writing this POST. The link to the software is no longer advailible. You might want to check with you local HP repair center and they might be able to help.

dfreer · 01-15-2006, 03:14 PM

Hmmm,

I just downloaded GeeX, and am trying it out soon. Perhaps this is the answer I'm looking for, or maybe I can modify it

Anyways, will post results in a little bit.

phillik747 · 02-23-2006, 11:23 AM

Dfreer, how is your project coming? This is something I would like to do as well.

dfreer · 02-26-2006, 01:14 AM

Hmmm,

GeeXBox is quite a good tool, if it can do all it claims to do. Supposedly those with a TV Tuner card can also watch TV, and it supports output to a projector. The main thing is I still can't use the multimedia keys on my Toshiba Satellite A70

Although, on a side note, it appears GeeXBox supports a IR-remote... sounds worth looking into.
In summary, GeeXBox didn't quite do it for me. Watching my .AVI files [Lost and Naruto

] is a main thing for me. Also, it didn't appear that GeeXBox supports CPU Throttling. This is another huge factor. I see on the site that you can customize the program, but I'm kinda at a lost on how to download the codecs I need. I'll prolly try a <Ctrl-F1> and see if I can reach a command prompt... maybe download some extra packages.
One quick thing: I know there is a program that supposedly maps your multimedia keys (xev, xfc, something like that). Anyways, I ran this program, and while it registered everything from keystrokes to mouse movements, it didn't do a thing when I pushed my multimedia keys... maybe it's something to do with Toshiba? I don't know.

Sorry that I'm not much help guys, but I'm a college student with little time to spare. Plus my linux skills aren't so good (see previous posts by me).

[EDIT - Yeah, for some reason GeeXBox couldn't play DivX and AutoGK encoded movies/tv shows with the .AVI extension... sorry if I was unclear about that]