Linux Multimedia

Wordan · 11-02-2005, 09:24 AM

I am wondering about the different multimedia systems that are used under linux. I am wondering about the differences between GStreamer, MAS, Helix, arts, etc. And how they fit in with the likes of OSS or ALSA.

Arts is a multimedia server that programs can send sound to and it mixes it together, supposedly so more than one program can play sound at a time. But that doesn't apply any more with the likes of OSS or ALSA kernel modules does it? Or are there different levels at which you normally interface with the soundcard that may make it unavailable to other programs?

Where as the others, GStreamer, MAS, Helix are development frameworks which you can build your program with.

Sorry if this a bit of an open ended post, but I am just curious.

oneandoneis2 · 11-02-2005, 09:50 AM

Alsa only does one app's sound at a time. You need a mixer between it and your apps, or you can't get multiple sound outputs.

That's where arts et al come in.

Wordan · 11-02-2005, 10:02 AM

That leads to many other questions. So when using GStreamer, etc you also need a sound server running for the sound device to be accesable from more than one program.

I was under the impression that KDE might move from arts to GStreamer, and since they both have different purposes, I wonder what they use then to provide the ability to play sound from more than one program?

Making the capture available to more than one program, is that possible with programs that don't support the use of the likes of JACK.

reddazz · 11-02-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oneandoneis2
Alsa only does one app's sound at a time. You need a mixer between it and your apps, or you can't get multiple sound outputs.

That's where arts et al come in.

I am not sure this is right. I use alsa and can play audio from a variety of sources at the same time. The only app that sometimes has a problems is RealPlayer. Correct me if I misunderstood what you meant in your post.

oneandoneis2 · 11-02-2005, 02:01 PM

You're probably using dmix - Link

ptay1685 · 11-04-2005, 06:01 PM

I think that Linux multimedia is rather a pigs breakfast. There is a lot of missing functionality and overlapping functionality at the same time.

This also applies to many other areas of Linux, where individuals with specific needs have crafted solutions that lack generality.

Amazingly I found sound works better in FreeBSD than Linux.

It is the most dissapointing area of Linux, and one that is in dire need of some sorting.