I have a minor dillemma on hand here. I finally solved my digital sound problem (Windows only speakers apparently :/), but ran into another few difficulties.

The first problem has to do with playing DVDs. I got a program called VideoLan to run and play DVDs, but the play was EXTREMELY choppy, while XINE didn't even play (which I hear XINE is better). Anyone have suggestions.

Also, I'd like to get OpenGL acceleration working on my GeForce IV (XSTACY I believe, TI4400). But updating video drivers and sound drivers I'm still VERY rusty on. Can anyone help me setting this up?

Thanks in Advanace. The help's greatly appreciated.

mplayer is THE best (or rather most technically advanced) dvd software for linux, just not the easiest to use... try it if you're not scared of linux.

just read the instructions on nvidia.com properly and try to instlal from source if possible. there are many similar threads on this site too if you look.

Me? Afraid of Linux? NAWWW That's why I left Windows in the first place

Since I have the same setup as you (with the addition of AMD 800 Athelon), I too would be interested in any info.

Specifically knowing what changed in Redhat 7.3 from 7.2:
Ogle used to work perfectly, but after the 7.3 upgrade (and also a clean install) I find that the ogle_a52 process constantly resets with read errors. Any chance there is a new interrupt getting fired by some other process (7.2 autorun used to be the culpret for choppy play back)? Did the DVD driver get an update?

Since I stilll have the 7.2 version, I can't really upgrade without DVD play back (I use the computer to drive my LCD Projector) or my kids would kill me. Xine is totally scrambled and refuses to decrypt DVDs (yes I got the updated libdvdcss and libdvdread). I just grabbed MPlayer but I can't seem to find any GCC 3.0.4 RPMs to replace the GCC 2.96 (manually compiled and installed GCC 3.0.4 from sources but the system still reports 2.96).

Yea, I just ran into that problem as well :/

3.0.x rpms are readily available from romfind.net

I think he meant rpmfind.net But also, I have been told by one of the Gods, I mean mods on here that you don't actually replace GCC 2.96, but rather they live side by side. Like brothers.

So unless you hate GCC2.96, you won't have to get rid of it.

Oh, and just so ya know, the mdk8.2 discs came with both GCC2.95 and 3.0, so you may already have it. Just need to install it now.

Well turning on 32 bit mode on the DVD did the trick (along with killing autorun - KDE). The MPlayer is MUCH MUCH better than Ogle (although they both play well MPlayer just has way more functioning features. And yes both 2.96 and 3.0.1-4 live side by side.

Everything is good again!

Oops,

I said 32 bit mode when I meant to say DMA. The startup script /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit turns off DMA so just add hdparam -d 1 /dev/cdrom after it is turned off...

Have you ever read them?, they are more vague and confusing than the instructions of any manual on how to make your own personal dirt nuclear bomb...lol

zLinuxz

I'm very new to Linux and am stumped by the DVD problem. Thanks for the leads (nvidia.com and rpmfind.net and mplayer). I will try those.

I still feel as though I'm missing some rudimentary piece of information though. LinuxFormat (the magazine), for instance, comes with a DVD attached, which would seem to mean DVD capability in Linux is pretty standard and info on setting up a DVD player would be basic. My install calls my DVDROM a CDROM player. Looking through computer books andHOWTOs for basic DVD configuring has proved fruitless for me. Perhaps I haven't been looking in the right places. Thanks again.

DVDROM or CDROM no real difference it is just a name. If you can put a DVD in the drive and view the contents it is working. You can always create a sym link ln -s for a DVD if it makes you feel better. All of the RedHat stuff comes with no decryption for DVD (copyright crap) so you have to go to www.ogle.org or some other suitable site to get the decryption library. MPlayer uses it as well. I guess the fact that you bought the DVD does not entitle you to actually view its contents...

videolan.org is good