[linux-dvb] Re: DVB, KnoppMyth and firmware

[Johannes Stezenbach <js@convergence.de>]

On Fri, Apr 09, 2004 at 03:02:03PM -0700, Cecil Watson wrote:
> 
> I'm working on my next release of KnoppMyth and would like to include 
> support for DVB.  I'd like to include the firmware for the various cards 
> so they can be supported out the box.  Reading the docs, I see that I 
> have to download them from various locations.  While I can do this to 
> build the modules, the firmware will still be needed when the modules 
> load correct?  I've gotten support from Hauppauge in the past to include 
> the Windows driver for the PVR-x50.  Hauppauge is again willing to allow 
> me to include the Windows software needed to support DVB cards.  I'd 
> like to include support for as many cards as possible.  Since this is 
> first time I'm 'playing' with DVB, I'd appreciate some assistance in 
> getting DVB support in KnoppMyth.
> Here is what I'm thinking so far:
> 
> Download the needed files/firmware to build the modules.  Remove 
> files/firmware and instruct end-user on how to obtain them.  
> Cons:Additional step involved for the enduser.
> 
> Download the needed files/firmware to build the modules.  Contact 
> manufactuers and ask permission to include firmware.  Cons:Some 
> manufactuers may not be enlightened.
> 
> Thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I / we (convergence) can only grant you permission to distribute the
av7110 firmware (dvb-ttpci-*.fw or Root/Dpram) along with the
driver. You must ask the card manufacturers about the firmwares
for other cards and frontends.

With the availability of the firmware loader infrastructure
in Linux 2.6 and recent 2.4 kernels, compiled-in firmwares
will soon be history, and end users will always need the
firmware binaries.

It would be nice if the card manufacturers would include
separate firmware binaries on the driver CD which comes
with the hardware, and on their download sites.


Johannes


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