[ale] Building linux entertainment devices

[Greg Freemyer]

On Tue, 2003-12-23 at 16:40, zack wrote:
> I am interested in examining the possiblity of building a Linux-based 
> networked entertainment device.  My main goals are not a one off, use 
> spare parts type of project, but more of looking into the possibility of 
> building a prototype for mass produced device.  The software would be a 
> slimmed down or RTOS Linux kernel, plus open source software. 
>  Capabilities would include networking, video and /or sound output.  IDE 
> devices for HDD and CD/DVD would probably be required, as well as 
> (likely) PC-Card support.  CPU-wise I am thinking a low-end Intel/AMD or 
> higher end alternative CPU like you might see in some embedded devices. 
>  So yeah, it's pretty much a PC, but non Intel/AMD would be considered 
> if they can handle the video.
> 
> I need to get an idea of the types of hardware platforms suitable for 
> this type of device, and the software development I would need to do, to 
> get some idea of how much it would cost to do, as well as how much 
> develoment work would need to be done (I assume certain systems could 
> just have minimal kernel  and OSS code compiled, while others might need 
> porting or tweaking or something).
> 
> If anyone has any experience or insight into this sort of a project and 
> would care to share, I would appreciate it.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Zack

If you want to make a video capture/replay type of box (ie. Tivo), you
might want to look thru the XFS archives.

Someone was posting there a lot about a year ago related to something
along these lines.  I don't know if they eventually succeeded or if the
company/project died.

I also have no idea how the GPL plays into something like this.  ie. If
you buy one of that companies boxes, can you make a GPL request for
their kernel and modules?  Other GPL software they may have used?

If so, maybe you can make the same request(s) to Tivo, since I
understand they are running linux internally.

Greg
-- 
Greg Freemyer