Multimedia Support in the Linux Kernel
Significant Non-Kernel Factors
When considering your hardware, you should exercise wisdom. Bigger and faster are the watchwords for a powerful multimedia system, but some caveats remain. Video is an especially tricky factor. If, like myself, you need to use nVidia's closed source drivers, you must resign yourself to the possibility of inexplicable problems when running a real-time kernel. Because of its closed source nature, you can't know how the video driver interacts with the kernel at levels that affect latency and real-time response. To nVidia's credit, they do try to keep up with Linux kernel development, but the real-time patches are not official patches, and until nVidia opens their source code, kernel developers are unable to help users who experience performance problems on real-time and low-latency systems.
Also, you should keep your X windowing system current. X works closely with the kernel video drivers, so to ensure maximum performance, make sure that X is up to date.
Outro
This topic goes much deeper than I've been able to discuss here, but the web is rich in relevant resources. For example, you should have no trouble finding out more about kernel configuration [6], low latency [7], and real-time optimizations [8], and I hope that some of you will take the next steps toward compiling your own kernel. Rolling your own is a time-honored Linux tradition, and you don't need an engineering degree to do it. Just be sure to keep your old kernel around for booting into in case things go wrong, breathe slowly and deeply, be patient and brave, ask questions, and, above all, have fun.
Infos
- OSS/Free: http://www.4front-tech.com/usslite/
- Ingo Molnar's real-time kernel patches: http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/projects/rt/
- Planet CCRMA: http://www-ccrma.stanford.edu/planetccrma/software/
- Musix: http://www.musix.org.ar/en/index.html
- Bardix: http://www.linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=696??
- LinuxForums' guide to compiling the Linux kernel: http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/linux-kernel/55612-mini-howto-compile-linux-kernel-2-6-a.html
- The low-latency HOWTO: http://lowlatency.linuxaudio.org/
- The Real-Time Linux wiki: http://rt.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/Main_Page
« Previous 1 2 3 4
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
News
-
GNOME 40 Beta has been Released
Anyone looking to test the beta for the upcoming GNOME 40 release can now do so.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 4.2 has Arrived
The latest stable version of OpenMandriva has been released and offers the newest KDE desktop and ARM support.
-
Thunderbird 78 is being ported to Ubuntu 20.04
The Ubuntu developers have made the decision to port the latest release of Thunderbird to the LTS version of the platform.
-
Elementary OS is Bringing Multi-Touch Gestures to the OS
User-friendly Linux distribution, elementary OS, is working to make using the fan-favorite platform even better for laptops.
-
Decade-Old Sudo Flaw Discovered
A vulnerability has been discovered in the Linux sudo command that’s been hiding in plain sight.
-
Another New Linux Laptop has Arrived
Slimbook has released a monster of a Linux gaming laptop.
-
Mozilla VPN Now Available for Linux
The promised subscription-based VPN service from Mozilla is now available for the Linux platform.
-
Wayland and New App Menu Coming to KDE
The 2021 roadmap for the KDE desktop environment includes some exciting features and improvements.
-
Deepin 20.1 has Arrived
Debian-based Deepin 20.1 has been released with some interesting new features.
-
CloudLinux Commits Over 1 Million Dollars to CentOS Replacement
An open source, drop-in replacement for CentOS is on its way.