PCHDTV-3000, Gentoo, request HOWTO

amigabill · n00b Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 59

I've fumbled through the forums here but can't find any well-organized info about getting PCHDTV-3000 card running under current gentoo kernel. I'm using linux-2.6.10-gentoo-r6 (current stable release, and I'd like to keep up with the stable release as it progresses to newer versions)

I've seen hints about using DVB drivers, and hints about PCHDTV drivers. Which is better? How do I install it? I can't find an emerge for it. What's a newb to do?

colinb · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 22 Jun 2002 Posts: 114

I second this request. It would be great to see some preliminary support in portage for this card.

--Colin

Ivar_Y · n00b Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 25

I have the pchdtv 3000 card working with both the linux-2.6.10-gentoo-r6 and the linux-2.6.11-gentoo-r4 kernels. I did not use portage to install the software. Most of the configuring was done in January and I am not sure I can remember exactly what I did. However, the following information may be helpful.

The files that I downloaded (and used) from the www.pchdtv.com site were:

pcHDTV-drivers-1.6.tar.gz (12/30/04)
tools-2.6.a (status unstable) only for 2.6 kernel drivers
xine-hd-0.8.tar.gz

My kernel .config file in /usr/src/linux has the following video parameters set:

bash-2.05b# grep -i video .config
CONFIG_ACPI_VIDEO=m
# CONFIG_IEEE1394_VIDEO1394 is not set
CONFIG_VIDEO_DEV=m
# Video For Linux
# Video Adapters
# CONFIG_VIDEO_BT848 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_PMS is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_BWQCAM is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_CQCAM is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_CPIA is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_SAA5246A is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_SAA5249 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_STRADIS is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_ZORAN is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_SAA7134 is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_MXB is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_DPC is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_HEXIUM_ORION is not set
# CONFIG_VIDEO_HEXIUM_GEMINI is not set
CONFIG_VIDEO_CX88=m
# CONFIG_VIDEO_OVCAMCHIP is not set
# Digital Video Broadcasting Devices
CONFIG_VIDEO_TUNER=m
CONFIG_VIDEO_BUF=m
CONFIG_VIDEO_BTCX=m
# CONFIG_VIDEO_SELECT is not set

Some problems that I had were:

1) Make sure that /usr/src/linux is linked to your current kernel.
2) Make sure that you are using the "sys-kernel/linux26-headers" and not the "sys-kernel/linux-headers." The patch in the xine-hd files works only with the 2.6 version.
3) It is important to completely remove any xine files on your computer before installing the pchdtv xine-hd files. This includes the .xine files in your home directory. So far as I know, only the pchdtv xine software will work, not any xine software in portage.

Otherwise, follow the directions in the downloads.

After I upgraded my kenel software to 2.6.11-r4, I again had to "make" and "make install" the driver in the "pcHDTV-1.6/kernel-2.6.x/driver" directory.

I probably left something out or included some things that are unnecessary. But this may get you close to something that works.

I did get mplayer and mythtv working somewhat. However, I found that the xine version was easier to use.

Ivar

duozmo · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:11 am Post subject:

I am working on such a howto, but I'm actually still working on just getting my card operational at all. I've been workinng on this for a couple weeks now, and I just got my second card (the first may have been a dud). In any case, it has been torture trying to get this thing to work, and, moreover, understanding what all the related concepts are. If people who have done this want to post about what their issues have been with this card (and how they resolved them, as well as a little background info) I will be sure to include it. I'm going to put it on the Gentoo Wiki.

The target audience will be Gentooers who just want to see TV on their screen. Most of the "documentation" right now is fairly technical.

stoker · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject:

I know that 2.6.12-rc3 and up have native support for the pcHDTV HD-3000 card.

just make sure to compile the kernel enabling the following:
- select Device Drivers / Multimedia devices / Video For Linux
- select "DVB Support for cx2388x based TV cards (new)"

I bought a couple of these cards and threw them onto a Fedora Core 3 system (because the people at pchdtv.com recommended using Fedora, but that was before native kernel support for their cards), and with 2.6.12-rc3 I had no problem watching TV, without the need of any drivers from pchdtv.com. totally native. so, given that, I just reinstalled gentoo onto that system (bye Fedora!), and I'm going to see if I can recreate what I did there.

I'll be updating my progress on my website at http://www.mattstorer.net/?p=gentoo/mythtv if anyone's interested.
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Maedhros · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

A howto recently appeared here: https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-313280.html
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duozmo · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject:

Yeah, so I guess I may not be writing anything after all. I'm about to cancel my TV service, because I never watch it. I bought my card as an investment against the broadcast flag, but it looks like that's on hold for a while. Additionally, I don't have the HD decoder from the cable company so I can't even test the card. Plus, it's been so long since I worked on it, I can't even remember what I did. Looks like that other thread is doing nicely, best to stick with that

stoker · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 4:54 pm Post subject:

yeah, that's true. I was preparing for the broadcast flag as well. it would surprise me, though, if the MPAA and other DRM zealots let this (the courts' decision to nix the FCC's ability to implement the flag) lie. While you may not need those HD3000 cards *now*, you may be glad you have them as a fallback in the future.

and if nothing else, it's a fun experiment

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cykoduck · n00b Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Austin, TX

I am also in the process of setting this up on either 2.6.11 or 2.6.12, but I am wanting to do it with dvb and not atsc and having a heck of a time getting the adapter0 to show up even though dvb loads properly.

Stoker lemme know how yours goes
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stoker · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 2:36 pm Post subject:

I know it's not Gentoo, but this is what I was using to help me through the Fedora MythTV setup... very detailed, very well written and from what I can tell, accurate, stuff:

http://www.wilsonet.com/mythtv/fcmyth.php

they're both Linux, so there's probably going to be a lot of similarities between the procedures. just instead of using rpm, use emerge - stuff like that.

... in theory, anyway.
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