On 12/21/2010 07:24 PM, David Henderson wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm working on a lightweight project that might end up using
DirectFB, but I have a couple of questions that need answering by the
pro's here first. :) Also, I'm in the process of learning some
aspects so forgive any illogical or newbie questions.
I am not a pro but i am interested in using DFB in a custom distro, too.
(i guess that's what you have in mind.
1) I can see DirectFB is used to replace X11. In doing so, are the
drivers for graphics cards still needed or are they avoided by writing
directly to the frame buffer? If drivers are still required, is there
a database somewhere that has them for download?
Devs avoid, so far, to claim that DFB is a replacement for X, but i
agree with you. Graphics drivers are needed for writing to the FB in an
accelerated way. Here is a database for the little range of drivers for
desktop systems:
http://www.directfb.org/index.php?path=Support/Graphics
2) The project's hardware will be working with an Intel motherboard
using Intel's GMA X4500HD video chipset. It's supposed to have all
kinds of goodies for hardware decoding of videos. Are there any
compile options, patches, or additional software that can work with
DirectFB to utilize all that this chipset has to offer?
AFAIK no...
3) I see that DirectFB has the option of adding OpenGL which is
supposed to offload graphics processing to the GPU correct? What
about vdpau or is that just for mplayer (or other media playing
programs)?
DirectFBGL is practically a concept project that works with Matrox
cards, only. It needs Mesa embedded drivers of a branch that doesn't
exist anymore.
4) What are my options for a Window Manager with DirectFB? I looked
over the website, but I can't really tell. Apparently SaWMaN is one,
but the associated pictures don't show any "windows", title bars,
etc. Is it possible to use XDirectFB with an existing embedded WM?
Following the XDirectFB link on the website shows a picture of a Gnome
Desktop. Is this Gnome running on DirectFB or am I mistaken? Also,
why do some of the Windows in that graphic look like they're using two
different WM's?
As far as i understand, SawMan is intented for embedded systems. Yes,
that picture shows Gnome running over XDirectFB. The different window
style is because some windows are in X driven WM while others are using
DirectFB's simple WM with the LiTE toolkit engine.
5) Do I need to enable anything in the Kernel to make DirectFB work?
A Linux Fusion patch is a way of letting DirectFB applications talk to
each other, or allow multiple DFB apps work simultaneously under
something that could be defined as a single desktop.
Looks like that's all for now. Thanks for any help you guys can provide.
Dave
Wait for news about DirectFB 2.0. I sense it will solve lots of problems
for people like us.
George
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