Home Theatre computer

[Oron Peled]

On Tuesday, 10 בNovember 2009 10:09:00 Tzafrir Cohen wrote:
> The components are pretty standard: 
> http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc2/specifications/
> 
> Specifically (quting from there) -
> 
> Display & Graphics:
> 
>  	Intel GMA500 graphics acceleration
> Full hardware video acceleration of H.264, MPEG2, VC1, and WMV9
> DVI Digital output up to 1920 x 1200 through HDMI connector
> 
> So you have the chipset. I'm slightly skeptical regarding its drivers.

And you are right indeed. Most Intel chipsets have free software drivers
maintained by the vendor within the larger free software community
(kernel, x.org, etc)

However, the GMA500 (AKA Poulsbo) is different. It was licensed by
Intel from some third party with closed source binary blobs.

Adam Williamson described it the best:
  "Intel GMA 500 (Poulsbo) graphics on Linux:
   a precise and comprehensive summary
   as to why you’re screwed"

  [it is really comprehensive http://www.happyassassin.net/2009/01/30/ ]

Those who are already stuck with this chipset may get some first aid:
 * Seems like Ubuntu is shipping the closed source driver
   (don't have the exact details)
 * Adam finally managed to compose an unofficial rpm which he pushed to
   rpmfusion.org (for Fedora)

So anyone looking for graphics hardware -- buy Intel or ATI, but not
the GMA500

Bye,

-- 
Oron Peled                                 Voice: +972-4-8228492
oron at actcom.co.il                  http://users.actcom.co.il/~oron
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