Some hints to get the bttv driver up and running
[ Note1: this applies to 0.6.x versions, 0.7.x (also kernel 2.4.x)
users should check out the README included there instead. Note2: If you have trouble with 0.6.x, try to upgrade to 0.7.x
first. The list of supported cards is much longer. ]
You need configured kernel sources to compile the bttv driver. The driver uses some Makefile magic to compile the modules with your kernel's configuration (wrt. module-versions, SMP, ...). If you already have compiled the kernel at least once, you probably don't have do worry about this. If not, go to /usr/src/linux and run at least "make config". Even better, compile your own kernel, you'll never become a real hacker else ;-)
Of cource you have to load the modules as very first thing. There is a script called "update" in the bttv/drivers directory. I use this one to load a new version while doing driver hacking. You can use it too, but check the module arguments before. They work for my setup, and probably do not for yours. The module arguments are documented below. The MAKEDEV.v4l script creates the special files (/dev/video, ...) for the video4linux.
To autoload the modules, stick something like this into /etc/modules.conf:
# TV
alias char-major-81 videodev
alias char-major-81-0 bttv
pre-install bttv modprobe -k msp3400; modprobe -k tuner options bttv radio=1 options tuner type=5
Again: this is for my setup, you probably have to adjust the module parameters.
See also
- Trouble-Shooting - general tips for xawtv / bttv
- Sound-FAQ - A description how Sound works on bt8xx-based
boards and how one can make a new card work.
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insmod options for the bttv modules
cut+paste from bttv-0.6.4e/driver/MODULES
There are quite lot modules out here...
videodev.o
this is the basic video4linux module, all video
drivers (incl. bttv) register themself here.
i2c.o
the generic i2c module. It does much of the i2c bus
management, all other modules (except videodev.o)
use this one
insmod args:
scan=1 scan the bus for i2c devices
verbose=0 shut up i2c
i2c_debug=1 for debugging, it sticks the whole
(software) i2c bus traffic to the
syslog
bttv.o
the bt848 (grabber chip) driver
insmod args:
remap=adr remap Bt848 memory to adr<<20
vidmem=base frame buffer address>>20 (of graphic card)
triton1=0/1 for Triton1 compatibility
Triton1 is automatically recognized
but this might also help with other chipsets
pll=0/1/2 pll settings
0: don't use PLL
1: 28 MHz crystal installed
2: 35 MHz crystal installed
radio=0/1 card supports radio
card=n card type
0: Auto-Detect
1: Miro
2: Hauppauge (old bt848 boards)
3: STB
4: Intel
5: Diamond
6: AVerMedia
7: MATRIX Vision MV-Delta
8: FlyVideo
9: TurboTV
10: Hauppauge (new bt878 boards)
11: MIRO PCTV pro
12: Terratec/Vobis TV-Boostar
13: Newer Hauppauge WinCam (bt878)
14: MAXI TV Video PCI2
15: Terratec TerraTV+
16: Aimslab VHX
17: PXC200
18: AVermedia98
19: FlyVideo98 (newer FlyVideo cards)
remap, card, radio and pll accept up to four comma-separted arguments
(for multiple boards). The CARD and PLL defines from the Makefile
are used as defaults.
msp3400.o
The driver for the msp34xx sound processor chips. If you have a
stereo card, you probably want to insmod this one.
insmod args:
debug=1/2 print some debug info to the syslog,
2 is more verbose.
simple=1 Use the "short programming" method (newer
msp34xx versions support this).
once=1 Don't check the TV-stations Audio mode
every few seconds, but only once after
channel switches. This should workaround
the problems with disappearing sound.
amsound=1 Audio carrier is AM/NICAM at 6.5 Mhz. This
should improve things for french people, the
carrier autoscan seems to work with FM only...
tea6300.o
The driver for the tea6300 fader chip. If you have a stereo
card and the msp3400.o doesn't work, you might want to try this
one. This chip is seen on most STB TV/FM cards (usually from
Gateway OEM sold surplus on auction sites).
insmod args:
debug=1 print some debug info to the syslog.
tda8425.o
The driver for the tda8425 fader chip. This driver used to be
part of bttv.c, so if your sound used to work but does not
anymore, try loading this module.
insmod args:
debug=1 print some debug info to the syslog.
tda9855.o
The driver for the tda9855 audio chip. Afaik, only the
Diamond DTV2000 has this chip.
insmod args:
debug=1 print some debug info to the syslog.
tuner.o
The tuner driver. You need this unless you want to use only
with a camera or external tuner ...
insmod args:
debug=1 print some debug info to the syslog
type=n type of the tuner chip. n as follows:
0: Temic PAL tuner
1: Philips PAL_I tuner
2: Philips NTSC tuner
3: Philips SECAM tuner
4: no tuner
5: Philips PAL tuner
6: Temic NTSC tuner
7: Temic PAL tuner
i2c_chardev.o
provides a character device for i2c bus access. Works for 2.1.x
only, not compiled by default.
To load the tuner+msp3400 modules with kerneld/kmod, you should use "modprobe -k tuner; modprobe -k msp3400" in pre-install for bttv.