Thread: V4l(2) Api

Hey I have a new project, basically I'm making some PVR software, similar to Tivo. A question has occured though as I was going through the V4L and V4L2 Api specs...

I Have 4 questions, I would be very grateful if any of them were answered:

1. If I have a hardware based MPEG2 encoder in my PVR card, then how do I interact with the device? i.e. Do I just read from it and I get and MPEG2 encoded video stream from it? Do I still only catch frames, but have an extra ioctl() call to encode them??

2. How do I record sound as part of my tv program? As far as I know V4L can only be used to capture video, however sound is an essential part of a tv program. I need to record that too.

3. How do I flip through Television Channels? To access the stuff on channel 40, Fox what would I have to do. How can I switch to reading Channel 39, ESPN?

4. I've read all the documentation that a basic google search brought up. Are there any places where I can find more info?

Thank you VERY, VERY much in advance.

I know this will be complex. I've checked out the source but it's so much that I can't find the relevant parts. I don't want all the stuff they have. I just want to read from the device and save it in mpeg2. Which is already big enough for me. I also thought that the v4l API works with every compliant card the same way...

Yeah. Well thanks for the help. Anyone else?

I'm not looking for magic answers, nor do i not realize how complex and time-consuming this project will be. I also didn't want to dismiss you. Sorry for any misunderstandings.



EDIT: I have answers to Qs 2 and 4 now...