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.

Have you checked out the MythTV or FreeVo code? Most of your questions are dependent on what hardware you are using, which you didn't provide. This sounds like it might be a more complex project than you realize.

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...

Well those applications have the information you desire. And given the complexity of the task it will obviously take some work to figure it out and write it. It shouldn't be *that* hard to dissect one of those programs sources to figure out which parts are relevant to you, atleast not that hard compared to writing it.

Yeah. Well thanks for the help. Anyone else?

Well I'm sorry my answers aren't making your life easier, but your project is quite complex so don't expect anyone to magically make it easier.

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...