Updated: janvier 25, 2006

Welcome to OM-Cube: the Open MultiMedia Machine Project

• 2004-05-04 : OM-Cube version 0.2.0 released:

  • Fedora Core 1

  • 1inux-2.4.26

  • bootsplash-3.0.7

  • busybox-1.00-pre10

  • MPlayer-1.0pre4

  • lcdproc-0.4.4

• 2004-05-04: OM-Cube version 0.2.0 available! The OM-Cube project has been ported on the final target (CV860B model). The TV OUT is now ready with the 800x600 definition. OM-Cube Software upgraded to: Fedora Core 1, linux-2.4.26, bootsplash-3.0.7, busybox-1.00-pre10, MPlayer-1.0pre4, lcdproc-0.4.4.
• 2004-02-16: OM-Cube version 0.1.0 available! A 4x20 LCD module has been added to the OM-Cube prototype for displaying multimedia informations. The Linux kernel configuration has been optimized: Frame Buffer in the VESA mode. A boot splash screen has been added in order to trash the Linux boot messages. BusyBox has been used for all main Linux commands. A configuration tool is under development in order to configure and produce the OM-Cube distribution. The OM-Cube prototype will be ported to the CV860B model and to the ASUS Pundit model soon.
• 2003-07-03: OM-Cube version 0.0.1 available!
• 2003-06-30: Testing mplayer and freevo from HD: the CV860A at 533 MHz seems to be limited to play a DVD stream with the xv video output. I've used the VESA video output mode. It's better but no CPU power for another thing.
• 2003-06-23: Hardware and Sofware specifications added. The OM-Cube prototype based on the CV860A model boots from HD, CF card and USB key.
• 2003-06-20: OM-Cube birthday. Welcome baby!

1. The first motivation has appeared when I've read the first french book on embedded Linux written by my friend Pierre Ficheux who presented as an example his OMM: the Open Music Machine. The OMM machine was devoted to only MP3 streams.
2. The second motivation is a remark: the common DVD readers don't read all multimedia streams. At this time, you have to use a LapTop connected to the TV screen by the TV OUT plug if you want to read a DivX stream.
3. The last but not the least motivation. Through the OM-Cube Project, I want to propose to my students very sexy and funny projects on embedded Linux, MultiMedia and embedded System Integration.

Documentation

• A general paper on the OM-Cube Project: [PDF]
• A general presentation on the OM-Cube Project: [PDF]
• An article in Linux Magazine 62, june '04, the french magazine on Linux: [HTML]

Snapshots

These are snapshots of the OM-Cube machine:

The OM-Cube machine in action on TV.

The OM-Cube prototype (based on the CV860A model).

The OM-Cube final target (based on the CV860B model with the TV OUT).

The LCD module.

The DVD and HD drives for development.

The Light System Case.

The "all in one" CV860B mode motherboardl.

The boot splash screen.

The Frame Buffer mode.

People

• Patrice Kadionik - Pat. kadionik@enseirb.fr. Prof Ass. Maintainer
• V. Hiribarren - hiribarr@enseirb.fr. 3rd ENSEIRB Year student
• N. Marchand - marchann@enseirb.fr. 3rd ENSEIRB Year student
• N. Talfer - talfer@enseirb.fr. 3rd ENSEIRB Year student

Hardware Requirements

In order to have no cross development plateform to configure, a x86 processor (or a clone AMD...) is preferable. The CPU power is quite difficult to estimate. According to different discussions, a x86 target at 800 MHz (from the MPlayer site) at least is preferable for video streaming.

The SBC target must have all necessary Inputs/Outputs: "All in one". At least:

• TV OUT.
• IR controller for TV On Screen Display (IRDA port for example).
• Compact Flash or Disk On Chip socket for embedding the application.
• IDE ports for DVD and HD drive support..
• Ethernet access for development.
• Keyboard and mouse support for development.

A 4x20 character LCD display may optionally used in front panel of the OM-Cube system.

I've choosen boards from Lex System. There's a reseller in France: Silink.

I have first bought the CV860A model for the OM-Cube prototype that is a x86 CPU motherboard with everything (in theory): the CV860A (VIA EDEN 533MHz CPU, 3 x 10/100 Realtek LAN). The case is the Light System Case. The full specifications are here.

I have now the CV860B model for the OM-Cube final machine (VIA C3, 800MHz CPU, 1 x 10/100 Realtek LAN) with TV OUT. The case is the Light System Case.

CV860A CV860B Light System Case

Software Requirements

• The OM-Cube system must work on Linux version 2.4.x or later. The system boots from CF card (no HD)
• A boot splash screen appears for replacing the traditional Linux boot messages. Open Source Project: bootsplash at www.bootsplash.org
• A minimal graphical environment must be used: Frame Buffer in VESA mode at this time
• An open source player. Open Source Project: mplayer at www.mplayerhq.hu
• A 4x20 LCD display. Open Source Project: LCDProc at lcdproc.omnipotent.net
• The IR controller allows direct OSD on the TV screen. Open Source Project: LIRC at www.lirc.org

Specific Hardware Development

• A specific LCD display device may be added. I've choosen to use the parallel port. The LCDproc Project allows to control LCD displays from Linux.
• A specific IR controller will be developped. On the LIRC project page, different hardware modules are proposed connected to the parallel port, the serial port or to a audio board. I've choosen to have the hardware device connected to the serial port. The parallel port must be reserved to the LCD device because this device has a (parallel) 8 bit data bus.

Please, read the OM-Cube Specific Hardware Page

Hardware Links

Main OM-Cube Links:

• LCD display on parallel port: here
• IR controller on serial port: here

Other interesting Links:

• VGA/SCART adaptator: here. In french language: here

Software Links

Main OM-Cube Links:

• Fedora Distribution: fedora.redhat.com or www.linuxiso.org
• Linux Kernel: www.linux.org
• Boot Splash Screen Project: www.bootsplash.org
• Busybox Toolbox: www.busybox.net
• MPlayer Multimedia Player Project: www.mplayerhq.hu
• LCDproc Project: lcdproc.omnipotent.net
• LIRC Project: www.lirc.org

Other interesting Links:

• Freevo Multimedia Player Project: freevo.sourceforge.net
• Xine Multimedia Player Project: xinehq.de
• OXine Multimedia Player Project with OSD based on Xine: oxine.sourceforge.net
• VLC media player Project: www.videolan.org/vlc/
• Video Linux Site: www.linux-video.org

Downloads

• 2004-05-04: OM-Cube CF version 0.2.0. OM-Cube source version 0.2.0 with Fedora Core 1, linux-2.4.26, bootsplash-3.0.7, busybox-1.00-pre10, MPlayer-1.0pre4, lcdproc-0.4.4
• 2004-02-16: OM-Cube CF version 0.1.0. OM-Cube source version 0.1.0 with RedHat 9, linux-2.4.24, bootsplash-3.0.7, busybox-0.6, MPlayer-0.9, lcdproc-0.4.4
• 2003-07-03: OM-Cube CF version 0.0.1 with RedHat 9, linux-2.4.20, busybox-0.6, MPlayer-0.9

In order to install the OM-Cube software, you must have an HD connected running Linux. You have to:

1. Create a Linux partition on the Compact Flash:
   • # fdisk /dev/hdc
2. Create an ext3 file system on the /dev/hdc1 partition:
   • # mkfs.ext3 /dev/hdc1
3. Decompress the OM-Cube software:
   • # cd
   • # tar -xvzf omcube-x.x.x.tar.gz
4. Mount the /dev/hdc1 partition:
   • # mkdir /cf
   • # mount -t ext3 /dev/hdc1 /cf
5. Copy all the OM-Cube software under the /cf directory:
   • # cd omcube-x.x.x
   • # cp -r * /cf
6. Install LILO on the CF Flash according to the /cf/etc/lilo.conf configuration file:
   • # lilo -r /cf -v
7. Reboot the OM-Cube machine from CF and enjoy...

TO DO

• 2004-05-04: The MPlayer GUI must be tested. A OM-Cube skin must be defined. Linux version 2.6 must be tested.

DONE

• 2004-05-04: OM-Cube version 0.2.0 available! The OM-Cube project has been ported to the final target (CV860B model). The TV OUT is now ready in the 800x600 definition. OM-Cube Software upgraded to: Fedora Core 1, linux-2.4.26, bootsplash-3.0.7, busybox-1.00-pre10, MPlayer-1.0pre4, lcdproc-0.4.4.
• 2004-02-16: OM-Cube version 0.1.0 available! A LCD module has been added to the OM-Cube prototype. The Linux kernel configuration has been optimized: Frame Buffer in the VESA mode. A splash screen has been added in order to trash the Linux boot messages.
• 2003-07-03: first OM-Cube software release version 0.0.1: it uses the latest mplayer version with a Linux kernel version 2.4.20 in VESA mode.The display is a simple CRT.
• 2003-06-23: Booting the OM-Cube from the CF card with a 2.4.20 Linux kernel.
• 2003-06-23: Booting the OM-Cube from an USB key with a 2.4.20 Linux kernel.
• 2003-06-30: Testing mplayer and freevo from HD: the CV860A at 533 MHz seems to be limited to play a DVD stream with the xv video output.

HOWTOS

• HOWTO Install and boot the OM-Cube from the CF card
• HOWTO Boot the OM-Cube from an USB key. Coming soon...

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