comparison DOCS/documentation.html @ 6617:5e9b842fd06e

further updates for RTC

6616:0b5a789d7fab

  <UL>
    <LI><B>To use the old method</B>, you don't have to do anything. It uses
      <CODE>usleep()</CODE> to tune A/V sync, with +/- 10ms accuracy. However
      sometimes the sync has to be tuned even finer.</LI>
    <LI><B>The new timer</B> code uses PC's RTC (Real Time Clock) for this task,
      because it has precise 1ms timers. This requires root privileges, or a
      <I>setuid root</I> <B>MPlayer</B> binary. If you are running kernel
      2.4.19pre8 or later you can adjust the maximum RTC frequency for normal
      users through the <CODE>/proc</CODE> filesystem. Use this command to enable
      RTC for normal users:
      <P>
      <CODE>echo 1025 > /proc/sys/dev/rtc/max-user-freq</CODE>
      </P>
      If you do not have such a new kernel, you can also change one line in
      <CODE>drivers/char/rtc.c</CODE> and recompile your kernel. Find the line
      <P>
      <CODE>if ((rtc_freq > 64) && (!capable(CAP_SYS_RESOURCE)))</CODE>
      </P>
      and change the 64 to 1024. You should really know what you are doing, though.
      <BR>
      You can see the new timer's efficiency in the status line. In some hardware
      combinations (confirmed during usage of non-DMA DVD drive on an ALi1541 board)
      usage of the RTC timer causes skippy playback. It's recommended to use the
      following method in these cases.</LI>
    <LI><B>The third timer code</B> is turned on with the <CODE>-softsleep</CODE>
      option. It has the efficiency of the RTC, but it doesn't use RTC. On the other
      hand, it requires more CPU.</LI>
  </UL>
</LI>
</UL>

Note: <B>NEVER install setuid MPlayer binary on a
multiuser system!</B> It's a clear way for everyone to gain root.


<P>Then build <B>MPlayer</B>:</P>

6617:5e9b842fd06e

  <UL>
    <LI><B>To use the old method</B>, you don't have to do anything. It uses
      <CODE>usleep()</CODE> to tune A/V sync, with +/- 10ms accuracy. However
      sometimes the sync has to be tuned even finer.</LI>
    <LI><B>The new timer</B> code uses PC's RTC (Real Time Clock) for this task,
      because it has precise 1ms timers. It is automagically enabled when
      available, but requires root privileges, a <I>setuid root</I>
      <B>MPlayer</B> binary or a properly set up kernel.
      <BR>
      If you are running kernel 2.4.19pre8 or later you can adjust the maximum
      RTC frequency for normal users through the <CODE>/proc</CODE> filesystem.
      Use this command to enable RTC for normal users:
      <P>
      <CODE>echo 1024 > /proc/sys/dev/rtc/max-user-freq</CODE>
      </P>
      If you do not have such a new kernel, you can also change one line in
      <CODE>drivers/char/rtc.c</CODE> and recompile your kernel. Find the
      section that reads
      <PRE>
	 * We don't really want Joe User enabling more
	 * than 64Hz of interrupts on a multi-user machine.
	 */
	if ((rtc_freq > 64) && (!capable(CAP_SYS_RESOURCE)))
      </PRE>
      and change the 64 to 1024. You should really know what you are doing, though.
      <BR>
      You can see the new timer's efficiency in the status line.
      <BR>
      The power management functions of some notebook BIOSes with speedstep CPUs
      interact badly with RTC. Audio and video may get out of sync. Plugging the
      external power connector in before you power up your notebook seems to help.
      You can always turn off RTC support with the <CODE>-nortc</CODE> switch.
      In some hardware combinations (confirmed during usage of non-DMA DVD
      drive on an ALi1541 board) usage of the RTC timer causes skippy playback.
      
      It's recommended to use the following method in these cases.</LI>
    <LI><B>The third timer code</B> is turned on with the <CODE>-softsleep</CODE>
      option. It has the efficiency of the RTC, but it doesn't use RTC. On the other
      hand, it requires more CPU.</LI>
  </UL>
</LI>
</UL>

Note: <B>NEVER install a setuid root MPlayer binary on a
multiuser system!</B> It's a clear way for everyone to gain root.


<P>Then build <B>MPlayer</B>:</P>