Quirky Xerus 8.1.4 for Raspberry Pi2 and 3

[don570]

I have managed to get videos to play, though no sound on my system

Did you check your headphone jack?


hdmi_group=1
hdmi_mode=4

in my config.txt results in the sound automatically going to the headphones.

OMXplayer 3.7 worked with the newest version of Quirky arm.
It allows the sound to be routed to the TV or the headphones.

Available at http://www.mydrive.ch
User: porteus@don570
Password: porteus

________________________________________________________

[don570]

Here's my review of version 8.0.98

1) Sound was set up automatically to my headphone jack

2) mhwaveedit launches audio mixer

3) leafpad can write a script now

4) OMXplayer 3.7 plays full screen. GIMP and gmic plugin work

5) no nano app

______________________________________________________________

Next I tried something I hadn't done before. I attached my USB DVD burner
(LG GP30 ) . I had to attach USB power cable to another computer.

Observations: Using the burner as an audio CD player is possible with
zigbert's pCD . It's slow but once the track list is formed the music plays fine.

Asunder will rip the audio CD but it's far too slow to be useful. I would
axe that program.

______________________________________________________


I used simple VNC player to play old TV shows burnt on DVD disks.
I couldn't get the OPENMAX setting to work but the other settings worked.
Fullscreen didn't work (except for one frame)

I tried to open the DVD and play but here is the message I got...



However the individual .VOB files will play fine but not full screen.
Sound was clean.
I didn't adjust gpu_mem to be bigger.

Interesting ---> OMXplayer will not play these VOB files on the DVD disk.


Here's VNC playing a burnt TV show...


_______________________________________

Note that there is track list shown when VNC first starts playing , but
it quickly disappears.


____________________________________________________________

[don570]

I have three suggestions...

Put a button to launch 'set-time-for-puppy' in the initial country settings window during first set up procedure.

_________________________________________________

You should put in more links to apps in the OpenWith folder since a list of apps will show when right clicking,
and this list is formed from apps that Rox finds in the OpenWith folder
I suggest links to gtkhash and simpleVLC player

___________________________________________________

I made a few minor changes to the icon placement in the
/usr/local/SimpleVLC/simplevlc file.

For instance a horizontal separator should be placed above the exit icon...
Here's the final version....

[BarryK]

Getting distinctly heavy for a little RPi guy to handle at ~360Mb .img ! Doing all that singing & dancing costs in terms of real estate. Not to mention the need of watching the heat dissipation/install optional heatsink. Strikes me there's room for a slim-Quirky ~150Mb, perhaps with extra careful app selection and no default options, just PPM? Who's the clever guy on this suggestion? or will we have to leave it to the maestro again?

It is easy to remove extra packages in Puppy Linux, one of its great qualities.

And ~500MB on disk makes this one of the smallest Distros for the RPi (not as small as the x86 puppies I remember weighing in under 90MB). I think the biggest part of that is Open Office, i think that is something like 150MB by itself, and I do prefer AbiWord.

Yeah, I was aiming for approx equivalence with Raspian, in terms of out-of-the-box functionality. So small size took a back seat.

Considering that Raspian download is 1.3GB, doing pretty well at 360MB.

Maybe Inkscape is an overkill. Openoffice Draw might be an OK SVG editor? -- I don't know, never tried it in that capacity.
Anyone got any experience how those two compare?

If I took out Inkscape, and there are some other places where I can trim the fat, could probably get it down to about 340MB.

But I do agree, it is "unpuppy like" to have such heavyweight applications. So, I will leave it as-is, but will probably also release a Lite version, with Abiword, Gnumeric and InkscapeLite.

Libreoffice Draw is disappointing. I opened /usr/share/pixmaps/puppy/cd_audio.svg with Draw, and it was wrong. On the otherhand, Inkscape opened it correctly.

Also, saving from Draw resulted in an incredibly verbose SVG file.

I might only use SVG files in Quirky that render properly in InkscapeLite, and stay with that.

[BarryK]

I can probably keep an xz'd Libreoffice in a USB drive and add it to Quirky Xerus later...

My tests of the 8.0.25 and 8.0.98 both involved corrupted background image, lost icons at next boot (PuppyPin reports an error in line2). While booting, EXT4-fs is reported to have errors. It could be that shutdown is incomplete? The board's red light is on all the time after shutdown.

I haven't experienced these problems. After shutdown, the red light stays on, you have to turn off the power to the board.

One thing about the micro-SD card in the Pi, be very careful not to turn off power while it is still running. That will very easily corrupt and even damage the SD card.

You have to power off from the menu, and only when the screen reports "no signal", then turn off power.

I recommend, play safe and turn of the power switch before unplugging anything on the Pi board.

I read recently, someone with a Pi in a rural area with unreliable power, reported going through many SD cards. Because, sudden random loss of power resulted in the SD card being damaged.
if you are in such a situation, use a UPS.

[BarryK]

5) no nano app

all Quirkies, and pups probably, have 'mp'.

[BarryK]

Next I tried something I hadn't done before. I attached my USB DVD burner
(LG GP30 ) . I had to attach USB power cable to another computer.

Observations: Using the burner as an audio CD player is possible with
zigbert's pCD . It's slow but once the track list is formed the music plays fine.

Asunder will rip the audio CD but it's far too slow to be useful. I would
axe that program.

______________________________________________________


I used simple VNC player to play old TV shows burnt on DVD disks.
I couldn't get the OPENMAX setting to work but the other settings worked.
Fullscreen didn't work (except for one frame)

I tried to open the DVD and play but here is the message I got...



However the individual .VOB files will play fine but not full screen.
Sound was clean.
I didn't adjust gpu_mem to be bigger.

Yeah, it's early days for SimpleVLC. I plan to add more functionality.

Good about those .vob files, one up on Omxplayer

[BarryK]

I have three suggestions...

Put a button to launch 'set-time-for-puppy' in the initial country settings window during first set up procedure.

_________________________________________________

You should put in more links to apps in the OpenWith folder since a list of apps will show when right clicking,
and this list is formed from apps that Rox finds in the OpenWith folder
I suggest links to gtkhash and simpleVLC player

___________________________________________________

I made a few minor changes to the icon placement in the
/usr/local/SimpleVLC/simplevlc file.

For instance a horizontal separator should be placed above the exit icon...
Here's the final version....

interesting how you centralised those icons. I like that, putting that in right now.
I will be revisiting the layout, as will add more features to the window soon.

[DavidS]

I have managed to get videos to play, though no sound on my system

Did you check your headphone jack?


hdmi_group=1
hdmi_mode=4

in my config.txt results in the sound automatically going to the headphones.

OMXplayer 3.7 worked with the newest version of Quirky arm.
It allows the sound to be routed to the TV or the headphones.

Available at http://www.mydrive.ch
User: porteus@don570
Password: porteus

________________________________________________________

Not going to headphone jack, that is what hdmi_drive=2 is about.

And I do get sound when attempting to play youtube in seamonkey. Though that is sound that is not always very clear, sometimes it has a noticable wine.

Still no sound in vlc.

[DavidS]

Ok now it is playing sound. I have no idea of what I did to fix it, as I completely reconfigured everything related to sound, not sure what step fixed the problem.

I have sound in vlc, using x11, SDL, and GLX. Have not tried OpenMAX yet.

[Sage]

..but will probably also release a Lite version..

- thank you, friend, that decision influences my next Pi decision.
Switch-off: I have used the reset function (discrete contacts on Zero, GPIO on I B+) at all stages of operations as well as power switch with no adverse effects - so far.
As per BK, the absence of a vga port is, in my opinion a major oversight although I have an HDMI adapter (with sound) operating satisfactorily, but selectively, on Pi I with some monitors. All the major manufacturers still supply vga on their budget monitors, many projectors are vga-only. It is not always convenient to use HMDI on a TV if another family member is using it to watch 'soaps', for example! Furthermore, at this stage of proceedings, not all HDMI implementations are equal. And, combination of (digital) sound and vision may be clever but not well matched to this kind of project. Therein lies my main concern about deploying a device originally designed for teaching, control and general experimentation and demonstration as a fully fledged PC substitute. A basic m/b may be the better option as well as cheaper overall with better compatibilities and results - indeed, the wonder of Puppy has been that it'll run fast and efficiently with all you desire on a piece of junk rescued from the proverbial skip/dumpster, even if at the cost of a new BIOS battery, perhaps a few bad caps! No bundle of (expensive) add-ons & adapters to acquire, either.
Jide may be showing the way forward for ARM/Android-on-PC with yet another iteration about to hit kickstarter???!!!
[P.S. wine=whine ]

[DavidS]

There is a simple VGA available for the RPi, it is easy to put together using 15 resisters and a VGA plug, then there is a config.sys setting to use the VGA output as the default video out. I would have to look around the Raspberry Forums to find it again, though I will post a link here once found.

On sound:
I lost the sound again, nothing should have changed. I think I will try to get this monitor to accept CEA HDMI signal, as that may be the issue. Sound works well on all other OS'e with DMT video signal, though there seems to be something strange with Puppy and sound.

And I do not think that any one else using Puppy Linux is using DMT video.

[greengeek]

There is a simple VGA available for the RPi, it is easy to put together using 15 resisters and a VGA plug, then there is a config.sys setting to use the VGA output as the default video out. I would have to look around the Raspberry Forums to find it again, though I will post a link here once found.

I would be interested to read more about this if it is possible as the hdmi issue is the main reason I have not gone for the Pi.

The second post on this threadoffers reasons why they say passive hdmi to vga is impossible on the Pi (while indicating that it could work on some PC graphics cards that have analog outputs).

And this thread also seems to suggest that a powered hdmi to vga adapter is definitely a requirement for the Pi.

However I get the impression from these posts that an old monitor that has a DVI input could be run from the Pi via a passive cable.

EDIT : There seem to be some very cheap ($5) cables some people are using to change Pi hdmi to vga but I guess they must include electronics of some kind? (If so where do they take power from??) Video here (mentions the config.txt mod too)

[Sage]

My vga adapter cost ~fiver from CPC(Farnell) and runs direct from HDMI into an HANNS G 19" monitor without external power. The little box undoubtedly contains 'electronics'. In principal, it is possible to tap off tiny amounts of power from any signal source but no idea how this one works (it is sealed,otherwise the screws would've been removed upon delivery!) Haven't managed to display RPi through a DVI connection, yet, but these are an even bigger can o' worms than HDMI. Nope - Eben got it wrong, should've been an onboard vga connector for the intended porpoises(sic).

[DavidS]

There is a simple VGA available for the RPi, it is easy to put together using 15 resisters and a VGA plug, then there is a config.sys setting to use the VGA output as the default video out. I would have to look around the Raspberry Forums to find it again, though I will post a link here once found.

I would be interested to read more about this if it is possible as the hdmi issue is the main reason I have not gone for the Pi.

The second post on this threadoffers reasons why they say passive hdmi to vga is impossible on the Pi (while indicating that it could work on some PC graphics cards that have analog outputs).

And this thread also seems to suggest that a powered hdmi to vga adapter is definitely a requirement for the Pi.

However I get the impression from these posts that an old monitor that has a DVI input could be run from the Pi via a passive cable.

EDIT : There seem to be some very cheap ($5) cables some people are using to change Pi hdmi to vga but I guess they must include electronics of some kind? (If so where do they take power from??) Video here (mentions the config.txt mod too)

Here is the main article:
Gert's VGA
And here is a supplier that sells the adaptor pre-made:
Gert VGA 666

Note that you do lose most of the GPIO pins, that is the tradeoff, as the video signal uses 20 of them.

It costs about $1.50 USD in parts to make the adapter.

[DavidS]

Ok Sound now seems stable on the RPi 3B, using CEA video, even though it meant switching monitors as my main monitor would not work with CEA at all.

So puppy seems to have some kind of trouble with DMT video with audio on the signal, something that may be worth looking into.

[Sage]

Here is the main article:
Gert's VGA

Couple of points: a resistive unit does not involve a DAC.That conversion must already be present on the board as there is analogue OP on the 4-pin jack? Neither vast power consumption nor pots of dosh should therefore be required? Apart from that, a through-pin adapter is 99p for the GPIO (or make your own with Veroboard) so pins are not 'lost'.
As I said, my adapter was ~five quid. It plugs directly into the std. HDMI skt.
All this confusion, cost, workaround and fudge would've been unnecessary if Eben got it right first time - or even second or third time, for that matter.

P.S. D.S. - tell us where you are! gg is in NZ so we know morning of the 22nd has arrived for him.

[DavidS]

Here is the main article:
Gert's VGA

Couple of points: a resistive unit does not involve a DAC.That conversion must already be present on the board as there is analogue OP on the 4-pin jack? Neither vast power consumption nor pots of dosh should therefore be required? Apart from that, a through-pin adapter is 99p for the GPIO (or make your own with Veroboard) so pins are not 'lost'.
As I said, my adapter was ~five quid. It plugs directly into the std. HDMI skt.
All this confusion, cost, workaround and fudge would've been unnecessary if Eben got it right first time - or even second or third time, for that matter.

P.S. D.S. - tell us where you are! gg is in NZ so we know morning of the 22nd has arrived for him.

Look up a resistor lader DAC. The signal from the GPIO's for the VGA is pure digital, and thus the resistors do form a Resistor Lader DAC, that is how we get the analog signal for the VGA.

Come on this is very basic electronics.

I am unfortunately in the USA, in Arizona (good state if in the USA), middle of nowhere in the desert mountains.

[BarryK]

There is a simple VGA available for the RPi, it is easy to put together using 15 resisters and a VGA plug, then there is a config.sys setting to use the VGA output as the default video out. I would have to look around the Raspberry Forums to find it again, though I will post a link here once found.

On sound:
I lost the sound again, nothing should have changed. I think I will try to get this monitor to accept CEA HDMI signal, as that may be the issue. Sound works well on all other OS'e with DMT video signal, though there seems to be something strange with Puppy and sound.

And I do not think that any one else using Puppy Linux is using DMT video.

I have not yet sorted out the settings in config.txt.

I have had other devices connected to my TV that have "just worked".

Anyway, I think that I had sound and video both working with this:

hdmi_force_hotplug=1
hdmi_group=1

[DavidS]

@BerryK:

That then fits what I found. hdmi_group=1 is CEA, the more common for HDMI media devices, hdmi_group=2 is DMT, more common with DVI, though still used in HDMI.