Dr D's Abode

Well, I haven’t written much about it, but I do have a MythTV setup on a Gentoo box at home.

The reason its running on Gentoo is simply because KnoppMyth didn’t give me the upgrade options I wanted without a re-install, or upgrade which breaks the system, and the fedora based installs didn’t work correctly on my hardware. Needless to say, I am very pleased with MythTV, on my Gentoo box.

Recently, Ive been looking into seeing if I can set up streams from my PVR, to my PDA phone. I found this file type, .3gp, which most modern systems recognize and play without problems. I came across a few websites [Links here, here, and here] that showed you how to encode videos into the 3gp format. However, on my system, the encoding process was not working correctly. After making sure I had all the correct USE options for my gentoo setup, I decided to try the first links directions, and compile a separate install for ffmpeg, dubbed ffmpeg_3gp.

Like all directions, things change, and I had to adopt the new options and such to get things to work, which is why im writing this. I figured I spent some time on getting it to work, and wanted to share my knowledge with the rest of the world (or whoever reads this)

Starting off, I made sure my system was up to date (Gentoo, 2007.0), I ran emerge –sync, of course.

Next, I had to download the ffmpeg source, the command used in the first link did not work, so I went to the website, and found the correct command:

svn checkout svn://svn.mplayerhq.hu/ffmpeg/trunk ffmpeg

Then, I cd’ed into the directory, and ran the config script, again, new versions, there was a different option to run:

./configure –enable-libamr-nb

The original documentation stated that there would need to be additional files downloaded, but I saw no note of this, so I decided to download the files anyways.

wget “http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/archive/26_series/26.104/26104-510.zip”

I downloaded this one, because when trying to use the build in ebuild, gentoo downloaded this file as well. I followed the directions from here on out, copying the new executable from the current directory, to /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg_3gp

Then of course, the script to encode everything, I had to jazz up a bit:

mythtv@hermes ~ $ cat /usr/local/bin/myth3gp.sh
#!/bin/bash

PATH=”/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin”

NICELEVEL=”19″

OUT=”/mythtv/3gpvideo”
TMP=”/mythtv/3gpvideo/tmp”
OUTFILE=`echo $2 | sed -e ‘s/ /_/g’ -e ‘s/:/-/g’ -e ‘s/\!//g’`

TITLE=”`echo $2 | sed -e ‘s/^.*[0-9]-//g’`”
TIMESTAMP=”`date`”
COMMENT=”This video was encoded with ffmpeg on `hostname -f` at `date`”

RESOLUTION=”176×144″
# 176×144 default
# 352×288

sudo nice -n $NICELEVEL ffmpeg_3gp -y -i “$1″ -title “$TITLE” -timestamp “$TIMESTAMP” -comment “$COMMENT” -s $RESOLUTION -b 64k -r 15 -ac 1 -ar 8000 -ab 12.2k “$TMP/$OUTFILE.3gp” || exit 2

# do 3gp stuff
MP4Box -3gp -mtu 1450 -hint “$TMP/$OUTFILE.3gp” -out “$OUT/$OUTFILE.3gp” || exit 2

rm -rf $TMP/$OUTFILE.*
Install the script into the user Jobs, and the hard part should be done.

Next is the setup of the streaming server. I attempted to use the Darwin Streaming server, but ran into problems. Thats where I am now, and plan to continue on.

I hope this page helps people out if they ever run into problems with this type of setup.

EDIT:

So I just checked, and it looks like its been fixed in gentoo on a newer ebuild version, but it looks like its masked for some reason. The reason it wasn’t working is because they were using the old –enable line, instead of the new one. BLEH

oh well.

OMFG! I DID IT!

I wasn’t sure when I walked out, but I effing did it!

I am now officially a RHCE! [redhat.com | wikipedia.com]

I Scored above average (what was needed to pass the exam) .

See the included image!

So the last few days ive been at a redhat facility in downtown chi, and so far its been pretty fun, and ive learned quite a bit.

I just wanted to post a few pics i took of the facility (dont worry, it doesnt reveal anything more then a normal linux guru should know)

Someone posted this at work, thought it was interesting

 http://www.jottings.com/100-oldest-dot-com-domains.htm

So I was filling out the RMA form for my Hitachi hdd that died. (the diag said it had excessive shock, but i take care of my equipment)

Anyways, so I am filling out the RMA, and I get asked the following question:

Weird, but OK. Just glad I wont store any of that stuff on here, I dont want to know what happens if you disagree!

http://sysadminday.com/

Today is sysadmin day, and I want to wish all the admins out there a happy sysAdmin day!

Here is a few sexy network images for all you admins!

So I finally gave in and got a new laptop.

After looking around, and deciding to get my own (instead of having work pay for it) I got a Lenovo / IBM Thinkpad T60.

This thing is sweet. 2.0ghz processor, windows xp (I chose NOT to get vista), 100g hdd. I will post the specs later, but yea, I am extremely happy with it!

OK, so I am being an idiot and wanting a new cell phone.
Though I am somewhat satisfied with my current Nokia 6800, I feel I need more.
The reason I got the Nokia 6800 was because I wanted a keyboard for texting. Yes, I love the keyboard. However this phone is limited in what it can do. Sure it has a FM radio built in, but I NEVER use it. Oh, and the ringtones are those polymorphic tones. Bland MIDI.

So I have been looking into some other ones.

The basics of what I want:
- Looks OK
- Plays Music (Mp3s)
- Has a built in camera
- Has bluetooth
- Affordable
- Must work with T-Mobile

So I have narrowed it down to the following 3 (Click names for pics and info):

Samsung t890
T-Mobile SDA
T-Mobile MDA

I like the samsung, because its sleek, its small, and it does what I want. And according to a review, if Darth Vader had a cell, this would be it. Downside is that it doesnt have a full keyboard, which I have come to love.

I like the MDA, because well, it has everything. I can connect to my home wifi and use it to control computers on my local network and such. It has a full keyboard, and a “software numberpad” for when dialing, basically you press the screen. It can even play mp3s and small videos. Downside is that supposivly it doesnt have the best reception and signal, and its a little bulky.

On the other hand, the lower end SDA has everyhting I need, plus plays some videos, has better reception and reviews that the MDA, but it does not have the full keyboard, no touchscreen like the MDA, and not as many programs can run on it.

Speaking soley on what I need compard to what I want, the samsung it would be, but everyone knows me, I am a geek and want more.

So I know its a little late, because well, Sysadmin day was yesterday….
but Happy late Sysadmin day!

The last Friday of July every year is the sysadmin day. Basically a day for us hard working network/tech gurus to be honored.

http://www.sysadminday.com

Well have fun! Oh, and dont forget to donate!