Author Topic: Rockbox for x86 (Mini ITX motherboards) (Read 11738 times)

Lexridge · « **on:** October 22, 2008, 08:19:13 PM »

This is my first post to the Rockbox forums, but I have followed it on and off for quite some time.

I would like to build a very small either mini ITX or nano ITX system for my vehicle, using a 7" touchscreen monitor mounted on the dash. Is it possible to compile rockbox for x86, or better yet, does one already exist I could simply put on a compact flash card and boot it? I could probably do something similar with a small linux install (Damn Small Linux with QT libs installed) and Amarok, but Rockbox would be so much nicer and more friendly in a touchscreen environment.

Plus, wouldn't it be great to simply transfer songs to this device wireless from the comfort of my livingroom to my car in the garage.

Thanks,
Lexridge

JdGordon · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2008, 08:40:31 PM »

you can already build the sim for sdl which would work fine, and it can be made to accept mouse clicks so I guess a touchscreen shouldnt be too hard..

Lexridge · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2008, 08:50:17 PM »

Are you saying that it's already possible to cross-build Rockbox on the x86 platform, and I would simply need to add SDL to it for touchscreen operation? If that is the case, I'm ready to start as I already have the mini-ITX MB.

cool_walking_ · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2008, 08:54:39 PM »

It's not really the same thing as running Rockbox completely native. I think some small features are not implemented in the sim. The sim uses SDL. See http://rockbox.org/wiki/UiSimulator . There are some pre-built win32 binaries on http://rasher.dk/rockbox/simulator/ .

Last I heard, the mouse input on the sim was horribly broken. Has it been fixed?

Lexridge · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2008, 08:56:32 PM »

OIC, I didn't realize there was a RB simulator/emulator available. I guess I should do more homework on this. DOH!

Lexridge

saratoga · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:03:34 PM »

Its not an emulator, its actually a port of rockbox to unix/windows.

Lexridge · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:08:52 PM »

Ok, great. It's a stand alone app, but it appears to be Win32 only. I would want to run it on top of linux (without WINE).

Linux is so much easier to manage in a CF booting environment.

I was originally under the impression that Rockbox used embedded Linux as its subsystem. I see now that it does not.

Amarok with a custom touchscreen skin may be the way to go for this project.

Lexridge

cool_walking_ · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:11:31 PM »

No it runs native on Linux too. The wiki does give the wrong impression..

Lexridge · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:13:15 PM »

Quote from: cool_walking_ on October 22, 2008, 09:11:31 PM

No it runs native on Linux too. The wiki does give the wrong impression..

I'll look around some more...thanks for that. I was about to give up.

Lexridge

cool_walking_ · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:14:12 PM »

Look at the plain "Building" section on the wiki page.

Lexridge · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:22:13 PM »

Quote from: cool_walking_ on October 22, 2008, 09:14:12 PM

Look at the plain "Building" section on the wiki page.

Okay, just so we are in sync, this is what I need:
The sim source code in order to build in native Linux (I have not yet found the simulator source). I think it may be part of the /tools/ directory in the RB source.

The Rockbox image of my choice to run under the sim

Is this correct?

Edit: NM, I think I have this figured out. I'll post back when I've successfully built it. Thanks for the help.
Edit2: It's building now. Looking good!

Lexridge

saratoga · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:38:24 PM »

Quote from: Lexridge on October 22, 2008, 09:22:13 PM

Quote from: cool_walking_ on October 22, 2008, 09:14:12 PM
Look at the plain "Building" section on the wiki page.

Okay, just so we are in sync, this is what I need:
The sim source code in order to build in native Linux (I have not yet found the simulator source).

sim only stuff (e.g. SDL drivers) is in uisimulator, however, aside from that, there is little sim specific code. As I said, its a port of rockbox to unix/windows, not a separate program.

Quote from: Lexridge on October 22, 2008, 09:22:13 PM

The Rockbox image of my choice to run under the sim

Is this correct?

No. Its not an emulator, so you can't emulate anything. Its rockbox on the PC, and thus it only runs rockbox compiled for the PC.

Lexridge · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2008, 09:42:38 PM »

Okay, all went well, and it's compiled. Just did a make install and it created the archos directory...running it now....SUCCESS!!! Now, I guess I just need to copy some mp3s or flacs to the archos directory. Cool cool cool! Thanks folks!

EDIT: Copied some mp3s over, and they do play, but ALSA seems to have some crackling audio for some reason. It's a great start however, and I'm sure to figure this out.

Edit: I built this using the IPOD Video (ID22) target. What in your opinion is the best UI to build this with, since the sky is the limit? Or does it not make any real difference?

Lexridge

cool_walking_ · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2008, 11:06:00 PM »

The iPod Video's 320x240x16 is the largest screen/best colour depth, along with the gigabeat F/X/S which is 240x320x16.

The different targets also have different buttons, and possibly (I don't know) features (plugins, etc) are disabled depending on which target you use.

You could make a new build target with different screen dimensions if you wanted.

The sim also has some command-line options (see --help), including --zoom, which you may want to use.

Lexridge · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2008, 11:17:01 PM »

Quote from: cool_walking_ on October 22, 2008, 11:06:00 PM

The iPod Video's 320x240x16 is the largest screen/best colour depth, along with the gigabeat F/X/S which is 240x320x16.

The different targets also have different buttons, and possibly (I don't know) features (plugins, etc) are disabled depending on which target you use.

You could make a new build target with different screen dimensions if you wanted.

The sim also has some command-line options (see --help), including --zoom, which you may want to use.

Actually, zoom would probably work, but I'd rather make it run at 640x480 which would be ideal for a touchscreen LCD mounted to my dashboard. Preferably with a large font that doesn't require squinting while driving. thanks for the tip.