[ubuntu-uk] OT - digital TV recorder (Humax) free software.....

[Rob Beard]

On 03/07/11 16:26, alan c wrote:
> I have just purchased a new Humax tv recorder (FOX T2), it has a USB
> port which can be used to connect to a LAN and router for tv internet
> use, with things like iplayer (bbc) etc. I am using a wifi usb dongle.
>
> I noticed that the first file system the User's Manual lists
> compatibility for, in an external hard drive is ext3, which I thought
> was nice.
>
> I continued thumbing through to the appendices, and suddenly saw lots of
> free software stuff.
>
> '...... The licences for most software are designed to take away your
> freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public
> Licence is intended to guarantee your freedom to .....'
>
> The hardcopy User's Manual has 105 pages and page 98 onwards is Open
> Source Software Notice - GPL softwae Linux, busybox, avinfo
> LGPL uClibc, libexif, id3lib
> FTL (www.freetype.org)
>
> and an appendix with over 6 pages of GPL and LGPL licences shown.
>
> It took me a little while to check I was not dreaming.
> :-)

Yep it wouldn't surprise of if it's based on Linux.  In fact I gather 
quite a lot of the consumer AV hardware out there runs on Linux (such as 
some Bluray players and media player devices).  Not so sure about the 
branded stuff (Philips, LG, Sony etc) but I know some of the cheaper 
devices do.

I've also seen references to things like Freetype in games on the XBOX, 
I think The Secret Of Monkey Island was one.

Presumably they use FLOSS software in their stuff to save them having to 
re-invent the wheel.

Rob