Question for kernel expert

[Mike Adolf]

Frans wrote:
> On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:51:06 -0600, Mike Adolf wrote:
>
>   
>> I have been attempting to install a tv tuner, pctv 800i, chipset
>> cx23883-39.  I bought this after reading in the mythtv wiki that it
>> worked under linux and that all one had to do was extract firmware file
>> from a windows file and build and install the latest v4l driver tree.
>>     
>
> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Pinnacle_PCTV_HD_Card_(800i) doesn't
> say you *have* to build and install the latest v4l driver tree, just that
> the latest v4l driver tree has support for the card ;-)
>  
>   
>> WELL! I tried that and it corrupted the kernel (2.6.24-21) so it would
>> no longer boot.  Through help from members of this list I was able to
>> reinstall (2.6.24-21). Determined to get this tuner installed I returned
>> to the Mythtv wiki and noticed the fine print that said if you try this
>> with Hardy it will destroy a couple of alsa related modules (cx88-alsa
>> being one of them).  Why, because alsa was not compiled into the kernel.
>>  Several kernels have been released since Hardy was released.
>>
>> How can I tell if alsa is compile (2.6.24-21)?  I did not see it using
>> lsmod. The only alsa module showing up is cx88-alsa. The alsa base
>> support files are installed.  I read that a bug has been fixed and
>> alsa-driver 1.0.16 can now be used. It can be downloaded from
>>
>> https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/alsa-driver/1.0.16-0ubuntu4
>>
>> I have used linux for many years and this is the first time I hit a
>> brick wall.  Can I, one with moderate system knowledge, install this
>> alsa-driver in the kernel?  Can someone out there help!
>>
>> OH BTW the mythtv fix is to install vanilla 2.6.25 kernal from source.
>> But I'm not about to try this.  Who knows how many patches Ubuntu put in
>> the kernels they distribute.
>>
>> Mike
>>     
>
> Reading https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/220857 "build and
> install the latest v4l driver tree" on Ubuntu Hardy gives problems for
> which no good solution has been found yet.
>
> However, on an updated Hardy I get this:
> frans at frans-desktop-ubuntu:~$ modinfo /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-dvb.ko
> filename:       /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-dvb.ko
> license:        GPL
> author:         Gerd Knorr <kraxel at bytesex.org> [SuSE Labs]
> author:         Chris Pascoe <c.pascoe at itee.uq.edu.au>
> description:    driver for cx2388x based DVB cards
>
> frans at frans-desktop-ubuntu:~$ modinfo /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88xx.ko 
> filename:       /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88xx.ko
> license:        GPL
> author:         Gerd Knorr <kraxel at bytesex.org> [SuSE Labs]
> description:    v4l2 driver module for cx2388x based TV cards
>
> so it seems either the cx88-dvb or the cx88xx module should work for you,
> probably the first if you want to use digital tv sources. 
>
> If you really need a new module version for your card:
>
> Running the Intrepid beta live CD I get this:
> ubuntu at ubuntu:~$ modinfo /lib/modules/2.6.27-4-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-dvb.ko 
> filename:       /lib/modules/2.6.27-4-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-dvb.ko
> license:        GPL
> author:         Gerd Knorr <kraxel at bytesex.org> [SuSE Labs]
> author:         Chris Pascoe <c.pascoe at itee.uq.edu.au>
> description:    driver for cx2388x based DVB cards
>
> Good luck!
>
>     -Frans
>
>
>   
Frans,
If a .ko file is present does that mean it is installed in the kernel? 
If I do a lsmod I see an entry for cx88xx but not cx88-dvb. If it is 
there, I guess I'm just out of luck. tvtime gives the error "videoinput: 
Can't get tuner info: Invalid argument" and kdetv starts off with the 
error "ALSA lib control.c:909:(snd_ctl_open_noupdate) Invalid CTL" and 
is followed by nothing but errors. Maybe I'll try the live CD.

Thanks,
Mike