A (very old) screenshot of the project in action.

This project is an attempt to provide the Linux community with kernel drivers for two hugely popular DVD playback cards, namely the DXR3 from Creative Labs and the Hollywood Plus from Sigma Designs. Since both of the companies refuse to release detailed specifications, the only way to obtain the required information is to investigate the way the Windows software interacts with the card.

So far we have got enough info to make a device driver that is capable of decoding MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 streams and generate video on the TV-out and VGA Overlay connectors. The driver can also play audio through the analog or spdif digital connectors. There is plenty of work remaining in order to make it as good (better) as the windows software, but since we have come this far I'm convinced that we can find out the rest too.

The project has also expanded to encompass writing plugins for three of the more popular Linux dvd programs, MPlayer, LiViD's OMS and Xine. As of this writing, Xine is the best when it comes to handling DVD's. MPlayer on the other hand supports playback of all mpeg-(1/2) files (dvd/vcd) as well as extremely fast playback of all of MPlayer's other codecs (including all MPlayer supported features). OMS is currently without maintainers and it's future doesn't look too bright sadly. Hopefully we will have at least two fully functional players to choose from in the near future.

So, If you have either a Ceative Labs Dxr3 or a Sigma Designs Hollywood Plus DVD decoder card, please give this driver a try.