PS-3mu project

[goblinlordx]

NOTICE: I have and will continue updating this post as things change.

What is the PS-3mu project?

My personal attempt to create a small and simple distribution of linux programs based around use of emulation and multimedia software specificly for the PS3. The goal is to make it easy to install with virtually no user interaction (any interaction that is needed will be by the use of the gamepad via USB). This could eventually transform the PS3 into the ultimate gaming console. It would have a massive library of games and could support all the multimedia filetypes you wish the gameOS could.


What programs will be in the distribution?

As many good emulators as possible as well as a Xine backend for multimedia. Using Xine multimedia should be able to be integrated into the frontend. I am looking at Wahcade as a possible starting point for a frontend. Here is a list of programs I have compiled so far that I know work and will probably be included:

Complete:

Fluxbox
QT (if it ends up being needed)
SDL? (not sure if my sound issues lie here but probably not)
Allegro (haven't actually fully tested it yet... though it seems to be working properly via FakeNES)
sdlmess (though... I only really did a quick test with NES emulation)
DOSbox
ScummVM (I love old adventure games... some of my best gaming memories)
Mplayer

Partially Complete:

Xine (optional aaXine just for effect ^-^)
FCEU (of course no openGL support atm)
Snes9x (same as FCEU)
FakeNES (this one will probably NOT be included)

Emulators I plan on adding to the list ASAP:

FreeSCI
Any genesis emulator I can get working (I need suggestions... for now sdlmess)
Emulators for any major console system from (1st gen to 4th gen)
When proper support comes out... emulators for 5th gen
When developement reaches this point and if at all feasable 6th gen emulation


Other programs I plan to try and get working but have yet to:

qjoypad (or any other gamepad->keyboard/mouse mapping program)
The frontend (possibly starting from current Wahcade builds)

Other stuff to do:

Optimize boot time for booting much quicker
Setup decent support for all video modes. Possibly by having different install CD images... or via small patches or installation interation.
Create an optional addon CD that includes things like a browser and other components not needed for gaming.


What is partially completed supposed to mean?

At the moment, I am having troubles with getting the proper sound output of all these programs. It sounds terrible at the moment. Almost as if it were being processed to slow (though the CPU usage isn't even near being maxed out according to top). This is one of my first major issues to come up with this project. Also, Xine has a problem with dropped frames (even though it still doesn't load down the CPU). Xine's problem is probably caused from having no CPU optimizations at the time it was compiled. I may end up changing to a different backend for multimedia.


Why are you announcing it in a forum?

I would like to see if anyone else is interested in working with me as I am not exactly an expert in either programming or linux. I do know a little... but I study network and communications... not programming :/. Any type of support from the community would be extremely nice. I would not only like help from the community but I would love to be able to give this distro back to the community in return.


When will this project be complete?

It is quite possible it will never get finished completely (as in some adding emulation support for later gen systems). Though, I am pretty sure the rest is quite feasable... I am working on it pretty much solo atm. So don't ask... because I don't know.


Will there be ROMs included with it?

NO...


What software will be used for sound and graphics?

My current plan is using the latest releases of X.org for a X server and ALSA for handling sound.


Can I do other stuff like surfing the web, checking e-mail, or IM?

With the original package... no. I plan to include dpkg and apt-get along with a graphical frontend with it when I get a chance. This will allow for this other software to be downloaded seperately and installed with relative ease. It will probably end up linked to the latest PPC repository of my favorite distro (Debian)... or even PPC64 if they port it to it by then.


Why won't you include this other software?

Simply put, that is not what this distribution is being formed for. The target group is gamers (including myself). I think this seems like an optimal target for this since the PS3 mainly targets the same group of people. The entire reason is to add the absolutely massive amount of existing games to be easily played on a 7th gen console. The objective is to make it as simple as possible so that anyone that has a PS3 can follow simple instructions (to install kboot), insert a CD (yes... CD... no need for a massive DVD with lots of useless software for a gamer), wait for automatic install, then play their games from a disc of their choice (with the option of "installing" them to the HDD).


What types of features do you want to add?

What I would like to add are some nice features like this:

Scanning of a disc for a certain type of ROM/file set to use as a list in the menu
Using currently available programs (or code from them... properly giving credit to them of course) to identify the actual name of the ROM or files
Allowing for the serching inside various types of compressed files
Allowing for this database to be linked to a database of screenshots/carts/boxes
Allowing for the pic database to be on either the disc with the ROMs or on the HDD
When possible add openGL support (that is when someone comes up with a software wrapper for SPEs or we get access to GPU first)


How can I help the project?

I am looking for anyone willing to help me get the properly compiled software together. You can start by posting on these forums. If you would like to assist me in my effort then please private message me via this forum.




What is currently being worked on?

I am have put off getting FreeSCI up and running only because I do not think it will be difficult. Instead I am trying to figure out what the problem is with the sound. I do not know where exactly my problem lies. My guess is it is something to do with the programs' interactions with ALSA. If anyone has any insight for this issue please contact me. Once I get sound working properly I can get a keyboard mapper working and might be able to get an initial testing disc out there. Of course, it won't include a frontend and you will still need a keyboard and mouse... but it will be something.

Update: I got sound working with some of the programs... the rest I am going to have to find out how to fix. It definately has to do with program->ALSA interaction.

[Z-Saber]

Sounds neat. If I had a PS3, I'd definitely be interested.

[johnzbesko]

Try using OSS instead of ALSA for sound. With Fedora, OSS worked and sounded much better than ALSA, when I selected it in the KDE control panel.

[goblinlordx]

Originally Posted by johnzbesko

Try using OSS instead of ALSA for sound. With Fedora, OSS worked and sounded much better than ALSA, when I selected it in the KDE control panel.

The problem with that is that the proper drivers have been written in the kernel only under ALSA atm. What you were probably using was OSS emulation for ALSA (which can be compiled into the kernel).

Here is my source:

felter.org/wesley/files/ps3/linux-20061110-docs/LinuxKernelOverview.html
(it won't let me post actual links atm)

[goblinlordx]

God... I have to find a better forum to put this info on. The forums I have found have less activity than expected.

[Z-Saber]

Well, this is one of the better PS forums out there, so you might have trouble finding a more suitable one.

[goblinlordx]

I think its jsut that the linux/PS3 specific forums all seem pretty quiet. Thought about just posting in a linux based forum... but this kinda cuts a lot of people out of those types of forums and it will prolly get lost in all the other topics.

[goblinlordx]

Well... because of an unfortunate turn of events for the project (actually an excellent turn of events for me) I will have to put this project on the back burner for at a minimum of 3-4 weeks. I will be moving from Alabama to North Dakota within the next 2 weeks to start a new job. This will include shipping my stuff (including computers and gaming consoles) to my new residence. Until I am settled in... I do not plan on doing much if anything at all as far as this project. I will have my laptop with me and still try and keep an eye on the community until then... if anyone wanting to also work on this project needs some info on getting to where I am at now... I will be happy to tell them what I know.

[Experiment1106]

we wait and hope you have an good moving to south Dakota.

[FlyingDutchman]

interesting idea..
though i'm not sure how you are going to distribute this.. as a complete distro that you can install very easily even without linux knowledge?
or like a software package? especially debian packages is what i'm thinking of as that could install the required packages + install (if there are) self-written packages quite easily..

Anyway, I live in Europe and there's no PS3 here yet... so I don't even know if debian runs on PS3. But this project's got my support and if I ever get a PS3 i'll definately help you with this project! - well, that's gonna be like march or april hopefully :[

[goblinlordx]

Originally Posted by FlyingDutchman

interesting idea..
though i'm not sure how you are going to distribute this.. as a complete distro that you can install very easily even without linux knowledge?
or like a software package? especially debian packages is what i'm thinking of as that could install the required packages + install (if there are) self-written packages quite easily..

Anyway, I live in Europe and there's no PS3 here yet... so I don't even know if debian runs on PS3. But this project's got my support and if I ever get a PS3 i'll definately help you with this project! - well, that's gonna be like march or april hopefully :[

How to distribute? Honestly... my plan was to put it on a bittorrent tracker and put a link out there. Once its together I am sure people will use it... I just have to get it together. I do not really plan on making a repository or anything... it will come "as is". It shouldn't need anything like that to complete its function anyways. It is for a very specific task and only meant for that task. If people want to do something else with it... thats up to them.

[xiaNaix]

Originally Posted by goblinlordx

God... I have to find a better forum to put this info on. The forums I have found have less activity than expected.

There are very few people with PS3's right now and even fewer people with PS3's who are interested in homebrew. I doubt if you'll get a better response anywhere else. This is one of the biggest PlayStation homebrew & hacking sites on the net.

I sent you a PM to offer you hosting for your project. If you are interested, let me know. We have previously hosted many of the best PS2 homebrew projects, including hdl_dump, SMS, NeoCD, and plenty others.

[Breath of Fire]

I can help you with your project anything I can do I would like to help. A full setup is always nice for newbies and such. So just lemme know what you need me to do.

[guenthar]

You should put a browser and a document viewer in the distribution since those are the most important things for the gamer (besides the games) and will be used by almost all gamers. Use the browser to download games, walkthroughs, and cheats and the document viewer to view those said walthroughs and cheats. (mostly)

[ken9]

so its not like the psp scene where u have to have a special firmwire to play it right? btw u should put in a ps1 emulator for those who have loads of old ps1 iso's

[Z-Saber]

Originally Posted by xiaNaix

We have previously hosted many of the best PS2 homebrew projects, including hdl_dump, SMS, NeoCD, and plenty others.

Don't forget the uLE forum. I know, it's not exactly the same as hosting, but I'd say uLE is one of the bigger contributions to the homebrew scene as of late.

[redknight4]

what about zsnes for snes emulation.

there was a linux build for it (I think but it has been a long time sence I checked) and the source code has been released by the creator. found it to be much faster than snes9x.

snes9x has to be pretty optamized to run snes games at a decent speed.
where zsnes has been optamized to run a decent speeds.

this info is based back when I was using a p2-400 system

[und0]

Originally Posted by redknight4

what about zsnes for snes emulation.

ZSnes uses extensively ia32 assembler.

[orangpelupa]

if i have ps3, im sure i will interested whit this projrct.
if i have ps3.....