summaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
-rw-r--r--docs/FAQ120
1 files changed, 63 insertions, 57 deletions
diff --git a/docs/FAQ b/docs/FAQ
index e01a991428..a6698f1042 100644
--- a/docs/FAQ
+++ b/docs/FAQ
@@ -140,37 +140,42 @@ Q19. What about supporting playing of WMA files?
140A19. Dear Mr. Gates, you have two options. Re-read question #18, or go buy 140A19. Dear Mr. Gates, you have two options. Re-read question #18, or go buy
141 your own project. 141 your own project.
142 142
143Q20. What is the most recent version of Rockbox? 143Q20: But you don't understand, I'm not talking about decoding here,
144A20. We recently released version 1.2, so head on over to 144 since the data we want may already be in the decoded format (PCM).
145A20: Okay, last time. No. We have no problems whatsoever reading different
146 file formats, call it PCM, WAV, GRI, PQR or whatever. The problem is
147 that the CODEC only accepts MP3 data and nothing else. We could write a
148 new CODEC if we knew how to do it, but there is no documentation on the
149 DSP. Please note that we have no access to the DAC, so we can't send the
150 data directly to the DAC.
151
152Q21. What is the most recent version of Rockbox?
153A21. We recently released version 1.3, so head on over to
145 http://rockbox.haxx.se/download/ and pull it down. 154 http://rockbox.haxx.se/download/ and pull it down.
146 Make sure to read the release notes. 155 Make sure to read the release notes.
147 (http://rockbox.haxx.se/download/rockbox-1.2-notes.txt). 156 (http://rockbox.haxx.se/download/rockbox-1.3-notes.txt).
148 157
149Q21. What do you plan to add to coming versions? 158Q22. What do you plan to add to coming versions?
150A21. We have a rough idea of which features we plan/expect/hope to be included 159A22. We have a rough idea of which features we plan/expect/hope to be included
151 in which versions. Once again, remember that none of this is written in 160 in which versions. Once again, remember that none of this is written in
152 stone (noticing a pattern yet?) 161 stone (noticing a pattern yet?)
153 162
154 Version 1.3
155 Resume, persistent settings, proportional fonts, UI improvements,
156 Improved charging
157
158 Version 1.4 163 Version 1.4
159 Autobuild playlists, Recording, Loadable fonts, Customizable WPS 164 Autobuild playlists, Recording, Loadable fonts, Customizable WPS
160 165
161 Version 1.5 166 Version 1.5
162 File/directory management 167 File/directory management
163 168
164Q22. I tried one of your firmware files and now I can't access my harddisk! 169Q23. I tried one of your firmware files and now I can't access my harddisk!
165 When I turn on my jukebox, it says: 170 When I turn on my jukebox, it says:
166 Part. Error 171 Part. Error
167 Pls Chck HD 172 Pls Chck HD
168A22. Your harddisk has been password protected. We're not 100% sure why it 173A23. Your harddisk has been password protected. We're not 100% sure why it
169 happens, but you can unlock it yourself. Look at: 174 happens, but you can unlock it yourself. Look at:
170 http://rockbox.haxx.se/lock.html 175 http://rockbox.haxx.se/lock.html
171 176
172Q23: This FAQ doesn't answer the question I have. What should I do? 177Q24: This FAQ doesn't answer the question I have. What should I do?
173A23: You have a couple options here. You could forget the question, find an 178A24: You have a couple options here. You could forget the question, find an
174 easier question, or accept '42' as the answer no matter what. We don't 179 easier question, or accept '42' as the answer no matter what. We don't
175 really recommend any of these (though I do opt for '42' often myself). 180 really recommend any of these (though I do opt for '42' often myself).
176 What we do recommend is stopping by IRC, reading 181 What we do recommend is stopping by IRC, reading
@@ -179,43 +184,43 @@ A23: You have a couple options here. You could forget the question, find an
179 mailing list (rockbox@cool.haxx.se) or the FAQ maintainer listed on the 184 mailing list (rockbox@cool.haxx.se) or the FAQ maintainer listed on the
180 project homepage. 185 project homepage.
181 186
182Q24: Are there other ways to contact the developers? 187Q25: Are there other ways to contact the developers?
183A24: Yes. 188A25: Yes.
184 189
185Q25: Are you going to tell us what they are? 190Q26: Are you going to tell us what they are?
186A25: No. Post to the mailing list and we will get back to you. 191A26: No. Post to the mailing list and we will get back to you.
187 192
188Q26: But I _really_ want to talk with you in person. 193Q27: But I _really_ want to talk with you in person.
189A26: I'm sorry. My girlfriend/boyfriend/pet says I'm not allowed to, and the 194A27: I'm sorry. My girlfriend/boyfriend/pet says I'm not allowed to, and the
190 doctors here won't let me have pens or pencils. They say its some rule 195 doctors here won't let me have pens or pencils. They say its some rule
191 about us not having sharp objects. I'm sorry. Now please stop calling me 196 about us not having sharp objects. I'm sorry. Now please stop calling me
192 here. 197 here.
193 198
194Q27: Will you ever port Quake II to the Archos? 199Q28: Will you ever port Quake II to the Archos?
195A27: If you ask that again, I'm sending your address and phone number to the 200A28: If you ask that again, I'm sending your address and phone number to the
196 guy that mailed us with question #24. 201 guy that mailed us with question #24.
197 202
198Q28: Umm, was that sarcasm? 203Q29: Umm, was that sarcasm?
199A28: That's it, I'm mailing him now. 204A29: That's it, I'm mailing him now.
200 205
201Q29: Is this legal? I mean, I'd just hate to see something like that 206Q30: Is this legal? I mean, I'd just hate to see something like that
202 challenged under the DMCA in all its ridiculousness. Any thoughts or 207 challenged under the DMCA in all its ridiculousness. Any thoughts or
203 ideas? 208 ideas?
204A29: We believe we are in the green on this. We are not violating anyone's 209A30: We believe we are in the green on this. We are not violating anyone's
205 copyright and we are not circumventing any copy protection scheme. 210 copyright and we are not circumventing any copy protection scheme.
206 This has been a big point for the project since its inception. Some 211 This has been a big point for the project since its inception. Some
207 people wanted us to distribute patched versions of the original firmware, 212 people wanted us to distribute patched versions of the original firmware,
208 but seeing as that _would_ have violated Archos' copyright, we didn't 213 but seeing as that _would_ have violated Archos' copyright, we didn't
209 follow that course of action. 214 follow that course of action.
210 215
211Q30: On the website [and various information postings] you state 216Q31: On the website [and various information postings] you state
212 "Every tiny bit was reverse engineered, disassembled and then 217 "Every tiny bit was reverse engineered, disassembled and then
213 re-written from scratch". 218 re-written from scratch".
214 If it was rewritten from scratch then why was it first reverse-engineered 219 If it was rewritten from scratch then why was it first reverse-engineered
215 and disassembled? Instead this sounds more like someone disassembled it 220 and disassembled? Instead this sounds more like someone disassembled it
216 then used the understanding that they gained to create a new version, 221 then used the understanding that they gained to create a new version,
217 which is not quite the same as "from scratch". 222 which is not quite the same as "from scratch".
218A30: Don't confuse the terms. Reverse engineering means examining a product 223A31: Don't confuse the terms. Reverse engineering means examining a product
219 to find out how it works. Disassembling the firmware is merely one tool 224 to find out how it works. Disassembling the firmware is merely one tool
220 used in that examination. Oscilloscopes and logic analyzers are other 225 used in that examination. Oscilloscopes and logic analyzers are other
221 tools we have used. We have written every single byte of the Rockbox 226 tools we have used. We have written every single byte of the Rockbox
@@ -225,11 +230,11 @@ A30: Don't confuse the terms. Reverse engineering means examining a product
225 software without first researching the surrounding interfaces, then no 230 software without first researching the surrounding interfaces, then no
226 software has ever been written from scratch. 231 software has ever been written from scratch.
227 232
228Q31: Wait a minute here. When you released version 1.0 you did not have a 233Q32: Wait a minute here. When you released version 1.0 you did not have a
229 single one of the ideas you have mentioned on your website actually 234 single one of the ideas you have mentioned on your website actually
230 implimented! Calling this version 1.0 is really misleading. Whats the 235 implimented! Calling this version 1.0 is really misleading. Whats the
231 story?! 236 story?!
232A31: In simple terms, the first release was called 1.0 because it had a basic 237A32: In simple terms, the first release was called 1.0 because it had a basic
233 working feature set that worked and had no known bugs. That is what 1.0 238 working feature set that worked and had no known bugs. That is what 1.0
234 meant. It is true that Rockbox 1.0 lacked most of the feature set that 239 meant. It is true that Rockbox 1.0 lacked most of the feature set that
235 every sane user wanted. However, we never said it was more 240 every sane user wanted. However, we never said it was more
@@ -241,9 +246,9 @@ A31: In simple terms, the first release was called 1.0 because it had a basic
241 more recent releases we have completed many of our desired goals, and 246 more recent releases we have completed many of our desired goals, and
242 several new ones that were implimented to fullfill user requests. 247 several new ones that were implimented to fullfill user requests.
243 248
244Q32: I've heard talk of a 'Rolo'. What is that? (Or 'All you ever wanted 249Q33: I've heard talk of a 'Rolo'. What is that? (Or 'All you ever wanted
245 to know about Rockbox boot loaders') 250 to know about Rockbox boot loaders')
246A32: The developers have discussed the possibility of a boot loader. (Mainly 251A33: The developers have discussed the possibility of a boot loader. (Mainly
247 because having one sounds cool, and isn't Rolo just a great name?) 252 because having one sounds cool, and isn't Rolo just a great name?)
248 The idea would be that a user could use the load to choose between 253 The idea would be that a user could use the load to choose between
249 different verions of Rockbox or the Archo firmware itself. We have a 254 different verions of Rockbox or the Archo firmware itself. We have a
@@ -254,11 +259,11 @@ A32: The developers have discussed the possibility of a boot loader. (Mainly
254 the main release. Please check the mailing list logs and irc logs for 259 the main release. Please check the mailing list logs and irc logs for
255 more information. 260 more information.
256 261
257Q33: I was thinking about making the USB a bit more usable. What are the 262Q34: I was thinking about making the USB a bit more usable. What are the
258 chances of using the USB port to [play games / share files / list 263 chances of using the USB port to [play games / share files / list
259 the device as something other then a hard drive / sell my soul to you 264 the device as something other then a hard drive / sell my soul to you
260 for a nickel]. What do you think? 265 for a nickel]. What do you think?
261A33: You really don't want to know what I think, it involves road flares, 266A34: You really don't want to know what I think, it involves road flares,
262 microwave ovens and shaved cats. Enough said. But regarding the USB 267 microwave ovens and shaved cats. Enough said. But regarding the USB
263 portion of your question, this is not feasible. First, any ideas 268 portion of your question, this is not feasible. First, any ideas
264 regarding special communications over the USB port will not work because 269 regarding special communications over the USB port will not work because
@@ -270,59 +275,59 @@ A33: You really don't want to know what I think, it involves road flares,
270 master involved there can be no communication. Sorry. Now about your 275 master involved there can be no communication. Sorry. Now about your
271 soul. Would you settle for 3 cents and a small wad of belly button lint? 276 soul. Would you settle for 3 cents and a small wad of belly button lint?
272 277
273Q34: When I use RockBox my jukebox's red "error" light turns on a lot, but this 278Q35: When I use RockBox my jukebox's red "error" light turns on a lot, but this
274 doesn't happen on the factory firmware. Why? 279 doesn't happen on the factory firmware. Why?
275A34: Rockbox uses the red LED as harddisk activity light, not as an error 280A35: Rockbox uses the red LED as harddisk activity light, not as an error
276 light. Relax and enjoy the music. 281 light. Relax and enjoy the music.
277 282
278Q35: How do I use the loadable fonts? 283Q36: How do I use the loadable fonts?
279A35: Loadable fonts are a work in progress. We do not have full documentation 284A36: Loadable fonts are a work in progress. We do not have full documentation
280 for it. The best we can do now is tell you that you need a valid .bdf 285 for it. The best we can do now is tell you that you need a valid .bdf
281 font, and to use the tool "bdf2ajf" from CVS to conver to the .ajf format. 286 font, and to use the tool "bdf2ajf" from CVS to conver to the .ajf format.
282 The final .ajf font must be stored in the archos root as 'system.ajf' 287 The final .ajf font must be stored in the archos root as 'system.ajf'
283 We do expect more documentation on this process shortly. 288 We do expect more documentation on this process shortly.
284 289
285Q36: I have a question about the batteries... 290Q37: I have a question about the batteries...
286A36: STOP! We have put together a completely different FAQ for battery 291A37: STOP! We have put together a completely different FAQ for battery
287 related questions. 292 related questions.
288 Check out: http://rockbox.haxx.se/docs/battery-faq.html 293 Check out: http://rockbox.haxx.se/docs/battery-faq.html
289 294
290Q37: What is the WPS? 295Q38: What is the WPS?
291A37: That is the 'While Playing Screen'. Basically this is what is shown on 296A38: That is the 'While Playing Screen'. Basically this is what is shown on
292 your player's display while we are playing your song. 297 your player's display while we are playing your song.
293 298
294Q38: What good is the WPS? How usable/flexible is it? 299Q39: What good is the WPS? How usable/flexible is it?
295A38: It is very good if you want information about the current item playing ;) 300A39: It is very good if you want information about the current item playing ;)
296 Currently the WPS on the Player is very flexible. By using the file 301 Currently the WPS on the Player is very flexible. By using the file
297 'wps.config' you can manage exactly how/what you want data displayed on 302 'wps.config' you can manage exactly how/what you want data displayed on
298 your Archos Player. Currently this feature has not yet been added to the 303 your Archos Player. Currently this feature has not yet been added to the
299 Recorder version of Rockbox. Please see 304 Recorder version of Rockbox. Please see
300 http://rockbox.haxx.se/docs/custom_wps_format.html for more information. 305 http://rockbox.haxx.se/docs/custom_wps_format.html for more information.
301 306
302Q39: Can the Player LCD font be modified? 307Q40: Can the Player LCD font be modified?
303A39: The simple answer is no. This is because the Player font is character 308A40: The simple answer is no. This is because the Player font is character
304 cell based (as opposed to the Recorder's bitmap based display). This 309 cell based (as opposed to the Recorder's bitmap based display). This
305 means that we are able to choose what characters to display, but not how 310 means that we are able to choose what characters to display, but not how
306 to display them. We do have the ability to change/create up to 4 chars 311 to display them. We do have the ability to change/create up to 4 chars
307 on one model and 8 on another, however we are currently using several of 312 on one model and 8 on another, however we are currently using several of
308 these 'letters' to store icons for the player. 313 these 'letters' to store icons for the player.
309 314
310Q40: Why don't you have any games available for the Players? 315Q41: Why don't you have any games available for the Players?
311A40: The display on the Players is character cell and not bitmap based. 316A41: The display on the Players is character cell and not bitmap based.
312 This means we can only control what characters get displayed, not 317 This means we can only control what characters get displayed, not
313 what pixels are shown. This makes the prospect of game play very 318 what pixels are shown. This makes the prospect of game play very
314 slim (at least for anything involving graphics). 319 slim (at least for anything involving graphics).
315 320
316Q41: When recording is finally implimented in Rockbox, will it be possible to 321Q42: When recording is finally implimented in Rockbox, will it be possible to
317 use custom codecs (like LAME) or is there a built in codec in the Archos? 322 use custom codecs (like LAME) or is there a built in codec in the Archos?
318A41: The MP3 encoder is in the MAS3587F chip, and nothing we can change. 323A42: The MP3 encoder is in the MAS3587F chip, and nothing we can change.
319 324
320Q42: What are the max/min bitrates for recording on the Recorder's encoder? 325Q43: What are the max/min bitrates for recording on the Recorder's encoder?
321A42: The builtin encoder is variable bit rate only with a max of 192kbit/s, 326A43: The builtin encoder is variable bit rate only with a max of 192kbit/s,
322 and a min of 32kbit/s. 327 and a min of 32kbit/s.
323 328
324Q43: I have a question about the id3v1 and id3v2 tags... 329Q44: I have a question about the id3v1 and id3v2 tags...
325A43: Stop! Here is all the information about that (if you still have 330A44: Stop! Here is all the information about that (if you still have
326 questions when done, ask then.) 331 questions when done, ask then.)
327 332
328 - Rockbox supports both id3v1 and id3v2 333 - Rockbox supports both id3v1 and id3v2
@@ -337,11 +342,11 @@ A43: Stop! Here is all the information about that (if you still have
337 342
338 - The 300-byte limit is subject to be removed in a future version 343 - The 300-byte limit is subject to be removed in a future version
339 344
340Q44: Would it be possible to record from line in on the player? 345Q45: Would it be possible to record from line in on the player?
341A44: No. 346A45: No.
342 347
343Q45: Where exactly did the name 'Rockbox' come from? 348Q46: Where exactly did the name 'Rockbox' come from?
344A45: Well you can follow the full line of emails at 349A46: Well you can follow the full line of emails at
345 http://rockbox.haxx.se/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2002-01/0062.shtml 350 http://rockbox.haxx.se/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2002-01/0062.shtml
346 However, the brief rundown is that it was recommended first by 351 However, the brief rundown is that it was recommended first by
347 Tome Cvitan, and put to a vote (which it lost). 352 Tome Cvitan, and put to a vote (which it lost).
@@ -351,3 +356,4 @@ A45: Well you can follow the full line of emails at
351 http://rockbox.haxx.se/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2002-01/0134.shtml 356 http://rockbox.haxx.se/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2002-01/0134.shtml
352 357
353 There you have it. Recommeded by users, decision by dictator. 358 There you have it. Recommeded by users, decision by dictator.
359