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zyrixnet · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Well, I have a proof of concept here for applying graphics acceleration to the PS3 Linux platform. I have tried this out, and it appears to be functions perfectly. I am surprised no-one else thought about doing it this way...

I am sure everybody here is familiar with the X Window System, correct? You should also know that the X Server does not need to be on the same machine as the X Clients.

The X Server controls the GPU(Graphics card), Monitor, Keyboard, and mouse.

What I have done, is on my Debian box, I opened up a blank X Server with -ac option.
I then connected to my PS3 via SSH, I directed the DISPLAY variable to my debian box with my nice nVidia card.
I opened up an xterm, and started up a gnome-session.

I was using my PS3 at my LCDs native resolution, now if only I had a 1Gbit network card in my PC, and a 1Gbit switch, everything would be great.
What I am getting at, is that you do not need access to the RSX chip, you can run the X Server elsewhere where the graphics chip is supported, since the apps are working on the PS3, you can code and test your Cell Processor apps with your PCs graphics card.

I am sure if you beg to Sony enough, they might just close the door on "Other OS" completely. The community has already upset some developers because we are begging for this and that too much. All Sony needs to do is release a firmware update with no information that it will disable the Other OS.

Another cool idea would be to create a small embedded system with a 1Gbit NIC, an X Server, and a really good GPU. Then, what we can do developers is connected this nice embedded system to the PS3 and plug a nice regular LCD monitor to the embedded system for full graphics and processing ability. Thus we can make our homebrew, or at least test it out. Sony will open the RSX one day, rushing them won't really help too much. As I always say, there's always an alternative method for doing something.

I guess you can just say, the embedded system is just a dumb X Terminal with a wonder graphics chip. The PS3 will do all the processing, while the dumb X Terminal does all the GPU stuff.

I'm going to get a 1Gbit Network card for my Linux box, and connect the PS3 directly to it via cross-over cable and report any information on the graphics results, FPS, etc...

If anyone out there has a 1Gbit network card already in their PC, please try this out and see if the results come out good.

I hope this information helps and gives some ideas on what we can do about the graphics on PS3 Linux at this very moment in time.

Any comments welcomed, good or bad.
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PSN ID: chronoboy<br>"PlayStation 3 -- The next generation server at your company, or your kid's next generation video game console. You Decide!"<br>PlayStation 3, what can it not do?

Warren · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 173 Location: San Diego, CA

Why wouldn't you just hook such a computer directly to your TV?

Using a PS3 in such a setup is utterly pointless.

There are always people whining for things in any community, especially ones that involve video games and consoles. Our approach is to ask for information regarding certain features and if we don't get any we go and try to find our own way to get what we want.

The ball regarding 3D (or even better 2D acceleration) rests in Sonys court they just have to know that if they do nothing someone will eventually want it enough to find their own way to do it. If and when that happens I doubt it would be in a manner that would make Sony happy.

zyrixnet · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Winnipeg, Canada

The idea would be that you can still use the Cell Processor, while using your computers video card. Because hey, if I want to render something, I wouldn't mind using the Cell and my Video card for the render process over a 1Gbit link.

Although I do understand what you are saying, as far as real PS3 2D and 3D acceloration.
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PSN ID: chronoboy<br>"PlayStation 3 -- The next generation server at your company, or your kid's next generation video game console. You Decide!"<br>PlayStation 3, what can it not do?

ldesnogu · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 95

jimparis · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 1179 Location: Boston

unsolo · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 155 Location: OSLO Norway

spu-medialib migth be extended to handle 2d acellerations if people just start working on it :)

currently it only has 2d video acellerations
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Don't do it alone.

hpux735 · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

ldesnogu · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 95

unsolo · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 155 Location: OSLO Norway

And so it begins.

Tonight im starting work on an EXA compatible spu to further extend the spu-medialib portfolio, last night i uploaded several new spu accellerators for yuv420->yuyv2 and to argb + yuv422->argb functions.

I do not att all intend to work on anythnig related to the EXA it self. However i will make functions that can do EXA (not including composite to start with) so this is perhaps a call to anyone not intending to work on spu's but intend to help work on the cell be that knows something about X.

cheers
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Don't do it alone.

Axon · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

jimparis · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 1179 Location: Boston

d-range · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 60

Its an interesting idea but you will still end up with (HW assisted) indirect rendering. It's faster than software rendering, but don't expect performance anywhere near what direct rendering would achieve. For real-time interactive applications you also have to factor in input delay, network latency, etc.