== Dev Week -- Ubuntu TV - what's what -- Saviq & mhall119 -- Tue, Jan 31st, 2012 == {{{#!irc [18:01] hello all, mhall119, here? [18:01] yes [18:01] hello again everybody! [18:02] this session we're going to be talking about getting involved in the Ubuntu TV development [18:02] there's been a lot of interest and talk going around since our demo at CES earlier in the month [18:03] all of the code from the demo is available on Launchpad, but it's just that: a demo [18:04] the task now is converting it from demo code into real code, and you can be involved in that [18:04] fantasti1001 asked: What's ubuntu TV ? [18:04] maybe I can chip in here for a second [18:04] sure [18:05] I prepared a FAQ from all the questions I could find in my history of #ubuntu-tv and ubuntu-tv@lists.launchpad.net [18:05] it's available on the Ubuntu wiki: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuTV/Contributing#FAQ [18:05] and we're here to answer anything not covered in there and help you guys with getting involved [18:06] mhall119, back to you [18:06] you can also learn about Ubuntu TV here: http://www.ubuntu.com/tv [18:07] but the short answer is: It's the goal of making Ubuntu the best platform for TV manufacturers to use on the upcoming wave of Smart TVs [18:07] it has a modified Unity interface that is designed to work when you're sitting 10 feet away, using a remote control [18:08] but under the hood, it will be the same Ubuntu platform, with the same Unity APIs [18:08] which means everything make for the desktop will be available to you [18:09] it will also tie into moving streaming services and stores to let you rent or buy movies [18:09] and work with PVR hardware and software to let you watch and record broadcast and cable television [18:10] fantasti1001 asked: How remote control works? [18:10] that's my cue [18:10] fantasti1001, we're not doing anything special for remotes [18:10] we're supporting all the standard media keys some keyboards have [18:11] but that also means you can easily use Bluetooth remotes [18:11] or IR ones like MCE, by just plugging them in right now [18:11] 'cause they generate standard key events now [18:12] as a platform, we should support as many viable options as the hardware manufacturers may want to ship [18:12] LIRC is the "old" or "advanced" way to handle remotes, and there's no plan to support that in Ubuntu TV right now [18:12] ultimately the choice of specific hardware will be up to the OEMs [18:12] but as mhall119 said - if that's what's going to be required - that's what we'll do [18:13] burli asked: so it will be posible to install any software? [18:13] burli isn't here, but I'll answer anyway [18:13] burli, oh yes he's here, xchat's playing games on me [18:14] burli, that, again, depends on the way it's going to be deployed [18:14] in theory any software can be installed as it's going to be standard Ubuntu [18:14] but most GUI applications are not suitable for a 10-foot interface [18:14] ashickur-noor asked: What is difference between Ubuntu TV and Ubuntu Desktop? [18:14] so it will only make sense to install those that are adapted to a TV interface [18:15] ashickur-noor, the demo we showed at CES was straight Ubuntu 11.10 with a variant of Unity-2D adapted for TV [18:15] ashickur-noor, but the target of Ubuntu TV is to be a platform, based on Ubuntu [18:16] ideally there will be no difference other than the UI [18:16] what will be the difference between a productized Ubuntu TV and Ubuntu Desktop, we'll have to wait and see [18:16] kichkasch asked: ​ what is the time line for development? When do you expect first devices ... ? [18:16] kichkasch, no such decisions have been made yet [18:17] so the purpose of the CES demo was to get hardware manufacturers interested [18:17] now we are working on partnering with them to build actual products [18:18] as with most business-to-business dealings, we won't really know until they're announced [18:18] popey asked: What spec machine do I need to try out Ubuntu TV? [18:19] while developing we were using an Acer Revo [18:19] which is an Atom + ION box [18:19] but we were running happily on a Pandaboard, too [18:19] as ARM is a definite target, that's very important for us [18:19] hardware video acceleration is a must [18:19] hszu00 asked: ​ Will Ubuntu Tv use an onscreen keyboard or one that comes with the remote? [18:20] trying to get through as many of these questions as we can before our time isup [18:20] hszu00, with the UI we demo'ed search was a central feature [18:20] so hardware keyboard on the remote is desirable [18:20] There are 10 minutes remaining in the current session. [18:20] but OSK is a possible alternative [18:21] Cantide asked: So it would be possible to use your TV as a computer, essentially? [18:21] possible, but probably not desirable [18:22] Cantide, using a Ubuntu Desktop on your TV would not be easy [18:22] the target is to provide a proper TV, 10-foot experience [18:22] remember that even a large-screen TV isn't very big when viewed from across the room [18:22] TwoD asked: I feel the Dash is awkward to use as is, having to switch back and forth between keyboard and mouse, how will that improve if I only have a TV remote? [18:23] TwoD, the whole Ubuntu TV is navigable with just 9 buttons [18:23] usual directional ones, ok, back and three edge ones [18:23] for quickly accessing the sidebar, top bar and launcher [18:23] calmpitbull asked: What is minimun requirement for Ubuntu TV to run smoothly [18:24] calmpitbull, as replied earlier - any OpenGL-enabled GPU, preferably with hardware video acceleration [18:24] and something like an Atom CPU will be enough [18:24] on ARM a Pandaboard seems to cope quite nicely [18:24] s9iper1 asked: can you tell me the merging process when the bug got fixed and than we have to merge the branches is there any guide in ubuntu or anything? [18:25] s9iper1, it's the same as with unity-2d, add a merge request agains lp:ubuntutv [18:25] There are 5 minutes remaining in the current session. [18:25] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuTV/Contributing has information about how to make contributions of code [18:26] pawel_st asked: ​ rather than a new release that adds new features every 6 months, like regular unity does. How does it match the development model of normal unity? Is unity for tv going to have a separate development model and provide stripped down version of unity? [18:26] pawel_st, that depends on the productized version, nothing I can say right now about that [18:27] BlueCase asked: What's with DRM and HD content? Any discussion on that? [18:27] BlueCase, HD content with hardware acceleration is fine, DRM will have to be discussed with content providers that come on board [18:28] sankaranarayanan asked: So are you guys considering support for gesture based control too, for the TV? [18:29] sankaranarayanan, there's definitely room for thought there, again - depends on what we will actually be delivering [18:29] pawel_st asked: ​ since smart TVs are network-capable, are you going to automatically install security updates on TVs (with all the associated risks)? [18:29] pawel_st, that is a possibility, but will have to be carefully thought out [18:29] and will depend on the requirements we need to fill [18:30] sirvinniei asked: How much customabily is possible with ubuntu tv? [18:30] sirvinniei, it's open source, that's all the answer I can give you now [18:30] wow it looks like half an hour is a very short period of time [18:30] it sure is [18:30] thanks you all for attending }}}