M6 and Linux - Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn

Okay I will share my experience with M6 and linux after one day, hope I can help to take away the fear using the M6 with linux especially the distro ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/ which is IMHO the best linux arround. It's a child from debian, so it's stable but ubuntu is also very fast with new packages like gnome 2.18 with the 3d Desktop engine beryl which I'm using right now.



You see I'm using BADAK with the wine-Windows Emulation for converting videos into the compatible size and bitrate. It's very fast, getting over 80fps right now. I can use almost any windows-tools into a linux environment with the wine-package. Installation of this tools I can explain later if you are interest.

Access over USB is a charm, switch M6 on plug in USB wait 2 seconds...



Need to say that ubuntu is in chinese language also:
http://www.ubuntu.org.cn/

Mine is german...

If you transfer files, like the new firmware 2.003 you need to disconnect safe, but this is, like in windows, only two clicks away with the right mouse button.

So my first experiences with ubuntu 7.04 and M6 are:

• Communication via USB works perfect, fast transfer you can expect with USB2.0
• Firmware update is quite easy and safe, disconnect safe and anything will be fine.
• You can use BADAK for converting your movies into M6 compatible format with windows emulation by the wine-package or you can use the mencoder-script from a thread here
• I'm using grip with lame to create high quality mp3 rips
• Using gimp and exaile for getting cover by amazon and converting into 200x200px pics for cover arts.
• No need to use big monster applications like iTunes for connecting with your player

Almost anything works perfect, only one thing is: I cannot convert my mp4-episodes from SledgeHammer or Fawlty Towers right now. Don't know why M6 shut down immediately.

Please say if I have to stop yelling about the qualities of linux... but if you think you have to use windows for supporting your meizu ... you don't need it, believe me.

Wine Is Not Solution... Use preferently mencode or ffmpeg.

Try this...

Open a terminal and type:

Code:

sudo apt-get install mencoder

Open a text editor from the menus and paste the following:

note: files will be saved in a the folder /media/meizuvid unless you change the TARGETDIR!

Code:

#!/bin/bash
VBITRATE=394
LENGTH=20
TARGETDIR='/media/meizuvid'
FILELIST=''

function usage() {
    echo "Usage: meizu_prepare [ flags ] [ file1 ] [ file2 ] [ etc. ]"
    echo
    echo "Flags:"
    echo "    -vbitrate n"
    echo "     Set the vbitrate. Defaults to 192."
    echo "    -length n"
    echo "     Set the length of each part in minutes. Defaults to 20."
    echo "    -targetdir path"
    echo "     Set the destination directory. Missing directories will"
    echo "     be created. Defaults to current directory."
    echo
    exit
}

# Not enough arguments
if [[ $# -lt 1 ]]; then
    echo
    echo "Not enough arguments. You must at least give one file to prepare!"
    echo
    usage
fi

index=0
flagged=0
fileflagged=0

for arg in $* ; do
    if [[ $flagged -eq 0 ]]; then
        case "${arg}" in
            -targetdir)
                curarg=$arg
                flagged=1
            ;;

            -length)
                curarg=$arg
                flagged=1
            ;;

            -vbitrate)
                curarg=$arg
                flagged=1
            ;;

            *)
                if [[ ${arg:(-4)} == ".avi" || ${arg:(-4)} == ".mov" || ${arg:(-4)} == ".mpg" ]]; then
                    if [[ -f $arg ]]; then
                        (( index++ ))
                        FILELIST[$index]=$arg
                    else
                        if [[ $fileflagged -eq 0 ]]; then
                            (( index++ ))
                        else
                            fileflagged=0
                        fi
                        FILELIST[$index]="${FILELIST[${index}]} ${arg}"
                        fileflagged=0
                    fi
                else
                    if [[ $fileflagged -eq 0 ]]; then
                        (( index++ ))
                        FILELIST[$index]="${arg}"
                    else
                        FILELIST[$index]="${FILELIST[${index}]} ${arg}"
                    fi
                    fileflagged=1
                fi
            ;;
        esac
    elif [[ $flagged -eq 1 ]]; then
        case "${curarg}" in
            -targetdir)
                TARGETDIR=$arg
                flagged=0
            ;;

            -length)
                if [[ $arg -gt 60 ]]; then
                    echo
                    echo "error: length cannot be longer than 60 minutes"
                    echo
                    exit
                elif [[ $arg -lt 1 ]]; then
                    echo
                    echo "error: length cannot be shorter than 1 minute"
                    echo
                    exit
                else
                    LENGTH=$arg
                fi
                flagged=0
            ;;

            -vbitrate)
                case "${arg}" in
                    394)
                        VBITRATE=${arg}
                    ;;
                    256)
                        VBITRATE=${arg}
                    ;;
                    192)
                        VBITRATE=${arg}
                    ;;
                    128)
                        VBITRATE=${arg}
                    ;;
                    *)
                        echo
                        echo "error: vbitrate can only by 394, 256, 192 or 128"
                        echo
                        exit
                    ;;
                esac
                flagged=0
            ;;

            *)
                usage
            ;;
        esac
    fi
done

PARTLENGTH=`expr ${LENGTH} \* 60`

clear

echo "Storing videos in ${TARGETDIR} ..."

for ((i=1;i<=$index;i++)); do
    file=${FILELIST[${i}]}
    TARGETFILENAME=`echo "${file}" | sed 's/.*\///g' | sed 's/ /_/g' | sed 's/\./#/g' | awk -F# '{print $1}'`

    if [[ ! -d $TARGETDIR ]]; then
        mkdir --parents $TARGETDIR
    fi
    TARGET=$TARGETDIR/$TARGETFILENAME

    if [[ $TARGETDIR == `pwd` ]]; then
        if [[ "${TARGETFILENAME}.avi" == "${file}" ]]; then
            echo
            echo "Source and destination file are the same!"
            echo
            exit
        fi
    fi

    echo

    FILELENGTH=`echo q | mplayer -identify "${file}" | grep ID_LENGTH | cut -c11- | sed 's/\..*//g'`

    MINUTES=`expr ${FILELENGTH} / 60`
    SECONDS=`expr ${FILELENGTH} % 60`

    if [ ${MINUTES} -gt 60 ]; then
        HOURS=`expr ${MINUTES} / 60`
        MINUTES=`expr ${MINUTES} % 60`
    fi

    PARTS=`expr $FILELENGTH / ${PARTLENGTH} + 1`
    LASTPART=`expr $FILELENGTH % ${PARTLENGTH}`

    echo
    echo "Splitting ${file} into ${PARTS} parts:";
    echo

    PART=0
    while [ ${PART} -lt ${PARTS} ]; do
        if [ ${PART} -gt 0 ]; then
            ENC_LENGTH=`expr ${PART} \* ${PARTLENGTH}`
            ENC_MINUTES=`expr ${ENC_LENGTH} / 60`
            ENC_SECONDS=`expr ${ENC_LENGTH} % 60`

            if [ ${ENC_MINUTES} -gt 60 ]; then
                ENC_HOURS=`expr ${ENC_MINUTES} / 60`
                ENC_MINUTES=`expr ${ENC_MINUTES} % 60`
            else
                ENC_HOURS=0
            fi

            if [ ${ENC_MINUTES} -lt 10 ]; then
                ENC_MINUTES=0${ENC_MINUTES}
            fi

            ENC_START=${ENC_HOURS}:${ENC_MINUTES}:00
        else
            ENC_START=0:00:00
        fi

        # Counter goes up for nice naming of the output file
        PART=`expr ${PART} + 1`

        if [ ${PARTS} -gt 1 ]; then
            PARTEXT=_${PART}
        else
            PARTEXT=''
        fi

        echo "`date +%H:%M:%S` Encoding part ${PART}/${PARTS}: ${TARGETFILENAME}${PARTEXT}.avi at ${ENC_START}"

        mencoder "${file}" -idx -noodml -ofps 20 -vf \
                 scale=320:-2,expand=:240:::1,crop=320:240,rotate=1 \
                 -ovc lavc -ffourcc XVID -lavcopts \
                 vcodec=mpeg4:vbitrate=${VBITRATE}:vmax_b_frames=0:vhq \
                 -sws 9 -srate 44100 -oac mp3lame -lameopts \
                 cbr:br=128:mode=0 -ss ${ENC_START} -endpos 0:${LENGTH}:00 \
                 -o "${TARGET}${PARTEXT}.avi" &> /dev/null

    done
    echo "`date +%H:%M:%S` Encoding finished ..."
    echo
done

Then save the file to /tmp/meizu-conv

Then open up the terminal and type the following

Code:

sudo cp /tmp/meizu-conv /usr/sbin/meizu-conv

Then type in the terminal:

Code:

sudo chmod +x /usr/sbin/meizu-conv

Now type in the terminal

Code:

sudo meizu-conv -vbitrate 394 [FILE]

The conversion process should begin. If your file is bigger then 20 minutes it will automatically split the file down in 20 minute partitions to avoid sync issues. you can play with the mencoder attributes in the script as you will.

So far i've heard placing the volume on 10 will boose it with no sync issues. I use mine as is.

Thank you very much for your support, I have mencoder with windows codecs (w32codecs-package) already installed. I will try this script, but for me a gui is better ... I guess :-)) Is your script able to select a audio-stream? I guess it's mencoder switch -alang or so.

I know this BADAK is "nothing more" than a gui for starting mencoder and ffmpeg. Speed is almost the same for me like in wine or native in linux. Your experience?

@shookie: Which distro are you using?

I love (K)ubuntu. It's very easy to use. Even easier then Windows (in my opinion). Because in Windows, there is always something weird poping up. It's really annoying, if they (ms) warn you after every small step.
And an oder thing I recognised: On my fresh dual-boot Computer, Windows always crashes, Kubuntu never does. At first, I thought it was the Hardware, because it was very weird. The Computer would just shut down without even saying something to the user. I was really pissed on, when I lost everything I was working on.

I didn't have any probs with Ubuntu so far. I don't know, why the Meizus shouldn't work on Linux. I mean.. ..because of their ums-support, they should be acting like a usb-stick. And I've never had a problem with a usb-stick.

I'm selling my Sony NW-HD5 at the moment - only because it isn't supported by linux. But I'm really looking forward to my new Meizu (M3se or M6se).


Apps to use under linux:
- Amarok (of course ) --> runs a bit smoother on kde, but gnome should be fine too
- The second one for me is "Listen" --> it's got a very nice Library and a simple user-interface. It doesnt have as much features as Amarok though.
- Exaile, Banshee, Rhytmbox ... also great Products

I tried your script, shookie. It works for my series in mp4 too! Thank you very
much.
Now I can convert my full Sledge Hammer - collection!! No more boring meetings. :-)

@llaumgui: You are right, anything is possible in linux. No real need for emulation of a mencoder gui.

Awesome.

I use *ubuntu. Only time i touch windows is when i work. But even at work i have a linux environment.

<3 linux <3

3D desktop? I have the 6600GT! But I can't install my 6600... Can you they a tipp please? Maybe over PN? In german? Thanks!

Originally Posted by Meizu91

3D desktop? I have the 6600GT! But I can't install my 6600... Can you they a tipp please? Maybe over PN? In german? Thanks!

Is this a NVidia-Chip? In my distro Ubuntu, I was able to use 3d-Desktop Beryl out of the box. I Have a 7900GT, but it should work with yours.




Kick your distro, than you have problems with this basics. It's the year 2007 you can expect more than a manual edit of /etc/X11/xorg.conf

if you have a broken installation of beryl type this

Code:

sudo apt-get remove --purge beryl beryl-manager emerald-themes

then type:

Code:

sudo apt-get install beryl beryl-manager emerald-themes

Now press Alt+F2 and type beryl-manager and you should be good to go.



also play with the rendering options. Leaving them on auto is not the best choice

Anyone with a Nvidia or ATI (so basically 98%) should install
ENVY by Alberto Milone: http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html

This little script can update, reinstall or delete your Grafikscard automatically with the push of two keys. It detects your card, downloads the appropriate driver, does all the setting up and installs it.

Works like a charm and is a real blessing. You can't imagine how often I've had to use it after I got a X-Server error from playing around too much...

I think this is indispensible for any Ubuntu installation!

In other news: I just ordered my Meizu 8gb from ebay for 160€ shipped from Germany. So no customs or extra charges. Brilliant. Can't wait for it and start using it with amarok!

I have mad a HAL (Hardward Layer Abstraction) Meizu submission.

Originally Posted by llaumgui

I have mad a HAL (Hardward Layer Abstraction) Meizu submission.

whats that?

oh boy not another 3d desktop discussion.. lol

Hi Folks.
Received my M6 the other day, and I'd like to add my thoughts about using it under Ubunt Feisty.

As said at the beginning of the thread, integration couldn't be better, everything works as it should.
Even Amarok supports it (of course ^^) so it's as easy as 123 to get music onto the player using a nice interface!

Only thing to note: In Ubuntu, if you delete files on the player, they don't actually get completely erased right away. Ubuntu creates a hidden ".Trash-%username%" folder in the root folder of your player and puts the "deleted" files in there. So this could waste valuable space, especially if they are video files. To see if you have such a folder on you player, open the root folder of your M6 and press "Strg+H" or ("Ctrl+H" if you have a US spec keyboard). This should enable the "hidden item" view and show you the folder, if there is one.
To completely erase the files, select the ".Trash-%username%" folder and do a "Shift+entf" or "shift+del" on it. This will permanently erase that junk ^^
You can also delete any file directly with "shift+del" to avoid the creating of said folder. But most of the time I forget...

Other then that: Great Player! Glad I bought it. Now to test the conversion script! Will post my thoughts about that soon as well!

Originally Posted by oCfuu

Hi Folks.
Received my M6 the other day, and I'd like to add my thoughts about using it under Ubunt Feisty.

As said at the beginning of the thread, integration couldn't be better, everything works as it should.
Even Amarok supports it (of course ^^) so it's as easy as 123 to get music onto the player using a nice interface!

Only thing to note: In Ubuntu, if you delete files on the player, they don't actually get completely erased right away. Ubuntu creates a hidden ".Trash-&#37;username%" folder in the root folder of your player and puts the "deleted" files in there. So this could waste valuable space, especially if they are video files. To see if you have such a folder on you player, open the root folder of your M6 and press "Strg+H" or ("Ctrl+H" if you have a US spec keyboard). This should enable the "hidden item" view and show you the folder, if there is one.
To completely erase the files, select the ".Trash-%username%" folder and do a "Shift+entf" or "shift+del" on it. This will permanently erase that junk ^^
You can also delete any file directly with "shift+del" to avoid the creating of said folder. But most of the time I forget...

Other then that: Great Player! Glad I bought it. Now to test the conversion script! Will post my thoughts about that soon as well!

You can enable a context-menu option that will bypass the trash. Open a terminal and enter the following:

Code:

gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/enable_delete 1

Of course, that's just the fastest way. You can also enable it by opening a Nautilus browser window, going to Edit->Preferences, going to the "Behavior" tab, and checking "Include a delete command that bypasses Trash"

When you right-click a file (or group of files) there should now be an option to delete in addition to "Move to trash"

I prefer to use Mandriva. I don't really like the style of Gnome.
Plus it came with cool 3D desktop effects :D

In my case, I like to use Linux when I got nothing to do, it gives me something to do as there is always some shit to figure out, which is fine as its like trying to solve a puzzle :D.

My plan for the future is to buy a MacBook Pro that comes with Leopard, and install all 3 OSs on it.