FFe: Xv and EXA not supported on R6xx/R7xx chipsets
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
linux (Ubuntu) |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Tim Gardner | ||
Jaunty |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Tim Gardner | ||
update-manager (Ubuntu) |
Fix Released
|
Undecided
|
Michael Vogt | ||
Jaunty |
Fix Released
|
Undecided
|
Michael Vogt | ||
xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu) |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Bryce Harrington | ||
Jaunty |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Bryce Harrington |
Bug Description
Binary package hint: xserver-
[Proposed Change]
When released, review the code changes and, if acceptable, merge the -ati 6.12.0 driver into main, along with its required kernel changes.
[Explanation]
The 6.11.0 -ati driver in Jaunty supports Xv for video acceleration up to R5xx chips, but newer chips (R6xx/R7xx) lack support, so videos in mplayer, totem, et al only work with the x11 driver, which means that the movie cannot be played at full-screen size, and other assorted problems.
In addition, the 6.11.0 -ati driver does not provide 2D acceleration via EXA. This causes problems scrolling in firefox and other applications, makes window movement sluggish, and various other related problems.
The upcoming 6.12.0 driver promises to correct both of these issues, and bring bug fixes related to supporting 6xx/7xx in general.
[Rationale for Exception]
With EXA and Xv for 6xx/7xx in -ati, we gain full basic 2D support with Ubuntu's main default drivers for the latest ATI hardware currently on the market.
Since we still do not have a version of the proprietary -fglrx driver for Jaunty yet, having 6xx/7xx support in -ati also provides us with a contingency solution in case that driver is not delivered in time for beta freeze.
We are carrying a handful of high priority bugs related to 6xx/7xx support in -ati (ex. bug #206075, bug #243365, bug #267185, bug #272406, bug #273510, bug #319930, bug #325394). I anticipate that 6.12.0 will solve the bulk of these bugs (we'll need to have the reporters re-test to be sure).
[Testing]
I've posted a git snapshot of the 6xx/7xx support branch of the 2D driver from upstream to my ppa:
https:/
You'll also need the kernel bits, which are pending availability.
description: | updated |
description: | updated |
Changed in xserver-xorg-video-ati: | |
assignee: | nobody → bryceharrington |
importance: | Undecided → High |
Changed in linux: | |
assignee: | nobody → canonical-kernel-team |
description: | updated |
Changed in linux (Ubuntu Jaunty): | |
assignee: | nobody → timg-tpi |
milestone: | none → ubuntu-9.04-beta |
status: | Fix Released → Fix Committed |
Does 6.12 drop support for any models which 6.11 supports?
With my release hat on, it seems we need to bite that bullet, even if new versions of drivers become more risky at that point; we should get that in before jaunty beta, even if it means to temporarily ship an upstream snapshot instead of the final 0.6.12 release.