Comment 0 for bug 334101

Binary package hint: xserver-xorg-video-ati

[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. #206075, #243365, #267185, #272406, #273510, #319930, #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).