README for ZA2-driver for Linux

The installation of the firmware has changed completely since I've now the permission of Zefiro Acoustics (thanks to Greg Hanssen) to add the DSP codes and the Xilinx mask.
The firmware that is installed is:

1. the Xilinx mask (which implements the bus interface of the ZA2)
   The mask I added is the one of my ZA2. You can try it, but if your card is much older or much newer than my, it is possible that you have problems with it. Then you should replace the file /etc/sound/za2mask.bit by your xza2rdx?.bit.
2. the DSP codes
   As far as I know, they are compatible between the revisions of the ZA2, so everything should work fine. Anyway, if you want to replace them, do it by using the tool "conv2bin" (which you can find in za2/tools) to convert the firmware files provided by Zefiro to binaries by typing (for example):
   

   conv2bin dsposx2.sim /etc/sound/dsposx2.sim

   
   The only DSP program that is absolutely necessary for the driver is the DSPOS. The others are goodies, which are loaded when needed.

The driver is now decoupled from the OSS-modules, only soundcore.o is needed. So it is sufficient to compile the sound facility of the kernel (CONFIG_SOUND=m). The driver itself can only be compiled as a module.
When loading the driver with insmod, you have to specify the io-address of your card (usually 0x310, alternatively 0x210, 0x250, 0x310, 0x350) and the input and output dma. The dma-channels are probed if you don't specify them. For me, the probing didn't work, if the dma-channel was occupied by my PNP-soundblaster (this is perhaps due to pnp ??) without the sb-driver being loaded.
Additionaly, the driver needs an interrupt, which is also probed. The ZA2 works with either 9,10,11,12.
The driver won't work without the interrupt or without dma (you can use it with only one channel).

If you want the driver to be loaded automatically when /dev/dsp is accessed, you can add the following lines to your /etc/conf.modules:

alias char-major-14 za2
options za2 io=0x310 dmi=6 dmo=7

• digin: digital input, default is 0 (TOSLINK); 1=COAX, 2&3=AES
• scms: scms-bits in ouput stream: 0=no SCMS, 1=SCMS activated (default is 0)
• emph: emphasis: 0=off, 1=on, default:0
• aeso: AES-output :0=SPDIF, 1=AES/EBU, default:0
• irq: interrupt of za2 (is autoprobed when not specified)

testone
this is some kind of port of the DOS-program testone, it generates a sine-tone on the right and a clicking on the left to test if the ZA2 works fine.
playmp2
as the DOS-program, it plays MP2-files via the DSP of the za2 without much use of the CPU(s). It works only with an installed MPEG-code. It is capable of playing multiple files, shuffling and repeating them. Has now some sane checkings.
recza2 and playza2
In the new version, they support also wav files, so perhaps they are now of some use. You can still play and record raw files, but you have to force the programs to do so by using -R (to prevent you from demolating your speakers by playing emacs).
Be carefull: by playing garbage you can damage your speakers !!
(next version will support automatic splitting according to the start ids or track indices (depending on the source)).
readcbits
Reads CBITS and prints the information contained in the CBITS. Works only with a valid source and the ZA2 switched to that source (it's best to use it during recording or resampling).
readubits
Reads UBITS and prints the information. Same comment as readcbits, except that it only works with CDs (and perhaps laserdisc and minidisc ?, DATs don't use the UBITS apart from the start ids).
echodsp
Small program to test duplex mode by adding an echo to the input stream. Not very usefull. (has been renamed to reduce confusion)

BUGS:

• the mixer is merely a joke ...
• sending start ID's and changing SCMS/emphasis during play is still somewhat buggy

Remember that neither the ZA2 nor the driver supports other parameters then the following:

• Stereo
• Sampling rate 20kHz-60kHz
• 16 Bit

Last change: 14.10.99

Peter Wahl (wahl@uni-bonn.de)