Are there any programs out now that utilizes the SPE's?

[puppero]

Originally Posted by tuomi I can't see why access to the RSX under linux would help performance in decoding HD-material, sure it could offload the Cell but that really isn't necessary. I rather suggest that the problem today is the lack of optimized code for the Cell. Either way even if we got access to the RSX, code would need to be optimized so there wouldn't be a bottleneck at either the Cell or RSX.

I think the problem is not about processing power, but about display speed. If we have no access to RSX and we can only change the framebuffer data there isw no way to display seamless HD video at full speed.

[erwincoumans]

The open source Bullet physics library has SPU specific optimizations. Some of the SPU optimizations have been co-developed with Rockstar, for their GTA IV game.

Bindings for PS3 Linux, using libspe2 are included, as well SPURS, pthreads, Win32 threads and dummy 'sequential thread support' to make debugging easier.

Slides of a Game Developers Conference talk on SPU specific optimizations are available too:

http://www.bulletphysics.com/Bullet/wordpress/uncategorized/gdc-2008-physics-tutorial-on-parallel-game-physics-for-spu

More information: http://bulletphysics.com

Hope this helps,
Erwin

[amirel]

There are some references to cell-optimized code in this page: http://code.google.com/p/ps3hacking/wiki/2008BobReport

[tuomi]

Originally Posted by Transient 1) the SPE is laser cut at the factory, physically disabling it (likely) 2) a marker exists in the chip (eg. ROM, microcode, etc) which tells it which SPE is disabled 3) the eigth SPE is fully functional, but the PS3 doesn't make use of it In the case of situation 1, clearly we have no hope of reactivating it. This would effectively be equivalent to cutting the power cord to the SPE.

Not that enabling the last SPEs would yield that much of a difference or maybe 33% more SPE would be good, but what happened to the old pencil-trick? Given that the cut lines are somewhat visible via not too extensive disassembly.

[triple7]

Originally Posted by tuomi Not that enabling the last SPEs would yield that much of a difference or maybe 33% more SPE would be good, but what happened to the old pencil-trick? Given that the cut lines are somewhat visible via not too extensive disassembly.

Ha, the old pencil trick! I had completely forgotten about that...

[mihaiolimpiu]

ONE SPE is used for the Hypervisor so no hope of using it in the near future Only a pretty good hack could disable the hypervisor totally and leave full acess to that SPE! But we already have enough for linux do you REALLY think you need it... I don't think that under linux are even available the full number of SPE's I think that only 4 are use din the current distributions (don't take my word for granted here)

[amirel]

Originally Posted by mihaiolimpiu I don't think that under linux are even available the full number of SPE's I think that only 4 are use din the current distributions (don't take my word for granted here)

This is definitely wrong. At least Fedora 8 recognizes PS3 as 2+6-processor system.

[mihaiolimpiu]

Yeah, you are right I checked things last night, did some googling and it seems that 6 SPE's are available to linux... the second processor is somewhat "emulated" .. anyway:

Here is something nice: http://code.google.com/p/cell-mpeg2-decoder/

MPEG2 Decoder optimized for Cell BE/PS3, it plays streams up to 720p at 30fps.

I didn't tested it but someone over at YDL boards certainly will and make it available trough a RPM... Can't wait!

[amirel]

Originally Posted by mihaiolimpiu Here is something nice: http://code.google.com/p/cell-mpeg2-decoder/ MPEG2 Decoder optimized for Cell BE/PS3, it plays streams up to 720p at 30fps.

Well. Not only mpeg2. There is also sourceforge project cell-h264. I'll try it and post results.

[Hottar]

Originally Posted by amirel Well. Not only mpeg2. There is also sourceforge project cell-h264. I'll try it and post results.

Ohh i was hoping someone would start a h264 cell/spu project, haven't checked for a while. I will defenitly try this too!

Since mplayer can also handle mkv files i'll be using linux to play HD instead of the PS3 built-in player (which is also lacking in features).