Update the discussion of themeing in the manual, and put a note in the wps tags appen...
[kugel-rb.git] / manual / advanced_topics / main.tex
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1 % $Id$ %
2 \chapter{Advanced Topics}
4 \section{\label{ref:CustomisingUI}Customising the User Interface}
5 \opt{lcd_bitmap}{
6 \subsection{\label{ref:GettingExtras}Getting Extras}
8 Rockbox supports custom fonts. A collection of fonts is available for download
9 in the font package at \url{http://www.rockbox.org/daily.shtml}.}
11 \opt{lcd_bitmap}{
12 \subsection{\label{ref:Loadingfonts}Loading Fonts}\index{Fonts}
13 Rockbox can load fonts dynamically. Simply copy the \fname{.fnt} file to the
14 \dap{} and ``play'' it in the \setting{File Browser}. If you want a font to
15 be loaded automatically every time you start up, it must be located in the
16 \fname{/.rockbox/fonts} directory and the filename must be at most 24 characters
17 long. You can browse the fonts in \fname{/.rockbox/fonts} under
18 \setting{Settings $\rightarrow$ Theme Settings $\rightarrow$ Font}
19 in the \setting{Main Menu}.\\
21 \note{Advanced Users Only: Any BDF font file up to 16 pixels high should
22 be usable with Rockbox. To convert from \fname{.bdf} to \fname{.fnt}, use
23 the \fname{convbdf} tool. This tool can be found in the \fname{tools}
24 directory of the Rockbox source code.}
27 \subsection{\label{ref:Loadinglanguages}Loading Languages}
28 \index{Language files}%
29 Rockbox can load language files at runtime. Simply copy the \fname{.lng} file
30 \emph{(do not use the .lang file)} to the \dap\ and ``play'' it in the
31 Rockbox directory browser or select \setting{Settings $\rightarrow$
32 General Settings $\rightarrow$ Language }from the \setting{Main Menu}.\\
34 \note{If you want a language to be loaded automatically every time you start
35 up, it must be located in the \fname{/.rockbox/langs} directory and the filename
36 must be a maximum of 24 characters long.\\}
38 If your language is not yet supported and you want to write your own language
39 file find the instructions on the Rockbox website:
40 \wikilink{LangFiles}
42 \opt{lcd_color}{
43 \subsection{\label{ref:ChangingFiletypeColours}Changing Filetype Colours}
44 Rockbox has the capability to modify the \setting{File Browser} to show
45 files of different types in different colours, depending on the file extension.
47 \subsubsection{Set-up}
48 There are two steps to changing the filetype colours -- creating
49 a file with the extension \fname{.colours} and then activating it using
50 a config file. The \fname{.colours} files \emph{must} be stored in
51 the \fname{/.rockbox/themes/} directory.
52 The \fname{.colours} file is just a text file, and can be edited with
53 your text editor of choice.
55 \subsubsection{Creating the .colours file}
56 The \fname{.colours} file consists of the file extension
57 (or \fname{folder}) followed by a colon and then the colour desired
58 as an RGB value in hexadecimal, as in the following example:\\*
60 \config{folder:808080}\\
61 \config{mp3:00FF00}\\
62 \config{ogg:00FF00}\\
63 \config{txt:FF0000}\\
64 \config{???:FFFFFF}\\*
66 The permissible extensions are as follows:\\*
67 \\
68 \config{folder, m3u, m3u8, cfg, wps, lng, rock, bmark, cue, colours, mpa,
69 \firmwareextension{}, %
70 \opt{swcodec}{mp1, }mp2, mp3%
71 \opt{swcodec}{, ogg, oga, wma, wmv, asf, wav, flac, ac3, a52, mpc,
72 wv, m4a, m4b, mp4, mod, shn, aif, aiff, spx, sid, adx, nsf, nsfe,
73 spc, ape, mac, sap}%
74 \opt{lcd_bitmap}{\opt{swcodec}{, mpg, mpeg}}%
75 \opt{HAVE_REMOTE_LCD}{, rwps}%
76 \opt{lcd_non-mono}{, bmp}%
77 \opt{radio}{, fmr}%
78 \opt{lcd_bitmap}{, fnt, kbd}}\\*
79 %It'd be ideal to get these from filetypes.c
81 All file extensions that are not either specifically listed in the
82 \fname{.colours} files or are not in the list above will be
83 set to the colour given by \config{???}. Extensions that
84 are in the above list but not in the \fname{.colours}
85 file will be set to the foreground colour as normal.
87 \subsubsection{Activating}
88 To activate the filetype colours, the \fname{.colours} file needs to be
89 invoked from a \fname{.cfg} configuration file. The easiest way to do
90 this is to create a new text file containing the following single
91 line:\\*
93 \config{filetype colours: /.rockbox/themes/filename.colours}\\*
95 where filename is replaced by the filename you used when creating the
96 \fname{.colours} file. Save this file as e.g. \fname{colours.cfg} in the
97 \fname{/.rockbox/themes} directory and then activate the config file
98 from the menu as normal
99 (\setting{Settings} $\rightarrow$ \setting{Theme Settings}%
100 $\rightarrow$ \setting{Browse Theme Files}).
102 \subsubsection{Editing}
103 The built-in \setting{Text Editor} (see \reference{sec:text_editor})
104 automatically understands the
105 \fname{.colours} file format, but an external text editor can
106 also be used. To edit the \fname{.colours} file using Rockbox,
107 ``play'' it in the \setting{File Browser}. The file will open in
108 the \setting{Text Editor}. Upon selecting a line, the following choices
109 will appear:\\*
111 \config{Extension}\\
112 \config{Colour}\\*
114 If \config{Extension} is selected, the \setting{virtual keyboard}
115 (see \reference{sec:virtual_keyboard}) appears,
116 allowing the file extension to be modified. If \config{Colour}
117 is selected, the colour selector screen appears. Choose the desired
118 colour, then save the \fname{.colours} file using the standard
119 \setting{Text Editor} controls.
122 \opt{lcd_non-mono}{%
123 \subsection{\label{ref:LoadingBackdrops}Loading Backdrops}
124 Rockbox supports showing an image as a backdrop in the \setting{File Browser}
125 and the menus. The backdrop image must be a \fname{.bmp} file of the exact
126 same dimensions as the display in your \dap{} (\genericimg{} with the last
127 number giving the colour depth in bits). To use an image as a backdrop browse
128 to it in the \setting{File Browser} and open the \setting{Context Menu}
129 (see \reference{ref:Contextmenu}) on it and select the option
130 \setting{Set As Backdrop}. If you want rockbox to remember your
131 backdrop the next time you start your \dap{} the backdrop must be placed in
132 the \fname{/.rockbox/backdrops} directory.
135 \nopt{lcd_charcell}{
136 \subsection{UI Viewport}
137 By default, the UI is drawn on the whole screen. This can be changed so that
138 the UI is confined to a specific area of the screen, by use of a UI
139 viewport. This is done by adding the following line to the
140 \fname{.cfg} file for a theme:\\*
142 \nopt{lcd_non-mono}{\config{ui viewport: X,Y,[width],[height],[font]}}
143 \nopt{lcd_color}{\opt{lcd_non-mono}{
144 \config{ui viewport: X,Y,[width],[height],[font],[fgshade],[bgshade]}}}
145 \opt{lcd_color}{
146 \config{ui viewport: X,Y,[width],[height],[font],[fgcolour],[bgcolour]}}
149 \opt{HAVE_REMOTE_LCD}{
150 The dimensions of the menu that is displayed on the remote control of your
151 \dap\ can be set in the same way. The line to be added to the theme
152 \fname{.cfg} is the following:\\*
154 \nopt{lcd_non-mono}{\config{remote ui viewport: X,Y,[width],[height],[font]}}
155 \nopt{lcd_color}{\opt{lcd_non-mono}{
156 \config{remote ui viewport: X,Y,[width],[height],[font],[fgshade],[bgshade]}}}
157 \opt{lcd_color}{
158 \config{remote ui viewport: X,Y,[width],[height],[font],[fgcolour],[bgcolour]}}
162 Only the first two parameters \emph{have} to be specified, the others can
163 be omitted using `-' as a placeholder. The syntax is very similar to WPS
164 viewports (see \reference{ref:Viewports}). Briefly:
166 \nopt{lcd_non-mono}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/mono-uivp-syntax.tex}}
167 \nopt{lcd_color}{\opt{lcd_non-mono}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/grayscale-uivp-syntax.tex}}}
168 \opt{lcd_color}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/colour-uivp-syntax.tex}}
171 \section{\label{ref:ConfiguringtheWPS}Configuring the Theme}
173 \subsection{Themeing -- General Info}
175 There are various different aspects of the Rockbox interface
176 that can be themed -- the WPS or \setting{While Playing Screen}, the FMS or
177 \setting{FM Screen} (if the \dap{} has a tuner), and the SBS or
178 \setting{custom status bar}. The WPS is the name used to
179 describe the information displayed on the \daps{} screen whilst an audio
180 track is being played, the FMS is the screen shown while listening to the
181 radio, and the SBS lets you specify a custom status bar that is shown in the
182 menus and browsers, as well as the WPS and FMS. The SBS also allows you to
183 control certain aspects of the appearance of the menus/browsers.
184 There are a number of themes included in Rockbox, and
185 you can load one of these at any time by selecting it in
186 \setting{Settings $\rightarrow$ Theme Settings $\rightarrow$ Browse Theme Files}.
187 It is also possible to set individual items of a theme from within the
188 \setting{Settings $\rightarrow$ Theme Settings} menu.
191 \subsection{\label{ref:CreateYourOwnWPS}Themes -- Create Your Own}
192 The theme files are simple text files, and can be created (or edited) in your
193 favourite text editor. To make sure non-English characters
194 display correctly in your WPS you must save the .wps file with UTF-8 character
195 encoding. This can be done in most editors, for example Notepad in Windows 2000
196 or XP (but not in 9x/ME) can do this.
198 \begin{description}
199 \item [Files Locations: ] Each different ``themeable'' aspect requires its own file --
200 WPS files have the extension \fname{.wps}, FM screen files have the extension
201 \fname{.fms}, and SBS files have the extension \fname{.sbs}. The main theme
202 file has the extension \fname{.cfg}. All files should have the same name.
204 The theme \fname{.cfg} file should be placed in the \fname{/.rockbox/themes}
205 directory, while the \fname{.wps}, \fname{.fms} and \fname{.sbs} files should
206 be placed in the \fname{/.rockbox/wps} directory. Any images used by the
207 theme should be placed in a subdirectory of \fname{/.rockbox/wps} with the
208 same name as the theme, e.g. if the theme files are named
209 \fname{mytheme.wps, mytheme.sbs} etc., then the images should be placed in
210 \fname{/.rockbox/wps/mytheme}.
211 \end{description}
213 All full list of the available tags are given in appendix
214 \reference{ref:wps_tags}; some of the more powerful concepts in theme designe
215 are discussed below.
217 \begin{itemize}
218 \item All characters not preceded by \% are displayed as typed.
219 \item Lines beginning with \# are comments and will be ignored.
220 \end{itemize}
222 \note{Keep in mind that your \dap{} resolution is \genericimg{} (with
223 the last number giving the colour depth in bits) when
224 designing your own WPS, or if you use a WPS designed for another target.
225 \opt{HAVE_REMOTE_LCD}{The resolution of the remote is
226 \opt{h100,h300}{128x64x1}\opt{x5,m5}{128x96x2} pixels.}}
228 \nopt{lcd_charcell}{
229 \subsubsection{\label{ref:Viewports}Viewports}
231 By default, a viewport filling the whole screen contains all the elements
232 defined in the \fname(.wps) file. The
233 \opt{lcd_non-mono}{elements in this viewport are displayed
234 with the same background/foreground
235 \opt{lcd_color}{colours}\nopt{lcd_color}{shades} and the}
236 text is rendered in the
237 same font as in the main menu. To change this behaviour a custom viewport can
238 be defined. A viewport is a rectangular window on the screen%
239 \opt{lcd_non-mono}{ with its own foreground/background
240 \opt{lcd_color}{colours}\nopt{lcd_color}{shades}}.
241 This window also has variable dimensions. To
242 define a viewport a line starting \config{{\%V{\textbar}\dots}} has to be
243 present in the \fname{.wps} file. The full syntax will be explained later in
244 this section. All elements placed before the
245 line defining a viewport are displayed in the default viewport. Elements
246 defined after a viewport declaration are drawn within that viewport.
247 \opt{lcd_bitmap}{Loading images (see Appendix \reference{ref:wps_images})
248 should be done within the default viewport.}
249 A viewport ends either with the end of the file, or with the next viewport
250 declaration line. Viewports sharing the same
251 coordinates and dimensions cannot be displayed at the same time. Viewports
252 cannot be layered \emph{transparently} over one another. Subsequent viewports
253 will be drawn over any other viewports already drawn onto that
254 area of the screen.
256 \nopt{lcd_non-mono}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/mono-vp-syntax.tex}}
257 \nopt{lcd_color}{\opt{lcd_non-mono}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/grayscale-vp-syntax.tex}}}
258 \opt{lcd_color}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/colour-vp-syntax.tex}}
261 \subsubsection{Conditional Viewports}
263 Any viewport can be displayed either permanently or conditionally.
264 Defining a viewport as \config{{\%V{\textbar}\dots}}
265 will display it permanently.
267 \begin{itemize}
268 \item {\config{\%Vl{\textbar}'identifier'{\textbar}\dots{\textbar}}}
269 This tag preloads a viewport for later display. `identifier' is a single
270 lowercase letter (a-z) and the '\dots' parameters use the same logic as
271 the \config{\%V} tag explained above.
272 \item {\config{\%Vd'identifier'}} Display the 'identifier' viewport.
273 \end{itemize}
275 Viewports can share identifiers so that you can display multiple viewports
276 with one \%Vd line.
278 \nopt{lcd_non-mono}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/mono-conditional.tex}}
279 \nopt{lcd_color}{%
280 \opt{lcd_non-mono}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/grayscale-conditional.tex}}}
281 \opt{lcd_color}{\input{advanced_topics/viewports/colour-conditional.tex}}
284 \note{The tag to display conditional viewports must come before the tag to
285 preload the viewport in the \fname{.wps} file.}
288 \subsubsection{Conditional Tags}
290 \begin{description}
291 \item[If/else: ]
292 Syntax: \config{\%?xx{\textless}true{\textbar}false{\textgreater}}
294 If the tag specified by ``\config{xx}'' has a value, the text between the
295 ``\config{{\textless}}'' and the ``\config{{\textbar}}'' is displayed (the true
296 part), else the text between the ``\config{{\textbar}}'' and the
297 ``\config{{\textgreater}}'' is displayed (the false part).
298 The else part is optional, so the ``\config{{\textbar}}'' does not have to be
299 specified if no else part is desired. The conditionals nest, so the text in the
300 if and else part can contain all \config{\%} commands, including conditionals.
302 \item[Enumerations: ]
303 Syntax: \config{\%?xx{\textless}alt1{\textbar}alt2{\textbar}alt3{\textbar}\dots{\textbar}else{\textgreater}}
305 For tags with multiple values, like Play status, the conditional can hold a
306 list of alternatives, one for each value the tag can have.
307 Example enumeration:
308 \begin{example}
309 \%?mp{\textless}Stop{\textbar}\%Play{\textbar}Pause{\textbar}Ffwd{\textbar}Rew{\textgreater}
310 \end{example}
312 The last else part is optional, and will be displayed if the tag has no value.
313 The WPS parser will always display the last part if the tag has no value, or if
314 the list of alternatives is too short.
315 \end{description}
317 \subsubsection{Next Song Info}
318 You can display information about the next song -- the song that is
319 about to play after the one currently playing (unless you change the
320 plan).
322 If you use the upper-case versions of the
323 three tags: \config{F}, \config{I} and \config{D}, they will instead refer to
324 the next song instead of the current one. Example: \config{\%Ig} is the genre
325 name used in the next song and \config{\%Ff} is the mp3 frequency.\\
327 \note{The next song information \emph{will not} be available at all
328 times, but will most likely be available at the end of a song. We
329 suggest you use the conditional display tag a lot when displaying
330 information about the next song!}
332 \subsubsection{\label{ref:AlternatingSublines}Alternating Sublines}
334 It is possible to group items on each line into 2 or more groups or
335 ``sublines''. Each subline will be displayed in succession on the line for a
336 specified time, alternating continuously through each defined subline.
338 Items on a line are broken into sublines with the semicolon
339 '\config{;}' character. The display time for
340 each subline defaults to 2 seconds unless modified by using the
341 '\config{\%t}' tag to specify an alternate
342 time (in seconds and optional tenths of a second) for the subline to be
343 displayed.
345 Subline related special characters and tags:
346 \begin{description}
347 \item[;] Split items on a line into separate sublines
348 \item[\%t] Set the subline display time. The
349 '\config{\%t}' is followed by either integer
350 seconds (\config{\%t5}), or seconds and tenths of a second (\config{\%t3.5}).
351 \end{description}
353 Each alternating subline can still be optionally scrolled while it is
354 being displayed, and scrollable formats can be displayed on the same
355 line with non{}-scrollable formats (such as track elapsed time) as long
356 as they are separated into different sublines.
357 Example subline definition:
358 \begin{example}
359 %s%t4%ia;%s%it;%t3%pc %pr : Display id3 artist for 4 seconds,
360 Display id3 title for 2 seconds,
361 Display current and remaining track time
362 for 3 seconds,
363 repeat...
364 \end{example}
366 Conditionals can be used with sublines to display a different set and/or number
367 of sublines on the line depending on the evaluation of the conditional.
368 Example subline with conditionals:
369 \begin{example}
370 %?it{\textless}%t8%s%it{\textbar}%s%fn{\textgreater};%?ia{\textless}%t3%s%ia{\textbar}%t0{\textgreater}\\
371 \end{example}
373 The format above will do two different things depending if ID3 tags are
374 present. If the ID3 artist and title are present:
375 \begin{itemize}
376 \item Display id3 title for 8 seconds,
377 \item Display id3 artist for 3 seconds,
378 \item repeat\dots
379 \end{itemize}
380 If the ID3 artist and title are not present:
381 \begin{itemize}
382 \item Display the filename continuously.
383 \end{itemize}
384 Note that by using a subline display time of 0 in one branch of a conditional,
385 a subline can be skipped (not displayed) when that condition is met.
387 \subsubsection{Using Images}
388 You can have as many as 52 images in your WPS. There are various ways of
389 displaying images:
390 \begin{enumerate}
391 \item Load and always show the image, using the \config{\%x} tag
392 \item Preload the image with \config{\%xl} and show it with \config{\%xd}.
393 This way you can have your images displayed conditionally.
394 \nopt{archos}{%
395 \item Load an image and show as backdrop using the \config{\%X} tag. The
396 image must be of the same exact dimensions as your display.
398 \end{enumerate}
400 \optv{swcodec}{% This doesn't depend on swcodec but we don't have a \noptv
401 % command.
402 Example on background image use:
403 \begin{example}
404 %X|background.bmp|
405 \end{example}
406 The image with filename \fname{background.bmp} is loaded and used in the WPS.
409 Example on bitmap preloading and use:
410 \begin{example}
411 %x|a|static_icon.bmp|50|50|
412 %xl|b|rep\_off.bmp|16|64|
413 %xl|c|rep\_all.bmp|16|64|
414 %xl|d|rep\_one.bmp|16|64|
415 %xl|e|rep\_shuffle.bmp|16|64|
416 %?mm<%xdb|%xdc|%xdd|%xde>
417 \end{example}
418 Four images at the same x and y position are preloaded in the example. Which
419 image to display is determined by the \config{\%mm} tag (the repeat mode).
421 \subsubsection{Example File}
422 \begin{example}
423 %s%?in<%in - >%?it<%it|%fn> %?ia<[%ia%?id<, %id>]>
424 %pb%pc/%pt
425 \end{example}
426 That is, ``tracknum -- title [artist, album]'', where most fields are only
427 displayed if available. Could also be rendered as ``filename'' or ``tracknum --
428 title [artist]''.
430 %\opt{lcd_bitmap}{
431 % \begin{verbatim}
432 % %s%?it<%?in<%in. |>%it|%fn>
433 % %s%?ia<%ia|%?d2<%d2|(root)>>
434 % %s%?id<%id|%?d1<%d1|(root)>> %?iy<(%iy)|>
436 % %al%pc/%pt%ar[%pp:%pe]
437 % %fbkBit %?fv<avg|> %?iv<(id3v%iv)|(no id3)>
438 % %pb
439 % %pm
440 % % \end{verbatim}
443 \section{\label{ref:manage_settings}Managing Rockbox Settings}
445 \subsection{Introduction to \fname{.cfg} Files}
446 Rockbox allows users to store and load multiple settings through the use of
447 configuration files. A configuration file is simply a text file with the
448 extension \fname{.cfg}.
450 A configuration file may reside anywhere on the disk. Multiple
451 configuration files are permitted. So, for example, you could have
452 a \fname{car.cfg} file for the settings that you use while playing your
453 jukebox in your car, and a \fname{headphones.cfg} file to store the
454 settings that you use while listening to your \dap{} through headphones.
456 See \reference{ref:cfg_specs} below for an explanation of the format
457 for configuration files. See \reference{ref:manage_settings_menu} for an
458 explanation of how to create, edit and load configuration files.
460 \subsection{\label{ref:cfg_specs}Specifications for \fname{.cfg} Files}
462 The Rockbox configuration file is a plain text file, so once you use the
463 \setting{Save .cfg file} option to create the file, you can edit the file on
464 your computer using any text editor program. See
465 Appendix \reference{ref:config_file_options} for available settings. Configuration
466 files use the following formatting rules: %
468 \begin{enumerate}
469 \item Each setting must be on a separate line.
470 \item Each line has the format ``setting: value''.
471 \item Values must be within the ranges specified in this manual for each
472 setting.
473 \item Lines starting with \# are ignored. This lets you write comments into
474 your configuration files.
475 \end{enumerate}
477 Example of a configuration file:
478 \begin{example}
479 volume: 70
480 bass: 11
481 treble: 12
482 balance: 0
483 time format: 12hour
484 volume display: numeric
485 show files: supported
486 wps: /.rockbox/car.wps
487 lang: /.rockbox/afrikaans.lng
488 \end{example}
490 \note{As you can see from the example, configuration files do not need to
491 contain all of the Rockbox options. You can create configuration files
492 that change only certain settings. So, for example, supppose you
493 typically use the \dap{} at one volume in the car, and another when using
494 headphones. Further, suppose you like to use an inverse LCD when you are
495 in the car, and a regular LCD setting when you are using headphones. You
496 could create configuration files that control only the volume and LCD
497 settings. Create a few different files with different settings, give
498 each file a different name (such as \fname{car.cfg},
499 \fname{headphones.cfg}, etc.), and you can then use the \setting{Browse .cfg
500 files} option to quickly change settings.\\}
502 A special case configuration file can be used to force a particular setting
503 or settings every time Rockbox starts up (e.g. to set the volume to a safe
504 level). Format a new configuration file as above with the required setting(s)
505 and save it into the \fname{/.rockbox} directory with the filename
506 \fname{fixed.cfg}.
508 \subsection{\label{ref:manage_settings_menu}The \setting{Manage Settings}
509 menu} The \setting{Manage Settings} menu can be found in the \setting{Main
510 Menu}. The \setting{Manage Settings} menu allows you to save and load
511 \fname{.cfg} files.
513 \begin{description}
515 \item [Browse .cfg Files]Opens the \setting{File Browser} in the
516 \fname{/.rockbox} directory and displays all \fname{.cfg} (configuration)
517 files. Selecting a \fname{.cfg} file will cause Rockbox to load the settings
518 contained in that file. Pressing \nopt{COWON_D2_PAD}{\ButtonLeft}
519 \opt{COWON_D2_PAD}{\ButtonPower{} or \TouchTopLeft} will exit back to the
520 \setting{Manage Settings} menu. See the \setting{Write .cfg files} option on
521 the \setting{Manage Settings} menu for details of how to save and edit a
522 configuration file.
524 \item [Reset Settings]This wipes the saved settings
525 in the \dap{} and resets all settings to their default values.
527 \opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD}{
528 \note{You can also reset all settings to their default
529 values by turning off the \dap, turning it back on, and holding the
530 \ButtonRec{} button immediately after the \dap{} turns on.}
532 \opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\note{You can also reset all settings to
533 their default values by turning off the \dap, and turning it back on
534 with the \ButtonHold{} button on.}
536 \opt{IPOD_4G_PAD}{\note{You can also reset all settings to their default
537 values by turning off the \dap, turning it back on, and activating the
538 \ButtonHold{} button immediately after the backlight comes on.}
540 \opt{GIGABEAT_PAD}{\note{You can also reset all settings to their default
541 values by turning off the \dap, turning it back on and pressing the
542 \ButtonA{} button immediately after the \dap{} turns on.}
545 \item [Save .cfg File]This option writes a \fname{.cfg} file to
546 your \daps{} disk. The configuration file has the \fname{.cfg}
547 extension and is used to store all of the user settings that are described
548 throughout this manual.
550 Hint: Use the \setting{Save .cfg File} feature (\setting{Main Menu
551 $\rightarrow$ Manage Settings}) to save the current settings, then
552 use a text editor to customize the settings file. See Appendix
553 \reference{ref:config_file_options} for the full reference of available
554 options.
556 \item [Save Sound Settings]This option writes a \fname{.cfg} file to
557 your \daps{} disk. The configuration file has the \fname{.cfg}
558 extension and is used to store all of the sound related settings.
560 \item [Save Theme Settings]This option writes a \fname{.cfg} file to
561 your \daps{} disk. The configuration file has the \fname{.cfg}
562 extension and is used to store all of the theme related settings.
564 \end{description}
566 \section{\label{ref:FirmwareLoading}Firmware Loading}
567 \opt{player,recorder,recorderv2fm,ondio}{
568 When your \dap{} powers on, it loads the Archos firmware in ROM, which
569 automatically checks your \daps{} root directory for a file named
570 \firmwarefilename. Note that Archos firmware can only read the first
571 ten characters of each filename in this process, so do not rename your old
572 firmware files with names like \firmwarefilename.\fname{old} and so on,
573 because it is possible that the \dap{} will load a file other than the one
574 you intended.
577 \subsection{\label{ref:using_rolo}Using ROLO (Rockbox Loader)}
578 Rockbox is able to load and start another firmware file without rebooting.
579 You just ``play'' a file with the extension %
580 \opt{recorder,recorderv2fm,ondio}{\fname{.ajz}.} %
581 \opt{player}{\fname{.mod}.} %
582 \opt{h100,h300}{\fname{.iriver}.} %
583 \opt{ipod}{\fname{.ipod}.} %
584 \opt{iaudio}{\fname{.iaudio}.} %
585 \opt{sansa,h10,h10_5gb,vibe500}{\fname{.mi4}.} %
586 \opt{sansaAMS}{\fname{.sansa}.} %
587 \opt{gigabeatf,gigabeats}{\fname{.gigabeat}.} %
588 This can be used to test new firmware versions without deleting your
589 current version.
591 \opt{archos}{\input{advanced_topics/archos-flashing.tex}}
593 \section{Optimising battery runtime}
594 Rockbox offers a lot of settings that have high impact on the battery runtime
595 of your \dap{}. The largest power savings can be achieved through disabling
596 unneeded hardware components -- for some of those there are settings
597 available.
598 \opt{swcodec}{
599 Another area of savings is avoiding or reducing CPU boosting
600 through disabling computing intense features (e.g. sound processing) or
601 using effective audio codecs.
602 } The following provides a short overview of the most relevant settings and
603 rules of thumb.
605 \nopt{ondio}{
606 \subsection{Display backlight}
607 The active backlight consumes a lot of power. Therefore choose a setting that
608 disables the backlight after timeout (for setting \setting{Backlight} see
609 \reference{ref:Displayoptions}). Avoid to have the backlight enabled all the
610 time.
613 \opt{lcd_sleep}{
614 \subsection{Display power-off}
615 Shutting down the display and the display controller saves a reasonable amount
616 of power. Choose a setting that will put the display to sleep after timeout
617 (for setting \setting{Sleep} see \reference{ref:Displayoptions}). Avoid to
618 have the display enabled all the time -- even, if the display is transflective
619 and is readable without backlight. Depending on your \dap{} it might be
620 significantly more efficient to re-enable the display and its backlight for a
621 glimpse a few times per hour than to keep the display enabled.
624 \opt{accessory_supply}{
625 \subsection{Accessory power supply}
626 As default your \dap{}'s accessory power supply is always enabled to ensure
627 proper function of connected accessory devices. Disable this power supply, if
628 -- or as long as -- you do not use any accessory device with your \dap{} while
629 running Rockbox (see \reference{ref:AccessoryPowerSupply}).
632 \opt{lineout_poweroff}{
633 \subsection{Line Out}
634 Rockbox allows to switch off the line-out on your \dap{}. If you do not need
635 the line-out, switch it off (see \reference{ref:LineoutOnOff}).
638 \opt{spdif_power}{
639 \subsection{Optical Output}
640 Rockbox allows to switch off the S/PDIF output on your \dap{}. If you do not
641 need this output, switch it off (see \reference{ref:SPDIF_OnOff}).
644 \opt{disk_storage}{
645 \subsection{Anti-Skip Buffer}
646 Having a large anti-skip buffer tends to use more power, and may reduce your
647 battery life. It is recommended to always use the lowest possible setting
648 that allows correct and continuous playback (see \reference{ref:AntiSkipBuf}).
651 \opt{swcodec}{
652 \subsection{Replaygain}
653 Replaygain is a post processing that equalises the playback volume of audio
654 files to the same perceived loudness. This post processing applies a factor
655 to each single PCM sample and is therefore consuming additional CPU time. If
656 you want to achieve some (minor) savings in runtime, switch this feature off
657 (see \reference{ref:ReplayGain}).
660 \opt{swcodec,disk_storage,flash_storage}{
661 \subsection{Audio format and bitrate}
662 \opt{swcodec}{
663 In general the fastest decoding audio format will be the best in terms of
664 battery runtime on your \dap{}. An overview of different codec's performance
665 on different \dap{}s can be found at \wikilink{CodecPerformanceComparison}.
668 \opt{flash_storage}{
669 Your target uses flash that consumes a certain amount of power during access.
670 The less often the flash needs to be switched on for buffering and the shorter
671 the buffering duration is, the lower is the overall power consumption.
672 Therefore the bitrate of the audio files does have an impact on the battery
673 runtime as well. Lower bitrate audio files will result in longer battery
674 runtime.
676 \opt{disk_storage}{
677 Your target uses a hard disk which consumes a large amount of power while
678 spinning -- up to several hundred mA. The less often the hard disk needs to
679 spin up for buffering and the shorter the buffering duration is, the lower is
680 the power consumption. Therefore the bitrate of the audio files does have an
681 impact on the battery runtime as well. Lower bitrate audio files will result
682 in longer battery runtime.
685 Please do not re-encode any existing audio files from one lossy format to
686 another based upon the above mentioned. This will reduce the audio quality.
687 If you have the choice, select the best suiting codec when encoding the
688 original source material.
691 \opt{swcodec}{
692 \subsection{Sound settings}
693 In general all kinds of sound processing will need more CPU time and therefore
694 consume more power. The less sound processing you use, the better it is for
695 the battery runtime (for options see \reference{ref:configure_rockbox_sound}).