AV Linux

AV Linux is a Linux-based operating system aimed for multimedia content creators. Available for the i386 and x86-64 architectures with a kernel customised for maximum performance and low-latency audio production, it has been recommended as a supported Linux platform for Harrison Mixbus.[2]

AV Linux
OS familyUnix-like
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Latest releaseAV Linux 2019.4.10[1] / April 3, 2019 (2019-04-03)
Marketing targetMultimedia content creation
Update methodAdvanced Packaging Tool
Package managerdpkg
Platformsi386, x86-64
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux), patched for real-time use
Official websitewww.bandshed.net/avlinux/

Environment

The system is built on top of Debian, and was originally made with remastersys.

Versions prior to, and including, version 6 were 32-bit only, running a 32-bit Linux kernel with the IRQ threading and rtirq-init patches activated by default. For computers with more than 4 GB of RAM there was a PAE version available.

From AV Linux 2016 onwards, there are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions available.

Window management as of version 6.0.2 is handled by the Xfce Desktop Environment. Previous versions used the LXDE Desktop Environment.

It is possible to boot AV Linux from either a live CD or a hard drive. Audio playback and routing is handled by JACK (for advanced audio operation) or ALSA (for basic audio operation). Most any audio interface compatible with FFADO is usable out of the box.

Software

AV Linux is bundled with software for both everyday use and media production.

As of AV Linux 2016, AV Linux gets its software packages from the KXStudio repositories,[3] which are compatible with Debian, and therefore AV Linux. This reduces duplication of effort and allows the effort focus to be on a solid base distribution suitable for audio production.

For this reason, AV Linux 2016 development has focused more on the base distribution than bundling it with large amounts of software, as it did with previous versions. Instead, the 2016 edition leaves it up to the users to decide what they want to install from the large repository of software available via KXStudio.

Audio

Preinstalled audio software includes: Ardour, Audacity, Calf Studio Gear, Carla, Guitarix, Hydrogen and MuseScore.

Graphics

Preinstalled graphics programs include: GIMP, Inkscape and Shotwell.

Video

Preinstalled software for video editing, playback, capture and 3D animation include: Blender, Cinelerra, Kdenlive and Openshot.

Everyday use

For typical day-to-day activities there are several programs available including Firefox and LibreOffice Suite.

Forum

AV Linux has an active forum.[4] The forum was closed in September 2019 even if the development of AV Linux is planned to continue.[5]

Manual

The maintainer of AV Linux, Glen MacArthur,[6] also provides a thorough manual [7] to complement AV Linux. This manual provides users with "84 illustrated pages of FAQ’s and important Operational details".

Reception

LinuxInsider: "The modified (Xfce) menus add a big element of ease to finding your most frequently used apps. The menu hierarchy uses a two-tiered design. this drastically cuts down on the need to rummage through long cascading menu lists"[8]

LinuxJournal: "AV Linux Control Panel... provides easy access to tools and utilities for system management, administration, and customization. Its amenities include an installer for ATI/nVidia binary video drivers and a very useful tool that scans and analyzes your system for its readiness for realtime performance."[9]

ZDNet: "Everything in AV Linux is aimed at reducing the operating system overhead, and leaving as much of the processing power as possible available for the multimedia editing applications."[10][11]

Softpedia Linux: "As mentioned before, the distribution provides users with a large collection of video and audio production software, ranging from simple audio and video players to sophisticated video editors and CD rippers. Additionally, it comes with a patched Linux kernel package that allows for low-latency audio performance. The Live DVD can be used as-is or installed on a local disk drive."[12]

Also review was written by InfoWorld.[13]

References
  1. AV Linux 2019.4.10 Released!
  2. "Harrison Consoles: Mixbus". Archived from the original on 2016-05-18. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  3. "KXStudio : Repositories". Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  4. "AVLinux Forum". Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  5. "AV Linux Forum to close Sept.1/2019". Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  6. "Friday Interview #6: Glen MacArthur". Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  7. http://bandshed.net/pdf/AVL2016.3UserManual.pdf Archived 2016-04-11 at the Wayback Machine
    http://bandshed.net/pdf/AVL2017.3UserManual.pdf
  8. AV Linux Dazzles Both Eyes and Ears | Reviews | LinuxInsider
  9. At Home With AV Linux | Linux Journal
  10. Specialized Linux Distributions - AV Linux 5.0 | ZDNet
  11. Hands-on with AVLinux: Crammed with multimedia goodies | ZDNet
  12. Download AV Linux 2018.4.2, Softpedia Linux
  13. AV Linux review: A distro packed with audio and visual applications | InfoWorld
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