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37>Video for Linux Two API Specification: Revision 0.24</TH
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74>Introduction</H1
75><P
76>Video For Linux Two is the second version of the Video For
77Linux API, a kernel interface for analog radio and video capture and
78output drivers.</P
79><P
80>Early drivers used ad-hoc interfaces. These were replaced in
81Linux 2.2 by Alan Cox' V4L API, based on the interface of the bttv
82driver. In 1999 Bill Dirks started the development of V4L2 to fix some
83shortcomings of V4L and to support a wider range of devices. The API
84was revised again in 2002 prior to its inclusion in Linux 2.5/2.6, and
85work continues on improvements and additions while maintaining
86compatibility with existing drivers and applications. In 2006/2007
87efforts began on FreeBSD drivers with a V4L2 interface.</P
88><P
89>This book documents the V4L2 API. Intended audience are
90driver and application writers.</P
91><P
92>If you have questions or ideas regarding the API, please
93write to the Video4Linux mailing list: <A
94HREF="https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/video4linux-list"
95TARGET="_top"
96>https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/video4linux-list</A
97>. For inquiries about
98the V4L2 specification contact the maintainer <A
99HREF="mailto:mschimek@gmx.at"
100TARGET="_top"
101>mschimek@gmx.at</A
102>.</P
103><P
104>The latest version of this document and the DocBook SGML
105sources are hosted at <A
106HREF="../index.html"
107TARGET="_top"
108>http://v4l2spec.bytesex.org</A
109>,
110and <A
111HREF="http://linuxtv.org/downloads/video4linux/API/V4L2_API"
112TARGET="_top"
113>http://linuxtv.org/downloads/video4linux/API/V4L2_API</A
114>.</P
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160>Video for Linux Two API Specification</TD
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165>&nbsp;</TD
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170>Common API Elements</TD
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