diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 63f49445..45c5f685 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ endif
 enable_docs = get_option('docs').require(xsltproc.found() and have_manpages_stylesheet).allowed()
 
 # Additionally check if glesv2 is needed
-enable_glesv2 = enable_video_drm3d and enable_renderer_gltex
+enable_glesv2 = enable_video_drm3d or enable_renderer_gltex
 
 #
 # Other configuration output
diff --git a/src/font.c b/src/font.c
index 02202a3f..cb7de85f 100644
--- a/src/font.c
+++ b/src/font.c
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include "font.h"
-#include "kmscon_module.h"
+#include "shl_module.h"
 #include "shl_dlist.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
 #include "shl_misc.h"
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ static inline void kmscon_font_destroy(void *data)
 {
 	const struct kmscon_font_ops *ops = data;
 
-	kmscon_module_unref(ops->owner);
+	shl_module_unref(ops->owner);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ int kmscon_font_register(const struct kmscon_font_ops *ops)
 		return ret;
 	}
 
-	kmscon_module_ref(ops->owner);
+	shl_module_ref(ops->owner);
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/font.h b/src/font.h
index 6f1a79ec..4c181c62 100644
--- a/src/font.h
+++ b/src/font.h
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
-#include "kmscon_module.h"
+#include "shl_module.h"
 #include "uterm_video.h"
 
 /* fonts */
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ struct kmscon_font {
 
 struct kmscon_font_ops {
 	const char *name;
-	struct kmscon_module *owner;
+	struct shl_module *owner;
 	int (*init) (struct kmscon_font *out,
 		     const struct kmscon_font_attr *attr);
 	void (*destroy) (struct kmscon_font *font);
diff --git a/src/kmscon_conf.c b/src/kmscon_conf.c
index 7650334a..64901955 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_conf.c
+++ b/src/kmscon_conf.c
@@ -569,17 +569,21 @@ static int aftercheck_help(struct conf_option *opt, int argc, char **argv,
 static int aftercheck_drm(struct conf_option *opt, int argc, char **argv,
 			  int idx)
 {
+#ifndef BUILD_ENABLE_VIDEO_DRM2D
+#ifndef BUILD_ENABLE_VIDEO_DRM3D
 	struct kmscon_conf_t *conf = KMSCON_CONF_FROM_FIELD(opt->mem, drm);
 
 	/* disable --drm if DRM runtime support is not available */
 	/* drmAvailable() is broken, as it only checks for GPU 0, but with
 	 * with simpledrm, it's often the case that the first gpu ends up being
 	 * GPU 1. So only checks if drm2d or drm3d is available */
-	if (conf->drm && !UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D && !UTERM_VIDEO_DRM2D) {
+
+	if (conf->drm) {
 		log_info("no DRM runtime support available; disabling --drm");
 		conf->drm = false;
 	}
-
+#endif
+#endif
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/kmscon_main.c b/src/kmscon_main.c
index 1fbe85b2..e28792fd 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_main.c
+++ b/src/kmscon_main.c
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 #include "conf.h"
 #include "eloop.h"
 #include "kmscon_conf.h"
-#include "kmscon_module.h"
+#include "shl_module.h"
 #include "kmscon_seat.h"
 #include "shl_dlist.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
@@ -81,6 +81,10 @@ struct kmscon_app {
 	unsigned int running_seats;
 };
 
+const char be_drm3d[] = "drm3d";
+const char be_drm2d[] = "drm2d";
+const char be_fbdev[] = "fbdev";
+
 static int app_seat_event(struct kmscon_seat *s, unsigned int event,
 			  void *data)
 {
@@ -325,7 +329,7 @@ static int app_seat_add_video(struct app_seat *seat,
 			      struct uterm_monitor_dev *udev)
 {
 	int ret;
-	const struct uterm_video_module *mode;
+	const char *backend;
 	struct app_video *vid;
 
 	if (seat->app->exiting)
@@ -360,11 +364,11 @@ static int app_seat_add_video(struct app_seat *seat,
 
 	if (type == UTERM_MONITOR_DRM) {
 		if (seat->conf->hwaccel)
-			mode = UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D;
+			backend = be_drm3d;
 		else
-			mode = UTERM_VIDEO_DRM2D;
+			backend = be_drm2d;
 	} else {
-		mode = UTERM_VIDEO_FBDEV;
+		backend = be_fbdev;
 	}
 
 	unsigned int desired_width = 0;
@@ -377,14 +381,14 @@ static int app_seat_add_video(struct app_seat *seat,
 			desired_height = 0;
 		}
 	}
-	ret = uterm_video_new(&vid->video, seat->app->eloop, node, mode,
+	ret = uterm_video_new(&vid->video, seat->app->eloop, node, backend,
 	                      desired_width, desired_height);
 	if (ret) {
-		if (mode == UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D) {
+		if (backend == be_drm3d) {
 			log_info("cannot create drm3d device %s on seat %s (%d); trying drm2d mode",
 				 vid->node, seat->name, ret);
 			ret = uterm_video_new(&vid->video, seat->app->eloop,
-					      node, UTERM_VIDEO_DRM2D, desired_width, desired_height);
+					      node, be_drm2d, desired_width, desired_height);
 			if (ret)
 				goto err_node;
 		} else {
@@ -627,6 +631,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	kmscon_load_modules();
 	kmscon_font_register(&kmscon_font_8x16_ops);
 	kmscon_text_register(&kmscon_text_bblit_ops);
+	uterm_register_drm2d();
+	uterm_register_fbdev();
 
 	memset(&app, 0, sizeof(app));
 	app.conf_ctx = conf_ctx;
diff --git a/src/kmscon_mod_bbulk.c b/src/kmscon_mod_bbulk.c
index f0a2052d..34f83e19 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_mod_bbulk.c
+++ b/src/kmscon_mod_bbulk.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include "text.h"
-#include "kmscon_module_interface.h"
+#include "shl_module_interface.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
 
 #define LOG_SUBSYSTEM "mod_bbulk"
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ static int kmscon_bbulk_load(void)
 {
 	int ret;
 
-	kmscon_text_bbulk_ops.owner = KMSCON_THIS_MODULE;
+	kmscon_text_bbulk_ops.owner = SHL_THIS_MODULE;
 	ret = kmscon_text_register(&kmscon_text_bbulk_ops);
 	if (ret) {
 		log_error("cannot register bbulk renderer");
@@ -55,4 +55,4 @@ static void kmscon_bbulk_unload(void)
 	kmscon_text_unregister(kmscon_text_bbulk_ops.name);
 }
 
-KMSCON_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_bbulk_load, kmscon_bbulk_unload, NULL);
+SHL_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_bbulk_load, kmscon_bbulk_unload, NULL);
diff --git a/src/kmscon_mod_gltex.c b/src/kmscon_mod_gltex.c
index 9f4579df..841786a5 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_mod_gltex.c
+++ b/src/kmscon_mod_gltex.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include "text.h"
-#include "kmscon_module_interface.h"
+#include "shl_module_interface.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
 
 #define LOG_SUBSYSTEM "mod_gltex"
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ static int kmscon_gltex_load(void)
 {
 	int ret;
 
-	kmscon_text_gltex_ops.owner = KMSCON_THIS_MODULE;
+	kmscon_text_gltex_ops.owner = SHL_THIS_MODULE;
 	ret = kmscon_text_register(&kmscon_text_gltex_ops);
 	if (ret) {
 		log_error("cannot register gltex renderer");
@@ -55,4 +55,4 @@ static void kmscon_gltex_unload(void)
 	kmscon_text_unregister(kmscon_text_gltex_ops.name);
 }
 
-KMSCON_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_gltex_load, kmscon_gltex_unload, NULL);
+SHL_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_gltex_load, kmscon_gltex_unload, NULL);
diff --git a/src/kmscon_mod_pango.c b/src/kmscon_mod_pango.c
index de8b1e71..bb42f0c3 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_mod_pango.c
+++ b/src/kmscon_mod_pango.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include "font.h"
-#include "kmscon_module_interface.h"
+#include "shl_module_interface.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
 
 #define LOG_SUBSYSTEM "mod_pango"
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ static int kmscon_pango_load(void)
 {
 	int ret;
 
-	kmscon_font_pango_ops.owner = KMSCON_THIS_MODULE;
+	kmscon_font_pango_ops.owner = SHL_THIS_MODULE;
 	ret = kmscon_font_register(&kmscon_font_pango_ops);
 	if (ret) {
 		log_error("cannot register pango font");
@@ -55,4 +55,4 @@ static void kmscon_pango_unload(void)
 	kmscon_font_unregister(kmscon_font_pango_ops.name);
 }
 
-KMSCON_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_pango_load, kmscon_pango_unload, NULL);
+SHL_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_pango_load, kmscon_pango_unload, NULL);
diff --git a/src/kmscon_mod_pixman.c b/src/kmscon_mod_pixman.c
index f229e55d..9bf4c74b 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_mod_pixman.c
+++ b/src/kmscon_mod_pixman.c
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include "text.h"
-#include "kmscon_module_interface.h"
+#include "shl_module_interface.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
 
 #define LOG_SUBSYSTEM "mod_pixman"
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ static int kmscon_pixman_load(void)
 {
 	int ret;
 
-	kmscon_text_pixman_ops.owner = KMSCON_THIS_MODULE;
+	kmscon_text_pixman_ops.owner = SHL_THIS_MODULE;
 	ret = kmscon_text_register(&kmscon_text_pixman_ops);
 	if (ret) {
 		log_error("cannot register pixman renderer");
@@ -54,4 +54,4 @@ static void kmscon_pixman_unload(void)
 	kmscon_text_unregister(kmscon_text_pixman_ops.name);
 }
 
-KMSCON_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_pixman_load, kmscon_pixman_unload, NULL);
+SHL_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_pixman_load, kmscon_pixman_unload, NULL);
diff --git a/src/kmscon_mod_unifont.c b/src/kmscon_mod_unifont.c
index 4b199543..a2625527 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_mod_unifont.c
+++ b/src/kmscon_mod_unifont.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include "font.h"
-#include "kmscon_module_interface.h"
+#include "shl_module_interface.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
 
 #define LOG_SUBSYSTEM "mod_unifont"
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ static int kmscon_unifont_load(void)
 {
 	int ret;
 
-	kmscon_font_unifont_ops.owner = KMSCON_THIS_MODULE;
+	kmscon_font_unifont_ops.owner = SHL_THIS_MODULE;
 	ret = kmscon_font_register(&kmscon_font_unifont_ops);
 	if (ret) {
 		log_error("cannot register pango font");
@@ -55,4 +55,4 @@ static void kmscon_unifont_unload(void)
 	kmscon_font_unregister(kmscon_font_unifont_ops.name);
 }
 
-KMSCON_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_unifont_load, kmscon_unifont_unload, NULL);
+SHL_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_unifont_load, kmscon_unifont_unload, NULL);
diff --git a/src/meson.build b/src/meson.build
index 7cf5c889..dee686c3 100644
--- a/src/meson.build
+++ b/src/meson.build
@@ -47,28 +47,38 @@ keymap_regex = [
 #
 shl_srcs = [
   'shl_log.c',
+  'shl_module.c',
   githead,
 ]
 shl_dep = [
   htable_deps,
   xkbcommon_deps
 ]
+
+shl = static_library('shl', shl_srcs, dependencies: shl_dep)
+shl_deps = declare_dependency(
+  link_with: [shl],
+  include_directories: [include_directories('.')],
+  dependencies: shl_dep
+)
+
 if enable_glesv2
-  shl_srcs += [
+  shl_gl_srcs = [
     'shl_gl_shader.c',
     'shl_gl_math.c',
   ]
-  shl_dep += [
+  shl_gl_dep = [
+    shl_deps,
     glesv2_deps
   ]
-endif
 
-shl = static_library('shl', shl_srcs, dependencies: shl_dep)
-shl_deps = declare_dependency(
-  link_with: [shl],
+shl_gl = static_library('shl_gl', shl_gl_srcs, dependencies: shl_gl_dep)
+shl_gl_deps = declare_dependency(
+  link_with: [shl_gl],
   include_directories: [include_directories('.')],
-  dependencies: shl_dep
+  dependencies: shl_gl_dep
 )
+endif
 
 #
 # libeloop
@@ -122,30 +132,32 @@ if enable_video_drm2d
     'uterm_drm2d_render.c'
   ]
 endif
+uterm = static_library('uterm', uterm_srcs,
+  dependencies: uterm_dep
+)
+uterm_deps = declare_dependency(
+  link_with: [uterm],
+  dependencies: uterm_dep
+)
+
 if enable_video_drm3d
-  uterm_srcs += [
+  mod_drm3d = shared_module('mod-drm3d', [
     'uterm_drm3d_video.c',
     'uterm_drm3d_render.c',
+    'uterm_mod_drm3d.c',
     embed_gen.process('uterm_drm3d_blend.vert', extra_args: shader_regex),
     embed_gen.process('uterm_drm3d_blend.frag', extra_args: shader_regex),
     embed_gen.process('uterm_drm3d_blit.vert', extra_args: shader_regex),
     embed_gen.process('uterm_drm3d_blit.frag', extra_args: shader_regex),
     embed_gen.process('uterm_drm3d_fill.vert', extra_args: shader_regex),
     embed_gen.process('uterm_drm3d_fill.frag', extra_args: shader_regex),
-  ]
-  uterm_dep += [
-    egl_deps,
-    gbm_deps,
-    glesv2_deps,
-  ]
+    ],
+    name_prefix: '',
+    dependencies: [uterm_deps, shl_deps, shl_gl_deps, libdrm_deps, egl_deps, gbm_deps, glesv2_deps],
+    install: true,
+    install_dir: moduledir,
+  )
 endif
-uterm = static_library('uterm', uterm_srcs,
-  dependencies: uterm_dep
-)
-uterm_deps = declare_dependency(
-  link_with: [uterm],
-  dependencies: uterm_dep
-)
 
 #
 # Unifont Generator
@@ -207,7 +219,7 @@ if enable_renderer_gltex
       embed_gen.process('text_gltex_atlas.frag', extra_args: shader_regex),
     ],
     name_prefix: '',
-    dependencies: [libtsm_deps, glesv2_deps, shl_deps],
+    dependencies: [libtsm_deps, glesv2_deps, shl_deps, shl_gl_deps],
     install: true,
     install_dir: moduledir,
   )
@@ -246,7 +258,6 @@ kmscon_srcs = [
   'font_8x16.c',
   'text.c',
   'text_bblit.c',
-  'kmscon_module.c',
   'kmscon_seat.c',
   'kmscon_conf.c',
   'kmscon_main.c',
diff --git a/src/kmscon_module.c b/src/shl_module.c
similarity index 88%
rename from src/kmscon_module.c
rename to src/shl_module.c
index f960c504..aee17b1b 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_module.c
+++ b/src/shl_module.c
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
-#include "kmscon_module.h"
-#include "kmscon_module_interface.h"
+#include "shl_module.h"
+#include "shl_module_interface.h"
 #include "shl_dlist.h"
 #include "shl_githead.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
@@ -41,10 +41,10 @@
 
 static struct shl_dlist module_list = SHL_DLIST_INIT(module_list);
 
-int kmscon_module_open(struct kmscon_module **out, const char *file)
+int shl_module_open(struct shl_module **out, const char *file)
 {
 	int ret;
-	struct kmscon_module *module;
+	struct shl_module *module;
 	void *handle;
 
 	if (!out || !file)
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ int kmscon_module_open(struct kmscon_module **out, const char *file)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-void kmscon_module_ref(struct kmscon_module *module)
+void shl_module_ref(struct shl_module *module)
 {
 	if (!module || !module->ref)
 		return;
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ void kmscon_module_ref(struct kmscon_module *module)
 	++module->ref;
 }
 
-void kmscon_module_unref(struct kmscon_module *module)
+void shl_module_unref(struct shl_module *module)
 {
 	if (!module || !module->ref || --module->ref)
 		return;
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ void kmscon_module_unref(struct kmscon_module *module)
 	dlclose(module->handle);
 }
 
-int kmscon_module_load(struct kmscon_module *module)
+int shl_module_load(struct shl_module *module)
 {
 	int ret;
 
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ int kmscon_module_load(struct kmscon_module *module)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-void kmscon_module_unload(struct kmscon_module *module)
+void shl_module_unload(struct shl_module *module)
 {
 	if (!module || !module->loaded)
 		return;
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ void kmscon_load_modules(void)
 	DIR *ent;
 	struct dirent *de;
 	char *file;
-	struct kmscon_module *mod;
+	struct shl_module *mod;
 
 	log_debug("loading global modules from %s", BUILD_MODULE_DIR);
 
@@ -235,15 +235,15 @@ void kmscon_load_modules(void)
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		ret = kmscon_module_open(&mod, file);
+		ret = shl_module_open(&mod, file);
 		free(file);
 
 		if (ret)
 			continue;
 
-		ret = kmscon_module_load(mod);
+		ret = shl_module_load(mod);
 		if (ret) {
-			kmscon_module_unref(mod);
+			shl_module_unref(mod);
 			continue;
 		}
 
@@ -255,15 +255,15 @@ void kmscon_load_modules(void)
 
 void kmscon_unload_modules(void)
 {
-	struct kmscon_module *module;
+	struct shl_module *module;
 
 	log_debug("unloading modules");
 
 	while (!shl_dlist_empty(&module_list)) {
-		module = shl_dlist_entry(module_list.prev, struct kmscon_module,
+		module = shl_dlist_entry(module_list.prev, struct shl_module,
 					 list);
 		shl_dlist_unlink(&module->list);
-		kmscon_module_unload(module);
-		kmscon_module_unref(module);
+		shl_module_unload(module);
+		shl_module_unref(module);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/kmscon_module.h b/src/shl_module.h
similarity index 87%
rename from src/kmscon_module.h
rename to src/shl_module.h
index 213c538f..775bfacd 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_module.h
+++ b/src/shl_module.h
@@ -51,21 +51,21 @@
  * the module can release its resources.
  */
 
-#ifndef KMSCON_MODULE_H
-#define KMSCON_MODULE_H
+#ifndef SHL_MODULE_H
+#define SHL_MODULE_H
 
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
-struct kmscon_module;
+struct shl_module;
 
-int kmscon_module_open(struct kmscon_module **out, const char *file);
-void kmscon_module_ref(struct kmscon_module *module);
-void kmscon_module_unref(struct kmscon_module *module);
+int shl_module_open(struct shl_module **out, const char *file);
+void shl_module_ref(struct shl_module *module);
+void shl_module_unref(struct shl_module *module);
 
-int kmscon_module_load(struct kmscon_module *module);
-void kmscon_module_unload(struct kmscon_module *module);
+int shl_module_load(struct shl_module *module);
+void shl_module_unload(struct shl_module *module);
 
 void kmscon_load_modules(void);
 void kmscon_unload_modules(void);
 
-#endif /* KMSCON_MODULE_H */
+#endif /* SHL_MODULE_H */
diff --git a/src/kmscon_module_interface.h b/src/shl_module_interface.h
similarity index 82%
rename from src/kmscon_module_interface.h
rename to src/shl_module_interface.h
index f13f724d..a83913e5 100644
--- a/src/kmscon_module_interface.h
+++ b/src/shl_module_interface.h
@@ -27,17 +27,17 @@
  * Public Module Interface
  */
 
-#ifndef KMSCON_MODULE_INTERFACE_H
-#define KMSCON_MODULE_INTERFACE_H
+#ifndef SHL_MODULE_INTERFACE_H
+#define SHL_MODULE_INTERFACE_H
 
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
-#include "kmscon_module.h"
+#include "shl_module.h"
 #include "shl_dlist.h"
 #include "shl_githead.h"
 #include "shl_misc.h"
 
-struct kmscon_module_info {
+struct shl_module_info {
 	const char *githead;
 	const char *date;
 	const char *time;
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ struct kmscon_module_info {
 	void (*exit) (void);
 };
 
-struct kmscon_module {
-	struct kmscon_module_info info;
+struct shl_module {
+	struct shl_module_info info;
 	struct shl_dlist list;
 	unsigned long ref;
 	bool loaded;
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ struct kmscon_module {
 	char *file;
 };
 
-#define KMSCON_MODULE(_init, _load, _unload, _exit) \
-	struct kmscon_module module = { \
+#define SHL_MODULE(_init, _load, _unload, _exit) \
+	struct shl_module module = { \
 		.info = { \
 			.githead = shl_git_head, \
 			.date = __DATE__, \
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ struct kmscon_module {
 	};
 
 SHL_EXPORT
-extern struct kmscon_module module;
-#define KMSCON_THIS_MODULE (&module)
+extern struct shl_module module;
+#define SHL_THIS_MODULE (&module)
 
-#endif /* KMSCON_MODULE_INTERFACE_H */
+#endif /* SHL_MODULE_INTERFACE_H */
diff --git a/src/text.c b/src/text.c
index 1d53eb9f..6d1b496d 100644
--- a/src/text.c
+++ b/src/text.c
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ static inline void kmscon_text_destroy(void *data)
 {
 	const struct kmscon_text_ops *ops = data;
 
-	kmscon_module_unref(ops->owner);
+	shl_module_unref(ops->owner);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ int kmscon_text_register(const struct kmscon_text_ops *ops)
 		return ret;
 	}
 
-	kmscon_module_ref(ops->owner);
+	shl_module_ref(ops->owner);
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/text.h b/src/text.h
index bbba5b0e..0c51ce94 100644
--- a/src/text.h
+++ b/src/text.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 #include <libtsm.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include "font.h"
-#include "kmscon_module.h"
+#include "shl_module.h"
 #include "uterm_video.h"
 
 /* text renderer */
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ struct kmscon_text {
 
 struct kmscon_text_ops {
 	const char *name;
-	struct kmscon_module *owner;
+	struct shl_module *owner;
 	int (*init) (struct kmscon_text *txt);
 	void (*destroy) (struct kmscon_text *txt);
 	int (*set) (struct kmscon_text *txt);
diff --git a/src/uterm_drm2d_video.c b/src/uterm_drm2d_video.c
index b991c452..f2a84b6b 100644
--- a/src/uterm_drm2d_video.c
+++ b/src/uterm_drm2d_video.c
@@ -376,18 +376,14 @@ static int video_wake_up(struct uterm_video *video)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static const struct video_ops drm2d_video_ops = {
-	.init = video_init,
-	.destroy = video_destroy,
-	.segfault = NULL, /* TODO: reset all saved CRTCs on segfault */
-	.poll = video_poll,
-	.sleep = video_sleep,
-	.wake_up = video_wake_up,
+struct uterm_video_module drm2d_module = {
+	.name = "drm2d",
+	.owner = NULL,
+	.ops = {
+		.init = video_init,
+		.destroy = video_destroy,
+		.segfault = NULL, /* TODO: reset all saved CRTCs on segfault */
+		.poll = video_poll,
+		.sleep = video_sleep,
+		.wake_up = video_wake_up,},
 };
-
-static const struct uterm_video_module drm2d_module = {
-	.ops = &drm2d_video_ops,
-};
-
-SHL_EXPORT
-const struct uterm_video_module *UTERM_VIDEO_DRM2D = &drm2d_module;
diff --git a/src/uterm_drm3d_video.c b/src/uterm_drm3d_video.c
index 05e86385..dd4f1446 100644
--- a/src/uterm_drm3d_video.c
+++ b/src/uterm_drm3d_video.c
@@ -611,18 +611,17 @@ static int video_wake_up(struct uterm_video *video)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static const struct video_ops drm_video_ops = {
-	.init = video_init,
-	.destroy = video_destroy,
-	.segfault = NULL, /* TODO: reset all saved CRTCs on segfault */
-	.poll = video_poll,
-	.sleep = video_sleep,
-	.wake_up = video_wake_up,
-};
-
-static const struct uterm_video_module drm3d_module = {
-	.ops = &drm_video_ops,
+SHL_EXPORT
+struct uterm_video_module drm3d_module = {
+	.name = "drm3d",
+	.owner = NULL,
+	.ops = {
+		.init = video_init,
+		.destroy = video_destroy,
+		.segfault = NULL, /* TODO: reset all saved CRTCs on segfault */
+		.poll = video_poll,
+		.sleep = video_sleep,
+		.wake_up = video_wake_up,
+	},
 };
 
-SHL_EXPORT
-const struct uterm_video_module *UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D = &drm3d_module;
diff --git a/src/uterm_fbdev_video.c b/src/uterm_fbdev_video.c
index c977b8f1..73bb5907 100644
--- a/src/uterm_fbdev_video.c
+++ b/src/uterm_fbdev_video.c
@@ -649,18 +649,15 @@ static int video_wake_up(struct uterm_video *video)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static const struct video_ops fbdev_video_ops = {
+struct uterm_video_module fbdev_module = {
+	.name = "fbdev",
+	.owner = NULL,
+	.ops = {
 	.init = video_init,
 	.destroy = video_destroy,
 	.segfault = NULL, /* TODO */
 	.poll = NULL,
 	.sleep = video_sleep,
 	.wake_up = video_wake_up,
+	}
 };
-
-static const struct uterm_video_module fbdev_module = {
-	.ops = &fbdev_video_ops,
-};
-
-SHL_EXPORT
-const struct uterm_video_module *UTERM_VIDEO_FBDEV = &fbdev_module;
diff --git a/src/uterm_mod_drm3d.c b/src/uterm_mod_drm3d.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3fabfe42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/uterm_mod_drm3d.c
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ * kmscon - drm3d backend module
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2011-2013 David Herrmann <dh.herrmann@googlemail.com>
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining
+ * a copy of this software and associated documentation files
+ * (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including
+ * without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish,
+ * distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to
+ * permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to
+ * the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included
+ * in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
+ * OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
+ * MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
+ * CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT,
+ * TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE
+ * SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * drm3d uterm video backend module
+ * This module registers the drm3d backend with kmscon.
+ */
+
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include "shl_module_interface.h"
+#include "shl_log.h"
+#include "uterm_video_internal.h"
+
+extern struct uterm_video_module drm3d_module;
+
+#define LOG_SUBSYSTEM "mod_drm3d"
+
+static int kmscon_drm3d_load(void)
+{
+	int ret;
+
+	drm3d_module.owner = SHL_THIS_MODULE;
+	ret = uterm_video_register(&drm3d_module);
+	if (ret) {
+		log_error("cannot register drm3d font");
+		return ret;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static void kmscon_drm3d_unload(void)
+{
+	uterm_video_unregister(drm3d_module.name);
+}
+
+SHL_MODULE(NULL, kmscon_drm3d_load, kmscon_drm3d_unload, NULL);
diff --git a/src/uterm_video.c b/src/uterm_video.c
index 830bd5be..84dc728b 100644
--- a/src/uterm_video.c
+++ b/src/uterm_video.c
@@ -35,15 +35,27 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
 #include "eloop.h"
+#include "shl_module.h"
 #include "shl_dlist.h"
 #include "shl_hook.h"
 #include "shl_log.h"
 #include "shl_misc.h"
+#include "shl_register.h"
 #include "uterm_video.h"
 #include "uterm_video_internal.h"
 
 #define LOG_SUBSYSTEM "video"
 
+static struct shl_register video_reg = SHL_REGISTER_INIT(video_reg);
+
+
+static inline void uterm_video_destroy(void *data)
+{
+	const struct uterm_video_module *ops = data;
+
+	shl_module_unref(ops->owner);
+}
+
 SHL_EXPORT
 const char *uterm_dpms_to_name(int dpms)
 {
@@ -541,24 +553,37 @@ int uterm_display_fake_blendv(struct uterm_display *disp,
 
 SHL_EXPORT
 int uterm_video_new(struct uterm_video **out, struct ev_eloop *eloop,
-		    const char *node, const struct uterm_video_module *mod,
+		    const char *node, const char *backend,
 		    unsigned int desired_width, unsigned int desired_height)
 {
+	struct shl_register_record *record;
+	const char *name = backend ? backend : "<default>";
 	struct uterm_video *video;
 	int ret;
 
 	if (!out || !eloop)
 		return -EINVAL;
-	if (!mod || !mod->ops)
-		return -EOPNOTSUPP;
+
+	if (backend)
+		record = shl_register_find(&video_reg, backend);
+	else
+		record = shl_register_first(&video_reg);
+
+	if (!record) {
+		log_error("requested backend '%s' not found", name);
+		return -ENOENT;
+	}
 
 	video = malloc(sizeof(*video));
-	if (!video)
-		return -ENOMEM;
+	if (!video) {
+		ret = -ENOMEM;
+		goto err_unref;
+	}
 	memset(video, 0, sizeof(*video));
 	video->ref = 1;
-	video->mod = mod;
-	video->ops = mod->ops;
+
+	video->mod = record->data;
+
 	video->eloop = eloop;
 	shl_dlist_init(&video->displays);
 
@@ -566,7 +591,7 @@ int uterm_video_new(struct uterm_video **out, struct ev_eloop *eloop,
 	if (ret)
 		goto err_free;
 
-	ret = VIDEO_CALL(video->ops->init, 0, video, node);
+	ret = VIDEO_CALL(video->mod->ops.init, 0, video, node);
 	if (ret)
 		goto err_hook;
 
@@ -582,6 +607,8 @@ int uterm_video_new(struct uterm_video **out, struct ev_eloop *eloop,
 	shl_hook_free(video->hook);
 err_free:
 	free(video);
+err_unref:
+	shl_register_record_unref(record);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -610,7 +637,7 @@ void uterm_video_unref(struct uterm_video *video)
 		uterm_display_unbind(disp);
 	}
 
-	VIDEO_CALL(video->ops->destroy, 0, video);
+	VIDEO_CALL(video->mod->ops.destroy, 0, video);
 	shl_hook_free(video->hook);
 	ev_eloop_unref(video->eloop);
 	free(video);
@@ -622,7 +649,7 @@ void uterm_video_segfault(struct uterm_video *video)
 	if (!video)
 		return;
 
-	VIDEO_CALL(video->ops->segfault, 0, video);
+	VIDEO_CALL(video->mod->ops.segfault, 0, video);
 }
 
 SHL_EXPORT
@@ -655,6 +682,51 @@ void uterm_video_unregister_cb(struct uterm_video *video, uterm_video_cb cb,
 	shl_hook_rm_cast(video->hook, cb, data);
 }
 
+/**
+ * kmscon_video_register:
+ * @ops: a video module.
+ *
+ * This register a new video backend with operations set to @ops. The name
+ * @ops->name must be valid.
+ *
+ * Returns: 0 on success, negative error code on failure
+ */
+SHL_EXPORT
+int uterm_video_register(const struct uterm_video_module *ops)
+{
+	int ret;
+
+	if (!ops)
+		return -EINVAL;
+
+	log_debug("register video backend %s", ops->name);
+
+	ret = shl_register_add_cb(&video_reg, ops->name, (void*)ops,
+				  uterm_video_destroy);
+	if (ret) {
+		log_error("cannot register video backend %s: %d", ops->name,
+			  ret);
+		return ret;
+	}
+
+	shl_module_ref(ops->owner);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * kmscon_video_unregister:
+ * @name: Name of backend
+ *
+ * This unregisters the video-backend that is registered with name @name. If
+ * @name is not found, nothing is done.
+ */
+SHL_EXPORT
+void uterm_video_unregister(const char *name)
+{
+	log_debug("unregister backend %s", name);
+	shl_register_remove(&video_reg, name);
+}
+
 SHL_EXPORT
 void uterm_video_sleep(struct uterm_video *video)
 {
@@ -665,7 +737,7 @@ void uterm_video_sleep(struct uterm_video *video)
 
 	VIDEO_CB(video, NULL, UTERM_SLEEP);
 	video->flags &= ~VIDEO_AWAKE;
-	VIDEO_CALL(video->ops->sleep, 0, video);
+	VIDEO_CALL(video->mod->ops.sleep, 0, video);
 }
 
 SHL_EXPORT
@@ -680,7 +752,7 @@ int uterm_video_wake_up(struct uterm_video *video)
 
 	log_debug("wake up");
 
-	ret = VIDEO_CALL(video->ops->wake_up, 0, video);
+	ret = VIDEO_CALL(video->mod->ops.wake_up, 0, video);
 	if (ret) {
 		video->flags &= ~VIDEO_AWAKE;
 		return ret;
@@ -703,5 +775,5 @@ void uterm_video_poll(struct uterm_video *video)
 	if (!video)
 		return;
 
-	VIDEO_CALL(video->ops->poll, 0, video);
+	VIDEO_CALL(video->mod->ops.poll, 0, video);
 }
diff --git a/src/uterm_video.h b/src/uterm_video.h
index c3f955b0..154f3c20 100644
--- a/src/uterm_video.h
+++ b/src/uterm_video.h
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ int uterm_display_fake_blendv(struct uterm_display *disp,
 /* video interface */
 
 int uterm_video_new(struct uterm_video **out, struct ev_eloop *eloop,
-		    const char *node, const struct uterm_video_module *mod,
+		    const char *node, const char *backend,
 		    unsigned int desired_width, unsigned int desired_height);
 void uterm_video_ref(struct uterm_video *video);
 void uterm_video_unref(struct uterm_video *video);
@@ -204,29 +204,32 @@ int uterm_video_register_cb(struct uterm_video *video, uterm_video_cb cb,
 void uterm_video_unregister_cb(struct uterm_video *video, uterm_video_cb cb,
 			       void *data);
 
+int uterm_video_register(const struct uterm_video_module *ops);
+void uterm_video_unregister(const char *name);
 void uterm_video_sleep(struct uterm_video *video);
 int uterm_video_wake_up(struct uterm_video *video);
 bool uterm_video_is_awake(struct uterm_video *video);
 void uterm_video_poll(struct uterm_video *video);
 
-/* external modules */
+#ifdef BUILD_ENABLE_VIDEO_DRM2D
+extern struct uterm_video_module drm2d_module;
 
-#ifdef BUILD_ENABLE_VIDEO_FBDEV
-extern const struct uterm_video_module *UTERM_VIDEO_FBDEV;
-#else
-#define UTERM_VIDEO_FBDEV NULL
-#endif
+static inline void uterm_register_drm2d(void) {
+	uterm_video_register(&drm2d_module);
+}
 
-#ifdef BUILD_ENABLE_VIDEO_DRM2D
-extern const struct uterm_video_module *UTERM_VIDEO_DRM2D;
 #else
-#define UTERM_VIDEO_DRM2D NULL
+static inline void uterm_register_drm2d(void) {}
 #endif
 
-#ifdef BUILD_ENABLE_VIDEO_DRM3D
-extern const struct uterm_video_module *UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D;
+#ifdef BUILD_ENABLE_VIDEO_FBDEV
+extern struct uterm_video_module fbdev_module;
+
+static inline void uterm_register_fbdev(void) {
+	uterm_video_register(&fbdev_module);
+}
 #else
-#define UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D NULL
+static inline void uterm_register_fbdev(void) {}
 #endif
 
 #endif /* UTERM_UTERM_VIDEO_H */
diff --git a/src/uterm_video_internal.h b/src/uterm_video_internal.h
index 7ad3cc02..949eaf26 100644
--- a/src/uterm_video_internal.h
+++ b/src/uterm_video_internal.h
@@ -79,7 +79,9 @@ struct video_ops {
 };
 
 struct uterm_video_module {
-	const struct video_ops *ops;
+	const char *name;
+	struct shl_module *owner;
+	const struct video_ops ops;
 };
 
 #define VIDEO_CALL(func, els, ...) (func ? func(__VA_ARGS__) : els)
@@ -165,7 +167,6 @@ struct uterm_video {
 	unsigned int desired_height;
 
 	const struct uterm_video_module *mod;
-	const struct video_ops *ops;
 	void *data;
 };
 
diff --git a/tests/test_output.c b/tests/test_output.c
index 204b23c4..a9d6c7ff 100644
--- a/tests/test_output.c
+++ b/tests/test_output.c
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	struct uterm_video *video;
 	int ret;
 	const char *node;
-	const struct uterm_video_module *mode;
+	const char *mode;
 	size_t onum;
 
 	onum = sizeof(options) / sizeof(*options);
@@ -207,10 +207,10 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 		goto err_fail;
 
 	if (output_conf.fbdev) {
-		mode = UTERM_VIDEO_FBDEV;
+		mode = "fbdev";
 		node = "/dev/fb0";
 	} else {
-		mode = UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D;
+		mode = "drm3d";
 		node = "/dev/dri/card0";
 	}
 
@@ -223,10 +223,10 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 			      output_conf.desired_width,
 			      output_conf.desired_height);
 	if (ret) {
-		if (mode == UTERM_VIDEO_DRM3D) {
+		if (!output_conf.fbdev) {
 			log_notice("cannot create drm device; trying drm2d mode");
 			ret = uterm_video_new(&video, eloop, node,
-					      UTERM_VIDEO_DRM2D,
+					      "drm2d",
 					      output_conf.desired_width,
 					      output_conf.desired_height);
 			if (ret)