# HG changeset patch # User diego # Date 1029104666 0 # Node ID 7e23c06a58b9a638ff8cf8ce4f4fb4ea92e273f1 # Parent e7748ba18900cb91502fee2185c015749de9b9c0 HTML restructured. Now using definition lists instead of tables. Content not changed. diff -r e7748ba18900 -r 7e23c06a58b9 DOCS/faq.html --- a/DOCS/faq.html Sun Aug 11 20:38:34 2002 +0000 +++ b/DOCS/faq.html Sun Aug 11 22:24:26 2002 +0000 @@ -5,697 +5,738 @@ FAQ - MPlayer - The Movie Player for Linux + -

5. FAQ section

+

5. FAQ

- - +

5.1 Compilation

+ +
-
+
Q: Compilation stops with an error message similar to this one: + 
+    In file included from mplayer.c:34:
+    mw.h: In function `mplMainDraw':
+    mw.h:209: Internal compiler error in print_rtl_and_abort, at flow.c:6458
+    Please submit a full bug report,
+    with preprocessed source if appropriate.
+
+
+
A: This is a known problem of gcc 3.0.4, upgrade to 3.1 to solve the + problem. How to install gcc is described + here.
+
 
+ +
Q: Configure ends with this text, and MPlayer won't compile!
+ "Your gcc does not support even i386 for '-march' and '-mcpu'." +
+
A: Your gcc isn't installed correctly, check the config.log + file for details.
+
 
+ +
Q: What does "No such file or directory" mean?
+
A: Probably there is no such file or directory.
+
 
- +
Q: What's the problem with gcc 2.96?
+
A: We strongly discourage the use of gcc 2.96!!!
+ Read this document for + details about why Red Hat released gcc 2.96 and what the problems are all + about. If you still really really want to use it, be sure to get the latest + release and give the --disable-gcc-checking option to + configure. Remember that you are on your own from this point. Do not + report bugs, do not ask for help on the mailing lists. We will + not provide any support in case you run into problems.
+
 
- +
Q: Great, I have gcc 3.0.1 from Red Hat/Mandrake, then I'm fine--!
+
A: No, since there have been/are issues with these compilers as well. + To check the status of current compilers' MPlayer support, see the + Installation section.
+
 
- +
Q: I tried to compile MPlayer, but I got this output: + 
+    In file included from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/std_cwchar.h:42,
+                     from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/fpos.h:40,
+                     from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/char_traits.h:40,
+                     from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/std_string.h:41,
+                     from /usr/include/g++-v3/string:31,
+                     from libwin32.h:36,
+                     from DS_AudioDecoder.h:4,
+                     from DS_AudioDec.cpp:5:
+    /usr/include/wchar.h: In function Long long int wcstoq(const wchar_t*,
+       wchar_t**, int)':
+    /usr/include/wchar.h:514: cannot convert `const wchar_t* __restrict' to
+    `const
+
+
+
A: Upgrade your glibc to the latest release. On Mandrake, use 2.2.4-8mdk.
+
 
- +
Q: ... gcc 2.96 ... (Yes, some people are STILL flaming about gcc 2.96!!)
+
A: Quoted from a + mail + A'rpi sent to the + mplayer-users + list (the word 'ideg' is described below): +
+

And we have idegs. And our idegcounter overflowed again and again.

+ +

Unfortunately MPlayer is out of our control. It's used by lamers, Linux + users who can't even use Windows, and never tried to compile a kernel. They + installed (with default options) Mandrake or Red Hat or SuSE, and without + RTFM'ing they send messages saying 'it doesn't work! help me! please! i'm + new to Linux! help! oh! help me!'. We can't stop them, but at least we try + to force them to RTFM and to read the messages of ./configure and MPlayer.

+ +

And you clever guys come and flame us with gcc 2.96 and binary packages. + Instead of helping users or making patches to help solve problems.

+ +

Half of our spare/free time is spent by answering silly mails here and + making newer tricks and checks to configure to avoid such mails.

+ +

And there is a balance. On the one side are you, clever guys, saying we + are very bad because we don't like buggy gcc 2.96, and on the other side + there are the 'new to Linux' guys who are showing us gcc 2.96 is buggy.

+ +

Conclusion: We can't be good. Half the people will always say we are bad.

+ +

Maybe we should close the project, make it closed source, commercial, and + provide install support for it. then we could leave current work, so + development could go faster, and we could earn lots of money with it and buy + a big house, etc etc. Do you really want it? It seems.

+
+
+
 
- +
Q: SDL output doesn't work or compile. The problem is ...
+
A: It was tested to work with SDL 1.2.x and may run on SDL 1.1.7+. + It does not work with any previous version. So if you choose to use + such a version, you are on your own.
+
 
- +
Q: Hmm, strange. When loading the mga_vid.o kernel module, I found this in + the logs:
+ Warning: loading mga_vid.o will taint the kernel: no license
+
A: The latest kernel modutils require a flag indicating the license + (mainly to avoid kernel hackers debugging closed source drivers). + Upgrade your kernel, modutils and MPlayer.
+
 
+ +
Q: When compiling MEncoder, it segfaults at linking!!!
+
A: This is a linker problem. Upgrading binutils should help (2.11.92.* + or newer should be good). Since it is not our fault, please do not + report!
+
 
+ +
Q: MPlayer dies with segmentation fault upon pthread check!
+
A: chmod 644 /usr/lib/libc.so
+
 
+ +
Q: I'd like to compile MPlayer on Minix!
+
A: Me too. :)
- + + + +

5.2 General questions

+ +
+ +
Q: There is a timer in the upper left corner. How can I get rid of it?
+
A: Press o and try the -osdlevel option.
+
 
-
- - +
Q: The -xy or -fs option doesn't work with the + x11 driver (-vo x11) ...
+
A: It does, but you have to explicitly specify software scaling (it's + SLOW!) with the -zoom option. You better use XF86VidMode + support: You must specify the -vm and the -fs + switch, and you're done. Make sure you have the right modelines in your + XF86Config file, and try to make the DGA driver + and SDL's DGA driver work for you. + It's much faster. If SDL's DGA works, use that, it'll be EVEN faster!
+
 
- +
Q: What is the meaning of the numbers on the status line?
+
A: Example: + A: 2.1 V: 2.2 A-V: -0.167 ct: 0.042 57/57 41% 0% 2.6% 0 4 49% + + Most of them are for debug purposes and will be removed at some point.
+
 
- +
Q: What if I don't want them to appear?
+
A: Use the -quiet option and read the man page.
+
 
- +
Q: Why is video_out cpu usage zero (0%) for some files?
+
A1: It's not zero, but it's called from the codec and thus cannot be + measured separately. You should try to play the file using + -vo null and then -vo ... and check the + difference to see the video_out speed.
+
A2: You are using Direct Rendering, + where the codec renders to the video memory itself. In this case, the + decoding percentage contains the display percentage, too.
+
 
- +
Q: There are error messages about file not found + /usr/lib/win32/ ...
+
A: Download the + Win32 codecs + from our FTP site (avifile's codec package has a different DLL set) + and install it.
+
 
+ +
Q: Are there any mailing lists on MPlayer?
+
A: Yes! See the bottom of the info page on + our homepage to + subscribe!
+
 
+ +
Q: I've found a nasty bug when I tried to play my favorite video!! + Who should I inform?
+
A: Please read the bug reporting guidelines + and follow the instructions.
+
 
- +
Q: I have problems playing files with the ... codec. Can I use them?
+
A: Check the + codec status, + if it doesn't contain your codec, read the + codec documentation, especially the + codec importing HOWTO and contact us.
+
 
+ +
Q: Umm, what is "IdegCounter"?
+
A: A combination of a Hungarian and an English word. "Ideg" in Hungarian + means the same as "nerve" in English, and is pronounced as something like + "ydaegh". It was first used to measure the nervousness of A'rpi, after some + (umm) "mysterious" disappearance of CVS code ;)
+
 
+ +
Q: And what is "Faszom(C)ounter"?
+
A: "Fasz" is a Hungarian word you don't want to know, the others are + connected to the perverted minds of the MPlayer developers.
+
 
- +
Q: LIRC doesn't work, because ...
+
A: Are you sure you are using mplayer instead of + mplayer_lirc? Note that it was mplayer_lirc for a + long time, including the 0.60 release, but it was recently changed back to + mplayer.
+
 
+ +
Q: Subtitles are very nice, the most beautiful I've ever seen, but they + slow down playing! I know it's unlikely ...
+
A: After running ./configure , edit config.h and + replace #undef FAST_OSD with #define FAST_OSD. + Then recompile.
+
 
+ +
Q: The onscreen display (OSD) is flickering!
+
A: You use a vo driver with single buffering (x11,xv). With xv, + use the -double option. Also try -vop expand
+
 
+ +
Q: What exactly is this libavcodec thing?
+
A: See the libavcodec section.
+
 
- +
Q: But configure tells me "Checking for libavcodec ... no"!
+
A: You need to get libavcodec from FFmpeg's CVS. Read the instructions in + the libavcodec section.
+
 
+ +
Q: Icewm's taskbar keeps covering the movie in fullscreen mode!
+
A: This shouldn't happen anymore, if it still does use the + -icelayer option and report it to the + mplayer-users + mailing list.
+
 
- +
Q: I can't access the GUI menu. I press right click, but I can't access + any menu items!
+
A: Are you using FVWM? Try the following:
+ Start -> Settings -> Configuration -> Base Configuration
+ Set "Use Applications position hints" to "Yes".
+
 
- +
Q: How can I run MPlayer in the background?
+
A: Use: mplayer <options> <filename> < /dev/null &
- + - +

5.3 File playing problems

- +
-
+
Q: I can play certain AVIs but I get no sound and this kind of error: + 
+    Detected audio codec: [divx] afm:4 (DivX audio (WMA))
+    Requested audio codec family [divx] (afm=4) not available (enable it at
+    compile time!)
+
+
+
A: Probably the audio uses a codec not natively supported by + MPlayer. Install the Win32 codec package as described in the README + or here.
+
 
- +
Q: ... works with avifile/aviplay but doesn't with MPlayer.
+
A: MPlayer != avifile. + The only common thing between these players is the Win32 DLL loader. + The codecs (DLL) set, synchronization, demultiplexing etc is totally + different and shouldn't be compared. + If something works with aviplay it doesn't mean that MPlayer will + work and vice versa.
+
 
+ +
Q: Audio goes out of sync playing an AVI file.
+
A: Try the -bps or -nobps option. If it does not + improve, read this and upload the file to FTP.
+
 
- - - - - +
Q: MPlayer exits with some error when using l3codeca.acm.
+
A: Check ldd /usr/local/bin/mplayer output. If it contains
+     libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x4???????)
+ where "?" is any number then it's OK, the error is not here. If it is:
+     libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00??????)
+ then there is a problem with your kernel/libc. Maybe you are using some + security patches (for example Solar Designer's OpenWall patch) which + forces loading libraries to very low addresses. + Because l3codeca.acm is a non-relocatable DLL, it must be loaded to + 0x00400000, we can't change this. You should use a non-patched kernel, + or use MPlayer's -afm 1 option to disable using + l3codeca.acm.
+
 
- - - +
Q: My computer plays M$ DivX AVIs with resolutions ~ 640x300 and stereo + mp3 sound too slow. When I use -nosound switch, everything is OK (but + quiet).
+
A: Your machine is too slow or your soundcard driver is broken. Consult + the documentation to see if you can improve performance.
+
 
- +
Q: MPlayer dies with "MPlayer interrupted by signal 4 in module: + decode_video".
+
A: Try running MPlayer on the machine you compiled on. Or recompile + with runtime CPU detection + (./configure --enable-runtime-cpudetection). Don't + use MPlayer on a CPU different from the one it was compiled on, + without using the feature mentioned just now.
+
 
- - - +
Q: I have problems with [your window manager] and fullscreen + xv/xmga/sdl/x11 modes ...
+
A: Read the bug reporting guidelines and + send us a proper bug report.
+
 
- - - +
Q: I got this playing MPEG files: Can't find codec for video format + 0x10000001!
+
A: You have an old version of codecs.conf at ~/.mplayer/. + Upgrade it from /etc/.
+ OR you have the vc= option or something similar in your + config file(s).
+
 
- - - +
Q: When starting MPlayer under KDE I just get a black screen and nothing + happens. After about one minute the video starts playing.
+
A: The KDE arts sound daemon is blocking the sound device. Either wait + until the video starts or disable the arts-daemon in kontrol center. If you + want to use arts sound, specify audio output via our native arts audio + driver (-ao arts). If it fails or isn't compiled in, try SDL + (-ao sdl) and make sure your SDL can handle arts sound. Yet + another option is to start MPlayer with artsdsp.
+
 
- - - +
Q: I have an AVI that produces a gray screen when played with + -vc odivx and a green one with -vc divx4.
+
A: It's not a DivX file, but an M$ MPEG4v3 . Update your codecs.conf.
+
 
- - - - - - - +
Q: When I play this movie I get video-audio desync and/or MPlayer crashes + with the following message:
+ DEMUXER: Too many (945 in 8390980 bytes) video packets in the buffer!
+
A: This can have multiple reasons. +
+
 
- +
Q: I have an MJPEG file which works with other players but displays only a + black image in MPlayer.
+
A: Disable the Windows DLL in codecs.conf, or use the + -vc ffmjpeg option (compile MPlayer with libavcodec for this + to work).
+
 
- +
Q: When I try to grab from my tuner, it works, but colors are strange. + It's OK with other applications.
+
A: Your card probably misreports its colorspace capacity. Try with YUY2 + instead of default YV12 (see the TV input + documentation).
+
 
- +
Q: When I start playing, I get this message but everything seems fine:
+ Linux RTC init: ioctl (rtc_pie_on): Permission denied
+
A: You need root privileges or a + specially set up kernel to use the new timing code. For details see the + RTC section of the documentation.
+
 
- +
Q: I have A/V sync problems. Some of my AVIs play fine, but some play with + double speed!
+
A: You have a buggy sound card/driver. Most likely it's fixed at 44100Hz, + and you try to play a file which has 22050Hz audio. Try the resample audio + plugin.
+
 
- - - +
Q: All the WMV (or other..) files I play create a green/gray window and + there is only sound! MPlayer prints:
+ Detected video codec: [null] drv:0 (NULL codec (no decoding))
+
A: Update your codecs.conf.
+
 
- +
Q: I get very strange percentage values (way too big) while playing files + on my notebook.
+
A: It's an effect of the power management / power saving system of your + notebook (BIOS, not kernel). Plug the external power connector in + before you power on your notebook.
+
 
- +
Q: The audio/video gets totally out of sync when I run MPlayer as root on + my notebook. It works normal when i run it as a user.
+
A: This is again a power management effect (see above). Plug the external + power connector in before you power on your notebook or use the + -nortc switch.
+ + + + +

5.4 Video/audio driver problems (vo/ao)

- - - +
-
+
Q: I have no sound when playing a video and get error messages similar to + this one: + 
+    AO: [oss] 44100Hz 2ch Signed 16-bit (Little-Endian)
+    audio_setup: Can't open audio device /dev/dsp: Device or resource busy
+    couldn't open/init audio device -> NOSOUND
+    Audio: no sound!!!
+    Start playing...
+
+
+
A: Are you running KDE or GNOME with the arts or esd sound daemon? Try + disabling the sound daemon, or use the -ao arts switch to make + MPlayer use arts.
+
 
- - - +
Q: What about the DGA driver? I can't find it!!!
+
A: ./configure autodetects your DGA driver. If + -vo help doesn't show DGA, then there's a problem with your X + installation. Try ./configure --enable-dga and read the + documentation. Alternatively, try SDL's DGA + driver with the -vo sdl:dga option.
+
 
- - - - - - - +
Q: OK, -vo help shows DGA driver, but it complains about + permissions! Help me!
+
A: It works only if running as root! It's a DGA limitation. + You should become root (su -), and try again. + Another solution is making MPlayer SUID root, but it's + NOT RECOMMENDED!
+     chown root /usr/local/bin/mplayer
+     chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/mplayer
+     chmod +s /usr/local/bin/mplayer
+ !!!! BUT STAY TUNED !!!!
+ This is a *BIG* security risk! *NEVER* do this on a server or on a computer + that you do not control completely because other users can gain root + privileges through SUID root MPlayer!!!
+ !!!! SO YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ... !!!!
+
 
- +
Q: When using Xvideo, my Voodoo 3/Banshee says:
+ X Error of failed request: BadAccess (attempt to access private + resource denied)
+   Major opcode of failed request: 147 (MIT-SHM)
+   Minor opcode of failed request: 1 (X_ShmAttach)
+   Serial number of failed request: 26
+   Current serial number in output stream:27
+
A: The "tdfx" driver in XFree86 4.0.2/4.0.3 had this bug. This was solved + by bugfix #621 of the + XFree86 4.1.0 CVS log. So upgrade to XFree86 4.1.0 or later. + Alternatively, either download (at least) DRI version 0.6 from the + DRI homepage, or use CVS DRI.
+
 
- +
Q: OpenGL (-vo gl) output doesn't work (hang/black window/X11 + errors/...).
+
A: Your OpenGL driver doesn't support dynamic texture changes + (glTexSubImage). It's known not to work with nVidia's binary mess. + It's known to work with Utah-GLX/DRI and Matrox G400 cards. Also with + DRI and Radeon cards. It won't work with DRI and other cards. + it will not work with 3DFX cards because of the 256x256 texture size limit.
+
 
- +
Q: I have an nVidia TNT/TNT2 card, and I have a band with strange colors, + right under the movie! Whose fault is this?
+
A: This is a bug of nVidia's binary X driver. These bugs appear ONLY with + the TNT/TNT2 cards, and we can't do anything about it. To fix the problem, + upgrade to the latest nVidia binary driver version. If still bad, complain + to nVidia!
+
 
- +
Q: I have an nVidia XYZ card, and when I click on the GUI's display window + to toggle displaying the GUI panel, a black square appears where I clicked. + I have the newest driver.
+
A: Yes, nVidia corrected a previous bug (above), and introduced a new one. + Let's congratulate them. UPDATE: According to + nVidia, this has already + been fixed.
+
 
- +
Q: When I use the GUI with SDL video output, a second video window is + created.
+
A: Known, don't use SDL for the GUI yet.
+
 
+ +
Q: Oh the world is cruel ...! SDL has only x11 target, but + not xv!
+
A: Try that x11 target again. Now try + -vo x11 -fs -zoom. See the difference? No?! OK, here comes the + enlightenment: SDL's x11 target uses xv when available, you + don't have to worry about it ... Note: you can force/disable Xv via SDL + using -forcexv and -noxv
+ + - + +

5.5 DVD playback

+ +
-
+
Q: While playing a DVD, I encountered this error:
+ mplayer: ifo_read.c:1143: ifoRead_C_ADT_internal: Assertion + nfo_length / sizeof(cell_adr_t) >= c_adt->nr_of_vobs' failed.
+
A: This is a known libdvdread 0.9.1/0.9.2 bug. Use libmpdvdkit, + which is present in MPlayer source, and used by default.
+
 
- +
Q: Can I compile libdvdread and libdvdcss on my sweet SPARC under + Solaris?
+
A: Who knows ... It's said to work, so please test it and send feedback. + Refer to the documentation of libdvdread and its homepage as well. We're not + the authors of libdvdread. Use libmpdvdkit, which is present in + MPlayer source, and used by default.
+
 
- - - - - +
Q: What about subtitles? Can MPlayer display them?
+
A: Yes! See the DVD chapter of the + documentation.
+
 
- +
Q: How can I set the region code of my DVD-drive? I don't have + Windows!
+
A: Use the + regionset tool.
+
 
- +
Q: Do I need to be (setuid) root/setuid fibmap_mplayer to be able to play + a DVD?
+
A: No, only for old-style DVD support. However you must have + the proper rights on the DVD device entry (in /dev/).
+
 
- +
Q: Where can I get libdvdread and libdvdcss packages?
+
A: You don't need to. Use libmpdvdkit, which is present in + MPlayer source, and used by default. Anyway, the packages mentioned + can be get from the + Ogle site.
+
 
+ +
Q: Is it possible to play/encode only selected chapters?
+
A: Yes, try the -chapter option.
+
 
- +
Q: My DVD playback is sluggish!
+
A: Use the -cache option (described in the man page) + and try enabling DMA for the DVD drive with the hdparm tool (described in + the CD chapter of the documentation).
- + + + +

5.6 Feature requests

+ +
-
+
Q: If MPlayer is paused and I try to seek or press any key at all, + MPlayer ceases to be paused. I would like to be able to seek in the + paused movie.
+
A: This is very tricky to implement without losing A/V synchronization. + All attempts have failed so far, but patches are welcome.
+
 
- - - +
Q: I'd like to seek +/- 1 frames instead of 10 seconds.
+
A: This won't be done. It was, but then it messed up A/V sync. Feel free + to implement it, and send a patch. Don't ask for it.
+
 
- +
Q: Where is the Windows version?
+
A: It's not released, and won't be. Look around the Windows scene (open + source ASF parsers, open source ASF encoders, etc) and you'll know why. We + don't want to go to jail. BTW you can compile it yourself, under + Cygwin.
+
 
- + + + +

5.7 Encoding

- +
+ +
Q: How can I encode?
+
A: Read the MEncoder documentation.
+
 
-
- - - - +
Q: How can I create VCDs?
+
A: Try the mencvcd script from the TOOLS + subdirectory. With it you can encode DVDs or other movies to VCD or SVCD + format and even burn them directly to CD.
+
 
- +
Q: My tuner works, I can hear the sound and watch the video with MPlayer, + but MEncoder doesn't encode audio!
+
A: TV audio encoding for Linux is currently unimplemented, we're working + on it. At the moment it works only on BSD.
+
 
- +
Q: I can't encode DVD subtitles into the AVI!
+
A: You have to specify the -sid option correctly!
+
 
- +
Q: MEncoder segfaults on startup!
+
A: Upgrade DivX4Linux.
+
 
- - - +
Q: How can I encode only selected chapters from a DVD?
+
A: Use the -chapter option correctly, like: + -chapter 5-7
+
 
- +
Q: I'm trying to work with 2GB+ files on a VFAT file system. Does it work?
+
A: No, VFAT doesn't support 2GB+ files.
+
 
- +
Q: Why is the recommended bitrate printed by MEncoder negative?
+
A: Because the bitrate you encoded the audio with is too large to fit the + movie on any CD. Check if you have libmp3lame installed properly.
-

5.1 Compilation

-
 
  Q:Compilation stops with an error message similar to this one: -
-In file included from mplayer.c:34:
-mw.h: In function `mplMainDraw':
-mw.h:209: Internal compiler error in print_rtl_and_abort, at flow.c:6458
-Please submit a full bug report,
-with preprocessed source if appropriate.
-
-
A:This is a known problem of gcc -3.0.4, upgrade to 3.1 to solve the problem. How to install gcc is described -here. -
 
  Q:Configure ends with this text, and MPlayer won't compile!
-"Your gcc does not support even i386 for '-march' and '-mcpu'." -
A:Your gcc isn't installed correctly, check the config.log file -for details. -
 
  Q:What does "No such file or directory" mean? -
A:Probably there is no such file or directory. -
 
  Q:What's the problem with gcc 2.96? -
A:We strongly discourage the use of gcc 2.96!!!
-Read this document for details -about why Red Hat released gcc 2.96 and what the problems are all about. If you -still really really want to use it, be sure to get the latest release and give -the --disable-gcc-checking option to configure. Remember that you -are on your own from this point. Do not report bugs, do not ask -for help on the mailing lists. We will not provide any support in case -you run into problems. -
 
Q:Great, I have gcc 3.0.1 from Red Hat/Mandrake, then I'm fine--! -
A:No, since there have been/are issues with these compilers as well.
-To check the status of current compilers' MPlayer support, see the -Installation section. -
 
Q:I tried to compile MPlayer, but I got this output: -
-In file included from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/std_cwchar.h:42,
-                 from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/fpos.h:40,
-                 from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/char_traits.h:40,
-                 from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/std_string.h:41,
-                 from /usr/include/g++-v3/string:31,
-                 from libwin32.h:36,
-                 from DS_AudioDecoder.h:4,
-                 from DS_AudioDec.cpp:5:
-/usr/include/wchar.h: In function Long long int wcstoq(const wchar_t*,
-   wchar_t**, int)':
-/usr/include/wchar.h:514: cannot convert `const wchar_t* __restrict' to
-`const
-
-
A:Upgrade your glibc to the latest release. On Mandrake, use 2.2.4-8mdk. -
 
Q:... gcc 2.96 ... (Yes, some people are STILL flaming about their gcc 2.96!!) -
A:Quoted from a -mail -A'rpi sent to the -mplayer-users -list (the word 'ideg' is described below): -
-

And we have idegs. And our idegcounter overflowed again and again.

+
Q: I am still having trouble compiling with SDL support. gcc says + something about "undefined reference to `SDL_EnableKeyRepeat'". What + now?
+
A: Where did you install the SDL library? If you installed in /usr/local + (the default) then edit the top level config.mak and add + "-L/usr/local/lib" after "X_LIBS=". Now type make. You're done!
+
 
+ +
Q: It doesn't compile, and it misses uint64_t inttypes.h and similar + things ...
+
A: Copy etc/inttypes.h to the MPlayer directory + (cp etc/inttypes.h .) and try again ...
+
 
+ +
Q: I have Linux running on a Pentium III but ./configure + doesn't detect SSE ...
+
A: Only kernel versions 2.4.x support SSE (or try 2.2.19 or newer, but + be prepared for problems).
+
 
+ +
Q: I have a G200/G400, how do I compile/use the mga_vid driver?
+
A: Read the mga_vid documentation.
+
 
-

Unfortunately MPlayer is out of our control. It's used by lamers, Linux users -who can't even use Windows, and never tried to compile a kernel. They installed -(with default options) Mandrake or Red Hat or SuSE, and without RTFM'ing they -send messages saying 'it doesn't work! help me! please! i'm new to Linux! -help! oh! help me!'. We can't stop them, but at least we try to force them to -RTFM and to read the messages of ./configure and MPlayer.

+
Q: Are there rpm/deb/... packages of MPlayer?
+
A: You can make a .deb package for yourself, check the + Debian packaging section. + There are links to official Red Hat RPM packages available on our + download page.
+
 
-

And you clever guys come and flame us with gcc 2.96 and binary packages. -Instead of helping users or making patches to help solve problems.

+
Q: During 'make', MPlayer complains about X11 libraries. I don't + understand, I DO have X installed!?
+
A: ... but you don't have the X development package installed. Or not + correctly. It's called XFree86-devel* under Red Hat, and xlibs-dev under + Debian. Also check if the /usr/X11 and /usr/include/X11 + symlinks exist (this can be a problem on Mandrake systems). They can be + created with these commands:
+     $ ln -sf /usr/X11R6 /usr/X11
+     $ ln -sf /usr/X11R6/include/X11 /usr/include/X11
+ Your distribution may differ from the + Filesystem Hierarchy Standard.
+
 
-

Half of our spare/free time is spent by answering silly mails here and -making newer tricks and checks to configure to avoid such mails.

- -

And there is a balance. On the one side are you, clever guys, saying we are -very bad because we don't like buggy gcc 2.96, and on the other side there are -the 'new to Linux' guys who are showing us gcc 2.96 is buggy.

+
Q: I can't compile SVGAlib. I'm using kernel 2.3/2.4 ...
+
A: You have to edit SVGAlib's Makefile.cfg and comment + BACKGROUND = y out.
+
 
-

Conclusion: We can't be good. Half the people always will say we are bad.

- -

Maybe we should close the project, make it closed source, commercial, and -provide install support for it. then we could leave current work, so -development could go faster, and we could earn lots of money with it and buy a -big house, etc etc. Do you really want it? It seems.

-
+
Q: I compiled MPlayer with libdvdcss/libdivxdecore support, but when + I try to start it, it says:
+ > error while loading shared libraries: lib*.so.0: cannot load + shared object file: No such file or directory
+ I checked up on the file and it IS there in /usr/local/lib ...
+
A: Add /usr/local/lib to /etc/ld.so.conf and run + ldconfig.
+
 
-
 
Q:SDL output doesn't work or compile. The problem is ... -
A:It was tested to work with SDL 1.2.x and may run on SDL 1.1.7+. -It does not work with any previous version. So if you choose to use such -a version, you are on your own. -
 
Q:I am still having trouble compiling with SDL support. gcc says something -about "undefined reference to `SDL_EnableKeyRepeat'". What now? -
A:Where did you install the SDL library? If you installed in /usr/local -(the default) then edit the top level config.mak and add -"-L/usr/local/lib" after "X_LIBS=". Now type make. You're done! -
 
Q:It doesn't compile, and it misses uint64_t inttypes.h and similar things ... -
A:Copy etc/inttypes.h to the MPlayer directory (cp etc/inttypes.h .) -and try again ... -
 
Q:I have Linux running on a Pentium III but ./configure doesn't detect -SSE ... -
A:Only kernel versions 2.4.x support SSE (or try 2.2.19 or newer, but -be prepared for problems). -
 
Q:I have a G200/G400, how do I compile/use the mga_vid driver? -
A:Read the mga_vid documentation. -
 
Q:Are there rpm/deb/... packages of MPlayer? -
A:You can make a .deb package for yourself, check the Debian packaging section. -There are links to official Red Hat RPM packages available on our -download page. -
 
Q:During 'make', MPlayer complains about X11 libraries. I don't understand, -I DO have X installed!? -
A:... but you don't have the X development package installed. Or not -correctly. It's called XFree86-devel* under Red Hat, and xlibs-dev under -Debian. Also check if the /usr/X11 and /usr/include/X11 -symlinks exist (this can be a problem on Mandrake systems). They can be created -with these commands:
-    $ ln -sf /usr/X11R6 /usr/X11
-    $ ln -sf /usr/X11R6/include/X11 /usr/include/X11
-Your distribution may differ from the -Filesystem Hierarchy Standard. -
 
Q:I can't compile SVGAlib. I'm using kernel 2.3/2.4 ... -
A:You have to edit SVGAlib's Makefile.cfg and comment BACKGROUND = y out. -
 
Q:I compiled MPlayer with libdvdcss/libdivxdecore support, but when -I try to start it, it says:
-> error while loading shared libraries: lib*.so.0: cannot load -shared object file: No such file or directory
-I checked up on the file and it IS there in /usr/local/lib ... -
A:Add /usr/local/lib to /etc/ld.so.conf and run ldconfig. -
 
Q:Hmm, strange. When loading the mga_vid.o kernel module, I found this in the logs:
-Warning: loading mga_vid.o will taint the kernel: no license -
A:The latest kernel modutils require a flag indicating the license (mainly -to avoid kernel hackers debugging closed source drivers). -Upgrade your kernel, modutils and MPlayer. -
 
Q:When compiling MEncoder, it segfaults at linking!!! -
A:This is a linker problem. Upgrading binutils should help (2.11.92.* or newer -should be good). Since it is not our fault, please do not report! -
 
Q:MPlayer dies with segmentation fault upon pthread check! -
A:chmod 644 /usr/lib/libc.so -
 
Q:I'd like to compile MPlayer on Minix! -
A:Me too. :) -
 
5.2 General questions -
 
Q:There is a timer in the upper -left corner. How can I get rid of it? -
A:Press o and try the --osdlevel option. -
 
Q:The -xy or -fs option doesn't work with the x11 driver (-vo x11) ... -
A:It does, but you have to explicitly specify software scaling (it's SLOW!) with -the -zoom option. You better use XF86VidMode support: -you must specify the -vm and the -fs switch, and -you're done. Make sure you have the right modelines in your XF86Config file, and -try to make the DGA driver and -SDL's DGA driver work for you. -It's much faster. If SDL's DGA works, use that, it'll be EVEN faster! -
 
Q:What is the meaning of the numbers on the status line? -
A:Example: A: 2.1 V: 2.2 A-V: -0.167 ct: 0.042 57/57 41% 0% 2.6% 0 4 49%
-
    -
  • A: audio position in seconds -
  • V: video position in seconds -
  • A-V: audio-video difference in seconds (delay) -
  • ct: total A-V sync correction done -
  • frames played (counting from last seek) -
  • frames decoded (counting from last seek) -
  • video codec cpu usage in percent (for slices and DR this includes video_out) -
  • video_out cpu usage -
  • audio codec cpu usage in percent -
  • frames needed to drop to maintain A-V sync -
  • current level of image postprocessing (when using -autoq) -
  • current cache size used (around 50% is normal) -
-Most of them are for debug purposes and will be removed soon. -
 
Q:What if I don't want them to appear? -
A:Use the -quiet option and read the man page. -
 
Q:Why is video_out cpu usage zero (0%) for some files? -
A1:It's not zero, but it's called from the codec and thus cannot be measured -separately. You should try to play the file using -vo null and then --vo ... and check the difference to see the video_out speed. -
A2:You are using Direct Rendering, -where the codec renders to the video memory itself. In this case, the -decoding percentage contains the display percentage, too. -
 
Q:There are error messages about file not found /usr/lib/win32/ ... -
A:Download the Win32 codecs -from our FTP site (avifile's codec package has a different DLL set) and -install it. -
 
Q:Are there any mailing lists on MPlayer? -
A:Yes! See the bottom of the info page on -our homepage to subscribe! -
 
Q:I've found a nasty bug when I tried to play my favorite video!! -Who should I inform? -
A:Please read the bug reporting guidelines and follow -the instructions. -
 
Q:I have problems playing files with the ... codec. Can I use them? -
A:Check the codec status, -if it doesn't contain your codec, read the -codec documentation, especially the -codec importing HOWTO and contact us. -
 
Q:Umm, what is "IdegCounter"? -
A:A combination of a Hungarian and an English word. "Ideg" in Hungarian means -the same as "nerve" in English, and is pronounced as something like "ydaegh". -It was first used to measure the nervousness of A'rpi, after some (umm) "mystic" -disappearance of CVS code ;) -
 
Q:And what is "Faszom(C)ounter"? -
A:"Fasz" is a Hungarian word you don't want to know, the others are connected to -the perverted minds of the MPlayer developers. -
 
Q:LIRC doesn't work, because ... -
A:Are you sure you are using mplayer instead of mplayer_lirc? -Note that it was mplayer_lirc for a long time, including the 0.60 -release, but it was recently changed back to mplayer. -
 
Q:Subtitles are very nice, the most beautiful I've ever seen, but they slow -down playing! I know it's unlikely ... -
A:After running ./configure , edit config.h and replace -#undef FAST_OSD with #define FAST_OSD. Then recompile. -
 
Q:The onscreen display (OSD) is flickering! -
A:You use a vo driver with single buffering (x11,xv). With xv, -use the -double option. Also try -vop expand -
 
Q:What exactly is this libavcodec thing? -
A:See the libavcodec section. -
 
Q:But configure tells me "Checking for libavcodec ... no"! -
A:You need to get libavcodec from FFmpeg's CVS. Read the instructions in -the libavcodec section. -
 
Q:Icewm's taskbar keeps covering the movie in fullscreen mode! -
A:This shouldn't happen anymore, if it still does use the -icelayer -option and report it to the -mplayer-users -mailing list. -
 
Q:I can't access the GUI menu. I press right click, but I can't access any -menu items! -
A:Are you using FVWM? Try the following:
-Start -> Settings -> Configuration -> Base Configuration
-Set "Use Applications position hints" to "Yes". -
 
Q:How can I run MPlayer in the background? -
A:Use: mplayer <options> <filename> < /dev/null & -
 
-5.3 playback problems -
 
Q:I can play certain AVIs but I -get no sound and this kind of error: -
-Detected audio codec: [divx] afm:4 (DivX audio (WMA))
-Requested audio codec family [divx] (afm=4) not available (enable it at
-compile time!)
-
-
A:Probably the audio uses a codec -not natively supported by MPlayer. Install the Win32 codec package as -described in the README or here. -
 
Q:... works with avifile/aviplay but doesn't with MPlayer. -
A:MPlayer != avifile. -The only common thing between these players is the Win32 DLL loader. -The codecs (DLL) set, synchronization, demultiplexing etc is totally -different and shouldn't be compared. -If something works with aviplay it doesn't mean that MPlayer will work -and vice versa. -
 
Q:Audio goes out of sync playing an AVI file. -
A:Try the -bps or -nobps option. If it does not improve, -read this and upload the file to FTP. -
 
Q:MPlayer exits with some error when using l3codeca.acm. -
A:Check ldd /usr/local/bin/mplayer output. If it contains
-    libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x4???????)
-where "?" is any number then it's OK, the error is not here. If it is:
-    libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00??????)
-then there is a problem with your kernel/libc. Maybe you are using some -security patches (for example Solar Designer's OpenWall patch) which -forces loading libraries to very low addresses. -Because l3codeca.acm is a non-relocatable DLL, it must be loaded to -0x00400000, we can't change this. You should use a non-patched kernel, -or use MPlayer's -afm 1 option to disable using l3codeca.acm. -
 
Q:My computer plays M$ DivX AVIs with resolutions ~ 640x300 and stereo mp3 -sound too slow. When I use -nosound switch, everything is OK (but quiet). -
A:Your machine is too slow or your soundcard driver is broken. Consult the documentation to see if you can improve -performance. -
 
Q:MPlayer dies with "MPlayer interrupted by signal 4 in module: decode_video". -
A:Try running MPlayer on the machine you compiled on. Or recompile -with runtime CPU detection -(./configure --enable-runtime-cpudetection). Don't -use MPlayer on a CPU different from the one it was compiled on, -without using the feature mentioned just now. -
 
Q:I have problems with [your window manager] and fullscreen xv/xmga/sdl/x11 modes ... -
A:Read the bug reporting guidelines and send us a -proper bug report. -
 
Q:I got this playing MPEG files: Can't find codec for video format 0x10000001! -
A:You have an old version of codecs.conf at ~/.mplayer/. Upgrade it -from /etc/.
-OR you have the vc= option or something similar in your -config file(s). -
 
Q:When starting MPlayer under KDE I just get a black screen and nothing happens. -After about one minute the video starts playing. -
A:The KDE arts sound daemon is blocking the sound device. Either wait until the -video starts or disable the arts-daemon in kontrol center. If you want -to use arts sound, specify audio output via our native arts audio driver -(-ao arts). If it fails or isn't compiled in, try SDL -(-ao sdl) and make sure your SDL can handle arts sound. Yet -another option is to start MPlayer with artsdsp. -
 
Q:I have an AVI that produces a gray screen when played with -vc odivx -and a green one with -vc divx4. -
A:It's not a DivX file, but an M$ MPEG4v3 . Update your codecs.conf. -
 
Q:When I play this movie I get video-audio desync and/or MPlayer crashes with the following message:
-DEMUXER: Too many (945 in 8390980 bytes) video packets in the buffer! -
A:This can have multiple reasons.
-
    -
  • Your CPU and/or video card and/or bus is too SLOW. MPlayer - displays a message if this is the case (and the dropped frames counter goes up fast).
    • -
  • If it is an AVI, maybe it has bad interleaving. Try the -ni option.
    • -
  • Your sound driver is buggy, or you use ALSA 0.5 with -ao oss. - See the sound card section.
    • -
  • The AVI has a bad header, try the -nobps option, and/or - -mc 0.
    • -
-
 
Q:I have an MJPEG file which works with other players but displays only a black -image in MPlayer. -
A:Disable the Windows DLL in codecs.conf, or use the --vc ffmjpeg option (compile MPlayer with libavcodec for this to work). -
 
Q:When I try to grab from my tuner, it works, but colors are strange. It's OK -with other applications. -
A:Your card probably misreports its colorspace capacity. Try with YUY2 instead -of default YV12 (see the TV input documentation). -
 
Q:When I start playing, I get this message but everything seems fine:
-Linux RTC init: ioctl (rtc_pie_on): Permission denied -
A:You need root privileges or a -specially set up kernel to use the new timing code. For details see the -RTC section of the documentation. -
 
Q:I have A/V sync problems. Some of my AVIs play fine, but some play with -double speed! -
A:You have a buggy sound card/driver. Most likely it's fixed at 44100Hz, and -you try to play a file which has 22050Hz audio. Try the resample audio plugin. -
 
Q:All the WMV (or other..) files I play create a green/gray window and there is -only sound! MPlayer prints:
-Detected video codec: [null] drv:0 (NULL codec (no decoding)) -
A:Update your codecs.conf. -
 
Q:I get very strange percentage values (way too big) while playing files on my notebook. -
A:It's an effect of the power management / power saving system of your notebook -(BIOS, not kernel). Plug the external power connector in before you power on your -notebook. -
 
Q:The audio/video gets totally out of sync when I run MPlayer as root on my notebook. -It works normal when i run it as a user. -
A:This is again a power management effect (see above). Plug the external power -connector in before you power on your notebook or use the --nortc switch. -
 
-5.4 Video/audio driver problems (vo/ao) -
 
Q:I have no sound when playing a -video and get error messages similar to this one: -
-AO: [oss] 44100Hz 2ch Signed 16-bit (Little-Endian)
-audio_setup: Can't open audio device /dev/dsp: Device or resource busy
-couldn't open/init audio device -> NOSOUND
-Audio: no sound!!!
-Start playing...
-
-
A:Are you running KDE or GNOME with -the arts or esd sound daemon? Try disabling the sound daemon, or use the --ao arts switch to make MPlayer use arts. -
 
Q:What about the DGA driver? I can't find it!!! -
A:./configure autodetects your DGA driver. If -vo help doesn't show -DGA, then there's a problem with your X installation. -Try ./configure --enable-dga and read the -documentation. -Alternatively, try SDL's DGA driver with the -vo sdl:dga option. -
 
Q:OK, -vo help shows DGA driver, but it complains about permissions! -Help me! -
A:It works only if running as root! It's a DGA limitation. -You should become root (su -), and try again. -Another solution is making MPlayer SUID root, but it's NOT RECOMMENDED!
-    chown root /usr/local/bin/mplayer
-    chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/mplayer
-    chmod +s /usr/local/bin/mplayer
-!!!! BUT STAY TUNED !!!!
-This is a *BIG* security risk! *NEVER* do this on a server or on a computer -that you do not control completely because other users can gain root -privileges through SUID root MPlayer!!!
-!!!! SO YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ... !!!! -
 
Q:When using Xvideo, my Voodoo 3/Banshee says:
-X Error of failed request: BadAccess (attempt to access private resource denied)
-  Major opcode of failed request: 147 (MIT-SHM)
-  Minor opcode of failed request: 1 (X_ShmAttach)
-  Serial number of failed request: 26
-  Current serial number in output stream:27
-
A:The "tdfx" driver in XFree86 4.0.2/4.0.3 had this bug. This was solved by -bugfix #621 of the XFree86 4.1.0 CVS log. -So upgrade to XFree86 4.1.0 or later. Alternatively, either download (at least) -DRI version 0.6 from the DRI homepage, -or use CVS DRI. -
 
Q:OpenGL (-vo gl) output doesn't work (hang/black window/X11 errors/...). -
A:Your OpenGL driver doesn't support dynamic texture changes (glTexSubImage). -It's known not to work with nVidia's binary mess. -It's known to work with Utah-GLX/DRI and Matrox G400 cards. Also with -DRI and Radeon cards. It won't work with DRI and other cards. -it will not work with 3DFX cards because of the 256x256 texture size limit. -
 
Q:I have an nVidia TNT/TNT2 card, and I have a band with strange colors, -right under the movie! Whose fault is this? -
A:This is a bug of nVidia's binary X driver. These bugs appear ONLY with the -TNT/TNT2 cards, and we can't do anything about it. To fix the problem, upgrade -to the latest nVidia binary driver version. If still bad, complain to nVidia! -
 
Q:I have an nVidia XYZ card, and when I click on the GUI's display window to toggle -displaying the GUI panel, a black square appears where I clicked. I have -the newest driver. -
A:Yes, nVidia corrected a previous bug (above), and introduced a new one. Let's -congratulate them. UPDATE: According to -nVidia, this has already been -fixed. -
 
Q:When I use the GUI with SDL video output, a second video window is created. -
A:Known, don't use SDL for the GUI yet. -
 
Q:Oh the world is cruel ...! SDL has only x11 target, but not -xv! -
A:Try that x11 target again. Now try -vo x11 -fs -zoom. -See the difference? No?! OK, here comes the enlightenment: SDL's -x11 target uses xv when available, you don't have to worry about -it ... Note: you can force/disable Xv via SDL using -forcexv and -noxv -
 
-5.5 DVD playback -
 
Q: -While playing a DVD, I encountered this error:
-mplayer: ifo_read.c:1143: ifoRead_C_ADT_internal: Assertion nfo_length / -sizeof(cell_adr_t) >= c_adt->nr_of_vobs' failed. -
A: -This is a known libdvdread 0.9.1/0.9.2 bug. -Use libmpdvdkit, which is present in MPlayer source, and used by -default. -
 
Q: -Can I compile libdvdread and libdvdcss on my sweet SPARC under Solaris? -
A: -Who knows ... It's said to work, so please test it and send feedback. Refer to -the documentation of libdvdread and its homepage as well. We're not the authors -of libdvdread. Use libmpdvdkit, which is present in MPlayer source, and used by -default. -
 
Q: -What about subtitles? Can MPlayer display them? -
A: -Yes! See the DVD chapter of the documentation. -
 
Q: -How can I set the region code of my DVD-drive? I don't have Windows! -
A: -Use the -regionset tool. -
 
Q: -Do I need to be (setuid) root/setuid fibmap_mplayer to be able to play a DVD? -
A: -No, only for old-style DVD support. However you must have -the proper rights on the DVD device entry (in /dev/). -
 
Q: -Where can I get libdvdread and libdvdcss packages? -
A: -You don't need to. Use libmpdvdkit, which is present in MPlayer source, and used by -default. -Anyway, the packages mentioned can be get from the -Ogle site. -
 
Q: -Is it possible to play/encode only selected chapters? -
A: -Yes, try the -chapter option. -
 
Q: -My DVD playback is sluggish! -
A: -Use the -cache option (described in the man page) -and try enabling DMA for the DVD drive with the hdparm tool (described in the -CD/DVD drives chapter of the documentation). -
 
-5.6 Feature requests -
 
Q:If MPlayer is paused -and I try to seek or press any key at all, MPlayer ceases to be paused. -I would like to be able to seek in the paused movie. -
A:This is very tricky to implement -without losing A/V synchronization. All attempts have failed so far, but patches -are welcome. -
 
Q:I'd like to seek +/- 1 frames instead of 10 seconds. -
A:This won't be done. It was, but then it messed up A/V sync. Feel free to -implement it, and send a patch. Don't ask for it. -
 
Q: Where is the Windows version? -
A: It's not released, and won't be. Look around the Windows scene (open source - ASF parsers, open source ASF encoders, etc) and you'll know why. We don't - want to go to jail. BTW you can compile it yourself, under - Cygwin. -
 
-5.7 Encoding -
 
Q:How can I encode? -
A:Read the MEncoder documentation. -
 
Q:How can I create VCDs? -
A:Try the mencvcd -script from the TOOLS subdirectory. With it you can encode DVDs or -other movies to VCD or SVCD format and even burn them directly to CD.. -
 
Q:My tuner works, I can hear the sound and watch the video with MPlayer, but -MEncoder doesn't encode audio! -
A:TV audio encoding for Linux is currently unimplemented, we're working on it. -At the moment it works only on BSD. -
 
Q:I can't encode DVD subtitles into the AVI! -
A:You have to specify the -sid option correctly! -
 
Q:MEncoder segfaults on startup! -
A:Upgrade DivX4Linux. -
 
Q:How can I encode only selected chapters from a DVD? -
A:Use the -chapter option correctly, like: -chapter 5-7 -
 
Q:I'm trying to work with 2GB+ files on a VFAT file system. Does it work? -
A:No, VFAT doesn't support 2GB+ files. -
 
Q:Why is the recommended bitrate printed by MEncoder negative? -
A:Because the bitrate you encoded the audio with is too large to fit the -movie on any CD. Check if you have libmp3lame installed properly. -
 
+