Yes, the real DVD support has been arrived. You don't need to play VOB files
-manually from disk thinking of the purpose of a file in the video_ts
-directory, you don't need worry it it's an encrypted disk or not (in old
-MPlayer you had to put '-dvdauth /dev/dvd' into the command line in case
-of encrypted discs), and you don't need even mount your disk to be able to
-play :)
-
-
IMPORTANT NOTE: please _DO_NOT_ require further features for DVD playback.
-This is the first version of some real DVD support inside MPlayer and
-we're busy with hunting bugs and implementing basic DVD player features.
+
MPlayer uses libdvdread and libdvdcss for
+ DVD decryption and playing. These two libraries are contained in the
+ libmpdvdkit/ subdirectory in the MPlayer tree, you
+ don't have to install them separately. We opt for this solution because
+ we had to fix a libdvdread bug, and apply a patch which adds
+ cracked CSS keys caching support for libdvdcss (results in large
+ speed increase before playing). These cracked keys are stored in
+ $HOME/.mplayer/DVDKeys directory.
-
MPlayer uses libdvdread which has got built in support for IFO
-parsing, reading navi blocks and doing authentication/descrambling. libdvdread
-uses libdvdcss to the latter tasks. So you will need libdvdcss and libdvdread
-downloaded, compiled and installed BEFORE you run ./configure script of
-MPlayer which will autodetect libdvdread for you in this way.
+
Support for dvdnav is being added (not usable now).
+
+
Old-style DVD support - OPTIONAL
-
-
Download source of libdvdread and libdvdcss.
-
-
You can download them from
-http://www.dtek.chalmers.se/groups/dvd
-(click 'download' in the menu at the left, and you can find libdvdcss and
-libdvdread in a table).
+
Useful if you want to play encoded VOB's from hard disk. Compile and
+ install libcss 0.0.1 (not newer) (if MPlayer can't detect
+ it, use the -csslib /path/to/libcss.so option).
-
IMPORTANT !
-For
-
-
libdvdread 0.8 - you'll need libcss instead of libdvdcss
-
libdvdread 0.9 - you'll need libdvdcss 0.0.3 ! Don't use newer
- versions, they won't work!
-
For example never use libdvdcss 1.0, it will be unusably slow!
-
-
-
-
-
Compile and install libdvdcss THEN libdvdread.
-
-
Read documentation of these packages to do this step easily.
-
-
Recompile MPlayer.
-
-
Run ./configure. If you install libdvdread correctly, ./configure
-says something similar: Checking for DVDread support ... yes
-(Of course you can put your favourite configure options into the command
-line when you run ./configure). That's it! Say: make, then make install.
-
+
Compile MPlayer.
+
+
Run ./configure. If you didn't delete
+ libmpdvdkit subdirectory from MPlayer tree, ./configure should
+ say the following:
+
+
Checking for DVD support (libmpdvdkit) ... yes
-
Of course after installing libdvdcss and libdvdread you don't need recompile
-them at each time when you want to recompile MPlayer (from a new CVS version
-for example) since the needed packages have already been installed on your
-machine.
+
(of course you can put your favourite configure options into the command
+ line when you run ./configure)
+
+
MPlayer can use libdvdread and libdvdcss
+ libraries installed system-wide, but this solution is NOT RECOMMENDED, as
+ can result in bugs, library incompatibilities, and slower speed.
+
+
Either way, say: make, then make install.
Using MPlayer to play DVDs:
-
-dvd <title_id>
-
Enables DVD support and selects title.
-
-chapter <chapter_id>
-
Selects DVD chapter (default: play from chapter 1)
-
-dvdangle <angle_id>
-
Selects camera angle (default: 1)
-
-alang <country code>
-
+
-dvd <title_id>
+
Enables DVD support and selects title.
+
-chapter <chapter_id>
+
Selects DVD chapter(s) to play (default: play from chapter 1).
+ Example : -chapter 5-10 or -chapter -9
+
-dvdangle <angle_id>
+
Selects camera angle (default: 1)
+
-alang <country code>
+
The country code tells MPlayer which audio language(s) to prefer.
For the list of available languages, add -v option after
your DVD options, and browse the output.
For example : -alang hu,en - first tries to find hungarian
audio, and if not found, decode english audio.
-
-slang <country code>
-
+
-slang <country code>
+
Turns on DVD subtitles. The country code tells MPlayer
which language(s) to prefer.
For the list of available languages, add -v option after
@@ -144,101 +136,100 @@
For example : -slang hu,en - first tries to display hungarian
subtitles, and if not found, display english subtitles.
-
-sid <subtitle_id>
-
+
-sid <subtitle_id>
+
Displays a subtitle channel with the given id (values can be
0-31). Useful for example with badly mastered DVDs where country code
- selects the wrong channel.
+ selects the wrong channel.
+
-csslib <path/filename>
+
+ (old-style DVD option) This option is used to override the default location
+ of libcss.so
+
+
-dvdauth <DVD device>
+
+ (old-style DVD option) Turns on DVD authentication using the given device.
+
+
-dvdkey <CSS key>
+
+ (old-style DVD option) When decoding from non-DVD, this option gives the
+ CSS key needed to crack the DVD (the key is printed when authenticating
+ with DVD).
+
Default device is /dev/dvd, you can change it in config.h
-(compile time option), or you can specify it as a filename for MPlayer:
+(compile time option), or you can specify it using the -dvd-device option :
-
mplayer -dvd 1 /dev/dvd
-
mplayer -dvd 1 -sid 5 /dev/dvd
-
mplayer -dvd 2 -chapter 5 -dvdangle 2
+
mplayer -dvd 1 -dvd-device /dev/dvd
+
mplayer -dvd 1 -slang en -dvd-device /dev/dvd
+
mplayer -dvd 1 -slang en -dvd-device /dev/dvd -chapter 20-25
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 bug, it should be already fixed in 0.9.2.
+
A:
+This is a known libdvdread 0.9.1 bug, it should be already fixed in 0.9.2 and
+libmpdvdkit, use the later.
-
Q:
+
Q:
Can I compile libdvdread and libdvdcss for example on my sweet Sparc/Solaris?
-
A:
+
A:
Who knows ... Please test it and send feedback. But it's said that it
should work. Please refer documentation of libdvdread and its homepage
as well. We're not authors of libdvdread.
-
Q:
+
Q:
What about subtitles? Can MPlayer display them?
-
A:
+
A:
Yes! See above in the DVD chapter.
-
Q:
-I've got no sound / bad sound (Spanish audio and other ugly things).
-
A:
-MPlayer currently does not use all of information of IFO blocks from DVD.
-You can adjust the right DVD audio stream with: '-aid 128' command line
-option, where 128 is the stream id of requested audio stream. You can
-experience with numbers of 128,129,... and so on. Of course this problem
-will be solved in the future.
-
-
-
Q:
-There is some strange effect (interlace like thing) especially when fast
-moving objects are shown in the movie.
-
A:
-Known problem, we try to fix it later (when we switch to libvo2).
-
-
-
Q:
+
Q:
How can I set the region code of my DVD-Drive ? I don't have windows!
-
-So MPlayer can play DVDs? Then it must use DeCSS! You are under arrest
-under the XYZ#$ paragraph of the--
-
A:
-Get back asshole, there is no DeCSS code in MPlayer. MPlayer uses libdvdread
-by linking against it, and libdvdread uses libdvdcss by dynamic loading it.
-UPDATE : DeCSS is free.
-
-
-
Q:
+
Q:
Do I need to be (setuid) root/setuid fibmap_mplayer to be able to play DVD?
-
A:
-No, you don't. This is the past :) However of course you must have got
+
A:
+No, you don't. Only for old-style DVD support. However of course you must have
the proper rights to the DVD device driver entry (in /dev).
-
Q:
-How can I ... (insert some expectable DVD player feature here)?
-
A:
-The current implementation is the first implementation of some real DVD
-player functionality. First, we would like to target existing bugs and
-basic features before implementing new features.
-
-
-
Q:
+
Q:
Where can I get libdvdread and libdvdcss packages from?
-
MEncoder (MPlayer's Movie Encoder) is a simple movie encoder,
designed to encode MPlayer-playable movies
-(AVI/DVD/VCD/VOB/MPG/MOV/VIV/NET) to other MPlayer-playable formats (see
-below). Currently it's in beta stage, and encodes only to DivX4 (1 or 2
-passes) video, PCM/MP3/VBRMP3 audio. Also has stream
-copying abilities. In the future, there will be cropping, resizing filters, and
-other interesting stuff.
+(AVI/ASF/OGG/DVD/VCD/VOB/MPG/MOV/VIV/FLI/RM/NUV/NET) to other MPlayer-playable
+formats (see below). It can encode with various codecs, like DivX4 (1 or
+2 passes), libavcodec, PCM/MP3/VBRMP3 audio. Also has
+stream copying and video resizing abilities.
OPTIONAL (LINUX ONLY) - download the newest DivX4linux libs
from avifile.sourceforge.net,
- and have them PROPERLY installed. This is needed for DivX4 (1/2 pass)
- encoding. And since this is mandatory (now), MEncoder is Linux-only.
+ and have them PROPERLY installed. You need them if you want DivX4
+ (1/2 pass) encoding.
+
OPTIONAL - download and install
+ XViD. Very useful on non-Linux boxes, and/or when you need
+ faster encoding than DivX4, with approximately the same quality.
OPTIONAL - for libavcodec support, install libavcodec as
described in the libavcodec section.
OPTIONAL - download and compile libmp3lame (from lame 3.89beta or lame CVS).
@@ -39,9 +49,9 @@
panic if it's 400 or so, you shouldn't heard any audible
quality decrease. Oh, and if your compiler doesn't even run make test ...
Well, delete that GCC 2.96.
-
use ./configure with optional parameters as usual
- (use --enable-tv to include V4L tuner grabbing code), and
- type : make mencoder , then make install.
+
OPTIONAL - libjpeg and libpng -
+ as described in the Installation
+ section
@@ -53,31 +63,37 @@
encoding from the wide range of fileformats and decoders of MPlayer
-
encoding from V4L compatible TV tuners
+
encoding to all the codecs of ffmpeg's
+ libavcodec
+
video encoding from V4L compatible TV tuners
encoding/multiplexing to interleaved AVI files with proper index
-
1 or 2 pass DivX4 video
-
VBR MP3 audio
+
creating files from external audio stream
+
1, 2 or 3 pass DivX4 video
+
VBR MP3 audio - IMPORTANT NOTE : VBR MP3 audio doesn't
+ always play nicely on windows players! On the other hand, currently
+ MEncoder's CBR encoding is totally broken on win32 players :)
PCM audio
-
stream copying (CBR audio only)
+
stream copying
input A/V synchronizing (PTS-based, can be disabled with -mc 0 option)
FPS correction with -ofps option (useful when encoding
29.97fps VOB to 24fps AVI)
-
movie rescaling
+
using our very powerful plugin system (crop, expand, flip, postprocess,
+ rotate, scale, rgb/yuv conversion)
+
can encode DVD/VOBsub AND text subtitles into the output file
Planned features :
-
using audio from separate file (AC3, MP3, OGG)
-
VBR audio stream copy
even wider variety of available en/decoding formats/codecs
(creating VOB files with DivX4/Indeo5/VIVO streams :)
The name comes from the fact that this method encodes the file twice.
+
2-pass encoding : the name comes from the fact that this method encodes the file twice.
The first encoding (dubbed pass) creates some temporary files (*.log) with a
size of few megabytes, do not delete them yet (you can delete the AVI). In the second pass, the
2-pass output file is created, using the bitrate data from the temporary files. The resulting
@@ -86,9 +102,88 @@
This example shows how to encode a DVD to a 2-pass DivX4 AVI. Just two
commands are needed :
- mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc divx4 -oac mp3lame -divx4opts br=1100
+ rm frameno.avi - remove this file, which
+ can come from a previous 3-pass encoding (it interferes with current one)
+ mencoder -dvd 2 -divx4opts br=1100
-o movie.avi -pass 1
- mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc divx4 -oac mp3lame -divx4opts br=1100 -o movie.avi -pass 2
3-pass encoding : this is an extension of 2-pass encoding,
+ where the audio encoding takes place in a separate pass. This method enables
+ estimation of recommended video bitrate in order to fit on a CD. Also, the
+ audio is encoded only once, unlike in 2-pass mode. The schematics :
+ First pass : an audio-only avi file will be created, containing
+ ONLY the requested audio stream. Don't forget -lameopts, if
+ you need to set it. If you were encoding a long movie, MEncoder prints
+ the recommended bitrate values for 650Mb, 700Mb, and 800Mb destination
+ sizes, after this pass finishes.
+ Second pass : alias the first pass of DivX4 video encoding.
+ Optionally specify the video bitrate MEncoder printed at the end of the
+ previous pass.
+ Third pass : alias the second pass of DivX4 video encoding.
+ Optionally specify the video bitrate MEncoder printed at the end of the
+ previous pass. In this pass, audio from frameno.avi will be
+ inserted into the destination file.. and it's all ready!
+
+
+
+
+
Example for 3-pass encoding :
+
+
rm frameno.avi - remove this file,
+ which can come from a previous 3-pass encoding (it interferes with current
+ one)
+ mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc frameno
+ -o frameno.avi
+ mencoder -dvd 2
+ -divx4opts br=1100 -oac copy -o movie.avi -pass 1
+ mencoder -dvd 2
+ -divx4opts br=1100 -oac copy -o movie.avi -pass 2
+
+
+
2 or 3-pass encoding using internal libavcodec controler :
+Optionally you can use libavcodec's internal 2 or 3-pass mode, it may gives you
+better final rate accuracy than using the external, DivX4-inspired 2-pass rate
+controler with libavcodec.
+
@@ -101,16 +196,14 @@
AVI (DivX) files, you have be aware that AVI headers don't store this
value. Thus, the only solution is rescaling.
-
MEncoder can scale input images if they come in YV12 format (for example:
- ffdivx, odivx drivers, or mpeg1/2). The output size is specified with the
- -x, and -y options. Furthermore, there are 3
- rescaling filters in MEncoder, 0
- : fast bilinear, 1 : bilinear, 2 : bicubic (best quality).
- They can be specified with the -sws option. If not specified,
- MEncoder will use 0 : fast bilinear.
+
The scaling process is handled by the 'scale' video filter:
+ -vop scale=X:Y. Its quality can be set with the
+ -sws option. If it's not specified, MEncoder will use 0 :
+ fast bilinear.
-
Rescaling is very simple :
- mencoder sample-svcd.mpg -divx4opts br=1300 -x 640 -y 480 -sws 2 -o output.avi
Audio stream (option -oac copy) : straightforward.
+ It is possible to take an external audio file (MP3, AC3, Vorbis) and mux it
+ into the output stream. Use the -audiofile <filename>
+ option for this.
Easiest thing. We simply copy the video and audio streams, and
MEncoder generates the index. Of course this cannot fix possible bugs in
-the video and/or audio streams.
+the video and/or audio streams. It also fixes files with broken interleaving,
+thus the -ni option won't be needed for them anymore.
-
libavcodec provides simple encoding to a lot of interesting video and audio
-formats (currently its audio codecs are unsupported). You can encode to the
-following codecs :
+
libavcodec provides simple encoding to a
+lot of interesting video and audio formats (currently its audio codecs are
+unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs :
@@ -152,6 +250,7 @@
h263p - H263 Plus
mpeg4 - DivX4
msmpeg4 - the old DivX
+
msmpeg4v2 - Micro$oft MPEG4 V2 (DivX alias MP43 predecessor)
rv10 - an old RealVideo codec
mpeg1video - MPEG1 video :)
@@ -160,48 +259,95 @@
The first column contains the codec names that should be passed after the
vcodec config, like : -lavcopts vcodec=msmpeg4
+
An example, with MJPEG compression :
+ mencoder -dvd 2 -o title2.avi -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mjpeg
MEncoder is capable of creating movies from one or more JPEG or PNG
+ files. With simple framecopy it can create MJPEG (Motion JPEG) or MPNG
+ (Motion PNG) files.
+
+
Explanation of the process
+
+
MEncoderdecodes the input image(s) with libjpeg
+ (when decoding PNGs, it will use libpng).
+
+
+
MEncoder then feeds the decoded image to the chosen video compressor
+ (DivX4, Xvid, ffmpeg msmpeg4, etc...). Watch for the PNG decoder, as
+ currently it can output only to RGB formats, thus can't be used with codecs
+ that require YUV as input, like DivX4 or ffmpeg's msmpeg4.
+
+
Examples
+
+
The explanation of the -mf option can be found below in the
+ global Options section and in the manpage.
+
+
Creating a DivX4 file from all the JPEG files in the current dir :
+ mencoder \*.jpg -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25 -ovc divx4 -o
+ output.avi
+
+
Creating a DivX4 file from some JPEG files in the current dir :
+ mencoder frame001.jpg,frame002.jpg -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25 -ovc divx4 -o
+ output.avi
+
+
Creating a Motion JPEG (MJPEG) file from all the JPEG files in the current dir :
+ mencoder \*.jpg -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25 -ovc copy
+ -o output.avi
+
+
Creating an uncompressed file from all the PNG files in the current dir :
+ mencoder \*.png -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25:type=png -ovc raw -o
+ output.avi
+
+
Creating a Motion PNG (MPNG) file from all the PNG files in the current dir :
+ mencoder \*.png -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25:type=png -ovc copy
+ -o output.avi
NOTE : for all available options, read the manpage !
-
+
+ As MEncoder is built on the same codebase as MPlayer, there
+ are many MPlayer options that have function in MEncoder too!
+ See, you can use -sid to rip a DVD with subtitles, or
+ -noidx to disregard buggy index of input AVI. Be smart!
+
+
+
-
-
+
+ -ss time
+
+ start encoding from the given time (can start only from keyframes !)
+
+
+
+
+ -endpos time
+
+ stop encoding at the given time. See the manpage for examples !
+
+
+
+
-o filename
-
-
+
specify output filename
-
-
- -x width in pixels
-
-
- rescale output video to given pixels width
-
-
-
-
-
- -y height in pixels
-
-
- rescale output video to given pixels height
-
-
-
-
-
+
-sws 0-2
-
-
+
type of scaling method
0 - fast bilinear
1 - bilinear
@@ -209,24 +355,22 @@
-
-
+
-ovc codecname
-
-
+
Encode with the given codec (codec names are from codecs.conf). Examples: help - get list of available codecs
+ rawrgb - ? copy - no encoding, just copy the stream (only from AVI/ASF now) divx4 - encode to DivX4 lavc - encode with a codec from libavcodec
+ vfw - encode with a Windows DLL
-
-
+
-oac codecname
-
-
+
Encode with the given codec (codec names are from codecs.conf). Examples: help - get list of available codecs copy - no encoding, just copy the stream (only from AVI/ASF now)
@@ -235,50 +379,58 @@
-
-
+
+ -mf multifile options
+
+ Used when encoding from multiple JPEG files. Its sub-options are:
+ on - turns on multifile support
+ w=<value> - width of the output file
+ h=<value> - height of the output file
+ fps=<value> - fps of the output file
+ type=<value> - type of input files (available types : jpeg, png)
+
+
+
+
+
-divx4opts
-
-
+
If encoding to DivX4, you can specify its parameters here, like: -divx4opts br=1800:deinterlace:key=250
Common options: (for full list, check the manpage!) help - get help
- br=XXX - specify bitrate in kbit <4-16000> or bit <16001-24000000>
- q=XXXX - quality (1-fastest, 5-best - default 5)
- key=XXXX - keyframe interval
+ br=<value> - specify bitrate in kbit <4-16000> or bit <16001-24000000>
+ q=<value> - quality (1-fastest, 5-best - default 5)
+ key=<value> - keyframe interval
-
-
+
-lavcopts
-
-
+
If encoding with libavcodec, you can specify its parameters here, like: -lavcopts vcodec=msmpeg4:vbitrate=1800:vhq:keyint=250
Common options: (for full list, check the manpage!) help - get help
- vcodec=XXX - select videocodec (for the full list, see the libavcodec section above)
- vbitrate=XXX - specify bitrate in kbit <4-16000> or bit <16001-24000000>
+ vcodec=<value> - select videocodec (for the full list, see the libavcodec section above)
+ vbitrate=<value> - specify bitrate in kbit <4-16000> or bit <16001-24000000> vhq - high quality
- keyint=XXX - keyframe interval
+ keyint=<value> - keyframe interval
-
-
+
-lameopts
-
-
+
If encoding to MP3 with libmp3lame, you can specify its parameters here, like: -lameopts q=3 -lameopts br=192:cbr
Common options: (for full list, check the manpage!) help - get help cbr - select CBR MP3 (default is VBR)
- br=XXX - specify bitrate in kbit <0-1024> (this is for CBR only!)
- q=XXXX - quality (0-highest, 9-fastest - default 0) (this is for VBR only!)
+ br=<value> - specify bitrate in kbit <0-1024> (this is for CBR only!)
+ q=<value> - quality (0-highest, 9-fastest - default 0) (this is for VBR only!)
+ vbr=<value> - VBR sub-mode (3-ABR, best quality/speed) (this is for VBR only!)
+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" means ?
-
A:
+
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:
-To be short: DO NOT USE gcc 2.96 !!!
-Check this and this texts!
-If you still really really want to do so, be sure to use the latest release.
+
Q:
+What's the problem with gcc 2.96?
+
A:
+We strongly discourage the use of gcc 2.96!!!
+Read this and this
+document for details. If you still really really want to use it, be sure to get
+the latest release, but remember that you are on your own. Do not report
+bugs or 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 RedHat/Mandrake, then I'm fine--!
-
A:
-No, since there have been/are issues with those compilers.
-Use 2.95.x series for reliability (not 2.96).
+
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.
+Use the 2.95.x series for reliability (not 2.96).
Use the latest gcc 3.0.x (starting at 3.0.2) if you want to use a 3.0.x version.
-
Q:
-I tried to compile MPlayer, but I got this output:
+
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,
@@ -57,22 +69,23 @@
/usr/include/wchar.h:514: cannot convert `const wchar_t* __restrict' to
`const
-
A:
-Upgrade your glibc to the newest. On Mandrake, use 2.2.4-8mdk .
+
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:
-
But we has idegs (the word 'ideg' is described further in the FAQ). And our
-idegcounters overflow again and again.
+
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.
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 RedHat or Suse, and without RTFM'ing they
-send messages saying 'it doesn't work! help me! please! i'm new to the linux!
-help! oh! help me!'. We can't stop them, but at least we try to force them RTFM
-and to read messages of ./configure and mplayer.
+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 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.
@@ -80,683 +93,678 @@
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 one hand are you, clever guys, saying we are very
-bad because we don't like buggy gcc 2.96, and at the other hand there are the
-'new to linux' guys who are showing us gcc 2.96 is buggy.
+
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 of people always will say we are bad.
+
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 earn lots of money with it and buy a big
-house, etc etc. Do you really want it? It seems.
+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.
+
-
Arpi (a mail on the mplayer-users list)
-
Q:
-Where can I find information about gcc 2.96 bugs ?
-
A:
-In this documentation. And this
-documentation describes why RedHat released 2.96 and other interesting things.
+
Q:
+Where can I find information about gcc 2.96 bugs?
+
A:
+In this document. And this
+document describes why Red Hat released 2.96 and other interesting things.
-
Q:
-SDL output doesn't work or compile. Problem is ....
-
A:
-It is tested with newest SDL (probably runs on 1.1.7+).
-It does NOT work with any previous version, so don't ask.
+
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:
+
Q:
I am still having trouble compiling with SDL support. gcc says something
-about "undefined reference to `SDL_EnableKeyRepeat'" What's now?
-
A:
+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!
+"-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...
-
-You can make a .deb package for yourself, check section 6.1.
-It's _STRONGLY_ discouraged to use precompiled packages
-of MPlayer, since it (currently) _highly_ depends on compile-time
-options and optimizations!
-Precompiled packages are COMPLETELY unsupported by the MPlayer team!
+
A:
+You can make a .deb package for yourself, check the Debian packaging section.
+There are RPM packages available on our homepage, don't use other sources!
-
Q:
+
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 RedHat, and xlib6g-dev* under
-Debian. Also check if the /usr/X11 symlink exists (this can be a problem on
-Mandrake systems). It can be created with the
+
A:
+... but you don't have the X development package installed. Or not
+correctly. It's called XFree86-devel* under Red Hat, and xlib6g-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
- command. Also check the /usr/include/X11 link : $ ln -sf /usr/X11R6/include/X11 /usr/include/X11
-Your distribution may differ from the Linux Filesystem Standard.
+Your distribution may differ from the
+Filesystem Hierarchy Standard.
-
Q:
-What about DGA driver? I can't find it!!!
-
A:
-./configure autodetects your DGA driver. If -vo help doesn't show
+
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 RTFM)
-Alternatively, try SDL's DGA driver with '-vo sdl:dga' options.
+Try ./configure --enable-dga and read the
+documentation.
+Alternatively, try SDL's DGA driver with the -vo sdl:dga option.
-
Q:
-I can't compile SVGAlib.. I'm using 2.3/2.4 kernel.
-
A:
-You have to edit SVGAlib's Makefile.cfg and comment "BACKGROUND = y" out.
+
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:
+
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:
-MPlayer doesn't seem to find my libcss. What am I doing wrong ?
-
A:
-It's normal. MPlayer no longer depends on libcss to play a DVD. You
-have to install libdvdread and libdvdcss. Check for DVD Playback
-part here. libcss is to be used for example when you
-want to play encrypted VOB files from hard disk (not for general users).
+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:
+
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 kernels modules needs require a flag indicating its license (mainly
-to avoid kernel hackers' debugging closed sources drivers).
-Upgrade your kernel and your modutils and MPlayer.
+
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:
-Dunno, upgrading binutils should help (2.11.92.* or newer should be good). Not our fault, do NOT report!
+
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!
--xy or -fs option doesn't work with x11 driver (-vo x11)
-
A:
+
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 if the DGA driver (and SDL's DGA driver, see RTFM) works for you.
-It's much faster. If SDL's DGA works too, use that, it'll be EVEN faster!
+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 numbers in the status line?
-
video codec cpu usage in percent (for mpeg it includes video_out too!)
-
video_out cpu usage for avi, 0 for mpg (see above)
+
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 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.
+Most of them are for debug purposes and will be removed soon.
-
Q:
+
Q:
What if I don't want them to appear?
-
A:
-Then you use the -quiet option, and read the manpage.
+
A:
+Use the -quiet option and read the man page.
-
Q:
-Why is video_out cpu usage zero (0%) for mpeg files?
-
A:
-It's not zero, but it's built in into codec, so can't be measured separated.
-You should try to play the file using -vo null and then -vo ... and check
-the difference to see video_out speed...
+
Q:
+Why is video_out cpu usage zero (0%) for some files?
+
A:
+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.
-
Q:
-What's XMMP? (is it XMMS or XMPS but mispelled?)
-
A:
-It's a new project, see http://frozenproductions.com for details
+
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:
-There are error messages about file not found /usr/lib/win32/....
-
A:
-Download w32codec.zip
-from *our* FTP (avifile's codec package has different DLL set).
-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:
-Are there any mailing lists on MPlayer?
-
A:
-Yes! See RTFM on how to subscribe them!
+
Q:
+I've found a nasty bug when I tried to play my favorite video!!
+Who should I inform?
+
-A mixture of a hungarian and an english word. In english, "Ideg" means
-"nerve", 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 ;)
+
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 in
-connection with the pervert minds of the MPlayer developers.
+
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:
+
Q:
LIRC doesn't work, because ...
-
A:
-Are you sure you use "mplayer_lirc" instead of "mplayer"?
+
A:
+Are you sure you are using mplayer instead of mplayer_lirc?
+Note that it was mplayer_lirc for long time, including the 0.60 release, but recently
+changed back to mplayer.
-
Q:
+
Q:
Subtitles are very nice, the most beautiful I've ever seen, but they slow
-down the playing! I know it's unlikely...
-
A:
-After running ./configure , edit config.h and replace #undef FAST_OSD with
-#define FAST_OSD. Then recompile.
+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:
+
Q:
The OSD is flickering!
-
A:
+
A:
You use a vo driver with single buffering (x11,xv). With xv,
-use -double option.
+use the -double option. Also try -vop expand
+But configure tells me "Checking for libavcodec ... no"!
+
A:
+You need to get libavcodec from FFmpeg's CVS. Read the instructions in
+the FFmpeg 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 ffmpeg section.
+
Q:
+The GUI isn't usable with icewm, because a panel is over the movie!!
+
A:
+Known problem with icewm. It is unsolvable from our side. In detail:
+Icewm's taskbar overrides the GUI's window resize queries. If asked for a
+resize to 800x600, icewm resizes the window to 800x(600-taskbar_size).
-
Q:
-The GUI isn't usable with icewm, because some panel are over the movie!!
-
A:
-Known, icewm is dictatoric. Unsolvable. In detail:
-its taskbar overrides GUI's window resize queries. If it asks for
-resize to 800x600, then it resizes window to 800x(600-taskbar_size). It's bad.
-Very bad.
+
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:
-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.
+
-...... works with avifile/aviplay while doesn't with MPlayer.
-
A:
-MPlayer != avifile
+
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) sets, syncronization, demultiplexing etc is totaly
+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 should do
-it and vice versa.
-
-
-
Q:
-Audio goes out of sync playing .avi file.
-
A:
-Try with -bps or -nobps option
-if still bad, send me (upload to ftp) that file, I'll check.
+If something works with aviplay it doesn't mean that MPlayer will work
+and vice versa.
-
Q:
-Indeo 3.x/4.x movies are viewed upside-down!!!?
-
A:
-It's a known bug (really it's a bug/limitation of the DLL codec)
-Try if your vo driver supports the -flip switch.
+
Q:
+Audio goes out of sync playing a .avi file.
+
A:
+Try the -bps or -nobps option. If it does not improve,
+read this and upload the file to FTP.
-
Q:
-Indeo 3.x,4.x video doesn't work at 32bpp resolutions (16,24 bpp are ok).
-
A:
-It's a known bug (really it's a bug/limitation of the DLL codec).
-
-
-
Q:
-MPlayer exits with something error when using l3codeca.acm.
-
A:
-Check 'ldd /usr/local/bin/mplayer' output. If it contains
+
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:
+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 problem with your kernel/libc. Maybe you are using some
+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 non-patched kernel,
-or use MPlayer's -afm 1 option to disable using l3codeca.acm.
+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:
+
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:
-Ok son, your machine is too slow. RTFM or anything.
+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:
+
Q:
MPlayer dies with "MPlayer interrupted by signal 4 in module: decode_video".
-
A:
+
A:
Try running MPlayer on the machine you compiled on. Or recompile. Don't
-use MPlayer on different CPU than it was compiled on.
+use MPlayer on a CPU different from the one it was compiled on.
-
Q:
-I have problems with [your window manager] and fullscreen xv/xmga/sdl/x11 modes..
-
A:
-Use the -fsmode switch. See example.conf or manpage.
+
Q:
+I have problems with [your window manager] and fullscreen xv/xmga/sdl/x11 modes ...
+
A:
+Use the -fsmode switch. See example.conf or the man page.
-
Q:
+
Q:
But it works with avifile!
-
A:
+
A:
So what?
-
Q:
+
Q:
Then avifile is better!
-
A:
-Then use avifile, it has nice GUI and nice C++ code :)
+
A:
+Then use avifile, it has a nice GUI and nice C++ code :)
-
Q:
+
Q:
I got this playing mpeg files: Can't find codec for video format 0x10000001!
-
A:
-You have old version of codecs.conf at ~/.mplayer/. Upgrade it from etc/
-OR you have the vc= option or similar, in your
+
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:
-After starting mplayer under KDE(1/2) I just get a black screen and nothing
+
Q:
+After starting MPlayer under KDE(1/2) I just get a black screen and nothing
happens, after about one minute the video starts playing.
-
A:
+
A:
The KDE arts sound daemon is blocking the sound device, either wait the time
-until video starts or you disable the arts-daemon in kontrollcenter.
-If you want to use arts sound, specify audio output via SDL (ao=sdl), and
+until video starts or you disable the arts-daemon in kontrol center. If you want
+to use arts sound, specify audio output via SDL (ao=sdl), and
make sure your SDL can handle arts sound. Yet another option is to start
-mplayer with artsdsp.
+MPlayer with artsdsp.
-
Q:
-I have an AVI that plays with grey screen with -vc odivx, and green with -vc divx4 .
-
A:
+
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:
-There this movie is, and when I play it I get video-audio desync and/or MPlayer crashes with the following:
+
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:
+
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 is going 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 soundcards section.
-
the AVI has bad header, try with the -nobps option, and/or -mc 0 .
+
+
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 black
+
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 -vc ffmjpeg option (you have to
-compile MPlayer with libavcodec).
+
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 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 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 to use the new timing code. For details see the
+installation section of the documentation.
-
Q:
-When I try to start playing, I get this message, but playing is good :
-Linux RTC init: ioctl (rtc_pie_on): Permission denied
-
+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:
-I have A/V sync problems. Some of my AVIs play fine, but some play with
-double speed !
-
A:
-You have buggy soundcard/driver. Most likely it's fixed at 44100Hz, and
-you try to play a file which has 22050Hz audio. Try the -ao sdl
-driver.
+
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:
-All the WMV (or other..) files I play gives green/gray window and there is
-only sound! It 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.
+
-Ok, -vo help shows DGA driver, but it is babbling about permissions!
+
Q:
+OK, -vo help shows DGA driver, but it complains about permissions!
Help me!
-
A:
+
A:
It works only if running as root! It's a DGA limitation.
-You should become to root (su -), and try again.
-Another solution is making mplayer SUID root, but its NOT RECOMMENDED!
+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 750 /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
-can be accessed by more people than only you because they can gain root
-privilegies through suid root mplayer!!!
+that you do not control completely because other users can gain root
+privileges through SUID root MPlayer!!! !!!! SO YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ... !!!!
-
Q:
+
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:
-Your driver is old, update it. Either download (at least) DRI version 0.6
-from http://dri.sourceforge.net,
-or use the DRI cvs.
+
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:
-When using Xvideo, I can't play DivX avis with my Voodoo 3/Banshee!
+
Q:
+When using Xvideo, I can't play DivX AVIs with my Voodoo 3/Banshee!
It says:
... Xvideo image format: 0x32315659 (YV12) planar
Xvideo image format: 0x30323449 (I420) planar
...
-
A1:
+
A1:
See the previous answer.
-
A2:
-Since 0.18pre4 we support libavcodec from the ffmpeg package. It contains
+
A2:
+Since 0.18pre4 we support libavcodec from the FFmpeg package. It contains
a C language DivX and OpenDivX decoder. The DivX decoder uses YV12 format
for output, thus it should work for you. Compile in libavcodec support.
-
Q:
-OpenGL (-vo gl) output doesn't work (hangup/black window/X11 errors/...).
-
A:
-Your opengl driver doesn't support dynamic texture changes (glTexSubImage)
+
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 card. Also with
-DRI and Radeon card. It won't work with DRI others than these.
-it will not work with 3DFX cards because the 256x256 texture size limit.
+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 TNT/TNT2 card, and I have a band with strange colours,
-right under the movie! Whose fault is this?
-
A:
-It's the nVidia X driver's. These bugs are ONLY with the TNT/TNT2 cards,
-and we can't do anything about it, it's not our bug. UPDATE : it's fixed
-in newest drivers, at last..
+
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:
-I have an nVidia XYZ card, and when I click on the GUI's diplay 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 implemented a new one. Let's
-congratule them.
+
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:
-When I use the GUI with SDL video output, a second video window is created.
-
A:
-Known, don't use SDL for 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
Is there a hint on how to watch RealMedia movies in MPlayer?
-
A:
+
A:
There's no way to do it. Therefore this format deserves to die in flames.
Theoretically you can reverse engineer Real codecs built for Linux (they
are available as .so files), but in practice that's really difficult, even
if you know how the compiler used by Real is making assembler code.
-
Q:
-When will be <your favourite video feature> (like subtitle placement) implemented?
-
A:
-Wait for libvo2.
-
-
-
Q:
-I want to play MP3 files with MPlayer !
-
A:
-This feature is not planned. There are much better players (mpg123, 3pm, xmms)
-for this task, use them. BTW, MPlayer stands for Movie Player.
-
-
-
Q:
-I'd like to seek +/- 1 frames, instead of 10 seconds.
-
A:
+
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 (opensource
- ASF parsers, opensource ASF encoders, etc) and you'll know why. We don't
+
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.
-
Q:
-What card you may suggest me to buy?
-
A0:
-It's for your opinion only but our issues are:
-
A1:
-Speed:
- This
-parameter can be computed very easy:
- a)
-which movies do you plan to watch:
- -
-MPEG1: 320x200@32=256000
- so
-you need only 256*25fps=6.4Mb/sec bandwidth (This format can be played
-in real-time on any PC since P-100 + S3Virge)
- -
-MPEG4: 640x480@32=1228800
- you
-need videobandwidth 1.2*25fps=30Mb/sec To watch such movie in real-time
-you need enough power PC: (Celeron-450+DIMM based video card)
- -
-MPEG2 (aka DVD or SDTV): 1024x768@32=3145728
- you
-need videobandwidth 3*30fps=90Mb/sec In extremal cases (if your video card
-supports IDCT decoding) this can be played on the same PC as for MPEG4
- -
-HDTV (HighData TeleVision): 2000x2000@32=16000000
- i.e.
-videobandwidth = 16*30fps=480Mb/sec (This means also that you need at least
-32Mb of video memory to watch this stream: 16Mb for RGB area and 16Mb for
-YUV area)
- b)
-Bandwidth of PCI slot is: 33Mhz*32bit=132Mb/sec And PCI2.1 has 66MHz*32bit=265Mb/sec
-that is far enough for any movie playback (except HDTV streams which really
-require AGP bus).
- c)
-What memory type should be installed on video card:
- SIMM
-- avoid that
- DIMM
-- good if your video card has 128-bit memory access.
- DDR
-- is far enough for all types.
- Note:
-By DGA comparision - there is no any visible difference between video cards
-which have installed the same type of video memory.
- Resume:
-If you have enough power CPU (Celeron-450 or K6-2-500) it would be enough
-to buy any video card which has at least 8Mb of DIMM or DDR memory.
-
A2:
-Quality:
- This
-question was investigated in depth at:
- http://www.anadtech.com
-AnandTech - Video Card Roundup - DVD Quality, Features & Performance
-(October 2000)
-
A3:
-WORKING features under Linux:
- If
-you are win32 user then probably you have support (from driver and DirectX8
-side) for any feature which was introduced in your chip.
- But
-for linux users:
- Currently
-I know only several vendors which have more or less advanced support under
-Linux:
-
-
+
Q:
+What card do you suggest me to buy?
+
A0:
+It's for your information only but our criteria are:
+
A1:
+Speed:
+This parameter can be computed easily:
+
+
Which movies do you plan to watch?
+
+
MPEG1: 320x200@32=256000
+ You need only 256*25fps=6.4MB/sec of bandwidth (This format can be played
+ in real-time on any PC since the times of Pentium-100 + S3Virge).
+
MPEG4: 640x480@32=1228800
+ You need a video bandwidth of 1.2*25fps=30MB/sec. To watch such a movie
+ in real-time you need a PC equivalent to a Celeron-450 and a DIMM based
+ video card.
+
MPEG2 (aka DVD or SDTV): 1024x768@32=3145728
+ You need a video bandwidth of 3*30fps=90MB/sec. In extreme cases (if your
+ video card supports IDCT decoding) the hardware requirements are the same
+ as for MPEG4.
+
HDTV (High Definition TeleVision): 2000x2000@32=16000000
+ You need a video bandwidth of 16*30fps=480MB/sec. You also need at least
+ 32MB of video memory to watch this stream: 16MB for the RGB area and 16MB
+ for the YUV area.
+
+
The bandwidth of PCI slots is: 33MHz*32Bit=133MB/sec. PCI2.1 has
+ 66MHz*32Bit=266MB/sec which is more than enough for playing any movie (except
+ HDTV streams which really require an AGP bus).
+
What memory type should be installed on the video card:
+
+
SIMM - Avoid that.
+
DIMM - Good if your video card has 128-bit memory access.
+
DDR - Is fast enough for all types.
+
+
+Note: DGA comparison shows that there is no visible difference between video
+cards which have the same type of video memory installed.
+Conclusion: If you have enough CPU power (Celeron-450 or K6-2-500) it
+should be enough to buy any video card which has at least 8MB of DIMM or DDR
+memory.
+
A2:
+Quality:
+This question was investigated in depth at:
+
+AnandTech - Video Card Roundup - DVD Quality, Features & Performance
+(October 2000)
+
A3:
+Working features under Linux:
+If you are a Win32 user then probably you have support (from driver and DirectX8
+side) for any feature your chip has.
+But for Linux users there are currently only a few vendors which have more
+or less advanced driver support:
+
+
-
Matrox
+
Matrox Gxxx
-
ATI
+
ATI m64/r128/radeon
-
NVidia
+
nVidia tnt/geforce
-
S4 Savage
+
S3 Virge/Savage
Driver's provider
-
enthusiasts
+
OEM and enthusiasts
-
enthusiasts
+
OEM and enthusiasts
-
OEM + enthusiasts
+
OEM or enthusiasts
enthusiasts
@@ -764,13 +772,13 @@
Driver's quality
-
Best(X11,kernel)
+
best (X11,kernel)
-
Best(X11,GATOS,kernel)
+
best (X11,GATOS,kernel)
-
Buggy(X11 only)
+
buggy/unstable (X11 only)
-
Best(X11 only)
+
slow (X11 only)
@@ -812,7 +820,7 @@
adaptive deinterlace
-
NO
+
N/A
YES
@@ -824,11 +832,11 @@
Video equalizer (hue, contrast, saturation, color correction)
-
N/A
+
YES
-
PARTLY (under devel)
+
YES
-
N/A
+
GeForce only
N/A
@@ -836,9 +844,9 @@
Alpha blending, color and video keys
-
PARTLY
+
PARTIAL
-
PARTLY (under devel)
+
PARTIAL (under development)
N/A
@@ -848,9 +856,9 @@
Video capture
-
N/A
+
YES (Marvel)
-
YES(GATOS)
+
YES (GATOS)
N/A
@@ -860,7 +868,7 @@
TV-out
-
YES
+
G400 only
YES
@@ -870,40 +878,65 @@
-
Well
-- it's very rude observing of video card. Indeed we should pay our attention
-for models of video card:
- For
-example if MatroxG400(G450) drivers support TV-out then G550 has no such
-support.
- Other
-sample: Adaptive deinterlacing exists only since Rage128 chip and isn't
-present on Mach64+ ones. Same as 3D features are far different from Mach64
-to Radeon2 8500 with trueform possibilities.
-
ANYWAY
-- MPLAYER'S TEAM DOESN'T ACCEPT ANY CLAIMS IF YOU AFTER
- READING
-OF THIS MATERIAL WILL BUY CARD WHICH IS UNSUCCESSFUL FOR YOU!!!
- THIS
-MATERIAL IS ONLY OUR VISION.
-
Q:
-If PCI slot is far enough for most types of movies then why S3 Virge
- is
-too slow for them?
- A:
-Due to its SIMM memory.
+
It's a very rough overview of video cards. We should pay attention to video
+card models. If for example Matrox G400 drivers support TV-out then G450 and
+G550 do not necessarily have this feature.
+Another example: Adaptive deinterlacing exists only for the Rage128 chip and
+isn't present on Mach64+ ones. The same goes for 3D features. They are different
+from Mach64 to the Radeon 8500 with TRUFORM technology.
+
+
ANYWAY - THE MPLAYER TEAM DOESN'T ACCEPT ANY CLAIMS IF AFTER READING THIS
+MATERIAL YOU BUY A CARD WHICH IS UNSATISFACTORY FOR YOU!!! THIS IS ONLY OUR
+POINT OF VIEW.
+
+
Q: If a PCI slot is fast enough for most types of movies then why is
+the S3 Virge too slow for them?
+A: Due to its SIMM memory.
It is important to clarify a common mistake. When people see a file with a
+.AVI extension, they immediately conclude that it is not an MPEG file.
+That is not true. At least not entirely. Contrary to popular belief such a file
+can contain MPEG1 video.
-
It's important to clarify a popular mistake. When people see a file with
-.AVI extension, they instantly declare that isn't an MPEG file.
-That's not true. At least not entirely. If you tell them that such a file
-can contain MPEG1 video, they laugh at you. Feel free to kick their dumbass
-faces, then tell them to RTFM.
-
-
You see, a codec isn't equal to a file format.
-Video codecs are: MPEG1, MPEG2, DivX, Indeo5, 3ivx.
-Video formats are: MPG, AVI, ASF.
+
You see, a codec is not the same as a file format.
+Examples of video codecs are: MPEG1, MPEG2, DivX, Indeo5, 3ivx.
+Examples of file formats are: MPG, AVI, ASF.
-
In theory, you can happily put an OpenDivX video and MP3 audio
-into a .MPG format file. Though most players won't play it, since
-they expect MPEG1 video and MP2 audio (.MPG doesn't have the
-necessary fields to describe its video and audio streams, like .AVI
-does). Or put MPEG1 video to an .AVI. For example ffmpeg can
-create these files.
+
In theory, you can put an OpenDivX video and MP3 audio
+into an MPG format file. However, most players will not play it, since
+they expect MPEG1 video and MP2 audio (unlike AVI, MPG does not have the
+necessary fields to describe its video and audio streams).
+Or you might put MPEG1 video into an AVI file. FFmpeg
+and MEncoder can create these files.
-
Audio codecs and formats are basically the same terms.
MPG : this is the most basic form of MPEG file formats. Contains
-MPEG1 video, and MP2 (MPEG-1 layer 2) audio, or rarely MP1.
-
DAT : this is the very same format as MPG, just different extension. Used
-on Video CDs. Due to the nature VCDs are created and Linux is designed,
-the DAT files can't be played nor copied from VCDs. You have to use the
--vcd option to play the VideoCD.
-
VOB : this is the MPEG file format on DVDs. The same as MPG, plus
-capability to contain subtitles, or non-MPEG (AC3) audio. Contains encoded MPEG2
-video, and usually AC3 audio, but MP2 is allowed too.
+
MPEG files come in different guises:
+
+
+
MPG: This is the most basic form of the MPEG file formats. It contains
+MPEG1 video, and MP2 (MPEG-1 layer 2) or rarely MP1 audio.
+
DAT: This is the very same format as MPG with a different extension. It is used
+on Video CDs. Due to the way VCDs are created and Linux is designed,
+the DAT files cannot be played nor copied from VCDs as regular files. You have
+to use the -vcd option to play the Video CD.
+
VOB: This is the MPEG file format on DVDs. It is the same as MPG, plus the
+capability to contain subtitles or non-MPEG (AC3) audio. It contains encoded MPEG2
+video and usually AC3 audio, but DTS, MP2 and uncompressed LPCM are allowed, too. Read the DVD section !
-
+
-
In MPEG files, series of frames are grouped together, and are independent
-from the other groups. What this means is you can cut/join an MPEG file with
-standard file-tools (like dd, cut), and it remains completely functional.
+
Series of frames form independent groups in MPEG files. This means that you
+can cut/join an MPEG file with standard file tools (like dd, cut), and it
+remains completely functional.
-
One important feature for MPGs is that they have a field to describe
+
One important feature of MPGs is that they have a field to describe
the aspect ratio of the video stream within. For example SVCDs have
-480x480 resolution video, and in the header that field is set to 4:3, so
-it's played at 640x480. AVI files don't have this field, so one has to
-rescale it during encoding.
+480x480 resolution video, and in the header that field is set to 4:3, so that
+it is played at 640x480. AVI files do not have this field, so they have to be
+rescaled during encoding or played with the -aspect option.
Designed by Micro$oft, the AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) is a
-widespread multipurpose format, currently used mostly for DivX and DivX4
-videos. Has many known drawbacks, and inabilities (for example in streaming).
-Has support for one video stream, and 99 audio streams. Can be as big as
-2Gb. There exists an extension for it to be bigger, called OpenDMS.
-M$ currently strongly discourages its use and propagates ASF/WMV. Not if
+
Designed by Micro$oft, AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) is a
+widespread multipurpose format currently used mostly for DivX and DivX4
+video. It has many known drawbacks and shortcomings (for example in streaming).
+It supports one video stream and 0 to 99 audio streams and can be as big as
+2GB. There exists an extension allowing bigger files called OpenDMS.
+M$ currently strongly discourages its use and encourages ASF/WMV. Not that
anybody cares.
-NOTE : DV cameras can create two types of AVI format, one is the usual and
+
+
There is a hack for AVI files that enhances them to contain Ogg Vorbis audio
+ stream, but makes them incompatible with standard AVI. MPlayer
+ supports playing these files, though seeking is currently unimplemented.
+
+NOTE: DV cameras can create two types of AVI formats. One is common and
playable, the other is neither.
-
There are two kinds of AVI files:
+
There are two kinds of AVI files:
-
Interleaved : audio and video content is interleaved. This is the
+
Interleaved: Audio and video content is interleaved. This is the
standard usage. Recommended and mostly used. Some tools create interleaved
AVIs with bad sync. MPlayer detects these as interleaved, and this
climaxes in loss of A/V sync, probably at seeking. These files should be
played as non-interleaved (with the -ni option).
-
Non-interleaved : bad. First come the whole video stream, then the whole
- audio stream, thus needs a lot of seeking. It's very bad when playing from
- network or CDROM.
+
Non-interleaved: First comes the whole video stream, then the whole
+ audio stream. It thus needs a lot of seeking, making playing from network or
+ CD-Rom difficult.
-
-
MPlayer supports 2 kind of timing for AVI files:
+
MPlayer supports two kinds of timings for AVI files:
-
bps-based : it is based on bitrate/samplerate of video/audio stream. This
- method is used by most players, including avifile and windows media player.
+
bps-based: It is based on the bitrate/samplerate of the video/audio stream. This
+ method is used by most players, including avifile
+ and windows media player.
Files with broken headers, and files created with VBR audio but not
VBR-compliant encoder will result in A/V desync with this method (mostly at
seeking).
-
interleaving-based : it doesn't use bitrate value of the header, instead
- it uses the relative position of interleaved audio and video chunks. Makes
- some badly encoded file with VBR audio playable.
+
interleaving-based: It does not use the bitrate value of the header, instead
+ it uses the relative position of interleaved audio and video chunks, making
+ badly encoded files with VBR audio playable.
-
-
Any audio and video codec is allowed, but note that VBR audio isn't well
-supported by most of the players. The file format makes it possible to use VBR
+
Any audio and video codec is allowed, but note that VBR audio is not well
+supported by most players. The file format makes it possible to use VBR
audio, but most players expect CBR audio, thus they fail with VBR. VBR is
-unusual, and Microsoft's AVI specs only describe CBR audio. I also note, that
-most AVI encoders/multiplexers create bad files if using VBR audio. Only 2
-exception (known by me): NaNDub and MEncoder.
+uncommon and Microsoft's AVI specs only describe CBR audio. I also noticed that
+most AVI encoders/multiplexers create bad files when using VBR audio. There are only
+two exceptions (known to me): NaNDub and MEncoder.
ASF (active streaming format) comes from Microsoft. They developed two
variants of ASF, v1.0 and v2.0. v1.0 is used by their media tools (windows
media player and windows media encoder) and is very secret. v2.0 is published
-and patented :). Of course they differ, there is no compatibility at all (it's
+and patented :). Of course they differ, there is no compatibility at all (it is
just another legal game). MPlayer supports only v1.0, as nobody has ever seen
-v2.0 files :) . Note, that .ASF files nowdays come with the extension .WMA or
+v2.0 files :). Note that ASF files nowadays come with the extension .WMA or
.WMV.
These are from Macintosh. Usually have extensions of .QT or .MOV . Note
-that since the MPEG4 Group chose QuickTime as the recommended file format
-for MPEG4, their .MOV files come with .MPG or .MP4 extension (interesting
-that in these files the video stream is a real .MPG file. With the
--dumpvideo option you can even extract it.).
+
These formats were designed by Apple. They usually have a .QT or .MOV extension. Note
+that since the MPEG4 group chose QuickTime as the recommended file format
+for MPEG4, their MOV files come with a .MPG or .MP4 extension (Interestingly
+the video and audio streams in these files are real MPG and AAC files. With the
+-dumpvideo and -dumpaudio options you can even extract them!).
-
Codecs: any codecs allowed, both CBR and VBR. Note: most new mov files use
-Sorenson video and QDesign Music audio. These formats are completely
-secret, and only Apple's quicktime player is able to play these files (on
-win/mac only).
+
Codecs: Any codec is allowed, both CBR and VBR. Note: most new QuickTime files use
+Sorensen video and QDesign Music audio. These formats have not been
+disclosed and will probably remain so in the future, making Apple's QuickTime
+player the only player able to play these files (on Windows/Mac OS only).
MPlayer happily demuxes VIVO file formats. The format's big
-disadvantage is that it has no index block, nor fixed packetsize or sync bytes,
+
MPlayer happily demuxes VIVO file formats. The biggest disadvantage of
+the format is that it has no index block, nor a fixed packet size or sync bytes
and most files lack even keyframes, so forget seeking!
-
VIVO/1.0 files' video codec is standard h.263 . The VIVO/2.0 files'
-video codec is a modified, nonstandard h.263 . Audio is the same,
-it may be g.723 (standard), or Vivo Siren .
+
The video codec of VIVO/1.0 files is standard h.263. The video codec
+of VIVO/2.0 files is a modified, nonstandard h.263v2. The audio is the same,
+it may be g.723 (standard), or Vivo Siren.
FLI is a very old fileformat used by Autodesk Animator, but it's
-a common fileformat for short animations on the Net. MPlayer demuxes
+
FLI is a very old file format used by Autodesk Animator, but it is
+a common file format for short animations on the net. MPlayer demuxes
and decodes FLI movies and is even able to seek within them (useful when
-looping with the -loop option). FLI files don't have keyframes, so picture
+looping with the -loop option). FLI files do not have keyframes, so the picture
will be messy for a short time after seeking.
Yes, MPlayer can read (demux) RealMedia (.rm) files. Seeking
-is under implementation, and RM has keyframes so it will be flawless.
-Here are the lists of the supported RealVideo
+
Yes, MPlayer can read (demux) RealMedia (.rm) files. Seeking works
+(the format supports keyframes). Here are the lists of the supported
+RealVideo
and RealAudio codecs.
NuppelVideo
-is a TV grabber tool (AFAIK:). MPlayer can read its .nuv
+is a TV grabber tool (AFAIK:). MPlayer can read its .NUV
files (only NuppelVideo 5.0). Those files can contain uncompressed YV12,
YV12+RTJpeg compressed, YV12 RTJpeg+lzo compressed, and YV12+lzo compressed
-frames, MPlayer decodes (and also encodes them with MEncoder to
-DivX/etc!) them all. Seeking is under implementation.
+frames. MPlayer decodes (and also encodes them with MEncoder to
+DivX/etc!) them all. Seeking works.
yuv4mpeg / yuv4mpeg2 is
-also a fileformat for TV grabbing, or so :) I know only one thing about it:
-we support it.
+a file format used by the mjpegtools programs.
+You can grab, produce, filter or encode video in this format using these.
+The file format is really a sequence of uncompressed YUV 4:2:0 images.
+
+
+
+
This is a new fileformat from Xiphophorus, developed to contain Vorbis
+ audio. You'll need libogg and libvorbis installed
+ before compiling MPlayer to be able to play it.
Currently MPlayer is still a Movie and not a Media
-player, thus the pure audio formats (for example MP3, WAV, audio ASF) are
-unplayable. Use xmms, mpg123
-or whatever.
+
MPlayer is a Movie and not a Media player, although
+ it can play some audio file formats (they are listed in the sections below).
+ This is not a recommended usage of MPlayer, you better use
+ xmms.
You may have problems playing certain MP3 files that MPlayer will
+misdetect as MPEGs and play incorrectly or not at all. This cannot be fixed
+without dropping support for certain broken MPEG files and thus will remain
+like this for the foreseeable future. The -demuxer flag described
+in the manpage may help you in these cases.