1 Frequentely Asked Questions for VideoLAN Client
2 $Id: FAQ,v 1.20 2003/01/14 18:56:52 sam Exp $
7 1.1 How do I read a DVD?
8 ------------------------
9 Just launch vlc and use the "open disc" command from the graphical
10 interface. In case of trouble, you may want to use the command line.
11 For instance, provided your DVD device is /dev/dvd:
16 1.2 How do I read an encrypted DVD?
17 -----------------------------------
18 It is exactly the same as for a normal DVD. You will need write access to
19 /dev/dvd, because of the key negociation process.
21 If you compiled your VLC by hand, please bear in mind that you also need
22 to install libdvdcss. It can be downloaded from the VideoLAN website. It
23 used to be distributed in the same package as VLC, but now you must install
27 1.3 How do I switch to full screen display?
28 -------------------------------------------
29 Press 'f' to toggle fullscreen mode. Note that not all video output
30 devices support full screen.
33 1.4 How do I hide the mouse cursor?
34 -----------------------------------
35 It should disappear after a few seconds if you stop moving the mouse.
38 1.5 How do I use vlc if I do not want to install Gnome and all this
39 #@!£% *$@&§% !@# bloat?
40 -------------------------------------------------------------------
43 vlc --intf dummy myfile.mpg
45 Most commands are available from the command line, see vlc --help for
49 1.6 VLC eats my buffer cache, how to I use raw device?
50 ------------------------------------------------------
51 If you do not know what is a raw device, do not even read this answer :-).
52 There is an experimental support for raw devices in libdvdcss. It needs
53 that you set up a raw device pointing to your DVD device (under Linux,
54 use the "raw" utility). Then pass the raw device as second argument, for
57 vlc dvd:/dev/dvd@/dev/raw0
60 1.7 How do I use VLC as a client for VLS/VLMS streaming?
61 --------------------------------------------------------
62 First you must set up a VLS or VLMS stream. Please refer to the
63 documentation of these programs. Then start VLC:
67 You should not need any option. If you are paranoid and want to control
68 everything, here is the exact syntax:
70 vlc udp:[<server>[:<server port>]][@[<bind address>][:<bind port>]]
73 1.8 How do I uninstall / reinstall VLC?
74 ---------------------------------------
75 Why would you want to? ;)
77 If you are using a source distribution of VLC, for example a tarball or
78 the CVS, then you have probably used "make install" to install the
79 compiled VLC. To remove it just "make uninstall". If you want to
80 install a newer version than the currently installed one, you should
81 first uninstall the first one. If you deleted the original source tree,
82 a "make uninstall" in the newer tree should still work.
84 For binary packages, remove old packages first and install the new ones
85 (normally this should be handled automagically by your sytem).
88 1.9 Debian: what should I put in my sources.list for videolan?
89 --------------------------------------------------------------
90 deb http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian $(ARCH)/
91 deb-src http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian sources/
94 1.10 How can I save my VLC configuration?
95 -----------------------------------------
96 Currently, the only way to save the configuration options in VLC is through
97 the preferences menu in one of the graphical user interface plugins.
100 1.11 Where does VLC store its config file?
101 ------------------------------------------
102 Currently, a config file is created on a per user basis (there is no global
103 configuration file). If you modify the available options in VLC and save the
104 new configuration, then a configuration file will be created in your user
105 directory. The precise location of this file depends on the Operating System
108 * Unices (Linux, etc.): "$(HOME)/.vlc/vlcrc"
110 * Windows: "Application Data\vlc\vlcrc"
112 * BeOS: "config/settings/vlcrc"
118 2.1 When I start vlc, I do not see any interface coming
119 -------------------------------------------------------
120 If you installed a binary package, make sure you also installed an
121 interface package such as vlc-gtk or vlc-qt. If you installed from
122 source, make sure the development package for gtk or qt is correctly
123 installed (often gtk-dev or gtk-devel) and recompile.
126 2.2 Clicking on "disc" in the interface does not do anything
127 ------------------------------------------------------------
128 Wait a few seconds. Key cracking can take much time on some discs. If it
129 still does not work, you can have a more verbose output using "vlc -vvvvv".
130 Here are a few things to check for:
132 * Did you install the libdvdcss package?
134 * Do you have write access to your DVD device? For instance:
138 * Does your kernel log contain line about your DVD device?
140 * Do you have a link from /dev/dvd to your real DVD device? For instance
148 2.4 The video runs but the picture is distorted
149 -----------------------------------------------
150 There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several
151 ways of troubleshooting it. First, try with another output plugin, for
157 Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
158 Lastly, have a look at your XFree86 video driver (nVidia for instance
159 releases optimized drivers for its boards).
164 Your system is too slow to decode all pictures. It might be that your
165 CPU basically is not fast enough. It can also be that the subsystem is
166 misconfigured/misdriven, this happens for example under Redhat. Here are
167 some elements to improve speed:
169 * Turn on DMA on your DVD device, for instance:
170 hdparm -X34 -d1 /dev/dvd
172 * Upgrade to the latest XFree86 version and the latest driver for your
173 video board; check that the xvideo plugin is effectively used with
176 * Kill other running applications
181 This is not normal; it is a known problem and is being investigated.
184 2.7 Audio and video are out of sync
185 -----------------------------------
186 This is not normal. Try using another output plugin (for instance --aout dsp),
187 kill esd or artsd if they are running. This is a known problem and
188 is being investigated.
194 2.9 Sound volume is too low
195 ---------------------------
196 You can raise it with --volume command line switch or in the preferences
197 window of your graphical interface.
200 2.10 I have no image under DirectX
201 ----------------------------------
202 Check that your video card drivers are in their latest version and that
203 your DirectX is up-to-date.
208 Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a
209 "-vv" command line option) and look at the debug messages (in the
210 terminal or in the Messages window).
213 2.12 I can only play a DVD as root
214 ----------------------------------
215 Check that as user you have write access to your DVD drive / device.
218 2.13 I am stuck with option xxx, how do I reset options?
219 --------------------------------------------------------
220 Under unices, remove your ~/.videolan/vlcrc; for Windows, remove vlcrc
221 in the videolan subfolder of your "Application Data" directory.
224 2.14 I do not have access to the GUI anymore
225 --------------------------------------------
226 If you change the default interface module in the preferences menu to a non
227 GUI module (ie. to a command line interface) and then save the configuration,
228 the only way to get VLC to show a GUI again is to run it directly from the
230 For instance on Windows, you need to open a dos command box, go to the
231 directory where you installed VLC (usually
232 c:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VideoLAN Client) and then type "vlc --intf win32"
233 You will then be able to modify the configuration again and save it.
236 2.15 I have just upgraded to VLC 0.4.5, and now I do not have any sound
237 with the streams coming from the VLS!
238 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
239 This is a known problem. VLC 0.4.5 and later are now compliant to general
240 usage regarding A/52 sound, and the new behavior is incompatible with the
241 previous one. VLS version 0.4.0 and later now fixes this problem. If, for
242 any reason, you wish to keep VLS 0.3.3, you can still read those streams by
243 launching VLC (0.4.5 or later) with --vls-backwards-compat.
246 2.16 NO VIDEO!! or NO AUDIO!!
247 -----------------------------
248 DON'T PANIC! Use the verbose mode of vlc to search the problem, you may
249 either set the verbosity option in the interface preferences or use
250 the "-v" command line switch to increase the number of report/error
251 messages given by vlc. If you are not using a terminal, use the Messages
252 window in the View menu.
255 3. Ports and features
256 =====================
261 3.1.1 Does VLC support the ATI DVD hardware acceleration cards?
262 ---------------------------------------------------------------
263 Currently it does not. We would be glad to support them, but we lack technical
273 3.2.2 When moving the focus to another window, VLC network input stops
275 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
276 This is a known problem with Win 95-class systems. Upgrade to an NT-class
283 3.3.1 Do you have plans for a MacOS 9 / OS/2 / &{#!@}~ port?
284 ------------------------------------------------------------
285 No, nobody reported to be actually working on a MacOS 9 port. If you
286 feel like you could write it, we would of course welcome it. Currently,
287 the developers are more interested in supporting the latest Operating
288 Systems and completing the functionalities.
291 3.3.2 Does VLC have dxr2 / dxr3 cards support?
292 ----------------------------------------------
293 This support is currently being developed.
296 3.3.3 Does VLC support RTP?
297 ---------------------------
298 Yes. Just use vlc rtp:@<mcast addr>:<local port>.
301 3.3.4 Does VLC support DVD from all regions?
302 --------------------------------------------
303 VLC uses libdvdcss to read all DVD, disregarding their zone. All regions
304 are supported without any constraint. However, libdvdcss might not be
305 legal in your country.
308 3.3.5 How can I take screenshots?
309 ---------------------------------
310 This is currently unsupported, but will be in a near future. The latest
311 developments concern recording the video and the audio to a file.
312 However, under XFree, you may use the "x11" video output to take normal
313 screen capture of the video displayed by vlc.
319 4.1 May I use the VideoLAN logo?
320 --------------------------------
321 You may freely use the VideoLAN logo using the following copyright:
323 Copyright (c) 1996-2002 VideoLAN. This logo or a modified version
324 may be used or modified by anyone to refer to the VideoLAN project
325 or any product developed by the VideoLAN team, but does not indicate
326 endorsement by the project.
329 4.2 May I redistribute VLC?
330 ---------------------------
331 You may distribute an original or modified version of VideoLAN as long
332 as you comply with its license terms. It is the GNU General Public
333 License Version 2 (referred herein as GPL), and it is in the file named
334 COPYING in our products.
335 The easiest way to conform to the GPL is to accompany the product you
336 want to distribute with its sources. For example, if you plan to
337 distribute the 0.4.6 binary version you should include:
339 http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.4.6/vlc-0.4.6.tar.gz
340 http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.4.6/contrib/
342 You do not need to bother explaining where the sources are, but the
343 sources have to share the same media as the products.
345 They are other ways to comply with the GPL, but this should be the
346 simplest because it does not rely on a contract.
348 There is one additional issue you need to take care of. The VLC
349 binary from our website can also read encrypted DVDs with the help of
350 the libdvdcss library. Its use is controversial in a few countries
351 such as the United States because of a law called the DMCA. If you are
352 unsure about the legality of using and distributing this library in
353 your country, please consult your lawyer.
359 5.1 How may I help your project?
360 --------------------------------
361 You might either contribute time, material, or money. We are also always
362 needing some translators. You will find all information you need at
363 <http://www.videolan.org/contribute.html>.
366 5.2 Why are your mailing-lists and your website in english?
367 -----------------------------------------------------------
368 VideoLAN's developers come from all around the world and english is
369 the only language they can use to communicate together. Although great
370 care is given to the translation of our software in various languages,
371 maintaining translations of our documentation and website costs too much
372 more time than we can afford.