1 Frequentely Asked Questions for VideoLAN Client
2 $Id: FAQ,v 1.21 2003/01/22 10:03:17 massiot 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"
115 1.12 How do I join an IPv6 multicast stream?
116 --------------------------------------------
117 You often have to indicate the interface name on your system, for instance :
118 udp:@[FEDC:BA98:7654:3210:FEDC:BA98:7654:3210%eth0]:1234
124 2.1 When I start vlc, I do not see any interface coming
125 -------------------------------------------------------
126 If you installed a binary package, make sure you also installed an
127 interface package such as vlc-gtk or vlc-qt. If you installed from
128 source, make sure the development package for gtk or qt is correctly
129 installed (often gtk-dev or gtk-devel) and recompile.
132 2.2 Clicking on "disc" in the interface does not do anything
133 ------------------------------------------------------------
134 Wait a few seconds. Key cracking can take much time on some discs. If it
135 still does not work, you can have a more verbose output using "vlc -vvvvv".
136 Here are a few things to check for:
138 * Did you install the libdvdcss package?
140 * Do you have write access to your DVD device? For instance:
144 * Does your kernel log contain line about your DVD device?
146 * Do you have a link from /dev/dvd to your real DVD device? For instance
154 2.4 The video runs but the picture is distorted
155 -----------------------------------------------
156 There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several
157 ways of troubleshooting it. First, try with another output plugin, for
163 Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
164 Lastly, have a look at your XFree86 video driver (nVidia for instance
165 releases optimized drivers for its boards).
170 Your system is too slow to decode all pictures. It might be that your
171 CPU basically is not fast enough. It can also be that the subsystem is
172 misconfigured/misdriven, this happens for example under Redhat. Here are
173 some elements to improve speed:
175 * Turn on DMA on your DVD device, for instance:
176 hdparm -X34 -d1 /dev/dvd
178 * Upgrade to the latest XFree86 version and the latest driver for your
179 video board; check that the xvideo plugin is effectively used with
182 * Kill other running applications
187 This is not normal; it is a known problem and is being investigated.
190 2.7 Audio and video are out of sync
191 -----------------------------------
192 This is not normal. Try using another output plugin (for instance --aout dsp),
193 kill esd or artsd if they are running. This is a known problem and
194 is being investigated.
200 2.9 Sound volume is too low
201 ---------------------------
202 You can raise it with --volume command line switch or in the preferences
203 window of your graphical interface.
206 2.10 I have no image under DirectX
207 ----------------------------------
208 Check that your video card drivers are in their latest version and that
209 your DirectX is up-to-date.
214 Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a
215 "-vv" command line option) and look at the debug messages (in the
216 terminal or in the Messages window).
219 2.12 I can only play a DVD as root
220 ----------------------------------
221 Check that as user you have write access to your DVD drive / device.
224 2.13 I am stuck with option xxx, how do I reset options?
225 --------------------------------------------------------
226 Under unices, remove your ~/.videolan/vlcrc; for Windows, remove vlcrc
227 in the videolan subfolder of your "Application Data" directory.
230 2.14 I do not have access to the GUI anymore
231 --------------------------------------------
232 If you change the default interface module in the preferences menu to a non
233 GUI module (ie. to a command line interface) and then save the configuration,
234 the only way to get VLC to show a GUI again is to run it directly from the
236 For instance on Windows, you need to open a dos command box, go to the
237 directory where you installed VLC (usually
238 c:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VideoLAN Client) and then type "vlc --intf win32"
239 You will then be able to modify the configuration again and save it.
242 2.15 I have just upgraded to VLC 0.4.5, and now I do not have any sound
243 with the streams coming from the VLS!
244 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
245 This is a known problem. VLC 0.4.5 and later are now compliant to general
246 usage regarding A/52 sound, and the new behavior is incompatible with the
247 previous one. VLS version 0.4.0 and later now fixes this problem. If, for
248 any reason, you wish to keep VLS 0.3.3, you can still read those streams by
249 launching VLC (0.4.5 or later) with --vls-backwards-compat.
252 2.16 NO VIDEO!! or NO AUDIO!!
253 -----------------------------
254 DON'T PANIC! Use the verbose mode of vlc to search the problem, you may
255 either set the verbosity option in the interface preferences or use
256 the "-v" command line switch to increase the number of report/error
257 messages given by vlc. If you are not using a terminal, use the Messages
258 window in the View menu.
261 3. Ports and features
262 =====================
267 3.1.1 Does VLC support the ATI DVD hardware acceleration cards?
268 ---------------------------------------------------------------
269 Currently it does not. We would be glad to support them, but we lack technical
279 3.2.2 When moving the focus to another window, VLC network input stops
281 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
282 This is a known problem with Win 95-class systems. Upgrade to an NT-class
289 3.3.1 Do you have plans for a MacOS 9 / OS/2 / &{#!@}~ port?
290 ------------------------------------------------------------
291 No, nobody reported to be actually working on a MacOS 9 port. If you
292 feel like you could write it, we would of course welcome it. Currently,
293 the developers are more interested in supporting the latest Operating
294 Systems and completing the functionalities.
297 3.3.2 Does VLC have dxr2 / dxr3 cards support?
298 ----------------------------------------------
299 This support is currently being developed.
302 3.3.3 Does VLC support RTP?
303 ---------------------------
304 Yes. Just use vlc rtp:@<mcast addr>:<local port>.
307 3.3.4 Does VLC support DVD from all regions?
308 --------------------------------------------
309 VLC uses libdvdcss to read all DVD, disregarding their zone. All regions
310 are supported without any constraint. However, libdvdcss might not be
311 legal in your country.
314 3.3.5 How can I take screenshots?
315 ---------------------------------
316 This is currently unsupported, but will be in a near future. The latest
317 developments concern recording the video and the audio to a file.
318 However, under XFree, you may use the "x11" video output to take normal
319 screen capture of the video displayed by vlc.
325 4.1 May I use the VideoLAN logo?
326 --------------------------------
327 You may freely use the VideoLAN logo using the following copyright:
329 Copyright (c) 1996-2002 VideoLAN. This logo or a modified version
330 may be used or modified by anyone to refer to the VideoLAN project
331 or any product developed by the VideoLAN team, but does not indicate
332 endorsement by the project.
335 4.2 May I redistribute VLC?
336 ---------------------------
337 You may distribute an original or modified version of VideoLAN as long
338 as you comply with its license terms. It is the GNU General Public
339 License Version 2 (referred herein as GPL), and it is in the file named
340 COPYING in our products.
341 The easiest way to conform to the GPL is to accompany the product you
342 want to distribute with its sources. For example, if you plan to
343 distribute the 0.4.6 binary version you should include:
345 http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.4.6/vlc-0.4.6.tar.gz
346 http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.4.6/contrib/
348 You do not need to bother explaining where the sources are, but the
349 sources have to share the same media as the products.
351 They are other ways to comply with the GPL, but this should be the
352 simplest because it does not rely on a contract.
354 There is one additional issue you need to take care of. The VLC
355 binary from our website can also read encrypted DVDs with the help of
356 the libdvdcss library. Its use is controversial in a few countries
357 such as the United States because of a law called the DMCA. If you are
358 unsure about the legality of using and distributing this library in
359 your country, please consult your lawyer.
365 5.1 How may I help your project?
366 --------------------------------
367 You might either contribute time, material, or money. We are also always
368 needing some translators. You will find all information you need at
369 <http://www.videolan.org/contribute.html>.
372 5.2 Why are your mailing-lists and your website in english?
373 -----------------------------------------------------------
374 VideoLAN's developers come from all around the world and english is
375 the only language they can use to communicate together. Although great
376 care is given to the translation of our software in various languages,
377 maintaining translations of our documentation and website costs too much
378 more time than we can afford.