Frequentely Asked Questions for VideoLAN Client
-$Id: FAQ,v 1.13 2002/11/20 08:58:20 sam Exp $
+$Id: FAQ,v 1.14 2003/01/08 12:13:24 lool Exp $
1. Using VLC
-1.1 How do I read a DVD ?
+1.1 How do I read a DVD?
-----------------------
Just launch vlc and use the "open disc" command from the graphical
interface. In case of trouble, you may want to use the command line
interface :
vlc dvd:/dev/dvd
-1.2 How do I read an encrypted DVD ?
+1.2 How do I read an encrypted DVD?
----------------------------------
It's exactly the same as for a normal DVD. You will need write access to
/dev/dvd, because of the key negociation process.
used to be distributed in the same package as VLC, but now you must install
them seperately.
-1.3 How do I switch to full screen display ?
+1.3 How do I switch to full screen display?
------------------------------------------
Press 'f' to toggle fullscreen mode. Note that not all video output
devices support full screen.
-1.4 How do I hide the mouse cursor ?
+1.4 How do I hide the mouse cursor?
----------------------------------
It should disappear after a few seconds if you stop moving the mouse.
1.5 How do I use vlc if I don't want to install Gnome and all this
-#@!£% *$@&§% !@# bloat ?
+#@!£% *$@&§% !@# bloat?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can run :
vlc --intf dummy myfile.mpg
Most commands are available from the command line, see vlc --help for
more information.
-1.6 VLC eats my buffer cache, how to I use raw device ?
+1.6 VLC eats my buffer cache, how to I use raw device?
-----------------------------------------------------
If you don't know what is a raw device, don't even read this answer :-).
There is an experimental support for raw devices in libdvdcss. It needs
instance :
vlc dvd:/dev/dvd@/dev/raw0
-1.7 How do I use VLC as a client for VLS/VLMS streaming ?
+1.7 How do I use VLC as a client for VLS/VLMS streaming?
-------------------------------------------------------
First you must set up a VLS or VLMS stream. Please refer to the
documentation of these programs. Then start VLC :
everything, here is the exact syntax :
vlc udp:[<server>[:<server port>]][@[<bind address>][:<bind port>]]
-1.8 How do I uninstall / reinstall VLC ?
+1.8 How do I uninstall / reinstall VLC?
--------------------------------------
-Why would you want to ? ;)
+Why would you want to? ;)
If you're using a source distribution of VLC, for example a tarball or
the CVS, then you have probably used "make install" to install the
For binary packages, remove old packages first and install the new ones
(normally this should be handled automagically by your sytem).
-1.9 Debian: what should I put in my sources.list for videolan ?
+1.9 Debian: what should I put in my sources.list for videolan?
-------------------------------------------------------------
deb http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian $(ARCH)/
deb-src http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/debian sources/
-1.10 How can I save my VLC configuration ?
+1.10 How can I save my VLC configuration?
----------------------------------------
Currently, the only way to save the configuration options in VLC is through
the preferences menu in one of the graphical user interface plugins.
-1.11 Where does VLC store it's config file ?
+1.11 Where does VLC store it's config file?
------------------------------------------
Currently, a config file is created on a per user basis (there is no global
configuration file). If you modify the available options in VLC and save the
Wait a few seconds. Key cracking can take much time on some discs. If it
still doesn't work, you can have a more verbose output using "vlc -vvvvv".
Here are a few things to check for :
-* Did you install the libdvdcss package ?
-* Do you have write access to your DVD device ? For instance :
+* Did you install the libdvdcss package?
+* Do you have write access to your DVD device? For instance :
chmod 666 /dev/hdc
-* Does your kernel log contain line about your DVD device ?
-* Do you have a link from /dev/dvd to your real DVD device ? For instance
+* Does your kernel log contain line about your DVD device?
+* Do you have a link from /dev/dvd to your real DVD device? For instance
ln -s hdc /dev/dvd
2.3 [REMOVED]
----------------------------------
Check that as user you have write access to your DVD drive / device.
-2.13 I'm stuck with option xxx, how do I reset options ?
+2.13 I'm stuck with option xxx, how do I reset options?
------------------------------------------------------
Under unices, remove your ~/.videolan/vlcrc; for Windows, remove vlcrc
in the videolan subfolder of your "Application Data" directory.
3.1 MacOS X port
-3.1.1 Does VLC support the ATI DVD hardware acceleration cards ?
+3.1.1 Does VLC support the ATI DVD hardware acceleration cards?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Currently it doesn't. We'd be glad to support them, but we lack technical
information on them.
3.2.2 When moving the focus to another window, VLC network input stops
working properly !
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a known problem with Win 95-class systems. Upgrade to an NT-class
system.
3.3 Planned ports
-3.3.1 Do you have plans for a MacOS 9 / OS/2 / &{#!@}~ port ?
---------------------------------------------------------
+3.3.1 Do you have plans for a MacOS 9 / OS/2 / &{#!@}~ port?
+-----------------------------------------------------------
No, nobody reported to be actually working on a MacOS 9 port. If you
feel like you could write it, we would of course welcome it. Currently,
the developers are more interested in supporting the latest Operating
Systems and completing the functionalities.
-3.3.2 Does VLC have dxr2 / dxr3 cards support ?
+3.3.2 Does VLC have dxr2 / dxr3 cards support?
---------------------------------------------
This support is currently being developed.
-3.3.3 Does VLC support RTP ?
+3.3.3 Does VLC support RTP?
--------------------------
Yes. Just use vlc rtp:@<mcast addr>:<local port>.
+
+4. Legal concerns
+
+4.1 May I use the VideoLAN logo?
+-------------------------------
+You may use the VideoLAN logo using the following copyright:
+
+ Copyright (c) 1996-2002 VideoLAN. This logo or a modified version
+ may be used or modified by anyone to refer to the VideoLAN project
+ or any product developed by the VideoLAN team, but does not indicate
+ endorsement by the project.
+
+4.2 May I reditribute VLC?
+-------------------------
+You may distribute an original or modified version of VideoLAN as long
+as you conform to the terms of its license. It is the GNU General Public
+License Version 2 (referred herein as GPL), and it is in the file named
+COPYING in our products.
+The simpliest way to conform to the GPL is to accompany the product you
+want to distribute with its sources. For example, if you plan to
+distribute the binary version in its 0.4.6 version you should include:
+
+ http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.4.6/vlc-0.4.6.tar.gz
+
+You don't need to bother explaining where the sources are, but the
+sources have to share the same media as the products.
+
+They are other ways to conform to the GPL, but this should be the
+simplest because it does not rely on a contract.
+
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