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diff --git a/DOCS/en/faq.html b/DOCS/en/faq.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..4ebf33b727 --- /dev/null +++ b/DOCS/en/faq.html @@ -0,0 +1,803 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> + +<HEAD> + <TITLE>FAQ - MPlayer - The Movie Player for Linux</TITLE> + <LINK REL="stylesheet" TYPE="text/css" HREF="default.css"> + <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + <STYLE TYPE="text/css"> + dt { + font-weight : bold; + } + </STYLE> +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<H1><A NAME="faq">5. FAQ</A></H1> + +<UL> + <LI><A HREF="#compilation">5.1 Compilation</A></LI> + <LI><A HREF="#general">5.2 General questions</A></LI> + <LI><A HREF="#playback">5.3 Playback problems</A></LI> + <LI><A HREF="#driver">5.4 Video/audio driver problems (vo/ao)</A></LI> + <LI><A HREF="#dvd">5.5 DVD playback</A></LI> + <LI><A HREF="#features">5.6 Feature requests</A></LI> + <LI><A HREF="#encoding">5.7 Encoding</A></LI> +</UL> + + +<H2><A NAME="compilation">5.1 Compilation</A></H2> + +<DL> + + <DT>Q: Compilation stops with an error message similar to this one: + <PRE> + In file included from mplayer.c:34: + mw.h: In function `mplMainDraw': + mw.h:209: Internal compiler error in print_rtl_and_abort, at flow.c:6458 + Please submit a full bug report, + with preprocessed source if appropriate. + </PRE> + </DT> + <DD>A: This is a known problem of gcc 3.0.4, upgrade to 3.1 to solve the + problem. How to install gcc is described in the + <A HREF="users_against_developers.html#gcc">gcc 2.96</A> section.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Configure ends with this text, and MPlayer won't compile!<BR> + <CODE>"Your gcc does not support even i386 for '-march' and '-mcpu'."</CODE> + </DT> + <DD>A: Your gcc isn't installed correctly, check the <CODE>config.log</CODE> + file for details.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: What does "No such file or directory" mean?</DT> + <DD>A: Probably there is no such file or directory.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: What's the problem with gcc 2.96?</DT> + <DD>A: <B>We strongly discourage the use of gcc 2.96!</B><BR> + Read <A HREF="users_against_developers.html#gcc">this</A> document for + details about why Red Hat released gcc 2.96 and what the problems are all + about. If you still really really want to use it, be sure to get the latest + release and give the <CODE>--disable-gcc-checking</CODE> option to + configure. Remember that you are on your own from this point. Do <B>not</B> + report bugs, do <B>not</B> ask for help on the mailing lists. We will + <B>not</B> provide any support in case you run into problems.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Great, I have gcc 3.0.1 from Red Hat/Mandrake, then I'm fine!</DT> + <DD>A: No, since there have been/are issues with these compilers as well. + To check the status of current compilers' MPlayer support, see the + <A HREF="documentation.html#installation">Installation</A> section.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I tried to compile MPlayer, but I got this output: + <PRE> + In file included from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/std_cwchar.h:42, + from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/fpos.h:40, + from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/char_traits.h:40, + from /usr/include/g++-v3/bits/std_string.h:41, + from /usr/include/g++-v3/string:31, + from libwin32.h:36, + from DS_AudioDecoder.h:4, + from DS_AudioDec.cpp:5: + /usr/include/wchar.h: In function Long long int wcstoq(const wchar_t*, + wchar_t**, int)': + /usr/include/wchar.h:514: cannot convert `const wchar_t* __restrict' to + `const + </PRE> + </DT> + <DD>A: Upgrade your glibc to the latest release. On Mandrake, use 2.2.4-8mdk.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: ... gcc 2.96 ... (Yes, some people are STILL flaming about gcc 2.96!)</DT> + <DD>A: Quoted from a + <A HREF="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/mplayer-users/2001-October/005351.html">mail</A> + A'rpi sent to the + <A HREF="http://mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/mplayer-users/">mplayer-users</A> + list (the word 'ideg' is described below): + <BLOCKQUOTE> + <P>And we have idegs. And our idegcounter overflowed again and again.</P> + + <P>Unfortunately MPlayer is out of our control. It's used by lamers, Linux + users who can't even use Windows, and never tried to compile a kernel. They + installed (with default options) Mandrake or Red Hat or SuSE, and without + RTFM'ing they send messages saying 'it doesn't work! help me! please! i'm + new to Linux! help! oh! help me!'. We can't stop them, but at least we try + to force them to RTFM and to read the messages of ./configure and MPlayer.</P> + + <P>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.</P> + + <P>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.</P> + + <P>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.</P> + + <P>Conclusion: We can't be good. Half the people will always say we are bad.</P> + + <P>Maybe we should close the project, make it closed source, commercial, and + provide install support for it. then we could leave current work, so + development could go faster, and we could earn lots of money with it and buy + a big house, etc etc. Do you really want it? It seems.</P> + </BLOCKQUOTE> + </DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: SDL output doesn't work or compile. The problem is ...</DT> + <DD>A: It was tested to work with SDL 1.2.x and may run on SDL 1.1.7+. + It does <B>not</B> work with any previous version. So if you choose to use + such a version, you are on your own.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I am still having trouble compiling with SDL support. gcc says + something about "undefined reference to `SDL_EnableKeyRepeat'". What + now?</DT> + <DD>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!</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: It doesn't compile, and it misses uint64_t inttypes.h and similar + things ...</DT> + <DD>A: Copy etc/inttypes.h to the MPlayer directory + (<CODE>cp etc/inttypes.h .</CODE>) and try again ...</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have Linux running on a Pentium III but <CODE>./configure</CODE> + doesn't detect SSE ...</DT> + <DD>A: Only kernel versions 2.4.x support SSE (or try 2.2.19 or newer, but + be prepared for problems).</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have a G200/G400, how do I compile/use the mga_vid driver?</DT> + <DD>A: Read the <A HREF="video.html#mga_vid">mga_vid documentation</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Are there rpm/deb/... packages of MPlayer?</DT> + <DD>A: You can make a .deb package for yourself, check the + <A HREF="documentation.html#debian">Debian packaging</A> section. + There are links to official Red Hat RPM packages available on our + <A HREF="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/homepage/dload.html">download page</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: During 'make', MPlayer complains about X11 libraries. I don't + understand, I DO have X installed!?</DT> + <DD>A: ... but you don't have the X development package installed. Or not + correctly. It's called XFree86-devel* under Red Hat, and xlibs-dev under + Debian. Also check if the <CODE>/usr/X11</CODE> and <CODE>/usr/include/X11</CODE> + symlinks exist (this can be a problem on Mandrake systems). They can be + created with these commands:<BR> + <CODE>$ ln -sf /usr/X11R6 /usr/X11</CODE><BR> + <CODE>$ ln -sf /usr/X11R6/include/X11 /usr/include/X11</CODE><BR> + Your distribution may differ from the + <A HREF="http://www.pathname.com/fhs/">Filesystem Hierarchy Standard</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I can't compile SVGAlib. I'm using kernel 2.3/2.4 ...</DT> + <DD>A: You have to edit SVGAlib's Makefile.cfg and comment + <CODE>BACKGROUND = y</CODE> out.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I compiled MPlayer with libdvdcss/libdivxdecore support, but when + I try to start it, it says:<BR> + <CODE>> error while loading shared libraries: lib*.so.0: cannot load + shared object file: No such file or directory</CODE><BR> + I checked up on the file and it IS there in <CODE>/usr/local/lib</CODE> ...</DT> + <DD>A: Add <CODE>/usr/local/lib</CODE> to <CODE>/etc/ld.so.conf</CODE> and run + <CODE>ldconfig</CODE>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Hmm, strange. When loading the mga_vid.o kernel module, I found this in + the logs:<BR> + <CODE>Warning: loading mga_vid.o will taint the kernel: no license</CODE></DT> + <DD>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.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: When compiling MEncoder, it segfaults at linking!</DT> + <DD>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 <B>not</B> + report!</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: MPlayer dies with segmentation fault upon pthread check!</DT> + <DD>A: chmod 644 /usr/lib/libc.so</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I'd like to compile MPlayer on Minix!</DT> + <DD>A: Me too. :)</DD> + +</DL> + + +<H2><A NAME="general">5.2 General questions</A></H2> + +<DL> + + <DT>Q: How do I create a proper patch for MPlayer?</DT> + <DD>A: We made a <A HREF="tech/patches.txt">short document</A> describing + all the necessary details. Please follow the instructions.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: How can I support MPlayer development?</DT> + <DD>A: We are more than happy to accept your hardware and software + <A HREF="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/homepage/donations.html">donations</A>. + They help us in continuously improving MPlayer.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: How can I become an MPlayer developer?</DT> + <DD>A: We always welcome coders and documenters. Read the + <A HREF="tech/">technical documentation</A> to get a first grasp. Then you + should subscribe to the + <A HREF="http://mplayerhq.hu/mailman/listinfo/mplayer-dev-eng">mplayer-dev-eng</A> + mailing list and start coding.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Can I run multiple instances of MPlayer?</DT> + <DD>A: Yes. Some video out drivers like xv, dga or (x)mga are exclusive, some + are exclusive in combination with certain graphics boards and drivers. You + will not be able to run more than one instance of MPlayer with one of those + video out drivers. To a lesser degree this also applies to audio drivers. + Not all allow playback of multiple streams on the same device.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: There is a timer in the upper left corner. How can I get rid of it?</DT> + <DD>A: Press <CODE>o</CODE> and try the <CODE>-osdlevel</CODE> option.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: The <CODE>-xy</CODE> or <CODE>-fs</CODE> option doesn't work with the + x11 driver (<CODE>-vo x11</CODE>) ...</DT> + <DD>A: It does, but you have to explicitly specify software scaling (very + slow) with the <CODE>-zoom</CODE> option. You better use XF86VidMode + support: You must specify the <CODE>-vm</CODE> and the <CODE>-fs</CODE> + option, and you're done. Make sure you have the right modelines in your + XF86Config file, and try to make the <A HREF="video.html#dga">DGA driver</A> + and <A HREF="video.html#sdl">SDL's DGA driver</A> work for you. + It's much faster. If SDL's DGA works, use that, it'll be even faster.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: What is the meaning of the numbers on the status line?</DT> + <DD>A: Example: + <CODE>A: 2.1 V: 2.2 A-V: -0.167 ct: 0.042 57/57 41% 0% 2.6% 0 4 49%</CODE> + <UL> + <LI>A: audio position in seconds</LI> + <LI>V: video position in seconds</LI> + <LI>A-V: audio-video difference in seconds (delay)</LI> + <LI>ct: total A-V sync correction done</LI> + <LI>frames played (counting from last seek)</LI> + <LI>frames decoded (counting from last seek)</LI> + <LI>video codec cpu usage in percent (for slices and DR this includes + video_out)</LI> + <LI>video_out cpu usage</LI> + <LI>audio codec cpu usage in percent</LI> + <LI>frames needed to drop to maintain A-V sync</LI> + <LI>current level of image postprocessing (when using <CODE>-autoq</CODE>)</LI> + <LI>current cache size used (around 50% is normal)</LI> + </UL> + Most of them are for debug purposes and will be removed at some point.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: What if I don't want them to appear?</DT> + <DD>A: Use the <CODE>-quiet</CODE> option and read the man page.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Why is video_out cpu usage zero (0%) for some files?</DT> + <DD>A1: It's not zero, but it's called from the codec and thus cannot be + measured separately. You should try to play the file using + <CODE>-vo null</CODE> and then <CODE>-vo ...</CODE> and check the + difference to see the video_out speed.</DD> + <DD>A2: You are using Direct Rendering, + where the codec renders to the video memory itself. In this case, the + decoding percentage contains the display percentage, too.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: There are error messages about file not found + <CODE>/usr/lib/win32/</CODE> ...</DT> + <DD>A: Download the Win32 codecs from our + <A HREF="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/codecs/">codecs page</A> + (avifile's codec package has a different DLL set) and install it.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Are there any mailing lists on MPlayer?</DT> + <DD>A: Yes. See the bottom of the info page on + <A HREF="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/homepage/info.html">our homepage</A> to + subscribe.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I've found a nasty bug when I tried to play my favorite video! + Who should I inform?</DT> + <DD>A: Please read the <A HREF="bugreports.html">bug reporting guidelines</A> + and follow the instructions.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have problems playing files with the ... codec. Can I use them?</DT> + <DD>A: Check the + <A HREF="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/DOCS/codecs-status.html">codec status</A>, + if it doesn't contain your codec, read the + <A HREF="codecs.html">codec documentation</A>, especially the + <A HREF="codecs.html#importing">codec importing HOWTO</A> and contact us.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Umm, what is "IdegCounter"?</DT> + <DD>A: A combination of a Hungarian and an English word. "Ideg" in Hungarian + means the same as "nerve" in English, and is pronounced as something like + "ydaegh". It was first used to measure the nervousness of A'rpi, after some + (umm) "mysterious" disappearance of CVS code ;)</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: And what is "Faszom(C)ounter"?</DT> + <DD>A: "Fasz" is a Hungarian word you don't want to know, the others are + connected to the perverted minds of the MPlayer developers.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: LIRC doesn't work, because ...</DT> + <DD>A: Are you sure you are using <CODE>mplayer</CODE> instead of + <CODE>mplayer_lirc</CODE>? Note that it was <CODE>mplayer_lirc</CODE> for a + long time, including the 0.60 release, but it was recently changed back to + <CODE>mplayer</CODE>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Subtitles are very nice, the most beautiful I've ever seen, but they + slow down playing! I know it's unlikely ...</DT> + <DD>A: After running <CODE>./configure</CODE>, edit <CODE>config.h</CODE> and + replace <CODE>#undef FAST_OSD</CODE> with <CODE>#define FAST_OSD</CODE>. + Then recompile.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: The onscreen display (OSD) is flickering!</DT> + <DD>A: You use a vo driver with single buffering (x11,xv). With xv, + use the <CODE>-double</CODE> option. Also try <CODE>-vop expand</CODE></DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: What exactly is this libavcodec thing?</DT> + <DD>A: See the <A HREF="codecs.html#libavcodec">libavcodec section</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: But configure tells me "Checking for libavcodec ... no"!</DT> + <DD>A: You need to get libavcodec from FFmpeg's CVS. Read the instructions in + the <A HREF="codecs.html#libavcodec">libavcodec section</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Icewm's taskbar keeps covering the movie in fullscreen mode!</DT> + <DD>A: This shouldn't happen anymore, if it still does use the + <CODE>-fstype layer</CODE> option and report it to the + <A HREF="http://mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/mplayer-users/">mplayer-users</A> + mailing list.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I can't access the GUI menu. I press right click, but I can't access + any menu items!</DT> + <DD>A: Are you using FVWM? Try the following:<BR> + Start -> Settings -> Configuration -> Base Configuration<BR> + Set "Use Applications position hints" to "Yes".</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: How can I run MPlayer in the background?</DT> + <DD>A: Use: <CODE>mplayer <options> <filename> < /dev/null &</CODE></DD> + +</DL> + + +<H2><A NAME="playback">5.3 Playback problems</A></H2> + +<DL> + + <DT>Q: I can play certain AVIs but I get no sound and this kind of error: + <PRE> + Detected audio codec: [divx] afm:4 (DivX audio (WMA)) + Requested audio codec family [divx] (afm=4) not available (enable it at + compile time!) + </PRE> + </DT> + <DD>A: Probably the audio uses a codec not natively supported by + MPlayer. Install the Win32 codec package as described in the README + or in the <A HREF="documentation.html#installation">Installation</A> section.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: ... works with avifile/aviplay but doesn't with MPlayer.</DT> + <DD>A: MPlayer is not avifile. + The only common thing between these players is the Win32 DLL loader. + The codecs (DLL) set, synchronization, demultiplexing etc is totally + different and shouldn't be compared. + If something works with aviplay it doesn't mean that MPlayer will + work and vice versa.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Audio goes out of sync playing an AVI file.</DT> + <DD>A: Try the <CODE>-bps</CODE> or <CODE>-nobps</CODE> option. If it does not + improve, read <A HREF="bugreports.html">this</A> and upload the file to FTP.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: MPlayer exits with some error when using l3codeca.acm.</DT> + <DD>A: Check <CODE>ldd /usr/local/bin/mplayer</CODE> output. If it contains<BR> + <CODE>libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x4???????)</CODE><BR> + where "?" is any number then it's OK, the error is not here. If it is:<BR> + <CODE>libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00??????)</CODE><BR> + then there is a problem with your kernel/libc. Maybe you are using some + security patches (for example Solar Designer's OpenWall patch) which + forces loading libraries to very low addresses. + Because l3codeca.acm is a non-relocatable DLL, it must be loaded to + 0x00400000, we can't change this. You should use a non-patched kernel, + or use MPlayer's <CODE>-afm 1</CODE> option to disable using + l3codeca.acm.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: My computer plays M$ DivX AVIs with resolutions ~ 640x300 and stereo + mp3 sound too slow. When I use -nosound option, everything is OK (but + quiet).</DT> + <DD>A: Your machine is too slow or your soundcard driver is broken. Consult + the documentation to see if you can improve performance.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: MPlayer dies with "MPlayer interrupted by signal 4 in module: + decode_video".</DT> + <DD>A: Try running MPlayer on the machine you compiled on. Or recompile + with runtime CPU detection + (<CODE>./configure --enable-runtime-cpudetection</CODE>). Don't + use MPlayer on a CPU different from the one it was compiled on, + without using the feature mentioned just now.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have problems with [your window manager] and fullscreen + xv/xmga/sdl/x11 modes ...</DT> + <DD>A: Read the <A HREF="bugreports.html">bug reporting guidelines</A> and + send us a proper bug report.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I got this playing MPEG files: Can't find codec for video format + 0x10000001!</DT> + <DD>A: You have an old version of codecs.conf at <CODE>~/.mplayer/</CODE>. + Upgrade it from <CODE>/etc/</CODE>.<BR> + <B>OR</B> you have the <CODE>vc=</CODE> option or something similar in your + config file(s).</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: When starting MPlayer under KDE I just get a black screen and nothing + happens. After about one minute the video starts playing.</DT> + <DD>A: The KDE arts sound daemon is blocking the sound device. Either wait + until the video starts or disable the arts-daemon in kontrol center. If you + want to use arts sound, specify audio output via our native arts audio + driver (<CODE>-ao arts</CODE>). If it fails or isn't compiled in, try SDL + (<CODE>-ao sdl</CODE>) and make sure your SDL can handle arts sound. Yet + another option is to start MPlayer with artsdsp.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have an AVI that produces a gray screen when played with + <CODE>-vc odivx</CODE> and a green one with <CODE>-vc divx4</CODE>.</DT> + <DD>A: It's not a DivX file, but an M$ MPEG4v3. Update your codecs.conf.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: When I play this movie I get video-audio desync and/or MPlayer crashes + with the following message:<BR> + <CODE>DEMUXER: Too many (945 in 8390980 bytes) video packets in the buffer!</CODE></DT> + <DD>A: This can have multiple reasons. + <UL> + <LI>Your CPU <B>and/or</B> video card <B>and/or</B> bus is too slow. + MPlayer displays a message if this is the case (and the dropped + frames counter goes up fast).</LI> + <LI>If it is an AVI, maybe it has bad interleaving. Try the + <CODE>-ni</CODE> option.</LI> + <LI>Your sound driver is buggy, or you use ALSA 0.5 with <CODE>-ao oss</CODE>. + See the <A HREF="sound.html">sound card section</A>.</LI> + <LI>The AVI has a bad header, try the <CODE>-nobps</CODE> option, and/or + <CODE>-mc 0</CODE>.</LI> + </UL></DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have an MJPEG file which works with other players but displays only a + black image in MPlayer.</DT> + <DD>A: Disable the Windows DLL in <CODE>codecs.conf</CODE>, or use the + <CODE>-vc ffmjpeg</CODE> option (compile MPlayer with libavcodec for this + to work).</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: When I try to grab from my tuner, it works, but colors are strange. + It's OK with other applications.</DT> + <DD>A: Your card probably misreports its colorspace capacity. Try with YUY2 + instead of default YV12 (see the <A HREF="documentation.html#tv">TV input + documentation</A>).</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: When I start playing, I get this message but everything seems fine:<BR> + <CODE>Linux RTC init: ioctl (rtc_pie_on): Permission denied</CODE></DT> + <DD>A: You need root privileges or a + specially set up kernel to use the new timing code. For details see the + <A HREF="documentation.html#rtc">RTC section</A> of the documentation.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have A/V sync problems. Some of my AVIs play fine, but some play with + double speed!</DT> + <DD>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.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: All the WMV (or other..) files I play create a green/gray window and + there is only sound! MPlayer prints:<BR> + <CODE>Detected video codec: [null] drv:0 (NULL codec (no decoding))</CODE></DT> + <DD>A: Update your <CODE>codecs.conf</CODE>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I get very strange percentage values (way too big) while playing files + on my notebook.</DT> + <DD>A: It's an effect of the power management / power saving system of your + notebook (BIOS, not kernel). Plug the external power connector in + <B>before</B> you power on your notebook. You can also try whether + <A HREF="http://www.brodo.de/cpufreq/">cpufreq</A> (a SpeedStep interface + for Linux) helps you.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>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.</DT> + <DD>A: This is again a power management effect (see above). Plug the external + power connector in <B>before</B> you power on your notebook or use the + <CODE>-nortc</CODE> option.</DD> + +</DL> + + +<H2><A NAME="driver">5.4 Video/audio driver problems (vo/ao)</A></H2> + +<DL> + + <DT>Q: I have no sound when playing a video and get error messages similar to + this one: + <PRE> + AO: [oss] 44100Hz 2ch Signed 16-bit (Little-Endian) + audio_setup: Can't open audio device /dev/dsp: Device or resource busy + couldn't open/init audio device -> NOSOUND + Audio: no sound!!! + Start playing... + </PRE> + </DT> + <DD>A: Are you running KDE or GNOME with the ARTS or ESD sound daemon? Try + disabling the sound daemon or use the <CODE>-ao arts</CODE> or + <CODE>-ao esd</CODE> option to make MPlayer use ARTS or ESD.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: What about the DGA driver? I can't find it!</DT> + <DD>A: <CODE>./configure</CODE> autodetects your DGA driver. If + <CODE>-vo help</CODE> doesn't show DGA, then there's a problem with your X + installation. Try <CODE>./configure --enable-dga</CODE> and read the + <A HREF="video.html#dga">documentation</A>. Alternatively, try SDL's DGA + driver with the <CODE>-vo sdl:dga</CODE> option.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: OK, <CODE>-vo help</CODE> shows DGA driver, but it complains about + permissions. Help me!</DT> + <DD>A: It works only if running as root! It's a DGA limitation. + You should become root (<CODE>su -</CODE>), and try again. + Another solution is making MPlayer SUID root, but it's + <B>not recommended!</B><BR> + <CODE>chown root /usr/local/bin/mplayer</CODE><BR> + <CODE>chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/mplayer</CODE><BR> + <CODE>chmod +s /usr/local/bin/mplayer</CODE><BR> + <BLOCKQUOTE> + <B>Warning: security risk</B><BR> + This is a <B>big</B> security risk! <B>Never</B> do this on a server or + on a computer that you do not control completely because other users can + gain root privileges through SUID root MPlayer. <B>You have been + warned.</B> + </BLOCKQUOTE> + </DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: When using Xvideo, my Voodoo 3/Banshee says:<BR> + <CODE>X Error of failed request: BadAccess (attempt to access private + resource denied)<BR> + Major opcode of failed request: 147 (MIT-SHM)<BR> + Minor opcode of failed request: 1 (X_ShmAttach)<BR> + Serial number of failed request: 26<BR> + Current serial number in output stream:27</CODE></DT> + <DD>A: The "tdfx" driver in XFree86 4.0.2/4.0.3 had this bug. This was solved + by <A HREF="http://www.xfree86.org/cvs/changes_4_1.html">bugfix #621 of the + XFree86 4.1.0 CVS log</A>. So upgrade to XFree86 4.1.0 or later. + Alternatively, either download (at least) DRI version 0.6 from the + <A HREF="http://dri.sourceforge.net">DRI homepage</A>, or use CVS DRI.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: OpenGL (<CODE>-vo gl</CODE>) output doesn't work (hang/black window/X11 + errors/...).</DT> + <DD>A: Your OpenGL driver doesn't support dynamic texture changes + (glTexSubImage). It's known not to work with nVidia's binary mess. + It's known to work with Utah-GLX/DRI and Matrox G400 cards. Also with + DRI and Radeon cards. It won't work with DRI and other cards. + it will not work with 3DFX cards because of the 256x256 texture size limit.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I have an nVidia TNT/TNT2 card, and I have a band with strange colors, + right under the movie! Whose fault is this?</DT> + <DD>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!</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>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.</DT> + <DD>A: Yes, nVidia corrected a previous bug (above), and introduced a new one. + Let's congratulate them. UPDATE: According to + <A HREF="users_against_developers.html#nvidia">nVidia</A>, this has already + been fixed.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: When I use the GUI with SDL video output, a second video window is + created.</DT> + <DD>A: Known, don't use SDL for the GUI yet.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Oh the world is cruel ...! SDL has only <CODE>x11</CODE> target, but + not <CODE>xv</CODE>!</DT> + <DD>A: Try that <CODE>x11</CODE> target again. Now try + <CODE>-vo x11 -fs -zoom</CODE>. See the difference? No?! OK, here comes the + enlightenment: SDL's <CODE>x11</CODE> target uses xv when available, you + don't have to worry about it ... Note: you can force/disable Xv via SDL + using <CODE>-forcexv</CODE> and <CODE>-noxv</CODE></DD> + +</DL> + + +<H2><A NAME="dvd">5.5 DVD playback</A></H2> + +<DL> + + <DT>Q: What about DVD navigation?</DT> + <DD>A: Support for dvdnav in MPlayer is currently broken, normal playback + does work, though. If you want to have fancy menus, you will have to use + another player like <A HREF="http://xine.sourceforge.net">xine</A> or + <A HREF="http://www.dtek.chalmers.se/groups/dvd/">Ogle</A>. If you care + about DVD navigation, send a <A HREF="tech/patches.txt">patch</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: While playing a DVD, I encountered this error:<BR> + <CODE>mplayer: ifo_read.c:1143: ifoRead_C_ADT_internal: Assertion + nfo_length / sizeof(cell_adr_t) >= c_adt->nr_of_vobs' failed.</CODE></DT> + <DD>A: This is a known libdvdread 0.9.1/0.9.2 bug. Use <B>libmpdvdkit2</B>, + which is present in MPlayer source, and used by default.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Can I compile libdvdread and libdvdcss on my sweet SPARC under + Solaris?</DT> + <DD>A: Who knows ... It's said to work, so please test it and send feedback. + Refer to the documentation of libdvdread and its homepage as well. We're not + the authors of libdvdread. Use <B>libmpdvdkit2</B>, which is present in + MPlayer source, and used by default.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: What about subtitles? Can MPlayer display them?</DT> + <DD>A: Yes. See the <A HREF="cd-dvd.html#dvd">DVD chapter</A> of the + documentation.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: How can I set the region code of my DVD-drive? I don't have + Windows!</DT> + <DD>A: Use the + <A HREF="http://www.linuxtv.org/download/dvd/dvd_disc_20000215.tar.gz">regionset tool</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Do I need to be (setuid) root/setuid fibmap_mplayer to be able to play + a DVD?</DT> + <DD>A: No, only for old-style DVD support. However you must have + the proper rights on the DVD device entry (in <CODE>/dev/</CODE>).</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Where can I get libdvdread and libdvdcss packages?</DT> + <DD>A: You don't need to. Use <B>libmpdvdkit2</B>, which is present in the + MPlayer source, and used by default. You can get the mentioned packages + from the + <A HREF="http://www.dtek.chalmers.se/groups/dvd/">Ogle site</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Is it possible to play/encode only selected chapters?</DT> + <DD>A: Yes, try the <CODE>-chapter</CODE> option.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: My DVD playback is sluggish!</DT> + <DD>A: Use the <CODE>-cache</CODE> option (described in the man page) + and try enabling DMA for the DVD drive with the hdparm tool (described in + the <A HREF="cd-dvd.html#cd">CD chapter</A> of the documentation).</DD> + +</DL> + + +<H2><A NAME="features">5.6 Feature requests</A></H2> + +<DL> + + <DT>Q: If MPlayer is paused and I try to seek or press any key at all, + MPlayer ceases to be paused. I would like to be able to seek in the + paused movie.</DT> + <DD>A: This is very tricky to implement without losing A/V synchronization. + All attempts have failed so far, but patches are welcome.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: I'd like to seek +/- 1 frames instead of 10 seconds.</DT> + <DD>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.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: Where is the Windows version?</DT> + <DD>A: It's not released, and won't be. Look around the Windows scene (open + source ASF parsers, open source ASF encoders, etc) and you'll know why. We + don't want to go to jail. BTW you can compile it yourself, under + <A HREF="documentation.html#cygwin">Cygwin</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: How can I make MPlayer remember the options I use for this + particular file?</DT> + <DD>A: Create a file named <CODE>movie.avi.conf</CODE> with the + file-specific options in it and put it in <CODE>~/.mplayer</CODE> or in + the same directory as the file.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + +</DL> + + +<H2><A NAME="encoding">5.7 Encoding</A></H2> + +<DL> + + <DT>Q: How can I encode?</DT> + <DD>A: Read the MEncoder <A HREF="encoding.html">documentation</A>.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: How can I create VCDs?</DT> + <DD>A: Try the <CODE>mencvcd</CODE> script from the <CODE>TOOLS</CODE> + subdirectory. With it you can encode DVDs or other movies to VCD or SVCD + format and even burn them directly to CD.</DD> + <DD> </DD> + + <DT>Q: How can I join two video files?</DT> + <DD>A: This has been discussed to no end on mplayer-users. Go search the + <A HREF="http://mplayerhq.hu/cgi-bin/htsearch?restrict=/mplayer-users/">archives</A> + for a complet |