VLC FAQ

Copyright © 2002, 2003 by the VideoLAN project

This document is the VideoLAN Client (VLC) Frequently Asked Questions. For a
complete user guide, please have a look at the VLC User Guide, available on the
VideoLAN website

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VLC FAQ

1. Using VLC
   
    1.1. How do I read a DVD?
    1.2. How do I read an encrypted DVD?
    1.3. How do I switch to full screen display?
    1.4. How do I hide the mouse cursor?
    1.5. How do I use VLC if I do not want to install Gnome and all this #@!£%
        *$@&§% !@# bloat?
    1.6. VLC eats my buffer cache, how can I use raw device?
    1.7. How do I use VLC as a client for VLS streaming?
    1.8. How do I uninstall / reinstall VLC?
    1.9. Debian: what should I put in my sources.list for videolan?
    1.10. How can I save my VLC configuration?
    1.11. Where does VLC store its config file?
    1.12. How do I join an IPv6 multicast stream?
   
2. Troubleshooting
   
    2.1. VLC has a strange behavior...
    2.2. When I start VLC, I do not see any interface coming
    2.3. Clicking on "disc" in the interface does not do anything
    2.4. The video runs but the picture is distorted
    2.5. Video is choppy
    2.6. Audio is choppy
    2.7. Audio and video are out of sync
    2.8. Sound volume is too low
    2.9. I have no image under DirectX
    2.10. VLC crashes
    2.11. Under Unices, i can only play a DVD as root
    2.12. I do not have access to the GUI anymore
    2.13. I have just upgraded to VLC 0.4.5, and now I do not have any sound
        with the streams coming from the VLS!
    2.14. NO VIDEO!! or NO AUDIO!!
   
3. Ports and features
   
    3.1. MacOS X port
       
        3.1.1. Does VLC support the ATI DVD hardware acceleration cards?
       
    3.2. Win32 port
       
        3.2.1. When moving the focus to another window, VLC network input stops
            working properly!
        3.2.2. I have selected a subtitle file, but nothing happens!
       
    3.3. Planned ports
       
        3.3.1. Do you have plans for a MacOS 9 / OS/2 / &{#!@}~ port?
        3.3.2. Does VLC have dxr2 / dxr3 cards support?
        3.3.3. Does VLC support RTP?
        3.3.4. Does VLC support DVD from all regions?
        3.3.5. How can I take screenshots?
       
4. Legal concerns
   
    4.1. May I use the VideoLAN logo?
    4.2. May I redistribute VLC?
   
5. Miscellaneous
   
    5.1. How may I help your project?
    5.2. Why are your mailing-lists and your website in english?
   
1. Using VLC

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. For instance,
provided your DVD device is /dev/dvd :

% vlc dvd:/dev/dvd

1.2. How do I read an encrypted DVD?

It is exactly the same as for a normal DVD. You will need write access to /dev/
dvd, because of the key negociation process. If you compiled your VLC by hand,
please bear in mind that you also need to install libdvdcss. It can be
downloaded from the VideoLAN website. It 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?

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?

It should disappear after a few seconds if you stop moving the mouse. 

1.5. How do I use VLC if I do not want to install Gnome and all this #@!£% *$@&
§% !@# 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 can I use raw device?

If you do not know what is a raw device, do not even read this answer :-).

There is an experimental support for raw devices in libdvdcss. It needs that
you set up a raw device pointing to your DVD device (under Linux, use the "raw"
utility). Then pass the raw device as second argument, for instance:

% vlc dvd:/dev/dvd@/dev/raw0

1.7. How do I use VLC as a client for VLS streaming?

First you must set up a VLS stream. Please refer to the documentation of the
program. Then start VLC:

% vlc udp:

You should not need any option. If you are paranoid and want to control
everything, here is the exact syntax:

% vlc udp:[<server>[:<server port>]][@[<bind address>][:<bind port>]]

1.8. How do I uninstall / reinstall VLC?

Why would you want to? ;)

If you are using a source distribution of VLC, for example a tarball or the
CVS, then you have probably used make install to install the compiled VLC. To
remove it just make uninstall. If you want to install a newer version than the
currently installed one, you should first uninstall the first one. If you
deleted the original source tree, a make uninstall in the newer tree should
still work.

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?

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?

In the graphical interface, go to Settings / Preferences and click on Save. 

1.11. Where does VLC store its 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
new configuration, then a configuration file will be created in your user
directory. The precise location of this file depends on the Operating System
you are running:

  * Unices (Linux, etc.): $(HOME)/.vlc/vlcrc
   
  * Mac OS X: /Library/Preferences/VLC
   
  * Windows: Application Data\vlc\vlcrc (Application Data is usually in C:\
    Documents and Settings\your_name
   
  * BeOS: config/settings/vlcrc
   
1.12. How do I join an IPv6 multicast stream?

You often have to indicate the interface name on your system, for instance :
udp:@[FEDC:BA98:7654:3210:FEDC:BA98:7654:3210%eth0]:1234

2. Troubleshooting

2.1. VLC has a strange behavior...

The first thing to do is to delete VLC's configuration file :

  * under unices, remove the file ~/.vlc/vlcrc;
   
  * under Windows, remove the file vlcrc in the vlc subfolder of your
    Application Data directory.
   
Then restart VLC ; if it doesn't get any better, read the following questions !

2.2. When I start VLC, I do not see any interface coming

If you installed a binary package, make sure you also installed an interface
package such as vlc-gtk or vlc-qt. If you installed from source, make sure the
development package for gtk 1.2 or qt is correctly installed (often gtk-dev,
gtk-devel or libgtk1.2-dev) and recompile. 

2.3. Clicking on "disc" in the interface does not do anything

Wait a few seconds. Key discovering can take much time on some discs. If it
still does not 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, under Unix, 
    chmod 666 /dev/hdc
   
  * Under Unix, does your kernel log contain line about your DVD device?
   
  * Under Unix, do you have a link from /dev/dvd to your real DVD device? For
    instance:
   
    # cd /dev && ln -s hdc dvd

2.4. The video runs but the picture is distorted

There is probably a problem with the output layer. There are several ways of
troubleshooting it. First, try with another output plugin, for instance:

% vlc --vout sdl
% vlc --vout x11

Second, change your screen depth and/or definition. It quite often helps.
Lastly, if running Unix, have a look at your XFree86 video driver (nVidia for
instance releases optimized drivers for its boards).

2.5. Video is choppy

Your system is too slow to decode all pictures. It might be that your CPU
basically is not fast enough. It can also be that the subsystem is
misconfigured/misdriven, this happens for example under Redhat Linux. Here are
some elements to improve speed:

  * Turn on DMA on your DVD device, for instance:
   
      + Under Linux:
       
        % hdparm -d1 /dev/dvd
      + Under Windows, go to the System section of the control panel, and go to
        the Hardware manager (it is sometimes in a separate tab, and sometimes,
        you have to go to the Advanced tab. Then, righ-click on your DVD
        player, and check the DMA checkbox
       
  * Upgrade to the latest driver for your video board
   
    If you are running Linux, you can additionnaly upgrade to the latest
    XFree86 version ; if supported, check that the xvideo plug-in is
    effectively used with
   
    % vlc -vvvv
  * Kill other applications running...
   
2.6. Audio is choppy

This is not normal; it is a known problem and is being investigated. 

2.7. Audio and video are out of sync

This is not normal. Try using another output plugin (for instance --aout dsp),
kill esd or artsd if they are running. This is a known problem and is being
investigated. 

2.8. Sound volume is too low

You can raise it with --volume command line switch or in the preferences window
of your graphical interface. 

2.9. I have no image under DirectX

Check that your video card drivers are in their latest version and that your
DirectX is up-to-date. 

2.10. VLC crashes

Increase the verbosity level (either in the preferences or with a -vvvv command
line option) and look at the debug messages (in the terminal or in the Messages
window).

If you are convinced that it's a bug in VLC, have a look at the bug reporting
page. 

2.11. Under Unices, i can only play a DVD as root

Check that as user you have write access to your DVD drive / device. 

2.12. I do not have access to the GUI anymore

If you change the default interface module in the preferences menu to a non GUI
module (ie. to a command line interface) and then save the configuration, the
only way to get VLC to show a GUI again is to run it directly from the command
line.

For instance on Windows, you need to open a Command Line console, go to the
directory where you installed VLC (usually C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VideoLAN
Client) and then type vlc --intf win32 You will then be able to modify the
configuration again and save it. 

2.13. I have just upgraded to VLC 0.4.5, and now I do not have any sound with
the streams coming from the VLS!

This is a known problem. VLC 0.4.5 and later are now compliant to general usage
regarding A/52 sound, and the new behavior is incompatible with the previous
one. VLS version 0.4.0 and later now fixes this problem. If, for any reason,
you wish to keep VLS 0.3.3, you can still read those streams by launching VLC
(0.4.5 or later) with --vls-backwards-compat. 

2.14. NO VIDEO!! or NO AUDIO!!

DON'T PANIC! Use the verbose mode of VLC to search the problem, you may either
set the verbosity option in the interface preferences or use the -vvvv command
line switch to increase the number of report/error messages given by VLC. If
you are not using a terminal, use the Messages window in the View menu. 

3. Ports and features

3.1. MacOS X port

3.1.1. Does VLC support the ATI DVD hardware acceleration cards?

Currently it does not. We would be glad to support them, but we lack technical
information on them. 

3.2. Win32 port

3.2.1. When moving the focus to another window, VLC network input stops working
properly!

This is a known problem with Win 95-class systems (ie, Windows 95/98/Me).
Upgrade to an NT-class system (ie, Windows NT/2000 or XP). 

3.2.2. I have selected a subtitle file, but nothing happens!

This is a known problem. To correct it, open the preferences panel (in the View
menu), and in the Decoders tab click on subtitles decoder module (spudec),
without checking the box. Then, click on Configure, and replace the given path
with the correct path to the font file. It should be something like this: C:\
vlc\share\font-eutopiabold36.rle. Then save the preferences. 

3.3. Planned ports

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 or OS/2 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?

This support is currently being developed.

3.3.3. Does VLC support RTP?

Yes. Just use vlc rtp:@<mcast addr>:<local port>.

3.3.4. Does VLC support DVD from all regions?

VLC uses libdvdcss to read all DVD, disregarding their zone. All regions are
supported without any constraint. However, libdvdcss might not be legal in your
country. 

3.3.5. How can I take screenshots?

This is currently unsupported, but will be in a near future. The latest
developments concern recording the video and the audio to a file. However,
under XFree, you may use the x11 video output to take normal screen capture of
the video displayed by VLC. 

4. Legal concerns

4.1. May I use the VideoLAN logo?

You may freely 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 redistribute VLC?

You may distribute an original or modified version of a VideoLAN software as
long as you comply with its license terms. 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 easiest 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
0.4.6 binary version you should include:

   http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.4.6/vlc-0.4.6.tar.gz
   http://www.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.4.6/contrib/

You do not 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 comply with the GPL, but this should be the simplest
because it does not rely on a contract.

There is one additional issue you need to take care of. The VLC binary from our
website can also read encrypted DVDs with the help of the libdvdcss library.
Its use is controversial in a few countries such as the United States because
of a law called the DMCA. If you are unsure about the legality of using and
distributing this library in your country, please consult your lawyer. 

5. Miscellaneous

5.1. How may I help your project?

You might either contribute time, material, or money. We are also always
needing some translators. You will find all information you need on the 
contribute page. 

5.2. Why are your mailing-lists and your website in english?

VideoLAN's developers come from all around the world and english is the only
language they can use to communicate together. Although great care is given to
the translation of VLC in various languages, maintaining translations of our
documentation and website costs too much more time than we can afford. 

