path: root/DOCS/xml/en/faq.xml

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<chapter id="faq" xreflabel="FAQ">
<title>Frequently Asked Questions</title>

<qandaset defaultlabel="qanda">

<qandadiv id="faq-development">
<title>Development</title>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How do I create a proper patch for <application>MPlayer</application>?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
We made a <ulink url="../../tech/patches.txt">short document</ulink>
describing all the necessary details. Please follow the instructions.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I support <application>MPlayer</application> development?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
We are more than happy to accept your hardware and software
<ulink url="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/homepage/donations.html">donations</ulink>.
They help us in continuously improving <application>MPlayer</application>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I become an <application>MPlayer</application> developer?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
We always welcome coders and documenters. Read the
<ulink url="../../tech/">technical documentation</ulink>
to get a first grasp. Then you should subscribe to the
<ulink url="http://mplayerhq.hu/mailman/listinfo/mplayer-dev-eng">mplayer-dev-eng</ulink>
mailing list and start coding.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Why don't you use autoconf/automake?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
We have a modular, handwritten build system. It does a reasonably good
job, so why change? Besides, we dislike the auto* tools, just like
<ulink url="http://freshmeat.net/articles/view/889/">other people</ulink>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>
</qandadiv>

<qandadiv id="faq-compilation">
<title>Compilation</title>
<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Are there binary (RPM/deb) packages of <application>MPlayer</application>?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
See the <link linkend="debian">Debian</link> and <link linkend="rpm">RPM</link>
section for details.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Compilation stops with an error message similar to this one:
<screen>
    cfft.c: In function`passf2':
    cfft.c:556: unable to find a register to spill in class `FLOAT_REGS'
    cfft.c:556: this is the insn:
    (insn 235 233 246 (set (subreg:SF (reg/v:DI 29 rmm0 [110]) 0)
            (minus:SF (mem:SF (plus:SI (mult:SI (reg:SI 1 edx [112])
                            (const_int 8 [0x8]))
                        (reg/v/f:SI 3 ebx [62])) [4 S4 A32])
                (reg:SF 8 st(0) [132]))) 533 {*fop_sf_1_nosse} (insn_list
    232 (nil))    (expr_list:REG_DEAD (reg:SF 8 st(0) [132])
            (nil)))
    cfft.c:556: confused by earlier errors, bailing out
</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This is a known problem of <application>gcc</application> 3.2, upgrade
to 3.3 to solve the problem. How to install gcc is described in the
<link linkend="gcc-296">gcc 2.96</link> section. Alternatively you can use
an external FAAD library as described in the
<link linkend="aac">AAC</link> section. 
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Compilation stops with an error message similar to this one:
<screen>
    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.
</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This is a known problem of <application>gcc</application> 3.0.4, upgrade
to 3.1 to solve the problem. How to install gcc is described in the
<link linkend="gcc-296">gcc 2.96</link> section.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Configure ends with this text, and <application>MPlayer</application> won't compile!
<screen>Your gcc does not support even i386 for '-march' and '-mcpu'</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Your gcc isn't installed correctly, check the <filename>config.log</filename>
file for details.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
What's the problem with gcc 2.96?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
<emphasis role="bold">We strongly discourage the use of gcc 2.96!</emphasis>
Read <link linkend="gcc-296">this</link> 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
<option>--disable-gcc-checking</option> option to configure. Remember that you
are on your own from this point. Do <emphasis role="bold">not</emphasis> report
bugs, do <emphasis role="bold">not</emphasis> ask for help on the mailing lists.
We will <emphasis role="bold">not</emphasis> provide any support in case you run
into problems.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Great, I have gcc 3.0.1 from Red Hat/Mandrake, then I'm fine!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
No, since there have been/are issues with these compilers as well.
To check the status of current compilers' <application>MPlayer</application>
support, see the <link linkend="install">Installation</link> section.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I tried to compile <application>MPlayer</application>, but I got this output:
<screen>
    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
</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Upgrade your glibc to the latest release. On Mandrake, use 2.2.4-8mdk.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
.. gcc 2.96 ... (Yes, some people are STILL flaming about gcc 2.96!)
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Quoted from a <ulink url="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/mplayer-users/2001-October/005351.html">mail</ulink>
A'rpi sent to the <ulink url="http://mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/mplayer-users/">mplayer-users</ulink>
list (the word 'ideg' is described below):
<blockquote>
<para>
And we have idegs. And our idegcounter overflowed again and again.
</para>
<para>
Unfortunately <application>MPlayer</application> 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 <application>MPlayer</application>.
</para>
<para>
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.
</para>
<para>
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.
</para>
<para>
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.
</para>
<para>
Conclusion: We can't be good. Half the people will always say we are bad.
</para>
<para>
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.
</para>
</blockquote>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
SDL output doesn't work or compile. The problem is ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
It was tested to work with SDL 1.2.x and may run on SDL 1.1.7+. It does
<emphasis role="bold">not</emphasis> work with any previous version. So
if you choose to use such a version, you are on your own.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I am still having trouble compiling with SDL support. gcc says something
about <screen>undefined reference to SDL_EnableKeyRepeat</screen>. What now?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Where did you install the SDL library? If you installed in
<filename class="directory">/usr/local</filename> (the default) then edit the
top level <filename>config.mak</filename> and add
<systemitem>-L/usr/local/lib</systemitem> after <systemitem>X_LIBS=</systemitem>.
Now type <command>make</command>. You're done!
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
It doesn't compile, and it misses <systemitem>uint64_t</systemitem>,
<filename>inttypes.h</filename> and similar things ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Copy <ulink url="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/win32-beta/contrib/inttypes.h">this <filename>inttypes.h</filename></ulink>
to <filename class="directory">/usr/local/include/</filename> or an equivalent
place and try again ...
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have Linux running on a Pentium III but <filename>./configure</filename>
doesn't detect SSE ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Only kernel versions 2.4.x support SSE (or try 2.2.19 or newer, but be
prepared for problems).
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have a Matrox G200/G400/G450/G550, how do I compile/use the mga_vid driver?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Read the <link linkend="mga_vid">mga_vid</link> section.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Hmm, strange. When loading the <filename>mga_vid.o</filename> kernel
module, I found this in the logs:
<screen>Warning: loading mga_vid.o will taint the kernel: no license</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
The latest kernel modutils require a flag indicating the license
(mainly to avoid kernel hackers debugging closed source drivers).
Upgrade your kernel, modutils and <application>MPlayer</application>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
During 'make', <application>MPlayer</application> complains about X11 libraries.
I don't understand, I DO have X installed!?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
... but you don't have the X development package installed. Or not correctly.
It's called <filename>XFree86-devel*</filename> under Red Hat, and
<filename>xlibs-dev</filename> under Debian. Also check if the
<filename class="directory">/usr/X11</filename> and
<filename class="directory">/usr/include/X11</filename> symlinks exist (this
can be a problem on Mandrake systems). They can be created with these commands:
<screen>
     # ln -sf /usr/X11R6 /usr/X11
     # ln -sf /usr/X11R6/include/X11 /usr/include/X11
</screen>
Your distribution may differ from the
<ulink url="http://www.pathname.com/fhs/">Filesystem Hierarchy Standard</ulink>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I can't compile SVGAlib. I'm using kernel 2.3/2.4 ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You have to edit SVGAlib's <filename>Makefile.cfg</filename> and comment
<systemitem>BACKGROUND = y</systemitem> out.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I compiled <application>MPlayer</application> with libdvdcss/libdivxdecore support,
but when I try to start it, it says:
<screen>
error while loading shared libraries: lib*.so.0: cannot load shared object file: No such file or directory
</screen>
I checked up on the file and it IS there in <filename class="directory">/usr/local/lib</filename> ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Add <filename class="directory">/usr/local/lib</filename> to <filename>/etc/ld.so.conf</filename>
and run <command>ldconfig</command>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
When compiling <application>MEncoder</application>, it segfaults at linking!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
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
<emphasis role="bold">not</emphasis> report!
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
<application>MPlayer</application> dies with segmentation fault upon pthread check!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
<command>chmod 644 /usr/lib/libc.so</command>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I'd like to compile <application>MPlayer</application> on Minix!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Me too. :)
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

</qandadiv>

<qandadiv id="faq-general">
<title>General questions</title>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Are there any mailing lists on <application>MPlayer</application>?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Yes. See the <link linkend="mailinglists">mailing lists</link>
section.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I've found a nasty bug when I tried to play my favorite video! Who should I inform?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Please read the
<link linkend="bugreports">bug reporting guidelines</link>
and follow the instructions.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have problems playing files with the ... codec. Can I use them?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Check the <ulink url="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/DOCS/codecs-status.html">codec status</ulink>,
if it doesn't contain your codec, read the <link linkend="codecs">codec documentation</link>,
especially the <link linkend="win32-codecs">codec importing HOWTO</link> and contact us.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
When I start playing, I get this message but everything seems fine:
<screen>Linux RTC init: ioctl (rtc_pie_on): Permission denied</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You need root privileges or a specially set up kernel to use the new timing
code. For details see the <link linkend="rtc">RTC</link> section of the documentation.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
There is a timer in the upper left corner. How can I get rid of it?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Press <keycap>o</keycap> and try the <option>-osdlevel</option> option.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
The <option>-xy</option> or <option>-fs</option> option doesn't work with
the x11 driver (<option>-vo x11</option>) ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
It does, but you have to explicitly specify software scaling (very slow) with the
<option>-zoom</option> option. You better use XF86VidMode support: You must
specify the <option>-vm</option> and the <option>-fs</option> option, and you're
done. Make sure you have the right modelines in your <filename>XF86Config</filename>
file, and try to make the <link linkend="dga">DGA driver</link> and
<link linkend="sdl">SDL's DGA driver</link> work for you. It's much
faster. If SDL's DGA works, use that, it'll be even faster.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
What is the meaning of the numbers on the status line?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Example:
<screen>A: 2.1 V: 2.2 A-V: -0.167 ct: 0.042 57/57 41% 0% 2.6% 0 4 49%</screen>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>A: audio position in seconds</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>V: video position in seconds</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>A-V: audio-video difference in seconds (delay)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>ct: total A-V sync correction done</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>frames played (counting from last seek)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>frames decoded (counting from last seek)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>video codec cpu usage in percent (for slices and DR this includes
video_out)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>video_out cpu usage</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>audio codec cpu usage in percent</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>frames needed to drop to maintain A-V sync</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>current level of image postprocessing (when using
<option>-autoq</option>)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>current cache size used (around 50% is normal)</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
Most of them are for debug purposes and will be removed at some point.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
What if I don't want them to appear?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Use the <option>-quiet</option> option and read the man page.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Why is video_out cpu usage zero (0%) for some files?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
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 <option>-vo null</option> and
then <option>-vo ...</option> and check the difference to see the video_out speed.
</para></answer>
<answer><para>
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.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
There are error messages about file not found <filename>/usr/local/lib/codecs/</filename> ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Download the Win32 codecs from our
<ulink url="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/codecs/">codecs page</ulink>
(avifile's codec package has a different DLL set) and install it.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Umm, what is &quot;IdegCounter&quot;?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
A combination of a Hungarian and an English word. &quot;Ideg&quot; in Hungarian
means the same as &quot;nerve&quot; in English, and is pronounced as something like
&quot;ydaegh&quot;. It was first used to measure the nervousness of A'rpi, after
some (umm) &quot;mysterious&quot; disappearance of CVS code ;)
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
And what is &quot;Faszom(C)ounter&quot;?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
&quot;Fasz&quot; is a Hungarian word you don't want to know, the others are
connected to the perverted minds of the <application>MPlayer</application> developers.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
LIRC doesn't work, because ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Are you sure you are using <command>mplayer</command> instead of
<command>mplayer_lirc</command>?  Note that it was <command>mplayer_lirc</command>
for a long time, including the 0.60 release, but it was recently changed back to
<command>mplayer</command>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Subtitles are very nice, the most beautiful I've ever seen, but they
slow down playing! I know it's unlikely ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
After running <filename>./configure</filename>, edit <filename>config.h</filename>
and replace <systemitem>#undef FAST_OSD</systemitem> with
<systemitem>#define FAST_OSD</systemitem>. Then recompile.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
The onscreen display (OSD) is flickering!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You use a vo driver with single buffering (x11,xv). With xv, use the
<option>-double</option> option. Also try <option>-vf expand</option>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
What exactly is this libavcodec thing?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
See the <link linkend="ffmpeg">libavcodec</link> section.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
But configure tells me
<screen>Checking for libavcodec ... no</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You need to get libavcodec from FFmpeg's CVS. Read the instructions in the
<link linkend="ffmpeg">libavcodec</link> section.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Icewm's taskbar keeps covering the movie in fullscreen mode!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This shouldn't happen anymore, if it still does use the <option>-fstype</option>
layer option and report it to the <ulink url="http://mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/mplayer-users/">mplayer-users</ulink>
mailing list.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I can't access the GUI menu. I press right click, but I can't
access any menu items!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Are you using FVWM? Try the following:
<orderedlist>
<listitem><para>Start -> Settings -> Configuration -> Base Configuration</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Set <systemitem>Use Applications position hints</systemitem>
to <systemitem>Yes</systemitem></para></listitem>
</orderedlist>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I run <application>MPlayer</application> in the background?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Use:
<screen>mplayer <replaceable>options</replaceable> <replaceable>filename</replaceable> &lt; /dev/null &amp;</screen>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>
</qandadiv>

<qandadiv id="faq-playback">
<title>Playback problems</title>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I cannot pinpoint the cause of some strange playback problem.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Do you have a stray <filename>codecs.conf</filename> file in
<filename>~/.mplayer/</filename>, <filename>/etc/</filename>,
<filename>/usr/local/etc/</filename> or a similar location? Remove it,
outdated <filename>codecs.conf</filename> files can cause obscure
problems. <application>MPlayer</application> will use its builtin one instead.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
... works with <application>xine/avifile/...</application> but doesn't with
<application>MPlayer</application>.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
<application>MPlayer</application> is not <application>xine/avifile/...</application>.
Although these players have some code in common, the codecs (DLL) set,
synchronization, demultiplexing etc is different and should not be
compared. If you have a file <application>MPlayer</application> fails to
play correctly but works in another player, please read the
<link linkend="bugreports">bug reporting guidelines</link> and upload
the file to our FTP server.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Audio goes out of sync playing an AVI file.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Try the <option>-bps</option> or <option>-nobps</option> option. If it does not
improve, read <link linkend="bugreports">this</link> and upload the file to FTP.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
<application>MPlayer</application> exits with some error when using <filename>l3codeca.acm</filename>.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Check <command>ldd /usr/local/bin/mplayer</command> output. If it contains
<screen>libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x4???????)</screen>
where &quot;?&quot; is any number then it's OK, the error is not here. If it is:
<screen>libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00??????)</screen>
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 <filename>l3codeca.acm</filename> is a
non-relocatable DLL, it must be loaded to <literal>0x00400000</literal>, we can't
change this. You should use a non-patched kernel, or use <application>MPlayer's</application>
<option>-afm 1</option> option to disable using <filename>l3codeca.acm</filename>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
My computer plays MS DivX AVIs with resolutions ~ 640x300 and stereo mp3 sound
too slow. When I use <option>-nosound</option> option, everything is OK (but quiet).
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Your machine is too slow or your soundcard driver is broken. Consult the
documentation to see if you can improve performance.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
<application>MPlayer</application> dies with
<screen>MPlayer interrupted by signal 4 in module: decode_video</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Try running <application>MPlayer</application> on the machine you compiled on.
Or recompile with runtime CPU detection
(<command>./configure --enable-runtime-cpudetection</command>).
Don't use <application>MPlayer</application> on a CPU different from the one
it was compiled on, without using the feature mentioned just now.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have problems with [your window manager] and fullscreen xv/xmga/sdl/x11 modes ...
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Read the <link linkend="bugreports">bug reporting guidelines</link> and send us
a proper bug report.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I got this playing MPEG files: Can't find codec for video format 0x10000001!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You have an old version of <filename>codecs.conf</filename> in
<filename class="directory">~/.mplayer/</filename>,
<filename class="directory">/etc/</filename>,
<filename class="directory">/usr/local/etc/</filename> or similar. Remove it,
it's not needed anymore.
<emphasis role="bold">OR</emphasis> you have the <option>vc=</option> option or
something similar in your config file(s).
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
When starting <application>MPlayer</application> under KDE I just get a black
screen and nothing happens. After about one minute the video starts playing.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
The KDE arts sound daemon is blocking the sound device. Either wait until the
video starts or disable the arts-daemon in control center. If you want to use
arts sound, specify audio output via our native arts audio driver
(<option>-ao arts</option>). If it fails or isn't compiled in, try SDL
(<option>-ao sdl</option>) and make sure your SDL can handle arts sound. Yet
another option is to start <application>MPlayer</application> with artsdsp.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have an AVI that produces a gray screen when played with <option>-vc odivx</option>
and a green one with <option>-vc divx4</option>.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
It's not a DivX file, but an MS MPEG4v3.
If you have an old version of <filename>codecs.conf</filename> in
<filename class="directory">~/.mplayer/</filename>,
<filename class="directory">/etc/</filename>,
<filename class="directory">/usr/local/etc/</filename> or similar, remove it.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
When I play this movie I get video-audio desync and/or <application>MPlayer</application>
crashes with the following message:
<screen>DEMUXER: Too many (945 in 8390980 bytes) video packets in the buffer!</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This can have multiple reasons.
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>
Your CPU <emphasis role="bold">and/or</emphasis> video card <emphasis role="bold">and/or</emphasis>
bus is too slow. <application>MPlayer</application> displays a message if this is the case (and the
dropped frames counter goes up fast).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
If it is an AVI, maybe it has bad interleaving. Try the <option>-ni</option> option.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Your sound driver is buggy, or you use ALSA 0.5 with <option>-ao oss</option>.
See the <link linkend="audio-dev">sound card section</link>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
The AVI has a bad header, try the <option>-nobps</option> option, and/or <option>-mc 0</option>.
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have an MJPEG file which works with other players but displays only a black image in
<application>MPlayer</application>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Use another codec to play the file, try <option>-vc ffmjpeg</option>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
When I try to grab from my tuner, it works, but colors are strange. It's OK with other
applications.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Your card probably misreports its colorspace capacity. Try with YUY2 instead of
default YV12 (see the <link linkend="tv-input">TV</link> section).
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have A/V sync problems. Some of my AVIs play fine, but some play with double speed!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
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.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
All the WMV (or other..) files I play create a green/gray window and there is
only sound! <application>MPlayer</application> prints:
<screen>Detected video codec: [null] drv:0 (NULL codec (no decoding))</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
If you have an old version of <filename>codecs.conf</filename> in
<filename class="directory">~/.mplayer/</filename>,
<filename class="directory">/etc/</filename>,
<filename class="directory">/usr/local/etc/</filename> or similar, remove it.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I get very strange percentage values (way too big) while playing files on my notebook.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
It's an effect of the power management / power saving system of your notebook
(BIOS, not kernel). Plug the external power connector in
<emphasis role="bold">before</emphasis> you power on your notebook. You can also
try whether <ulink url="http://www.brodo.de/cpufreq/">cpufreq</ulink>
(a SpeedStep interface for Linux) helps you.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
The audio/video gets totally out of sync when I run <application>MPlayer</application>
as root on my notebook. It works normal when i run it as a user.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This is again a power management effect (see above). Plug the external power
connector in <emphasis role="bold">before</emphasis> you power on your notebook
or use the <option>-nortc</option> option.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
While playing a movie it suddenly gets jerky and I get the following message:
<screen>Badly interleaved AVI file detected - switching to -ni mode...</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Badly interleaved files and <option>-cache</option> don't work well together.
Try <option>-nocache</option>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I play MPEG Layer 2 (mp2) audio files?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You have to use <option>-rawaudio on:format=0x50</option>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>
</qandadiv>


<qandadiv id="faq-driver">
<title>Video/audio driver problems (vo/ao)</title>
<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have no sound when playing a video and get error messages similar to this one:
<screen>
    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...
</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Are you running KDE or GNOME with the ARTS or ESD sound daemon? Try disabling
the sound daemon or use the <option>-ao arts</option> or <option>-ao esd</option>
option to make <application>MPlayer</application> use ARTS or ESD.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
What about the DGA driver? I can't find it!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
<filename>./configure</filename> autodetects your DGA driver. If <option>-vo help</option>
doesn't show DGA, then there's a problem with your X installation. Try
<command>./configure --enable-dga</command> and read the
<link linkend="dga">DGA</link> section. Alternatively, try SDL's DGA driver
with the <option>-vo sdl:dga</option> option.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
OK, <option>-vo help</option> shows DGA driver, but it complains about permissions.
Help me!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
It works only if running as root! It's a DGA limitation. You should become root
(<command>su -</command>), and try again. Another solution is making
<application>MPlayer</application> SUID root, but it's not recommended!
<screen>
     chown root /usr/local/bin/mplayer
     chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/mplayer
     chmod +s /usr/local/bin/mplayer
 </screen>
<warning><para>
This is a <emphasis role="bold">big</emphasis> security risk! <emphasis role="bold">Never</emphasis>
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 <application>MPlayer</application>.
<emphasis role="bold">You have been warned</emphasis>.
</para></warning>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
When using Xvideo, my Voodoo 3/Banshee says:
<screen>
X Error of failed request: BadAccess (attempt to access private resource denied)
   Major opcode of failed request: 147 (MIT-SHM)
   Minor opcode of failed request: 1 (X_ShmAttach)
   Serial number of failed request: 26
   Current serial number in output stream:27
</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
The <systemitem>tdfx</systemitem> driver in XFree86 4.0.2/4.0.3 had this bug. This was
solved by <ulink url="http://www.xfree86.org/cvs/changes_4_1.html">bugfix #621
of the XFree86 4.1.0 CVS log</ulink>. So upgrade to XFree86 4.1.0 or later.
Alternatively, either download (at least) DRI version 0.6 from the
<ulink url="http://dri.sourceforge.net">DRI homepage</ulink>, or use CVS DRI.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
OpenGL (<option>-vo gl</option>) output doesn't work (hang/black window/X11
errors/...).
</para></question>
<answer><para>
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.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I have an nVidia TNT/TNT2 card, and I have a band with strange colors, right
under the movie! Whose fault is this?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
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!
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
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.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Yes, nVidia corrected a previous bug (above), and introduced a new one.
Let's congratulate them. UPDATE: According to <link linkend="nvidia">nVidia</link>,
this has already been fixed.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Oh the world is cruel ...! SDL has only <systemitem>x11</systemitem> target,
but not <systemitem>xv</systemitem>!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Try that <systemitem>x11</systemitem> target again. Now try <option>-vo x11
-fs -zoom</option>. See the difference? No?! OK, here comes the enlightenment:
SDL's <systemitem>x11</systemitem> target uses xv when available, you don't have
to worry about it ... Note: With SDL you can force/disable Xv using
<option>-forcexv</option> and <option>-noxv</option>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>
</qandadiv>

<qandadiv id="faq-dvd">
<title>DVD playback</title>
<qandaentry>
<question><para>
What about DVD navigation?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Support for dvdnav in <application>MPlayer</application> is currently broken,
normal playback does work, though. If you want to have fancy menus, you will
have to use another player like <application>Xine</application> or
<application>Ogle</application>. If you care about DVD navigation, send a
<ulink url="../../tech/patches.txt">patch</ulink>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
While playing a DVD, I encountered this error:
<screen>mplayer: ifo_read.c:1143: ifoRead_C_ADT_internal: Assertion nfo_length / sizeof(cell_adr_t) >= c_adt->nr_of_vobs' failed.</screen>
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This is a known libdvdread 0.9.1/0.9.2 bug. Use <emphasis role="bold">libmpdvdkit2</emphasis>,
which is present in <application>MPlayer</application> source, and used by default.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Can I compile libdvdread and libdvdcss on my sweet SPARC under Solaris?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
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 <emphasis role="bold">libmpdvdkit2</emphasis>, which is present
in <application>MPlayer</application> source, and used by default.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
What about subtitles? Can <application>MPlayer</application> display them?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Yes. See the <link linkend="dvd">DVD chapter</link>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I set the region code of my DVD-drive? I don't have Windows!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Use the <ulink url="http://www.linuxtv.org/download/dvd/dvd_disc_20000215.tar.gz">regionset tool</ulink>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Do I need to be (setuid) root/setuid fibmap_mplayer to be able to play a DVD?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
No. However you must have the proper rights
on the DVD device entry (in <filename class="directory">/dev/</filename>).
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Where can I get libdvdread and libdvdcss packages?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You don't need to. Use <emphasis role="bold">libmpdvdkit2</emphasis>, which is
present in the <application>MPlayer</application> source, and used by default.
You can get the mentioned packages from the
<ulink url="http://www.dtek.chalmers.se/groups/dvd/">Ogle site</ulink>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Is it possible to play/encode only selected chapters?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Yes, try the <option>-chapter</option> option.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
My DVD playback is sluggish!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Use the <option>-cache</option> option (described in the man page) and try
enabling DMA for the DVD drive with the <command>hdparm</command> tool (described
in the <link linkend="drives">CD chapter</link>).
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>
</qandadiv>

<qandadiv id="faq-features">
<title>Feature requests</title>
<qandaentry>
<question><para>
If <application>MPlayer</application> is paused and I try to seek or press any key at all,
<application>MPlayer</application> ceases to be paused. I would like to be able
to seek in the paused movie.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This is very tricky to implement without losing A/V synchronization.
All attempts have failed so far, but patches are welcome.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I'd like to seek +/- 1 frames instead of 10 seconds.
</para></question>
<answer><para>
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.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I make <application>MPlayer</application> remember the options I use
for this particular file?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Create a file named <filename>movie.avi.conf</filename> with the file-specific
options in it and put it in <filename class="directory">~/.mplayer</filename> or
in the same directory as the file.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>
</qandadiv>

<qandadiv id="faq-encoding">
<title>Encoding</title>
<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I encode?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Read the <link linkend="mencoder"><application>MEncoder</application></link>
section.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I create VCDs?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Try the <filename>mencvcd</filename> script from the <filename class="directory">TOOLS</filename>
subdirectory. With it you can encode DVDs or other movies to VCD or SVCD format
and even burn them directly to CD.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I join two video files?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
This has been discussed to no end on mplayer-users. Go search the
<ulink url="http://mplayerhq.hu/cgi-bin/htsearch?restrict=/mplayer-users/">archives</ulink>
for a complete answer. This is a complicated topic and your mileage may vary a
lot depending on the kind of files you want to merge. MPEGs can be concatenated
into a single file with luck. For AVIs there are two tools,
<ulink url="http://fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/">avidemux</ulink> and
<application>avimerge</application> (part of the
<ulink url="http://www.theorie.physik.uni-goettingen.de/~ostreich/transcode/">transcode</ulink>
tool set), available that might do the job. You can also try <application>MEncoder</application>
if you have two files sharing the same dimensions and codec. Try
<screen>
     cat file1 file2 > file3
     mencoder -ovc copy -oac copy -o out.avi -forceidx file3.avi
</screen>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
My tuner works, I can hear the sound and watch the video with <application>MPlayer</application>,
but <application>MEncoder</application> doesn't encode audio!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
TV audio encoding for Linux is currently unimplemented, we're working
on it. At the moment it works only on BSD.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I can't encode DVD subtitles into the AVI!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
You have to specify the <option>-sid</option> option correctly!
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
<application>MEncoder</application> segfaults on startup!
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Upgrade DivX4Linux.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I encode only selected chapters from a DVD?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Use the <option>-chapter</option> option correctly, like: <option>-chapter 5-7</option>
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I'm trying to work with 2GB+ files on a VFAT file system. Does it work?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
No, VFAT doesn't support 2GB+ files.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
Why is the recommended bitrate printed by <application>MEncoder</application> negative?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Because the bitrate you encoded the audio with is too large to fit the
movie on any CD. Check if you have libmp3lame installed properly.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

<qandaentry>
<question><para>
I can't encode ASF files to AVI/DivX because it uses 1000 fps?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Because ASF uses variable frame rate but AVI uses a fixed one, you 
have to set it by hand using <option>-ofps</option>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>


<qandaentry>
<question><para>
How can I put subtitles in the output file?
</para></question>
<answer><para>
Just pass the <option>-sub &lt;filename&gt;</option> (or <option>-sid</option>,
<option>-vobsub</option>, respectively) option to <application>MEncoder</application>.
</para></answer>
</qandaentry>

</qandadiv>
</qandaset>

</chapter>