I am fairly new with linux.

I would like to be sure that my libdvdcss file is current, and am not sure how that is done.

vlc shuts down when I try to play a recent (2017) Netflix TV series. It works with (2016) releases, and all other types of discs.

I am using mint 17.3 and I believe I am up to date with my software.

Thanks;
Tmas
On the Wet Side USA

to answer literally: the same way you keep your other software up-to-date.

but.

why do you think it's a problem with dvd encryption?
surely you are talking about movies downloaded from the web?
and even if we are talking about dvds, why do you think that a newer version of libdvdcss would solve the problem?

there's 2 ways you can debug vlc:

1) open a terminal, enter 'vlc' and try to recreate the problem. you should be seeing some messages in the terminal.
2) vlc has a message window (under tools iirc). open it before starting the movie, and crank the verbosity up just one notch. warnings and errors should become visible.

ondoho:

Thanks for your reply.

All of my problems relate to DVDs received from Netflix. Until about 2 weeks ago I have had no issues with these DVDs. I have had no problems with CDs or DVDs from other sources. To complicate this issue, I have successfully played the problem DVD twice by inserting it after a audio DC. I have cleaned the disc twice with warm water, disk washing detergent and clean towels. In the process of testing it has failed to play at least 6 times.

Mint thinks that all of my software is current. My original release of mint was 17.3. I haven't changed to a new issue since.

Thank you for the your two suggestions. Below is the read out for one of the failures. This was taken just after the disc had played correctly.

From vlc messages:

main debug: adding item `sr0' ( dvdsimple:///dev/sr0 )
qt4 debug: Adding a new MRL to recent ones: dvdsimple:///dev/sr0
main debug: processing request item: sr0, node: Playlist, skip: 0
main debug: rebuilding array of current - root Playlist
main debug: rebuild done - 4 items, index 3
main debug: starting playback of the new playlist item
main debug: resyncing on sr0
main debug: sr0 is at 3
main debug: creating new input thread
main debug: Creating an input for 'sr0'
main debug: Creating an input for 'sr0'
main debug: meta ok for (null), need to fetch art
main debug: using timeshift granularity of 50 MiB, in path '/tmp'
main debug: `dvdsimple:///dev/sr0' gives access `dvdsimple' demux `' path `/dev/sr0'
main debug: creating demux: access='dvdsimple' demux='' location='/dev/sr0' file='/dev/sr0'
main debug: looking for access_demux module matching "dvdsimple": 20 candidates
main debug: looking for meta fetcher module matching "any": 1 candidates
qt4 debug: IM: Setting an input
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in /home/thomas/.local/share/vlc/lua/meta/fetcher
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/fetcher
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/fetcher/tvrage.luac
main debug: using meta fetcher module "lua"
main debug: removing module "lua"
main debug: searching art for sr0
main debug: looking for art finder module matching "any": 2 candidates
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in /home/thomas/.local/share/vlc/lua/meta/art
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/art
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/art/00_musicbrainz.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/art/01_googleimage.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/art/02_frenchtv.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/art/03_lastfm.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/share/vlc/lua/meta/art
main debug: no art finder modules matched
main debug: art not found for sr0
dvdread warning: cannot open VMG info
main debug: no access_demux modules matched
main debug: creating access 'dvdsimple' location='/dev/sr0', path='/dev/sr0'
main debug: looking for access module matching "dvdsimple": 25 candidates
main debug: no access modules matched
main error: open of `dvdsimple:///dev/sr0' failed
main debug: dead input
main debug: changing item without a request (current 3/4)
main debug: nothing to play
qt4 debug: IM: Deleting the input

From a vlc pop up after the failure.

error:
Your input can't be opened:
VLC is unable to open the MRL 'dvdsimple:///dev/sr0'. Check the log for details.

There were no entries in the "log"

Thank you for your help:

now this sounds like a very different issue.
both the reader and the dvd itself can be dirty (granted, more likely it's the reader) resulting in random results.
open it up, clean it and softly blow some compressed air onto the lens (actually you can also clean the lens carefully with a dry, non-fuzzy cloth).

And HOW are you opening the dvd?

also you didn't really follow my previous requests exactly. if your problem isn't solved please re-read and re-consider.

ondoho:

Thanks you your time and help. I will experiment more later and make another reply.

The DVD may have a scratched surface or the DVD player may have something loose. I will reread and reconsider your original comments, and if necessary further explain.

The DVD is opened either by the mint graphic drop down or through media-open disc in vlc. In both cases, when it fails to open the DVD; the vlc interface disappears and the desk top is empty. T^his happens in one second or less. About the same thing happens with the "dragon" video player.

Off to church now: Back Later

Ondoho:

Cleaned the disc with alcohol, cleaned the DVD head with alcohol, found vlc @ /usr/bin/vlc. Tried it and was told to use /usr/bin/vlc-wrapper. I opened this in terminal. also opened tools-messages in vlc

Inserted disc and pushed play, everything disappeared except the terminal window, which had this to say:

Toms-System-Product-Name thomas # /usr/bin/vlc
VLC is not supposed to be run as root. Sorry.
If you need to use real-time priorities and/or privileged TCP ports
you can use /usr/bin/vlc-wrapper (make sure it is Set-UID root and
cannot be run by non-trusted users first).
Toms-System-Product-Name thomas # cd /usr
Toms-System-Product-Name usr # /bin/vlc
bash: /bin/vlc: No such file or directory
Toms-System-Product-Name usr # cd /bin
Toms-System-Product-Name bin # vlc
VLC is not supposed to be run as root. Sorry.
If you need to use real-time priorities and/or privileged TCP ports
you can use vlc-wrapper (make sure it is Set-UID root and
cannot be run by non-trusted users first).
Toms-System-Product-Name bin # vlc-wrapper
VLC media player 2.1.6 Rincewind (revision 2.1.6-0-gea01d28)
[0x21b9118] main libvlc error: cannot open config file (/root/.config/vlc/vlcrc): Permission denied
[0x229df38] dbus interface error: Failed to connect to the D-Bus session daemon: Failed to connect to socket /tmp/dbus-xRKQDyURww: Connection refused
[0x229df38] main interface error: no suitable interface module
[0x21b9118] main libvlc error: interface "dbus,none" initialization failed
[0x21b9118] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
trying to create local folder /root/.kde: Permission denied
vlc(25270)/KSharedDataCache KSharedDataCache::Private::mapSharedMemory: Failed to establish shared memory mapping, will fallback to private memory -- memory usage will increase
[0x229df38] main interface error: no configuration directory
QInotifyFileSystemWatcherEngine::addPaths: inotify_add_watch failed: Permission denied
QFileSystemWatcher: failed to add paths: /root/.config/ibus/bus
Bus:pen: Can not get ibus-daemon's address.
IBusInputContext::createInputContext: no connection to ibus-daemon

THIS CAME AFTER I PUSHED "PLAY"

libdvdnav: Using dvdnav version 4.2.1
libdvdnav: DVD Title: ROME_S1D3
libdvdnav: DVD Serial Number: 34a9ac4e
libdvdnav: DVD Title (Alternative): ROME_S1D3
libdvdnav: Unable to find map file '/root/.dvdnav/ROME_S1D3.map'
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00f60000. Regions: 1 4
vlc: vm.c:1574: process_command: Assertion `0' failed.
Aborted

I am not sure if this is a css error as I suspected or if it is something else. I set the DVD region to 1 last year.

I have a big ?. Any help would be appreciated.

ondoho:

I now have been able to get the system to react consistently. I can make it work or I can get it to fail. The problem appears to me to be in the vlc software. When it fails vlc is instantly closed and there is nothing in "messages". I have not found any information in a file marked vlc-log.

TEST WITH SUCCESSFUL OPERATION:

Open vlc, insert disc, open media-disk, check-no menus and DVD, open tools-messages, and click play.

From messages I get:

main error: ES_OUT_RESET_PCR called
main error: Invalid PCR value in ES_OUT_SET_(GROUP_)PCR !
dbus_screensaver error: cannot connect to session bus: Failed to connect to socket /tmp/dbus-6yEuOP0mcQ: Connection refused
main error: Failed to resize display

In terminal from the beginning:

Toms-System-Product-Name thomas # vlc
VLC is not supposed to be run as root. Sorry.
If you need to use real-time priorities and/or privileged TCP ports
you can use vlc-wrapper (make sure it is Set-UID root and
cannot be run by non-trusted users first).
Toms-System-Product-Name thomas # vlc-wrapper set-UID root
VLC media player 2.1.6 Rincewind (revision 2.1.6-0-gea01d28)
[0x64f118] main libvlc error: cannot open config file (/root/.config/vlc/vlcrc): Permission denied
[0x734708] dbus interface error: Failed to connect to the D-Bus session daemon: Failed to connect to socket /tmp/dbus-URO6SWfyYN: Connection refused
[0x734708] main interface error: no suitable interface module
[0x64f118] main libvlc error: interface "dbus,none" initialization failed
[0x64f118] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
trying to create local folder /root/.kde: Permission denied
vlc(4455)/KSharedDataCache KSharedDataCache::Private::mapSharedMemory: Failed to establish shared memory mapping, will fallback to private memory -- memory usage will increase
[0x7f97d8003a38] filesystem access error: cannot open file /home/thomas/set-UID (No such file or directory)
[0x7f97e00009b8] main input error: open of `file:///home/thomas/set-UID' failed
[0x7f97d8003e38] filesystem access error: cannot open file /home/thomas/root (No such file or directory)
[0x7f97e0005aa8] main input error: open of `file:///home/thomas/root' failed
QInotifyFileSystemWatcherEngine::addPaths: inotify_add_watch failed: Permission denied
QFileSystemWatcher: failed to add paths: /root/.config/ibus/bus
Bus:pen: Can not get ibus-daemon's address.
IBusInputContext::createInputContext: no connection to ibus-daemon
[0x734708] main interface error: no configuration directory
libdvdread: Attempting to retrieve all CSS keys
libdvdread: This can take a _long_ time, please be patient

Press play and we get:

libdvdread: Get key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_01_0.VOB at 0x00000154
libdvdread: Elapsed time 0
libdvdread: Get key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_01_1.VOB at 0x00000158
libdvdread: Elapsed time 0
libdvdread: Get key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_02_0.VOB at 0x00022d1e
libdvdread: Elapsed time 0
libdvdread: Get key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_02_1.VOB at 0x000339ec
libdvdread: Elapsed time 0
libdvdread: Get key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_03_0.VOB at 0x003b8194
libdvdread: Elapsed time 0
libdvdread: Get key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_03_1.VOB at 0x003b8198
libdvdread: Elapsed time 0
libdvdread: Found 3 VTS's
libdvdread: Elapsed time 0
Fontconfig warning: FcPattern object size does not accept value "0"
Fontconfig warning: FcPattern object size does not accept value "0"
Fontconfig warning: FcPattern object size does not accept value "0"
Fontconfig warning: FcPattern object size does not accept value "0"
Fontconfig warning: FcPattern object size does not accept value "0"
Fontconfig warning: FcPattern object size does not accept value "0"



And the DVD plays on as expected.

I do not understand much of this except that it seems that vlc had a difficult time getting things together.

TEST WITH FAILURE

Insert disc in DVD and open from the KDE drop down. Click vlc.

From terminal:

oms-System-Product-Name thomas # vlc-wrapper
VLC media player 2.1.6 Rincewind (revision 2.1.6-0-gea01d28)
[0x7bc118] main libvlc error: cannot open config file (/root/.config/vlc/vlcrc): Permission denied
[0x8a0f38] dbus interface error: Failed to connect to the D-Bus session daemon: Failed to connect to socket /tmp/dbus-yazQYFzfcO: Connection refused
[0x8a0f38] main interface error: no suitable interface module
[0x7bc118] main libvlc error: interface "dbus,none" initialization failed
[0x7bc118] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
trying to create local folder /root/.kde: Permission denied
vlc(4612)/KSharedDataCache KSharedDataCache::Private::mapSharedMemory: Failed to establish shared memory mapping, will fallback to private memory -- memory usage will increase
[0x8a0f38] main interface error: no configuration directory
QInotifyFileSystemWatcherEngine::addPaths: inotify_add_watch failed: Permission denied
QFileSystemWatcher: failed to add paths: /root/.config/ibus/bus
Bus:pen: Can not get ibus-daemon's address.
IBusInputContext::createInputContext: no connection to ibus-daemon
^C[0x7bc118] main libvlc error: no configuration directory
Toms-System-Product-Name thomas #

DVD does not play and vlc shuts down and there is nothing in messages.

I also do not understand much of this either except that vlc does not have all the files and permissions that it needs to proceed.

Any incite would be appreciated.

are you running your graphical desktop as root???

ondoho:

I believe that when the graphical interface was used as I discribed, it is run through KDE.

In any case, how is that related to my issue with vlc, or the validity of the information I have collected and presented above.

I would find your comments on the issues vlc seems to be having on this computer constructive if you have any.

what i wrote is a quote from the output you presented.
vlc complains if you try to run it as root.

what i gave you wasn't a complete answer or solution (i don't know it - we'll have to find it together - i'm not your problem-solver, just a little helper), but it was constructive.

there's no reason to run vlc as root.
it can even cause harm.

do you understand wht "being root" means? or "superuser privileges"?
you don't only not need them, you shouldn't use them when running a media player.

let's break your previous output down further:
so, do you need "real-time priorities and/or privileged TCP ports"? i'm guessing not.
i see what you did there. it does NOT do what was asked in the previous line.

and from then on you have:
...permission problems!!!

not surprising.

so, why are you doing this as root?
are you, perchance, running your whole desktop as root, or do you enter superuser credentials everytime you start vlc?

1 members found this post helpful.

The next step, after answering ondoho's very appropriate questions, is to determine if you have some files in your /home that are owned by root.
A quick test, which you should do, is to create a new user. Log in as that user and see if the problem still exists.