mplayer problem

bruse · 07-31-2005, 10:37 PM

i am using mandrake 10.0
i have a problem with mplayer.
i can play audio songs well but ican not play a video songs.
the error is...

can not read/initialize the selected video ouput(-vo) device.

#mplayer videofile

i got that error.
should specify any other parameter whenever i play i get that error message.
pls help me.

abattoir · 07-31-2005, 10:49 PM

What type of file are you trying to play(wmv,avi,etc..)?
The most probable cause is that you dont have the codecs installed. If you have URPMI setup properly, just search in one of the plf mirrors for 'win32codecs' and install the packages.

Otherwise, if you want to compile from source(mplayer) go to mplayerhq, click on 'download' and download the 'essentials' packages.

I think the first method would be easier
You can also try kaffeine(if it is installed).

bruse · 07-31-2005, 11:02 PM

"The most probable cause is that you dont have the codecs installed. If you have URPMI setup properly"

what is that shell i have the codecs in my linux cd ,if yes how to install that
and what packages shouuld i install.

i am playing .mpeg and .avi file formats.

abattoir · 07-31-2005, 11:26 PM

urpmi is an rpm installer. it maintains a list of rpms found in different ftp and http sites.You can visit EasyURPMI and follow the instructions there to set it up. Tick the 'use compressed index' option if you have a slow internet connection. Once you have set that up(after typing in all the commands in the terminal/konsole), type(as root)

Code:

urpmi win32codecs

That should install all the necessary codecs.

bruse · 07-31-2005, 11:51 PM

sir where can i get the win32codecs.either in my cd or in internet.

abattoir · 07-31-2005, 11:56 PM

internet.

IwantLINUX · 08-01-2005, 12:32 AM

Hi,

I am also having problem with mplayer, but its different. My problem is I am not able to play .dat files. When i try to play one, mplayer screen goes black and then same splash screen appears. I tried running the command /usr/bin/gmplayer and it shows cache read 0.0 (0% read). At times it also shows ASF format, broken file...any ideas????

PS:--- cache size is set to 8192 in mplayer.

abattoir · 08-01-2005, 12:49 AM

I think the problem is a corrupt file. Does mplayer work with other files?

IwantLINUX · 08-01-2005, 01:11 AM

Yes, it is working with mpegs and avi files , though it gives me directshow errors, with avi(i think i am missing win32codecs)

abattoir · 08-01-2005, 01:15 AM

Yes, i hope from the previous posts you can infer how to install it.

IwantLINUX · 08-01-2005, 01:41 AM

Yes, but the problem i am facing is with .dat file. Can u tell me did you install something extra for playing .dat files or you were able to play them after just installing the mplayer RPM? Maybe i have to change something in conf file...(just a guess)...

abattoir · 08-01-2005, 01:59 AM

Are you trying to play a vcd? It should work with mplayer, but you can also try kaffeine, comes with kde.
Mplayer plays almost all types of files. I compiled mplayer from source (with the essentials package), and did not install an rpm.

IwantLINUX · 08-01-2005, 02:07 AM

yes. its a VCD. I think i will have to reinstall the mplayer from the source...can you tell me what all essential packages are required with mplayer source?

thx for the help...

abattoir · 08-01-2005, 02:34 AM

download this
package, extract it in /usr/local/lib/codecs . then download this
extract, in the foler (through a terminal) do

Code:

./configure
make
make install

The last command, 'make install' must be executed as root (su).
This should install all the codecs, but i cant guarantee vcd playback because i havent tried it before.

But i'm sure it works in kaffeine(which you already may have installed). if not, finding a kaffeine rpm should not be difficult. see http://kaffeine.sourceforge.net/ for more info.

IwantLINUX · 08-01-2005, 03:04 AM

tnx abattoir, for all the help, i will try once i reach home...