[SOLVED] Controlling media from the command line

jsteel · 02-11-2011, 12:09 PM

Hi,

I want a media player that I can control from the command line. Ideally I would like it to have a GUI option, but I need to be able to run a command to "pause it", "play the next track in the playlist" etc. The player will be playing some media, then from another terminal I want to control the current instance.

What are my options? I'd prefer it not to be an mpd client if possible.

Thanks

corp769 · 02-11-2011, 01:30 PM

XMMS. GUI, yet you can control it from the command line.

Code:

Usage: xmms [options] [files] ...

Options:
--------

  -h, --help			Display this text and exit.
  -n, --session			Select XMMS session (Default: 0)
  -r, --rew			Skip backwards in playlist
  -p, --play			Start playing current playlist
  -u, --pause			Pause current song
  -s, --stop			Stop current song
  -t, --play-pause		Pause if playing, play otherwise
  -f, --fwd			Skip forward in playlist
  -e, --enqueue			Don't clear the playlist
  -Q, --queue			Add file(s) to playlist and queue

  -S, --toggle-shuffle[=SWITCH] Toggle the 'shuffle' flag.
  -R, --toggle-repeat[=SWITCH]  Toggle the 'repeat' flag.
  -A, --toggle-advance[=SWITCH] Toggle the 'no playlist advance' flag.

  SWITCH may be either 'on' or 'off'

  -m, --show-main-window	Show the main window.
  -i, --sm-client-id		Previous session ID
  -v, --version			Print version number and exit.
  -q, --quit			Close remote session.

jsteel · 02-11-2011, 01:37 PM

Brilliant! Works a treat. Thank you.

corp769 · 02-11-2011, 01:38 PM

No problem. Mark as solved and give rep or whatever :P

jsteel · 02-11-2011, 02:10 PM

Will do. I just realised XMMS doesn't to video. Audio was my main concern, but it would be nice to have something that does both.

corp769 · 02-11-2011, 02:13 PM

Xine and mplayer would be your best bet then.

sag47 · 02-11-2011, 02:18 PM

After googling "terminal media player" the following came up.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=791921

jsteel · 02-11-2011, 02:21 PM

Do xine and MPlayer allow commands to be given from another terminal?

The Rhythmbox suggestion is good thanks, but again this is just an audio application rather than audio and video.

sag47 · 02-11-2011, 02:37 PM

What exactly are you attempting to accomplish by controlling it from the terminal?

corp769 · 02-11-2011, 02:39 PM

Hey man, I came across this. Check it out and let me know if it is of any use for you. If not, I can keep doing some research, I don't mind at all.

EDIT: Oops, forgot the link... http://nino.me.uk/?p=330

jsteel · 02-11-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sag47

What exactly are you attempting to accomplish by controlling it from the terminal?

Key bindings in openbox; so "s" will issue the command to stop the music. I know most players have key bindings of their own but I want fine control.

retrodanny · 02-12-2011, 12:48 AM

mplayer