I've just seen that Mandriva 2007 has been released, and an advertised feature is LinDVD. I'd like to know:

1. Does the free download version include LinDVD?

2. If not, can it be bought searately, or is buying a paid-for version of Mandriva the only way to get it?

I can't find any mention on the Mandriva site of whether the free download version includes it (though I suspect not), or any mention on the InterVideo site of anywhere it can be bought. I'm guessing I'll have to buy a paid-for version of Mandriva, but I don't want to spend the money unless I know I've got no other choice.

You're correct, LinDVD is not on the free download. Makes sense, I think they have licensed it for distribution, similar to other binary only applications they usually have in the powerpack editions.

I'd suggest buying a copy if you like their free edition. Helps keep Mandriva afloat, and it's "kind of like tipping the waiter" (as one reviewer last year put it).

Just to say LinnDVD works fine so far for me. Just put in the dvd and it plays. No need to get extra software etc.

NOTE: When I wrote the above, I had only tried inserting a dvd - not playing it through: I got the same 10 minute stop as others.

I thought as much. It seems likely Mandriva paid quite a lot for the program, and it seems rather unlikely that they'd give away something they've paid for.

I've been using Mandrake/Mandriva for some time now, and I was thinking of upgrading anyway. The only reason I'm doubtful about buying the PowerPack is that LinDVD is the only feature I'd use that isn't either included in the free version of available to download free.

On the other hand, it looks like buying the Power Pack is the only way I can get a good DVD player un my Linux box.

Is LinDVD a DVD player? If so, why not just use Kaffeine, Totem, VLC or Mplayer?

Yes, LinDVD is a DVD player (as the name would suggest...)

There are a number of programs that can play DVDs to a degree, but none of them are really that good. LinDVD is a fully functional, dedicated DVD player.

Your opinion differs greatly with mine. From personal experience Xine based media players seem to do a very good job of playing DVDs and work just like their Windows counterparts (I use CyberLink PowerDVD when I have to use Windows). Same thing with MPlayer although I don't use it myself because I don't like the interface.

First of all, this is not an opinion. I have actually used a number of these programs, and in every case have found objectively varifyable problems with them.

Secondly, what Windows counterparts are you comparing these programs to? AFAIK most Xine-based media players don't even have Windows counterparts.

In any case, this is a thread on the availability of LinDVD, not a request for everyone to advertise their personal favorite media players.

AFAIK the things with Lindvd is that you do not need to download dcss.
This why you say it is fully functional.
I would not say the other are not that good. I think it is misleading.
They can do a lot actually, really a lot

Same experience, all very good, milleage with menus varies with version

gmplayer GUI is not that bad

You seem to have taken offence to my post above judging by your reaction. I was merely expressing my personal opinions, just like you were above (because you were not stating facts, but your own opinions). I wasn't trying to turn this into a flame fest or offend you in away, nor was I advertising my favourite DVD playing app (I don't have to and its of no benefit to me to advertise it). This is a forum thats free for all, so I was merely participating and putting across my point of view. Cheers.

Anyway, Emmanuel_uk, I completely agree with you (except on the gmplayer part ).

Sorry to butt in on this thread. I have just installed Mandriva 2007 PowerPack+ but cannot find LinDVD.
How should it be invoked? There was no mention of it in the installation dialogue (individual package selection).

To tarazed,
Did you put a check mark in the box for "multimedia" when you first installed Mandriva 2007 ? I run a great Mandriva 2007 Power Pack/KDE machine and LinDVD was automatically installed (along with the other KDE multimedia apps) without specifically specifying LinDVD.
Try another installation attempt.
Scott

You may need to contact Mandriva to find out where it is. It may only be on the Powerpack edition, as the PP+ is usually their server edition.

LinDVD should be installed by default--at least it was with the Discovery version. The RPM is on the installation disk, which was located at system:/media/hdc/i586/media/non-free in the Discovery version and can be manually installed (like any other RPM) if its installation was somehow omitted.

Note: Even after installing, you will still have a problem. It will stop playing the DVD in 5 - 10 minutes. To solve this problem, as root, enter the following:
cp /usr/share/lindvd/libivimandriva.so /usr/lib/

then enter:
ldconfig

When you restart LinDVD, it should now work correctly.

Let me add one last thing. LinDVD is legal to use for playing back encrypted DVDs (commercial movie DVDs) in the USA. The other DVD players, such as Xine using libdvdcss are not. (I am not saying the laws make any sense, but that is the way they are written.)

Thanks for the tips. This system is 64bit GNOME: non-free libraries are divided between non-free and non-free32 on
the distribution medium.
Remembered that LinDVD was 32bit; all OK after that.