Slackware, multimedia, codecs, oh my

kikinovak · 07-04-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrush

I go from distro to distro, looking for one that reaches out and "grabs" me.

You have to reach out and grab the distro. Not the other way around.

brianL · 07-04-2013, 10:15 AM

With me, it was mutual: I grabbed Slackware, and Slackware grabbed me.

allend · 07-04-2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

What is the big problem? where is the conflict with slackware philosophy that stops a working player, like VLC, from being shipped?

There are two issues to consider here.
1. Slackware does not come with software that could infringe copyright/patent. Other common examples are recent Oracle java, Broadcom wireless networking firmware and drivers, Apple audio codecs and until recently font handling (sub-pixel rendering, bytecode interpreter). A user can enable all of these by installing appropriate packages and/or recompiling software with appropriate switches.
2. Slackware is a base system that allows the user to add the applications that they want and need. VLC has no place on my Slackware server at work but Alien Bob's VLC package works very well for me on my home system.

kikinovak · 07-04-2013, 11:20 AM

On the other hand, if you're a bit lazy (which is perfectly legit), you'd probably be better off with Slackware derivative Salix. Just launch their Multimedia installer, watch some 60+ packages install automagically, and be armed to your teeth for multimedia content.

Alien Bob · 07-04-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitest

Yep. You can find libdvdcss here at slackbuilds.org. Install that and you will be able to watch DVDs in VLC.

http://slackbuilds.org/repository/14...ies/libdvdcss/

My "restricted" version of VLC (restricted in the sense that it contains code that violates stupid US patent law, and therefore can not be made available on a US server) has an internal version of libdvdcss and is totally self-contained: http://taper.alienbase.nl/mirrors/pe...ackbuilds/vlc/

Eric

hitest · 07-04-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alien Bob

My "restricted" version of VLC (restricted in the sense that it contains code that violates stupid US patent law, and therefore can not be made available on a US server) has an internal version of libdvdcss and is totally self-contained: http://taper.alienbase.nl/mirrors/pe...ackbuilds/vlc/

Eric

Sweet. I did not know that. Thanks, Eric.

isaque · 07-04-2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alien Bob

My "restricted" version of VLC (restricted in the sense that it contains code that violates stupid US patent law, and therefore can not be made available on a US server) has an internal version of libdvdcss and is totally self-contained: http://taper.alienbase.nl/mirrors/pe...ackbuilds/vlc/

Eric

As I live in Brazil, this is the version I run!

And thank you Sir.

textillis · 07-05-2013, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wigry

If you are new to slackware, then why are you running -current? Use the official stable version as -current may break at any moment.

Thanks for the input.
But I have tried for weeks to get slack stable running on my new hardware without success.
These past 48 hours running -current have been bliss!

But I heed your warning and hold myself ready to do some work again if it breaks and I learned A LOT by the experience of fighting with, then renouncing stable, in favour of -current.

Cheers

textillis · 07-05-2013, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allend

There are two issues to consider here.
VLC has no place on my Slackware server at work but Alien Bob's VLC package works very well for me on my home system.

Thanks.
I'm getting it now.
The heavy hint of acrimony in my tone was uncalled for but largely result of extenuation brought on by weeks of unwonted frustration and denial of king-baby's wishes (king-baby being me)

Thanks for the voice of moderation, information and balance, as is your customary style.

textillis · 07-05-2013, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kikinovak

You have to reach out and grab the distro. Not the other way around.

Ceci est tres bien dit.

Well put; i totally agree with this sentiment; but i think it is well paired with the following input from BrianL. I refer to his comment about slack's power of attraction (I'd call it mesmeric!)

cheers d'un australien qui se passionne pour le francais

kikinovak · 07-05-2013, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by textillis

Thanks for the input.
But I have tried for weeks to get slack stable running on my new hardware without success.
These past 48 hours running -current have been bliss!

What hardware do you have? Try the following command:

Code:

$ /sbin/lspci

Paste the output into your answer window, and then we'll see what's the trouble with Slackware stable.

textillis · 07-05-2013, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kikinovak

What hardware do you have? Try the following command:

Code:

$ /sbin/lspci

Paste the output into your answer window, and then we'll see what's the trouble with Slackware stable.

Thanks Kiki (c'est gentil de toi)

lebec@DarkDuck:/sbin$ lspci -vnn

Code:

00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation Ivy Bridge DRAM Controller [8086:0150] (rev 09)
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:5000]
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
        Capabilities: <access denied>

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Ivy Bridge Graphics Controller [8086:0152] (rev 09) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:d000]
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 44
        Memory at f7800000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4M]
        Memory at e0000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
        I/O ports at f000 [size=64]
        Expansion ROM at <unassigned> [disabled]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: i915

00:14.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation Panther Point USB xHCI Host Controller [8086:1e31] (rev 04) (prog-if 30 [XHCI])
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:5007]
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 42
        Memory at f7c00000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd

00:16.0 Communication controller [0780]: Intel Corporation Panther Point MEI Controller #1 [8086:1e3a] (rev 04)
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:1c3a]
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 43
        Memory at f7c19000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: mei

00:1a.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation Panther Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 [8086:1e2d] (rev 04) (prog-if 20 [EHCI])
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:5006]
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
        Memory at f7c17000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: ehci-pci

00:1b.0 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation Panther Point High Definition Audio Controller [8086:1e20] (rev 04)
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:a002]
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 46
        Memory at f7c10000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel

00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Panther Point PCI Express Root Port 1 [8086:1e10] (rev c4) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
        Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=0
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: pcieport

00:1c.4 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Panther Point PCI Express Root Port 5 [8086:1e18] (rev c4) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
        Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=0
        I/O behind bridge: 0000e000-0000efff
        Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000f0000000-00000000f00fffff
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: pcieport

00:1d.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation Panther Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 [8086:1e26] (rev 04) (prog-if 20 [EHCI])
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:5006]
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
        Memory at f7c16000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: ehci-pci

00:1e.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge [8086:244e] (rev a4) (prog-if 01 [Subtractive decode])
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
        Bus: primary=00, secondary=03, subordinate=03, sec-latency=32
        Capabilities: <access denied>

00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation Panther Point LPC Controller [8086:1e49] (rev 04)
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:5001]
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: lpc_ich

00:1f.2 IDE interface [0101]: Intel Corporation Panther Point 4 port SATA Controller [IDE mode] [8086:1e00] (rev 04) (prog-if 8f [Master SecP SecO PriP PriO])
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:b005]
        Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
        I/O ports at f110 [size=8]
        I/O ports at f100 [size=4]
        I/O ports at f0f0 [size=8]
        I/O ports at f0e0 [size=4]
        I/O ports at f0d0 [size=16]
        I/O ports at f0c0 [size=16]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: ata_piix

00:1f.3 SMBus [0c05]: Intel Corporation Panther Point SMBus Controller [8086:1e22] (rev 04)
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:5001]
        Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 18
        Memory at f7c15000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
        I/O ports at f040 [size=32]

00:1f.5 IDE interface [0101]: Intel Corporation Panther Point 2 port SATA Controller [IDE mode] [8086:1e08] (rev 04) (prog-if 85 [Master SecO PriO])
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology Device [1458:b002]
        Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
        I/O ports at f0b0 [size=8]
        I/O ports at f0a0 [size=4]
        I/O ports at f090 [size=8]
        I/O ports at f080 [size=4]
        I/O ports at f070 [size=16]
        I/O ports at f060 [size=16]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: ata_piix

02:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller [10ec:8168] (rev 06)
        Subsystem: Giga-byte Technology GA-EP45-DS5 Motherboard [1458:e000]
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 45
        I/O ports at e000 [size=256]
        Memory at f0004000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=4K]
        Memory at f0000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=16K]
        Capabilities: <access denied>
        Kernel driver in use: r8169

lebec@DarkDuck:/sbin$

jostber · 07-05-2013, 05:12 AM

I installed Kaffeine in KDE from slackbuilds.org the other day and did not need to do anything else to watch DVDs.

kikinovak · 07-05-2013, 06:25 AM

@textillis: there's a fat chance you can run Slackware stable if you build in Initrd before the initial reboot. I have a similar problem with two machines with an Intel chipset. I have some documentation on the subject.

http://www.microlinux.fr/slackware/L...ktop-HOWTO.txt

http://www.microlinux.fr/slackware/L...rnel-HOWTO.txt

http://www.microlinux.fr/slackware/L...LILO-HOWTO.txt

If you use Firefox, you might set the encoding explicitly to Unicode (UTF8) to display these pages correctly.

cheers,

Niki

textillis · 07-05-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kikinovak

@textillis: there's a fat chance you can run Slackware stable if you build in Initrd before the initial reboot. I have a similar problem with two machines with an Intel chipset. I have some documentation on the subject.

http://www.microlinux.fr/slackware/L...ktop-HOWTO.txt

http://www.microlinux.fr/slackware/L...rnel-HOWTO.txt

http://www.microlinux.fr/slackware/L...LILO-HOWTO.txt

If you use Firefox, you might set the encoding explicitly to Unicode (UTF8) to display these pages correctly.

cheers,

Niki

I didn't knowingly "build in Initrd before the initial reboot ..."
I just did the install, followed by the usual post-install stuff.
Then I upgraded to kernel 3.7.1, hoping to get better support for my graphics, on advice from senior members here.
Then, when that didn't work, I went for -current, and all my problems seemed to have been solved!

a+