XINE: A Cool Media Player for Linux

Okay so you've got XMMS which is basically Winamp.... Which does play mpeg 1 files quite nicely, but what about DVD, VCD, divx????

Well, I've found something to do all that that's... Well, at least worth putting on, at any rate.

XINE
http://xine.sourceforge.net/index.php


Here is how to install it.

First, download the tarballs containing the source code and scripts.

http://xine.sourceforge.net/files/xine-lib-0.9.6.tar.gz

http://xine.sourceforge.net/files/xine-ui-0.9.6.tar.gz

download BOTH files. Your home directory is fine.

Now, unpack both files like this:

tar -zxvf xine-lib-0.9.6.tar.gz

tar -zxvf xine-ui-0.9.6.tar.gz

This will create two directories called
xine-lib-0.9.6 and xine-ui-0.9.6 in the directory you were working in.

change directory to xine-lib-0.9.6.

type this:

./configure
make
make check

(su to root if not root already.)

make install

in seperate lines one after one. Each will do a part of the installation process, i.e. run the configuration script, compile and then install that compiled program.

Now, look at the contents of a file called /etc/ld.so.conf....

It will list some paths. Make SURE that /usr/local/lib is listed there. If its NOT, then add it please, using the text editor of your choice.

Now export this environment variable, like this:

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="/usr/local/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"

Now go into the xine-ui-0.9.6 directory and do this:

./configure
make
make check
make install

(again, you have to be root to make install)

and you will now find that if you run this:

/usr/local/bin/xine

(or indeed just xine, because its in your $PATH now.)

from the command line, it should open the application. make a shortcut to it.


Have a lookie at it, its still under development but Winamp and Sonique used to look as basic as this many moons ago.


Now, you want to be able to play divx movies?? Okay well you will have to download the divx codec for Linux here:

http://www.divx.com/divx/

this will give you a file called divx4linux2020344049.tar.gaz

the numbers are not the same, but I can't be bothered typing them.

Now unpack the file again with the

tar -zxvf filename

command

where "filename" is the divx4linux....tar.gaz file

Now, go into the newly created directory, and type this:

./install.sh

and after a few second's wait, the divx codecs will be installed on your linux system.


Good luck!

I agree Phantasm - Xine is a great media player. Everyone should check it out.

LNCPapa

Do, or do not. There is no try.

If you decide that you like Xine, and getting it for free is making you feel a little guilty, then why not make a small donation to them?

http://xine.sourceforge.net/xine_frame.php?page=donations.html

Sounds like the guys there would even be happy if you sent them some old SPARCS workstation or something! Or even if you posted them a DVD...