How to Install and Use VLC Media Player on Linux

Liam Olivia6 days ago

0 17 2 minutes read

How to Install and Use VLC Media Player on Linux

VLC Media Player is a free, open-source, and cross-platform multimedia player that supports a vast array of audio and video formats without requiring additional codecs. It is lightweight, feature-rich, and customizable, making it one of the most popular media players available.

Key Features of VLC Media Player

Support for almost all multimedia file formats.
Ability to play network streams and DVDs.
Advanced playback controls (speed, equalizer, subtitles).
Conversion of media files to different formats.
Streaming and broadcasting capabilities.

Installing VLC on Linux

1. Install VLC on Ubuntu/Debian-Based Systems

Using APT (Default Repository)

Update the package index:
```
sudo apt update
```
Install VLC:
```
sudo apt install vlc
```
Verify the installation:
```
vlc --version
```

Using PPA for Latest Version

If you want the latest VLC version:

Add the VLC PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily

Update the package list:
```
sudo apt update
```
Install VLC:
```
sudo apt install vlc
```

2. Install VLC on Fedora

Enable the RPM Fusion repository:

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

Install VLC:
```
sudo dnf install vlc
```
Verify the installation:
```
vlc --version
```

3. Install VLC on Arch Linux

Use the pacman package manager to install VLC:
```
sudo pacman -S vlc
```
Verify the installation:
```
vlc --version
```

4. Install VLC on openSUSE

Add the Packman repository:

sudo zypper ar -cfp 90 https://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/linux/misc/packman/suse/openSUSE_Tumbleweed/ packman

Refresh the repository:
```
sudo zypper refresh
```
Install VLC:
```
sudo zypper install vlc
```
Verify the installation:
```
vlc --version
```

Using VLC Media Player on Linux

1. Launching VLC

From the terminal:
```
vlc
```
From the application menu: Search for “VLC Media Player” and click to launch.

2. Playing Media Files

Drag and drop files into the VLC window.
Use the terminal:
```
vlc /path/to/media/file
```

3. Streaming Media

To stream a network URL:

Open VLC.
Navigate to Media > Open Network Stream.
Enter the URL and click “Play.”

4. Converting Media Files

Go to Media > Convert/Save.
Add the file to be converted.
Select the desired format and destination folder.
Click “Start.”

5. Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Play/Pause	Space
Stop	S
Fullscreen	F
Increase Volume	Ctrl + Up
Decrease Volume	Ctrl + Down
Next Track	N
Previous Track	P

Uninstalling VLC

On Ubuntu/Debian

sudo apt remove vlc
sudo apt autoremove

On Fedora

sudo dnf remove vlc

On Arch Linux

sudo pacman -R vlc

On openSUSE

sudo zypper remove vlc

Conclusion

VLC Media Player is a versatile and user-friendly tool for playing, streaming, and converting multimedia files. With its wide compatibility and robust feature set, it is an essential application for Linux users who handle media content. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily install, use, and manage VLC on your Linux system.

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