1. Introduction

This document has been written to provide end-users with information on how to use the xine video player to play video files and un-encrypted DVDs. Please note that xine in its unmodified state will not play CSS-encrypted DVDs. Links are given in this HOWTO for plugins which allow such DVDs to be played.

This document only relates to versions of the xine video player after 0.5 due to the large number of architectural changes xine underwent at that time.

1.1 New versions of this document

New versions of this document can be obtained from various locations including:

• http://xine.sourceforge.net/
• http://dvd.sourceforge.net/

Finally the very latest version of this document should also be available in various formats from:

http://dvd.sourceforge.net/

This HOWTO is written in English (that is English as opposed to American). Other versions may be available but the English one is most likely to be up-to-date.

1.2 Feedback

All comments, error reports, additional information and criticism of all sorts should be directed to:

  richwareham@users.sourceforge.net

1.3 Disclaimer

No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted. Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk. Additionally, this is an early version, with many possibilities for inaccuracies and errors.

One of many possible setups will be described. In the Linux world, there is usually a number of ways in which to accomplish things.

As far as I know, all of the programmes mentioned here are released under the GNU General Public License or the Lesser GNU Public License.

1.4 Copyright information

This document is copyrighted ©2001 The xine Project and distributed under the following terms:

• This document may be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed and encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified of any such distributions.
• All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works incorporating any parts of this document must be covered under this copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a derivative work from this HOWTO and impose additional restrictions on its distribution.

1.5 How do I submit changes or additions to the HOWTO?

The preferred method is to edit the file xine-HOWTO.sgml to incorporate the changes, create a diff file by typing something like

  diff -uw original-file new-file

and send it to richwareham@users.sourceforge.net. If you do not know SGML, that's OK. Changes or new information in any form will be accepted. Creating the diff file just makes it easier on the HOWTO maintainer. :-)