Introduction to media players in Linux

Article Title: Introduction to media players in Linux. Linux is a technology channel of the IT lab in China. Includes basic categories such as desktop applications, Linux system management, kernel research, embedded systems, and open source.
The development of Linux is rapid. In just a few years, it not only laid a solid network foundation, but also became a strong support for many servers, but also expanded to the desktop field. As a network operating system, although it is difficult to compete with Windows for a while, its development momentum is not diminished, and it is booming in China.
　　
The significance of graphical desktop is that it can use a variety of windows to bring users a sense of closeness, so that people no longer feel unfamiliar. the humanized design will trigger people's enthusiasm for trying Linux, so that more people can understand Linux. Xwindows is an open window in Linux. No matter how it is designed, after all, this "window" interface brings a lot of practical and easy-to-use. With the release of Windows XP, Linux vendors are also reluctant to show weakness and have launched their own "desktop" products. These versions have a strong media core, greatly improving audio and video support, and more bundled with a wide range of applications.
　　
Now, using Linux has basically been able to achieve a series of activities such as Office, entertainment, and life. Although many places are still not complete, there are all the basic Office software, players, games, and so on, the lab has just completed the Linux OA Office software special test and has shown many good products. Audio and video playing software in Linux has become more and more popular with Linux's performance improvement. Now, in Linux, users want to listen to music, Mp3, or watch several large movies, VCD and DVD are already easy to handle. You can choose a wide variety of player software, with some simplified style and powerful functions, most of them support all common media formats, which are almost the same as those of Windows players. Next, let's introduce a few of them. Let's take a look at the playing world in Linux.
　　
　　 Initial installation
You may be a new Linux user. The first time you set foot on this unknown layout, you may encounter such a problem during use. The following uses the popular XteamLinux Chinese version as an example for testing, the following describes how to install multimedia parts.
　　
In Linux, files obtained and downloaded are similar to those in Winodws. It is most common to use "executable" and "compressed package" files. First, let's take a look at ". rpm files-these rpm are one Executable File package. The rpm package is easy to install. You can simply double-click the KDE to run the graphic interface application. The system will automatically install the application. You can also directly run the following command in the command line status:
　　
Rpm-ivh *. rpm (file name)
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In addition, compressed files are also everywhere, just like zip files in Windows. The compressed package in the format of "* .tar.gz" needs to be decompressed and installed. In Xwindows, the package can also be decompressed directly. You can click execute to decompress and install the package. The "tar" format is packaging, and the "gz" format is compression. in Linux, the compression of group files is performed simultaneously through these two processes. Use the following command line:
Tar-xzvf * .tar.gz (file name)
　　
You can unlock the two layers directly. Other installation processes may be required for the unlocked files.
　　
The most troublesome thing is "Compilation ". Usually, in a bunch of files that are unlocked, such as "Install, configure", or "README", similar instructions and installation files are included, in short, it is best to follow the installation instructions (vi README | more, cat README | more to view the content), for different file packages, the method is not exactly the same. If you really don't understand, find a Linux helper to do it. After you finish running the command, you don't necessarily know where the file is located. The general steps are as follows: ". /configure, make, make install, and make clean.
　　
In general, most of the multimedia software in Linux is open and can be obtained for free. The structure is relatively simple, but in some places it is relatively thin, from the perspective of ease of installation, it is too simplified to be used directly by common users. In addition, because there is no special Installer Control (even without the installation Interface), it is "unlocked and usable", so all the software selected for testing will not automatically generate a shortcut icon on the desktop after installation, you need to search for the execution in the directory. Similarly, the uninstallation operation cannot be completed automatically and can only be manually deleted. For some software that copies plug-ins, it may be difficult to find junk files and cannot be deleted.
　　
　　 Freeamp 2.1.0
Freeamp is a GPL-compliant audio player that features Free and cross-platform (Windows and Linux are supported at the same time) usage. Although the supported formats are slightly thin, the overall interface and operation methods reflect a lot of user-friendly design. The latest version 2.1.0 has also improved its functions.
　　
Installing Freeamp 2.1.0 is cumbersome, and its for release needs to be compiled and installed separately.
　　
As soon as you enter the FreeAmp main interface, it will give you a simple and clear feeling. In the light gray shell, there will be a large playback window, the prompts and playback information of all function buttons are displayed on this screen, which makes it easy for you to know the playback information at any time. The buttons and options of each function are clearly displayed.
　　
Freeamp supports mp3 audio files that we are most familiar with in the playback function and supports CD playback. Although there are few playback formats, It is very consistent with the overall concise style, as the most widely used file format, MP3 and CD are enough for us to enjoy music. If you try not to select any song for the first time, go to "Play" and you will be surprised to find that it will pop up a window, follow the Wizard to set "My Music" -- yes, this is the personal Music database function of FreeAmp. In fact, this function is not a new idea, similar to audio playback software, many have such a "Media File Manager" tool. Their advantages are self-evident. They can not only classify and keep their tracks, but also make their favorite "albums" and play them through playlist playlists, it is really convenient. You can use "my music" to save the playlist and cdns, set your favorite music website, and connect to the FreeAmp Internet Database (Musicbrainz, listen online, understand track information, and make track information. Other basic functions such as loop playback, countdown, sound channel balancing, and buffer settings are also available.
　　
In general, Freeamp is a clever cross-platform audio player that provides the main playback and control functions to facilitate normal Mp3 and CD file playback, this also reflects its overall style-although not gorgeous, it is very practical.
　　
　　 Xmms 1.2.6 Pre1
Those familiar with Linux must know the name of Xmms. Xmms (X MultiMedia System) is a dedicated MultiMedia player designed for Xwindows. It is one of the excellent MP3 players in Linux, most Linux versions use this product as the standard audio player in Linux. Select Xmms1.2.6 Pre1 (released in 2001.12.4) as the test version ).
　　
After testing Xmms, everyone will feel familiar-indeed, from any perspective, Xmms is very similar to the excellent playing software Winamp in Windows, whether it is the panel design, functional buttons, or even internal fonts, it is almost the best. In this way, Xmms also has an excellent temperament, rich and practical functions, and beautiful interface, it is indeed the general of the Linux audio player.
　　
The Xmms playback interface consists of three main windows: The main playback control window, the balancer tuning window, And the playback list window. Each window has a specific function module, which is clear and easy to use. As a whole, it has very powerful functions and is limited to space. I will not go into details here. In short, most common functions under Winamp can be used, such as Directory playback, online playback, screen amplification, top layer, loop playback, sound channel balancing, and other detailed settings are in place and comprehensive. The following describes some special functions.
　　
"Playlist" is an embodiment of the mature Xmms design. This function is no weaker than the player in Windows. It gives users more space and freedom to edit the list, and allows single and group to save the list, changes the playing sequence in real time. Users can easily control the playing of the songs in the list, making it convenient and flexible. A major feature of Xmms is its powerful "plug-in", which gives it a wealth of features, in addition to its own visual effect plug-ins, users can also log on to their websites to download various functional plug-ins, such as MMX, LCD, and VQF plug-ins. As a result, Xmms supports song formats, appearances, effects, and basic functions, it can be said that everything is available, as long as the manufacturer develops it, it can be added at any time, powerful functions.
　　
In general, Xmms is a mature "MP3" playing software. The interface window is rich and powerful, and supports Chinese Song names. The disadvantage is that the playback list window cannot be scaled up automatically when the playback page is scaled up in double mode. However, the imperfect details do not affect the overall playback function of the software, it is a good choice for MP3 playing software in Linux.
　　
　　 RealPlayer 8.0.3.421
I believe everyone is familiar with RealPlayer, which is a low-loss transmission software for audio and video multimedia at low bandwidth. It has superb online streaming media playing capabilities, rm and ra files are widely favored by netizens and become one of the main formats of media files. The Linux version of RealPlayer is also highly practical and adds a brilliant color to the Streaming Media Player in Linux.
　　
It is no different from RealPlayer on Windows. After startup, enter personal information and network information to prepare for playing online streaming media. The overall interface style is exactly the same as the windows version. The blue and gray mysterious and elegant combination gives you a stylish and bright feeling.
　　
The main function of RealPlayer is to play streaming media files in rm, ra, and other formats. The tested version also supports playing MP3 files. By downloading the plug-in, you can also perform WAV playback. There are not many supported formats, but they are more practical. Compared with realplayer in Windows, the Linux version features a little thin. The main setting items focus on performance control such as CPU usage adjustment and buffer settings, in addition, settings such as network transmission mode, latency, and bandwidth are provided to identify the user's network environment and adjust the online playback feature to achieve the best online playback effect.
　　
In the consistent style of realplay, its biggest feature still exists in the network playing field. After installation, it will automatically create an online playing plug-in for the browser (Mozilla, however, if your system settings are in the Netscape folder by default, you must manually copy them to Mozilla's plugins for use. You can directly select the online ra/rm file for real-time playback. Due to its consistent network style, as a local player, some common features such as sound channel balancing and sound control are not provided in Windows. During use, we also found that RealPlayer only supports double-screen amplification, but does not support window maximization. garbled characters are displayed when Chinese names are displayed, these will cause inconvenience to the user in the actual use process.
　　
RealPlayer as an online streaming media player