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Asked: 2024-09-27T08:38:22+05:30 In:

What is the latest recommended version of VLC for Ubuntu, and how can I successfully configure it to play MKV files from Blu-ray discs?

I’ve been diving into video playback on my Ubuntu setup lately, and I have a bit of a challenge I could use some help with. I want to make sure I’m using the latest version of VLC, but I’m not entirely sure what that is at the moment. I’ve heard that VLC is pretty powerful and can handle tons of formats, but I really want to make sure I have the version that works best with MKV files, especially ones from Blu-ray discs.

I’ve got a couple of Blu-ray movies that I absolutely love, and I’d love to be able to watch them in their full glory on my computer. However, I’ve had some mixed luck with playback in the past. Sometimes it works perfectly, and other times I’m just left staring at the loading screen or dealing with some weird audio issues. It’s super frustrating!

So, here’s where I could use your collective wisdom. First off, what’s the latest recommended version of VLC for Ubuntu right now? I’d like to be up to date with the best features and fixes. Once I have that, I’m also a bit lost on how to configure VLC to play these MKV files properly from my Blu-ray discs. I’ve seen some guides online, but some of them seem outdated, and I’d rather get advice from people who are currently using the software effectively.

If anyone has successfully set this up, could you share the steps you took? I mean, from downloading and installing the latest version to any specific tweaks or settings I need to change for optimal playback. Also, are there any additional plugins or libraries you recommend I should have? Any tips or tricks that might help would be greatly appreciated! I just want to sit back and enjoy my movies without any hiccups. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers

    1. To ensure you’re using the latest version of VLC on your Ubuntu setup, you can easily check for updates through the terminal. Open a terminal window and type the following commands to update your package list and install VLC: sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install vlc. This will obtain the most recent version available in your Ubuntu repository, which is usually a stable build. As of October 2023, the latest recommended version should be 3.0.17, but it’s advisable to check the official VLC website or the Ubuntu package repository to confirm this. If you’d like to use the latest developmental version or need specific features not present in the stable release, consider adding the VLC PPA by running sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily before re-running the update and install commands.

      For optimal playback of MKV files, particularly Blu-ray rips, you’ll need to ensure you have the necessary libraries such as libbluray installed. You can do this by executing sudo apt install libbluray-bdj for Blu-ray Java support, enabling additional features for playback. After installing, launch VLC and navigate to Tools > Preferences. In the Input/Codecs section, set the File caching (ms) option to a higher value, like 1000ms, to minimize loading issues. Also, ensure the ‘Hardware-accelerated decoding’ setting is enabled to improve playback efficiency. If you encounter any audio issues, you might want to explore the ‘Audio’ settings and ensure your audio output device is correctly selected. Lastly, consider installing the ffmpeg and libavcodec-extra packages to enhance codec compatibility. With these tweaks, you should have a smoother viewing experience for your Blu-ray MKV files.



    2. Help with VLC on Ubuntu

      Getting VLC to Play MKV from Blu-ray on Ubuntu

      So, it looks like you’re diving into the world of video playback on your Ubuntu setup. First things first, to check the latest version of VLC, you can visit the official VLC Ubuntu page. It usually shows the most recent version available. As of my last update, it’s often around 3.x, but double-check for any new releases!

      Installing VLC

      If you need to install or update VLC, you can do it easily via the terminal. Just open it up and type:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install vlc

      That should get you the latest version if you’re connected to the internet. If you like GUI stuff, you can search for VLC in the Ubuntu Software Center, too!

      Playing MKV Files from Blu-ray Discs

      Now for actually getting those MKV files from your Blu-ray to play smoothly. You might run into issues because Blu-ray discs need a couple of extra things. First, you’ll need libbdplus and libbluray. To install these, just run:

      sudo apt install libbdplus0 libbluray1

      Configuring VLC

      Once you’ve got that sorted, here’s how to tweak VLC:

      • Launch VLC.
      • Go to Tools in the menu and select Preferences.
      • At the bottom left, switch from Simple to All to see advanced settings.
      • Navigate to Input / Codecs.
      • Check for any options related to Hurt Blu-ray Discs and ensure those are adjusted if needed.

      If you run into audio issues, you might need to mess with the audio output settings too in the same Preferences section. You can try changing between the different output modules like ALSA or PULSEAUDIO to see which one gives you the best results.

      Additional Tips

      Some tech-savvy folks recommend using MakeMKV to rip your Blu-ray to MKV files directly on your computer. This way, you avoid playback issues altogether. Just keep in mind the legal stuff depending on your region when it comes to ripping content.

      Wrap Up

      Hopefully, these tips help you get set up with VLC for those Blu-ray movies! If you run into any hiccups, just dive into some online forums or ask here again. Enjoy your movie nights!


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