MPV Media Player for Video Playback on Linux

In this digital age, media players have become an essential tool for entertainment and information consumption. Among the many options available, MPV Media Player stands out as a popular choice for its versatility and ease of use. In this article, we will explore the features and installation process of MPV Media Player on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS.

What is MPV Media Player?

MPV Media Player is a free, open-source media player that is based on MPlayer and mplayer2. It supports a wide range of video file formats, audio codecs, and subtitle types, making it an ideal choice for playing various multimedia files. The player's minimalistic design makes it easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface.

Features of MPV Media Player

Some of the key features that make MPV Media Player stand out include:

* Support for multiple video formats, including AVI, MP4, MOV, and more

* Compatibility with various audio codecs, such as MP3, AAC, and AC3

* Ability to play subtitles in various formats, including SRT, ASS, and SSA

* Built-in support for DVD and VCD playback

* Support for streaming protocols, including HTTP, RTSP, and MMS

Installing MPV Media Player on Ubuntu

To install MPV Media Player on Ubuntu, you can use the APT package manager or Flatpak via Flathub. Here's a step-by-step guide to installing MPV using both methods:

### Method 1: Installing MPV using APT Package Manager

1. Open the terminal and update your package list by running the following command:

```

sudo apt update

```

2. Install MPV Media Player using the following command:

```

sudo apt install mpv

```

3. Once installed, you can launch MPV by searching for it in the Dash or by typing `mpv` in the terminal.

### Method 2: Installing MPV using Flatpak

1. Open the terminal and add the Flathub repository to your system:

```

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

```

2. Install MPV Media Player using the following command:

```

flatpak install flathub org.mpv.MPV

```

3. Once installed, you can launch MPV by searching for it in the Dash or by typing `mpv` in the terminal.

Using MPV Media Player

MPV Media Player is easy to use and offers a variety of ways to play your videos. Here are some common methods:

A) The simple solution: just 'drag 'n' drop' a video file from your file manager.

B) Create a script, say mps.sh, in your /home/your/bin directory, to hold the following code:

```

echo '' | socat - /tmp/mpvsocket

```

This line is needed in mpv's config file.

C) Download VLC 3.0.20 / 4.0.0-28288 Dev for Linux and follow their instructions.

D) Create a wrapper script to load your video in your MPV Media Player, which replaces the running video immediately, inheriting its settings (volume setting, speed, brightness).

In conclusion, MPV Media Player is an excellent choice for playing videos on Linux. With its wide range of features, ease of use, and versatility, it's a great option for anyone looking to enjoy their multimedia content.

Mpv media player video linux