How to update VLC?

[Monkeyman]

I've installed the most recent LL updates but it didn't update VLC to the latest build (I'm still on 2.1.6 and I think 2.2.4 is out).  I have a few videos that have some issues playing and I need to update VLC to fix them.

How do I update VLC?

[Wirezfree]

Hi

VLC is part of the standard repository, which as you point out is 2.1.6
This is not controlled by LL, it's whatever Ubuntu decide to update to.

I have seen 2.2.4 for Windows, and Linux I think is still 2.2.2

What I'm not sure about is if you follow the many ways to get 2.2.2, like this one
Will it break the normal update method, or will you end up with 2 installs..??
Probably somebody will come along with a more definitive answer...

GL

[valtam]

You greatly risk breaking your system when you venture outside our official repo's in pursuit of the newest version.

[N4RPS]

Hello!

I share Jerry's perspective on this one. Since most folks are here for a stable, long-term-support OS, adding on a bunch of PPAs would tend to serve to defeat that.

On the other hand, things can take F-O-R-E-V-E-R to be updated in the repositories, so you have everything satisfactorily backed up, and STILL want to 'play with fire', when you want newer software than what's in the repositories, you'll have to add the program's PPA to your list of software sources.

You can Google the name of the program along with the phrase 'PPA' to find it, if one exists. For VLC,

Open a terminal window [CTRL-ALT-T], and type (or copy-and-paste) the following lines:

Code:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install vlc

If you like living INSIDE the flames, to install the development version, type this, instead:

Code:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/master-daily
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install vlc

To remove the version installed by the PPA, type the following - again, in a terminal window:

Code:

sudo apt-get purge vlc
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:videolan/stable-daily
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install vlc

This will remove the 'bleeding edge' VLC, and reinstall the one from the repositories.

Remember, if you break something because of this, most likely, no one here can help you, but we WILL LOAO!

Don't get burned...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[Monkeyman]

Thanks, everyone.  I guess I'll live with the current version and toss the movies that won't play.  I'm not smart enough to fix Linux if I break it.

[trinidad]

https://forum.videolan.org/

https://launchpad.net/~videolan/+archive...able-daily

Trinidad

[LL-user]

Hi Monkeyman,

You could always boot up a live CD
Linux Lite 3.0 ships with version 2.2.2 Weathewax.

If you wanted to take it even further in case 2.2.2 is not enough, you could install what you want/need into the Live CD running system. Then copy the packages pulled in via apt (located under /var/cache/apt/archives/) to an USB stick/hard drive. Next time you boot up the live CD you would just have to install these packages directly. No internet access needed anymore. I use this method on a regular basis.

Of course you could also create a LiveUSB with persistent storage or even go all the way of actually installing the system to an external medium. But that seems overkill and would use a lot more space.

[N4RPS]

Hello, Monkeyman!

Thanks, everyone.  I guess I'll live with the current version and toss the movies that won't play.  I'm not smart enough to fix Linux if I break it.

If you NEED VLC 2.2.2 for some reason, that's a different matter altogether. Upgrading to it most likely won't cause any new issues for you.

One just have to be careful to get too carried away with PPAs, that's all. Worst comes to worst, you can remove the newest version, remove the PPA, reinstall the repository version, and life goes on.

For example, take Me TV, a program to watch TV on your PC using a USB TV dongle or PCI/PCIe TV card. The newest version doesn't want to work for me., The developer recommended that I not use the one in the PPA, so THAT would be one case where it's best to stick with what's in the repositories.

On the other hand, take Blueman, for Bluetooth control. The early version had something disabled (I forget what) that kept it from working properly. As a result, if you wanted Bluetooth to work, you HAD to use the latest version and add the PPA, as opposed to using the one in the repositories.

In a nutshell, it can work both ways, so use which one works best for what YOU'RE doing...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob


73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[Monkeyman]

Hi Monkeyman,

Linux Lite 3.0 ships with version 2.2.2 Weathewax.

Really?  I wasn't really ready to upgrade to 3.0 just yet (I have everything just like I want it and I HATE change) but maybe I'll need to.

Hello, Monkeyman!

[quote author=Monkeyman link=topic=3225.msg24822#msg24822 date=1467772044]
Thanks, everyone.  I guess I'll live with the current version and toss the movies that won't play.  I'm not smart enough to fix Linux if I break it.

If you NEED VLC 2.2.2 for some reason, that's a different matter altogether. Upgrading to it most likely won't cause any new issues for you.

One just have to be careful to get too carried away with PPAs, that's all. Worst comes to worst, you can remove the newest version, remove the PPA, reinstall the repository version, and life goes on.

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[/quote]

There are a couple of movies that are in x265 format.  The VLC version I'm on just won't play them.  I'll have to think about this and decide whether I want to try a newer version or just upgrade to LL 3.0.

Thanks for the help, guys!

[firenice03]

Food for thought 

Could make a Systemback back up... Try the PPA/Update Methods to get to VLC 2.2.2 confirm if it resolves your issues...
If it does, decide if you're ok in this state or upgrade to 3.0
If it doesn't, no harm no fowl, decide whether to keep current state or revert back to the previous from Systemback..