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How to Install SMPlayer on Linux Mint 21/20
Last Updated on by Joshua James
SMPlayer is an open-source, cross-platform multimedia player that offers a rich set of features and impressive compatibility. Built on the powerful MPlayer and mpv engines, it ensures seamless playback of virtually any audio or video format. SMPlayer provides an intuitive interface and customizable options, making it the go-to multimedia player for users across different platforms.
Key Features:
Wide Format Support: SMPlayer can handle many audio and video formats, thanks to its MPlayer and mpv engines. This includes popular formats like MP3, MP4, AVI, MKV, etc.
Subtitle Support: SMPlayer boasts an extensive subtitle functionality, allowing users to search, download, and synchronize subtitles from within the application.
YouTube Integration: Users can effortlessly stream and search YouTube videos directly from SMPlayer, eliminating the need for a separate web browser.
Customizable Interface: SMPlayer offers a variety of skins and icon themes, enabling users to tailor the appearance to their preferences.
Advanced Playback Options: SMPlayer’s feature-rich playback options include video and audio filters, speed adjustments, and the ability to remember settings for individual files.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: SMPlayer is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring a consistent user experience across various operating systems.
Overall, SMPlayer is an excellent choice for Linux Mint users due to its compatibility, performance, and ease of installation. This guide will now go on to demonstrate how to install SMPlayer on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20 distribution using a Launchpad PPA that is maintained with the latest versions at all times or Flatpak with the Flathub repository.
Table of Contents
Method 1: Install SMPlayer PPA Method
Step 1: Update your system
First, update your system to ensure all existing packages are up-to-date and to avoid conflicts. Run the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Import and install the PPA by Alexander Pozdnyakov
The best APT package manager method is to import and install the PPA by Alexander Pozdnyakov. To do this, use the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alex-p/smplayer -y
Step 3: Update APT
Before you continue, run an APT update to reflect the newly imported PPA. Enter the command:
sudo apt update
Step 4: Install SMPlayer
Now, install the application along with themes using the command:
sudo apt install smplayer smplayer-themes -y
Method 2: Install SMPlayer Flatpak Method
Step 1: Verify Flatpak installation
The second option is to use the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak should be installed already; the only requirement is to enable Flathub unless you previously removed the third-party package manager.
flatpak --version
Step 2: Add or enable the Flathub repository
To add or enable the Flathub repository, use the following command:
Now, install SMPlayer using the following Flatpak command:
flatpak install flathub info.smplayer.SMPlayer -y
How to Launch SMPlayer on Linux Mint
Now that you have the software installed, launching SMPlayer can be done in a few ways.
Option 1: Launch SMPlayer using the command
First, the software can be launched using the following command:
smplayer
Option 2: Launch SMPlayer with Flatpak
Alternatively, Flatpak users will need to launch using the command below from a terminal instance:
flatpak run info.smplayer.SMPlayer
Option 3: Launch SMPlayer via the application icon
Most desktop users may elect to use the application icon to open the software, which can be achieved using the following path:
Taskbar > Sound & Video > SMPlayer
Example of SMPlayer on Linux Mint application taskbar:
Pin
Tips on Getting Started with SMPlayer on Linux Mint
Now that you’ve installed and launched SMPlayer on your Linux Mint system, it’s time to explore its features and customize it to your preferences. This section will cover some tips to help you get started with SMPlayer.
General Tips
Remember playback position: SMPlayer can remember the playback position of your media files. To enable this feature, go to Options > Preferences > General and check the box for “Remember time position.”
Customize keyboard shortcuts: You can tailor keyboard shortcuts to your preferences by visiting Options > Preferences > Keyboard and mouse.
Adjust audio and video synchronization: If you experience audio-video sync issues, you can adjust synchronization by pressing the + and - keys on your keyboard.
Video equalizer settings: Enhance your viewing experience by adjusting the video equalizer settings. You can access the video equalizer through Video > Equalizer.
Customizations
Change the interface theme: Customize SMPlayer’s appearance by selecting a theme. Go to Options > Preferences > Interface, and choose from the available themes.
Modify the font and size of subtitles: To change the font and size of subtitles, navigate to Options > Preferences > Subtitles and make the desired adjustments.
Customize the OSD (On-Screen Display): Personalize the On-Screen Display by visiting Options > Preferences > OSD and adjusting the settings to your liking.
Other Tips
Add external subtitle files: To use an external subtitle file with your video, drag and drop the subtitle file onto the SMPlayer window or go to Subtitles > Load and select the file.
Take screenshots: Capture a still image from a video by pressing the S key on your keyboard or by selecting Video > Take Screenshot.
Stream YouTube videos: SMPlayer has built-in YouTube support, allowing you to search and stream videos directly from the application. Access this feature by clicking Options > YouTube browser.
Create a playlist: Organize your media files by creating playlists. You can access the playlist feature by going to Play > Playlist or by pressing Ctrl + L.
By exploring these tips and customizations, you can optimize your SMPlayer experience on Linux Mint and enjoy a feature-rich, user-friendly media player tailored to your preferences.
Next, run the following command for any leftover clean-up.
flatpak remove --unused
Conclusion
Installing SMPlayer on Linux Mint is a straightforward process that grants you access to a powerful and feature-rich multimedia player. With two different installation methods (PPA and Flatpak), you can choose the approach that best suits your preferences. Once installed, SMPlayer offers a highly customizable and user-friendly experience, enabling you to enjoy your media files easily.
Additional Resources and Links
To further enhance your SMPlayer experience and knowledge, the following official resources and links are available:
SMPlayer Official Website: Visit the SMPlayer website for the latest news, updates, and general information about the software.
SMPlayer Documentation: Access the SMPlayer documentation to find in-depth guides and explanations of the features and functionalities of the application.
SMPlayer Forum: Join the SMPlayer forum to engage with other users, ask questions, and share your experiences with the software.
SMPlayer GitHub Repository: Explore the SMPlayer GitHub repository for the source code, bug reports, and feature requests.
