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How to Install VLC Media Player on Debian 12, 11 or 10
Last Updated on by Joshua James
Embarking on a multimedia journey calls for a reliable companion, and VLC Media Player, an offering by the VideoLAN project, invariably tops that list. Celebrated for its robustness and versatility, VLC facilitates playback, conversion, and streaming of an immense variety of multimedia formats. This guide aims to unravel the process of how to install VLC Media Player on Debian 13 Trixie, Debian 12 Bookworm, Debian 11 Bullseye, or Debian 10 Buster, making use of two distinct package managers with the command-line terminal: the apt package manager via Debian’s own repository or the deb-multimedia third-party repository, and Flatpak via the Flathub repository.
VLC Media Player’s distinguishing characteristics include:
Extensive Format Support: VLC can play virtually any multimedia file, along with DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.
Customizable Interface: The interface can be tailored to individual preferences, enhancing the user experience.
Installation options for VLC on Debian systems encompass:
Apt Package Manager: Debian’s default package manager guarantees a streamlined installation and automatic updates for a worry-free user experience.
Deb-Multimedia Repository: This third-party repository frequently includes more current VLC versions, perfect for those desiring the newest features that do not mind working with upstream branches.
Flatpak via Flathub Repository: Flatpak, emphasizing security and system stability, provides a sandboxed environment that isolates applications from the rest of the system.
Armed with a thorough understanding of VLC Media Player’s key features and installation options, you are prepared to delve into the specifics of installing this versatile tool on Debian systems.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Install VLC Media Player via APT Package Manager
Step 1: Update the Debian System
Before the installation of any new package, it is advisable to refresh your Debian Linux system. This ensures that all pre-existing packages are upgraded to their latest versions. Achieve this by entering the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Deciding the VLC Media Player Installation Method via Apt
Installation Via Debian’s Apt Repository
The primary method involves using the default apt repository supplied by Debian. It is important to note that this version is both stable and secure. However, it may not be the most current version since it may lack the latest features and improvements that could be found in third-party repositories. Nevertheless, it is highly effective for simple media player needs and seamlessly caters to most formats. Hence, this is the recommended installation method, especially for those relatively new to Debian Linux.
To install VLC Media Player via the Debian apt repository, you will need to execute the following command:
sudo apt install vlc
Once installed, confirm the build version, verifying the installation was successful.
vlc --version
Method 2: Install VLC Media Player via DEB-Multimedia
DEB-Multimedia is a long-established third-party repository for Debian Linux distributions. It traces its roots back to the Debian Multimedia repository, a name that was subsequently changed due to some past concerns. Today, it is a trusted source for various widely-used applications, including the VLC Media Player, across all active Debian Linux distributions.
Note about DEB-Multimedia: Importing will prompt changes and upgrades to many backend dependencies. Creating a backup of all your system files in a snapshot is strongly advised. Tools like Timeshift or similar applications are excellent for this task. This precautionary measure ensures you have a safety net if any existing software faces disruption. The Flatpak method for acquiring the latest version is recommended for those with a heavily modified system.
Lastly, SID and Testing are supported, which means Debian 13 Trixie is supported for users that prefer using the upstream release of Debian distributions that may not receive updates as fast.,
Acquiring the DEB-Multimedia APT Repository
Before proceeding with the VLC installation, we must import the GPG (GNU Privacy Guard) key. GPG is a critical technology to secure data and communication through encryption and signing. Its functionality extends to managing keys and providing access modules for public key directories.
To import the GPG key, you’ll use the following command:
The success of this operation will be indicated by an output similar to this:
gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/deb-multimedia.gpg' created
gpg: key 5C808C2B65558117: public key "Christian Marillat <marillat@debian.org>" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg: imported: 1
If the key importation encounters difficulties (a common issue among those who haven’t previously imported a GPG key from the Ubuntu keyserver), the following command can be used to create the required directories:
sudo gpg --list-keys
After successfully importing the GPG key, the next step involves importing the repository. Ensure you import the version that aligns with your distribution, such as Trixie, Bookworm, Bullseye, or Buster.
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/deb-multimedia.gpg] \
https://www.deb-multimedia.org $(lsb_release -sc) main non-free" \
| sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/deb-multimedia.list
Point of Interest: If the import command above seems unresponsive, you may miss a few crucial packages. Install them via:
Now that we have the GPG key and repository, it’s time to refresh the APT packages list. The following command will do this:
sudo apt update
Given that the DEB-Multimedia repository likely contains newer versions of backend dependencies, upgrading these dependencies before proceeding with the VLC installation is advisable.
sudo apt upgrade
VLC Media Player Installation
At this point, we are ready to install VLC Media Player. With the GPG keys, the repositories, and the dependencies all setup, the installation process can begin. The following command will install VLC:
sudo apt install vlc
Upon successful execution of this command, VLC Media Player will be installed and ready for use on your Debian system.
Section 2: Install VLC Media Player via Flatpak and Flathub
Flatpak is another method of installing the VLC Media Player on your Debian Linux system. Please note that Flatpak doesn’t come pre-installed on Debian distributions. However, it’s available in the Debian repositories for installation.
The first task in this process is to enable Flathub, the primary repository for hosting Flatpak applications. To do this, you’ll need to input the following command into your terminal:
This command instructs your system to add Flathub as a remote repository for Flatpak if it doesn’t already exist. The --if-not-exists option is a precautionary measure that prevents the creation of duplicate repositories in case Flathub is already set up.
Step 2: Installing VLC Media Player Through Flatpak
Once Flathub has been enabled, you’re ready to install VLC Media Player. To perform the installation, you’ll need to use the following command:
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC
This command initiates the installation of VLC from the Flathub repository. The ‘org.videolan.VLC’ is the identifier of the VLC Media Player in the Flathub repository.
Section 3: Starting VLC Media Player on Debian Linux
With VLC Media Player now installed on your Debian Linux system, you may wonder how to initiate this multimedia tool. You have two primary methods to launch VLC.
Launching VLC from the Terminal
One approach is to start VLC Media Player via the command line interface. If you’ve installed VLC using APT or DEB-Multimedia, enter the following command into your terminal:
vlc
If, on the other hand, you’ve installed VLC using Flatpak, the command to start VLC Media Player is slightly different. In this case, type the following command into your terminal:
flatpak run org.videolan.VLC
Launching VLC from the Desktop Interface
For those who prefer graphical interfaces over command-line interaction, you can start VLC Media Player from your desktop.
Navigate as follows: Activities > Show Applications > VLC Media Player.
PinStep-by-step screenshot: Launching VLC Media Player from the applications menu on Debian Linux.
Section 4: Tips on Getting Started with VLC Media Player on Debian Linux
Now that you have VLC Media Player installed and running on your Debian Linux system, you might want to explore some helpful tips and customizations that could significantly enrich your media player experience. The following sections will guide you through several VLC Media Player enhancements tailored to Linux users.
Optimizing Playback Settings
VLC Media Player provides several settings that you can tweak to improve playback performance. For instance, you can increase the caching value if you experience a lag during streaming. Navigate to Tools > Preferences > Show settings (All) > Input/Codecs > Advanced. Here, you can adjust the File caching (ms) value.
Remember that increasing the cache value might consume more of your system’s resources.
Customizing the Interface
VLC Media Player also allows you to personalize its interface. Access the customization settings by navigating to Tools > Preferences > Interface. From here, you can modify the look and feel of VLC Media Player to suit your taste.
Exploiting Keyboard Shortcuts
Leveraging keyboard shortcuts can significantly streamline your interaction with VLC Media Player. Some commonly used shortcuts include:
Extending VLC Capabilities with Extensions and Plugins
The VLC Media Player can be extended with numerous plugins and extensions. To manage these, navigate to Tools > Plugins and Extensions. From there, you can browse and install extensions that add extra features or functionalities to your media player.
Experimenting with Advanced Features
VLC Media Player is packed with advanced features, such as recording a part of a video, converting media files, or even playing and downloading YouTube videos. Feel free to experiment with these features to maximize your VLC usage. To access most of these, navigate to the Media menu.
Remember, the beauty of VLC Media Player lies in its versatility and robust feature set. Take your time to explore and learn more about its capabilities. Happy viewing on your Linux system!
PinScreenshot: VLC Media Player in action on Debian Linux.
Section 5: Administering VLC Media Player on Debian Linux
The VLC Media Player has been installed on your Debian Linux system. However, you might decide to uninstall this software at some point. This section guides you on uninstalling VLC Media Player from your system thoroughly and cleanly.
Uninstall VLC Media Player Packages
Your first move towards getting rid of VLC Media Player involves uninstalling the VLC Media Player packages. Remember that several dependencies might have been added during the VLC Media Player installation process. To maintain a clean system post-removal, the autoremove command is used. Run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt remove vlc
Executing this command will not only uninstall VLC Media Player packages but also clean up any redundant dependencies installed alongside VLC Media Player.
Remove Flatpak Installation
If you have installed VLC using Flatpak, you can remove it using the following command:
flatpak uninstall org.videolan.VLC
This command will remove the VLC flatpak installation from your system.
Final Thoughts
In wrapping up, we have journeyed through setting up VLC Media Player on Debian Linux systems (13 Trixie, 12 Bookworm, 11 Bullseye, and 10 Buster). You now know how to install, launch, administer, and remove VLC and a few tips for effectively using this powerful media player. Use its customization features to tailor the application to your preferences and needs.
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