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How to Install FreetuxTV on Ubuntu Linux 22.04 | 20.04
Last Updated on by Joshua James
FreetuxTV is a versatile and powerful open-source software that allows you to stream and watch live television channels and radio stations worldwide on your Linux desktop.
Key Features of FreetuxTV:
Wide Array of Channels: FreetuxTV offers a vast selection of TV channels and radio stations from various countries, catering to diverse interests, languages, and cultures.
Customizable Channel List: With FreetuxTV, you can easily create, modify, and organize your channel list to suit your preferences, ensuring a personalized viewing experience.
Time-Shifting Feature: FreetuxTV supports time-shifting, allowing you to pause, rewind, and fast-forward live broadcasts so you never miss a moment of your favorite shows.
Multilingual Support: FreetuxTV is available in several languages, making it accessible to users from different linguistic backgrounds.
Built-in Recording Feature: FreetuxTV lets you record live broadcasts directly to your computer, ensuring you can watch your favorite shows and movies conveniently.
Open-Source and Free: As an open-source project, a community of dedicated developers continuously improve FreetuxTV, and it’s available at no cost.
The following guide will demonstrate how to install FreetuxTV on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa LTS. However, the same methods will work with short-term Ubuntu releases that have not reached the end of life.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Install FreeTuxTV
Step 1: Update Ubuntu
Before you begin the installation process, ensuring that your Ubuntu system is up-to-date is essential. This will help prevent potential conflicts or issues arising from outdated packages. To update your system, follow these steps:
Update the package list: First, update the list of packages available for your system by running the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt update
This command fetches information about the latest package versions from the repositories.
Upgrade the packages: Once the package list is updated, upgrade any outdated packages using the following command:
sudo apt upgrade
This command installs the latest versions of the packages currently installed on your system.
If necessary, reboot your system after upgrading to ensure all changes are applied.
Step 2: Import FreetuxTV Team PPA
To install FreetuxTV, we will use the Personal Package Archives (PPA) provided by the FreetuxTV Developers team. Using PPAs has the advantage of providing the most recent stable updates, and for those who prefer cutting-edge releases, it also offers the unstable upstream version.
Note: Keep in mind that both the unstable and stable versions share the same installation method. If you import both PPAs, the repository with the latest version will always be chosen. In most cases, this will be the unstable upstream version.
To import the desired FreetuxTV PPA, follow these steps:
Import FreetuxTV stable PPA (Recommended): For a more stable experience, import the FreetuxTV stable PPA by running the following command in your terminal:
This command adds the stable PPA to your system’s list of package sources.
Import FreetuxTV unstable PPA (Nightly Development): If you prefer the latest bleeding-edge release, import the FreetuxTV unstable PPA by running the following command:
Once you have imported the desired FreetuxTV PPA, updating your system’s package list to include the new repository is essential. This step ensures that the latest FreetuxTV package from the chosen PPA is available for installation. To update the package list, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt update
This command refreshes the list of available packages, including the FreetuxTV packages from the recently added PPA. You are now ready to proceed with the installation of FreetuxTV.
Step 4: Install FreetuxTV
With the package list updated and the desired PPA imported, you are now ready to install FreetuxTV on your system. To do so, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install freetuxtv
This command installs the FreetuxTV package from the chosen PPA.
Section 2: Launch FreetuxTV
In this section, we’ll guide you through launching FreetuxTV. We’ll cover different methods for launching the application, ensuring you understand each step.
Option 1: Launching FreetuxTV using Terminal
For desktop users who prefer using the command line, you can quickly launch FreetuxTV by opening a terminal window and entering the following command:
freetuxtv
Option 2: Launching FreetuxTV using the Application Icon
For those who prefer a more visual approach, you can launch FreetuxTV using the application icon. This method involves navigating through the desktop environment’s menu system. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Click on the Activities button, usually located at the top left corner of your desktop.
Select Show Applications, typically represented by a grid of dots at the bottom of the Activities panel.
Search for FreetuxTV in the list of installed applications. To locate it quickly, type “FreetuxTV” in the search bar.
Click on the FreetuxTV icon to launch the application.
Section 3: Getting Started with FreetuxTV on Ubuntu Linux
This section will explore various tips and tricks to help you get the most out of FreetuxTV on Ubuntu Linux. These recommendations are tailored specifically for Ubuntu Linux users and will cover general tips, customization options, and other helpful insights. By following these suggestions, you can maximize your FreetuxTV experience.
General Tips
Here are some general tips for using FreetuxTV on Ubuntu Linux:
Update Channels Regularly: To ensure you have the latest channels and streaming sources, update the channel list. You can do this by clicking on the Update channels button in the application or by pressing Ctrl + U.
Favorites List: To access your favorite channels quickly, create a favorites list by right-clicking on a channel and selecting Add to favorites. Your favorites list can be accessed from the Channels panel on the left side of the application window.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Improve your efficiency and navigation within FreetuxTV using keyboard shortcuts. Some useful shortcuts include:
Ctrl + F: Toggle fullscreen mode
Ctrl + S: Stop the current stream
Ctrl + R: Record the current stream
Customization Options
FreetuxTV offers various customization options to enhance your viewing experience. Here are some ways to personalize your FreetuxTV setup:
Adjust Playback Settings: To optimize video playback, go to Edit > Preferences > Playback, and adjust the video and audio options according to your preferences.
Change Language: You can change the interface language by navigating to Edit > Preferences > Interface and selecting your preferred language from the dropdown menu.
Customize Appearance: To modify the appearance of FreetuxTV, navigate to Edit > Preferences > Interface, and adjust the settings for channel logos, font size, and more.
Other Helpful Tips
Here are some additional tips to enhance your FreetuxTV experience:
Search Channels: To quickly find a specific channel, use the search bar located at the top of the Channels panel. Type the name of the channel you’re looking for and the results will be filtered automatically.
Manage Groups: Organize your channels by creating and managing groups. To create a new group, right-click on the Channels panel and select Add a group. You can also rename or delete existing groups by right-clicking on a group and selecting the appropriate option.
Record Streams: FreetuxTV allows you to record live streams for later viewing. To record a stream, click on the Record button in the application or press Ctrl + R. Recorded files are saved in your home folder by default, but you can change the destination folder in Edit > Preferences > Recording.
Example of FreetuxTV UI once launched on Ubuntu Linux:
Section 4: Additional FreetuxTV Commands with Ubuntu Linux
This section will explore some additional commands related to FreetuxTV on Ubuntu Linux. We’ll discuss how to update and remove the application and manage the associated Personal Package Archives (PPAs). As always, we’ll provide clear explanations and guidance to help you understand each step of the process.
Update FreetuxTV
To ensure your FreetuxTV installation and other system packages are up-to-date, you should regularly run the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade
This command updates the package list and then upgrades any outdated packages, including FreetuxTV. We recommend that novice and experienced Linux users run this command frequently to maintain a stable and secure system.
Remove FreetuxTV
If you no longer require FreetuxTV, you can uninstall the application using the following command:
sudo apt remove freetuxtv
This command removes FreetuxTV and any associated dependencies that are no longer needed.
Removing FreetuxTV PPAs
After uninstalling FreetuxTV, you may also want to remove the associated PPAs if you do not plan to use the software again. Choose the appropriate command based on the PPA you initially added for the installation.
Remove FreetuxTV Stable PPA
To remove the stable PPA, execute the following command:
In this guide, we have covered the installation and management of FreetuxTV on Ubuntu Linux. We’ve discussed various application launch methods, provided tips and tricks for getting started, and explained how to update and remove FreetuxTV. Following these instructions allows you to enjoy a seamless and personalized experience with FreetuxTV on your Ubuntu Linux system.
