mp3 in OpenSuSE

[Jonny88]

Hi, I've recently been trying out various versions of Linux (Ubuntu, mandriva, suse) as an alternative to windows. I'm using the system as a dual boot as I still need assess to some windows programs. Having decided that I prefer SuSE Linux KDE mainly because of the menu bar. Can anybody explain how I get amarok to play mp3 files? I did have Helix Banshee playing mp3s the first time I used SuSE but when I reinstalled thinking I could add an mp3 codec for amarok helix has been broken and crashes at something like 'initializing audio' on the splash screen. could somebody explain how I update amarok on my PC, although I do not have a direct internet connection so I can't just use online updates.
Cheers

[scrarfussi]

try this


http://www.softwareinreview.com/cms/content/view/60/

[oldcpu]

Can anybody explain how I get amarok to play mp3 files?

Typically, the "stock" Novell/SuSE can only play mp3 files with real player. To play mp3's with the Novell/SuSE packaged version of Amarok, the recommended approach is to install the Packman Packaged version of xine, and then in Amarok select the xine engine. Note that the Novell/SuSE packaged version of xine can not play mp3's and hence it will not do the trick for Amarok and mp3. You need Packman's packaged xine.

Now, if you are using Guru's packaged version of Amarok (where Guru's packaged version is newer and better than the Novell/SuSE packaged version), you will also need the application "mad" from Packman.

although I do not have a direct internet connection so I can't just use online updates.

This makes your life difficult, and IMHO it brings into question your decision to go with SuSE. The true capability of SuSE, especially with multimedia, comes via 3rd party packages, most of which have dependencies that need to be met. This is not a problem, if one has highspeed internet access with an advanced Software Package Manager, such as the version of "Smart" packaged by Guru. In your case you will struggle with sorting the dependencies. And since only YOU know what is on your pc, then only you can determine what dependencies are precisely needed. All that the rest of us can do is provide hints.

Now, back to Amarok, and xine. You can find Packman's xine here:
http://packman.links2linux.org/package/xine-lib

and here:
http://packman.links2linux.org/package/xine-ui

Please pay careful attention as to what is on those URLs. Specifically make note of the dependencies listed on those URLs, and ensure you also install the dependencies that you need.

Good luck. Without high speed internet, you are doing this with both arms tied behind your back. I think you will need the good luck.

[daark.child]

You can also take a look at this article.

[planecrazee]

Your best bet is just using Realplayer. Setting up Amarok to play mp3 is difficult to do. I recommend skipping the hassle.

[daark.child]

Its not that hard. All you need to do is replace the openSUSE xine packages and install the win32 codecs from the Packman repo. The link in my post above, has a good howto thats simple to follow.

[Jonny88]

Cheers for the help, managed to get it working by using the xine rpm from packman, also got a few other updates for suse there too, although sometimes its a little difficult to find the files to resolve the dependencies with for some software.

[bigtomrodney]

If you are chasing dependencies by hand you will drive yourself insane. Try adding the repositories in YaST as mentioned in the link above and all of the dependencies will resolve themselves with the help of YaST. You can also find at HOWTO at en.opensuse.org

[apsel]

RealPlayer is most certainly not a recommended player for *anything*. Much better is to try MPlayer with KPlayer frontend. I haven't seen any skipping when using those, I guess because MPlayer is more efficient than xine, gstreamer, etc.

[MDR]

I used the instructions in the link post and found that it improved many things. One, it brought over Xine into Kaffine, which Kaffine now plays MP3s and DVD's. Wonderful. It also downloaded Real Player 10. The problem I have with Real Player 10 is that will not find the CD or DVD units. It only looks at the hard drive file structure. Alternatively I have gone to the file system and right clicked on the drive with media in the drive and ask the system to play using "other" which then presented me the option of using Real Player. Real Player then didn't recognize the content of the drives. There must be something I'm missing here with Real Player. In Windoz real player instinctively finds the media drives. Any thoughts?

Additionally, one of the steps in the link provided a way to download additional printer drivers, which I did for Epson, however when I invoke the printer icon through YaST the printing system states it is rebuilding due to new drivers, but hangs at 4%. Any thoughts here as to how to fix this hanging issue?

Incidently, I too have tried many distros over the past year, Xandros, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Knoppix, Freespire, Mepis (which I really liked but I tried it on three different computers and could not get mepis to find the sound hardware on any of them, so I moved on), Red hat, (there's probably 1 or 2 I've forgotten) and believe, If I can get the printing worked out, I like Suse the best and may stick with it, I seem to have been able to work around the majority of the other initial issues, and like the way it functions.