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Quicktime Under Linux With MPlayer

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the wouldn't-it-be-nice dept.

Sark writes: "The latest version of the controversial MPlayer program for Linux supports Quicktime .mov files with the latest codecs. Apart from the closed source program Crossover, this is the first open source program that seems to work. Check out the Mplayer homepage for more info." According to formats page, Sorenson Quicktime is still not gonna happen any time soon.

9 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. huh? by ankit · · Score: 2, Interesting

    huh!?
    Whats the point?

    [shamelessly lifted from a post in a different article]
    Quicktime is a wrapper format for a number of codecs, just like AVI. An actual Quicktime file is almost invariably encoded in the Sorenson file format, which is is exclusively licensed to Apple. MPlayer can probably never play this format!

    --
    Don't Panic
  2. Don't Bitch at MPlayer; Blame Apple! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    It is APPLE's fault that only Quicktime(tm)(c)(r) can play Sorenson codec files. They are keeping it totally proprietary in a petty attempt to be relevant. Please please petition Apple to release the specs and then we will write a player for Linux!

    1. Re:Don't Bitch at MPlayer; Blame Apple! by gabebear · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Apple has released the specs for almost every aspect of the Quicktime (.mov) standard. They rarely write their own codecs though.

      The Sorenson codec is owned by Sorenson and Apple pays for it. If you want to get a legal player for a non-Win/Mac platform someone will either have to
      1. reverse engineer the codec(legally questionable and hard)
      2. write a wrapper that uses another OSs Code (crossover does this)
      3. legally licence the code and release a player (anyone?)
      4. actually get sorsen to let people have their source(or detailed specs) somehow.

      the best thing to do is just start using a codec that already lets people have their source and is on par with the best VP3

  3. Apple is bad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    When Apple finally decides to get its head out of the sand and build a Linux version of Quicktime then I'll stop bad mouthing them about stealing BSD because they couldn't write a good OS if they fell over it.

  4. Where are the Debian packages? by WWWWolf · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You know, if Linux video software would come as Debian packages, I would be really happy. Currently, if I want anything with avifile or something, I need to compile it myself - and I don't want to mess with the source because avifile API isn't exactly solid yet and source that compiled yesterday doesn't work today. Linux video support Isn't Here, dammit.

    The mplayer author seems to be aware of the Marillat's unofficial .debs... and now whines that people are violating his "thou shalt not distribute Binaries" lisence.

    I don't want to compile the package myself. I want binaries.

    Source-only distribution is fine, as long as you let somebody make the pre-built binaries available so that we lazy bastards can use the program. I know I can compile mplayer if I'm positively motivated, but I know my mother couldn't.

    This is why I'm considering using VideoLanClient instead of mplayer - at least it's under GPL and I'm able to get "official" Debian packages for it.

  5. Controversial? by leereyno · · Score: 2, Interesting

    What exactly is supposed to be so controversial about this program? I've been using it for a month and a half now and I think it is great. The addition of quicktime support means fewer reboots into windows just to watch some silly movie or another. As for the sorenson business, I'd like to think that eventually MPEG-4 (DiVX) will overtake whatever hold this compression codec has. Open standards tend to win out over proprietary ones, even when the proprietary one is technically superior. Just look at what happened with Betamax vs. VHS.

    Lee

    --
    Muslim community leaders warn of backlash from tomorrow morning's terrorist attack.
  6. hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    uhm, I've been able to play non-sorenson .movs with aktion for over two years now.. what gives?

  7. Re:Why bother with Quicktime? by frankie · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Remember that there are two key components to a movie player -- the file format and the video codec. When the MPEG4 codec is finalized, the Quicktime format (and maybe also WiMP) will support it. With a little luck the Sorenson problem will become irrelevant at that point.

    There are several reasons the Quicktime format can be more useful than straight MPEG. One of the best (but sadly underused) features is text tracks, which allows subtitles, descriptors for the disabled, etc. Another is the ability to overlay static sprites (for example, TV channel logos) onto the video layer. This kind of stuff can improve image quality and save bandwidth at the same time.

  8. Re:No sorrenson? =( by prismatic · · Score: 2, Interesting
    what i'm curious of, is this:

    avifile uses some wine source to utilize win32 dll's to play stuff like windows media video. what prevents them from adding the windows dll for sorenson to it?

    i've unfortunately been too lazy to fire off an e-mail and ask them how difficult it would be to add it to the project, else i'd think of doing it myself (unfortunately, i'm not a kung foo master yet ... in fact, i'm almost inept as a programmer ... but i'll whine about that later).

    speaking of which, has anybody else thought of this as a possible solution?

    --
    Brian Voils
    "A university is what a college becomes when the faculty loses interest in students."