Linux Multimedia

Download Fedora 11 CD / DVD ISO

last updated in Categories Download of the day, fedora linux, Gnome, Linux, Linux desktop, Linux distribution, Linux Multimedia, package management, RedHat/Fedora Linux

Fedora Linux version 11 has been released and available for download ( jump to download link ). Fedora Linux is a community-based Linux distribution. Fedora is sponsored by Red Hat, Inc.

One of Fedora’s main objectives is not only to contain free and open source software, but also to be on the leading edge of such technologies. Fedora 11, codenamed “Leonidas”, was released on June 9, 2009. The features include ext4, a 20-second startup, and the latest GNOME, KDE and XFCE releases. Firefox 3.5 and Thunderbird 3’s latest pre-releases are available as well.

Ubuntu Linux: Watch and Play BBC / YouTube Videos With Totem Movie Player

last updated in Categories Linux, Linux desktop, Linux distribution, Linux Multimedia, Ubuntu Linux

The Totem Movie Player application is a movie player for the GNOME desktop (default on Ubuntu Linux) based on GStreamer framework and xine library, and enables you to play movies or songs. Various format such as MPEG audio and video (MP3/MPV), Ogg, AVI, ASF, MOV, WMV, QuickTime, and more are supported. Playing of DVD and VCD media is also possible. You can watch Youtube video or listen BBC streams (podcasts) with this player without installing anything else such as Adobe Flash player.

Time is Right For Linux Desktop PCs To Emerge

last updated in Categories Linux, Linux desktop, Linux distribution, Linux Multimedia, Windows, windows vista

Linux is capable of running a big iron server, routers, tiny devices, supercomputers and ATMs. However the million dollar question can Linux finally crack Microsoft Corp.’s hold on computing’s most visible domain — mainstream PCs?

I think Linux has the ability and the rise of inexpensive machines such as Asus EEE Pc ($300 notebook PC) is fine proof of concept. Over last few years I had worked with government and private project involving Linux on desktop. Many Indian state and union (federal) government supports Linux as desktop operating system. Linux is perfect for

  • Browsing / Internet / Chatting / Email
  • Office Application
  • Programming / Database etc

My personal experience shows that Linux can cut cost by 40 to 50 percent over comparable Windows computer.

This Yahoo news article provides further insight into current Linux desktop scenario:

Of course, prognosticators perennially say Linux is on the verge. It gets high marks for security and stability and is widely used behind the scenes in corporate servers, making it a natural candidate to steal desktop thunder from Microsoft’s dominant Windows. And yet Linux PCs still represent less than 2 percent of the market.

This time, though, there’s actually evidence of momentum.

While the best features in the latest Windows release, Vista, require top-notch configurations that can quickly ramp up a PC’s price, one of the hottest segments of the industry involves inexpensive computers.

What do you think? Is Linux ready for prime time?

Ubuntu Linux Multimedia Installation

last updated in Categories Howto, Linux, Linux desktop, Linux laptop, Linux Multimedia, Ubuntu Linux

A nice guide for installing common multimedia software under a fresh Ubuntu Linux:

You’ve just download the latest and greatest version of Ubuntu Linux and it didn’t cost you a thing. You breezed through the installation and a brand new desktop is staring you in the face — now what?

There are a few things you’ll need to do if you want to get the most out of your Linux desktop. But don’t worry, none of this is too complicated. In fact, it’s much easier than trying to do the same on Windows or a Mac.

=> Optimize Fresh Ubuntu Installation

Linux Listen Internet Shoutcast and Icecast Radio With BMPx Media Player

last updated in Categories Download of the day, Linux, Linux desktop, Linux Multimedia, UNIX

BMPx is the successor to the Beep Media Player. BMPx has simple user interface which is simple to use while being very powerful under the hood.

It can play all standard media file such as mp3, vorbis, ac3, wma and other popular formats. You can listen to shoutcast and icecast radio (internet radio or stream) using BMPx. It offers a list of thousands of free web radio station. Just pick your radio satiation and you are good to go.

GStreamer is a multimedia framework used to drive BMP’s audio backend. GStreamer is a library that allows the construction of graphs of media-handling components, ranging from simple Ogg/Vorbis playback to complex audio (mixing) and video (non-linear editing) processing. Everything that is playable under GStreamer is automatically playable in BMPx as well.

Install BMPx Audio Player

Simply use apt-get command to install BMPx:
$ sudo apt-get install bmp
Alternatively, you can grab BMPx source code here.

BMPx Linux / UNIX Audio Player
(Fig. 01: BMPx playing my favourite radio station)

One of the best thing about this software is it just works out of box – without constant crashes or weird behavior. Other bmpx cool usage:

  • Listen CNN or BBC news / radiopod
  • Use Last.fm’s service
  • Use correct and canonical metadata

BMPx project home page