DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Mplayer Fails to Open file via Nautilus.

27 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/mplayer-fails-to-open-file-via-nautilus.85997/

gary4gar
gary4gar Original post #1
Apr 22, 2008 at 12:13 PM
here is a small issue.

When i Double click to open a file in Nautilus to open it with mplayer, it fails & gives a error message.

*www.imgx.org/thumbs/large/15765_jsupx/Screenshot-Error%21.png


However, it plays them when i Drag & drop the file on player itself:?
ray|raven
Apr 22, 2008 at 12:21 PM
^Hmm, maybe coz of the symbols, try renaming the file to a simple name, and opening it.

Btw dude, change the image to smthing that shows a legal video :p
QwertyManiac
Apr 22, 2008 at 12:54 PM
This is an easy fix, its cause of Nautilus's file:// thing.

Go to terminal and issue: (Normal user is enough, no need root)
Code:
gedit .local/share/applications/mplayer.desktop

In the file that opens, change the existing Exec=gmplayer %U line to Exec=gmplayer %F and save.

Code:
Exec=gmplayer %U

Changed to:

Exec=gmplayer %F

Note: If no .local/share/... file exists then use /usr/share/applications/ one instead. Applies semi-globally if done that way.
QwertyManiac
Apr 22, 2008 at 2:30 PM
I think there's a patch fix out for that but I gave up using gmplayer and use smplayer now. Its far better in every aspect. :)

Or get a new gmplayer .deb if on debian/ubuntu.

Ps. Disabling "Disable xscreensaver" option would make this go away, but it'd also make those annoying screensavers pop in again.
gary4gar
Apr 22, 2008 at 11:21 PM
In what terms smplayer is better than gmplayer?

Also, does mplayer support equalizer with in built presets like in exaile
QwertyManiac
Apr 23, 2008 at 6:18 AM
In what terms smplayer is better than gmplayer?

Also, does mplayer support equalizer with in built presets like in exaile
First, its based on QT. Second, its got some great features like resuming a file from last play, per file volume controls, and a great interface which even shows the controls (auto-hide) in fullscreen.

Yes mplayer has an equalizer but I don't think presets are included in by default.
ray|raven
Apr 23, 2008 at 7:55 AM
MPlayer does have an equalizer, but trust me, you're better off not fiddling with it.

And as for smplayer, i heard its good too, but qt is keeping me back from using it.

I use gnome-mplayer. It doesnt have any of those features, but is good enuf for watching movies.
kalpik
kalpik #9
Apr 23, 2008 at 9:53 AM
smplayer is THE best player i have ever used.. And BTW, what's wrong with QT? I hope you understand QT!=KDE :p
ray|raven
ray|raven #10
Apr 23, 2008 at 9:56 AM
^I do, the only thing is that i dont want other than gtk libs running on my system.
Besides, its not that i dont have alternatives right :p

Not to mention that qt apps look way ugly when used in a gtk environment. ;)
QwertyManiac
Apr 23, 2008 at 1:37 PM
KDE apps look ugly, pure QT based ones look much better!
ray|raven
ray|raven #12
Apr 23, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Both of them look like windows 98 apps, when run in a gtk+ enivronment.
And i hate that look more than anything else.
QwertyManiac
Apr 23, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Ehh, does this look like 98 to you? :shock:

*img177.imageshack.us/img177/2728/14269436aa6.th.jpg
ray|raven
ray|raven #14
Apr 23, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Lemme guess, you have KDE installed.
QwertyManiac
Apr 23, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Nope, not a single KDE library at all, my USE flags have -kde as well. :) I installed SMplayer only cause it had no KDE deps, being purely QT like qtorrent and some others. Default QT style which was compiled with QT4.3 is in effect there.
ray|raven
ray|raven #16
Apr 23, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Ok, I've searched a bit, and found that Qt4 now has some desktop integration features that make apps look better in Gtk.

Seems, they changed things with Qt4.Last time i tried a Qt app, it was in Qt3.

Anyways, thanx for letting me know Qwerty.
praka123
praka123 #17
Apr 23, 2008 at 4:30 PM
@gary:use mplayer which is compiled for openchrome/via support(no .debs this time! :( ) if u r still on via graphics :D
@qwerty:what is those %F,%U thingies? :confused:
ray|raven
ray|raven #18
Apr 23, 2008 at 4:32 PM
IIRC,
%f - file path.
%u - url.
praka123
praka123 #19
Apr 23, 2008 at 4:34 PM
^anything more of this sort?aah!thanks!
ray|raven
ray|raven #20
Apr 23, 2008 at 4:45 PM
I think %d gives directory path, I remember using these in thunar custom actions. But , not so sure, and am at work now.

EDIT : Found this,
*www.linux.com/var/uploads/Image/articles/114442-2.png

No idea if these are the same all around.
gary4gar
gary4gar #22
Apr 23, 2008 at 9:32 PM
@gary:use mplayer which is compiled for openchrome/via support(no .debs this time! :( ) if u r still on via graphics :D
@qwerty:what is those %F,%U thingies? :confused:
Nah!....Shifted to nvdia 6200;)
its a lot better now

aXXo ko toh hata do...lol
Why should i hide truth:p

Both of them look like windows 98 apps, when run in a gtk+ enivronment.
And i hate that look more than anything else.
Wrong!
my current mplayer install looks like this
*www.mplayerhq.hu/images/skins/Ater-01.jpg



@qwerty
just installed smplayer now via apt
will try it & report back
ray|raven
ray|raven #24
Apr 24, 2008 at 7:53 AM
N
Wrong!
my current mplayer install looks like this
*www.mplayerhq.hu/images/skins/Ater-01.jpg

Dude, i was talkin abt Qt and KDE apps , not mplayer.
Lemme guess, you were drunk when you were posting this :p

No Offence meant.
kalpik
kalpik #25
Apr 24, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Both of them look like windows 98 apps, when run in a gtk+ enivronment.
And i hate that look more than anything else.
You can try installing qtconfig. It allows you to customize the appearance of QT apps.
ray|raven
ray|raven #26
Apr 24, 2008 at 9:29 AM
^ I know that. The whole point is that i dont want Qt libs on my system and even if i got them and qtconfig, i couldnt get qt apps to look like my gtk theme.
praka123
praka123 #27
Apr 24, 2008 at 9:55 AM
^same pitch :D