Introduction:

For this guide we are going to be taking a look at many of systems that are involved in Linux.  The end result will be, of course, DVD playback of movies on your openSuSE 10.2 machine.  However, at the same time you should be more familiar with the update, installation sources, and installing software using RPMs.

Disclaimer: testmy.net and its mods are not responsible for any damage to hardware, software, systems, or bodily harm if you decided to attempt this.  I strongly recommend that you attempt this only if you are confident in your computer skills and have some time to troubleshoot.

What will be covered in this guide:

• Adding additional installation source
• Installing VLC
• Updating

A few notes before we begin…  For this guide I am using my HP Pavilion ze4430us laptop.  It is equipped with an AMD 2400 XP+ Mobile, 512 MB Ram, 40 GB hard drive, and a Broadcom 802.11G Wifi adaptor.   At this point in time all security patches have been applied to the system. 

Let's get started!

• The first step is going to be adding some additional Installation Sources to YaST, the package manager, to use when installing software.  From the command line, su into root and then type yast.
• Once the YaST screen appears select Installation Source from the right panel.

• If you allowed the installation utility to setup an update server, then you should have one http:// entry and one dvd:// or cd:// entry.  What we want here is to add some additional entries that offer custom packages that have been built for SuSE.
• Press Alt+a to launch the add function.
• For the first one, packman, we are going to use the HTTP type.  Highlight that type and then type Alt+e.  This will bring up the details screen

• For packman you are going to want to enter the following information:

• If you are installing on a different version, like 10.1 or 10.0, change the 10.2 part to match the version that you are using.
• After that is completed, press Alt+e to continue.  At this point the host will actually go out to the address and get the information that it needs to create the source.  You will be displayed a warning about the installation source.  Accept it and continue.

• Now with packman installed, we are also going to add the popular VLC player source.
• Again we are going to Add an Installation Source, so press Alt+a.  Select the HTTP type, and press Next.
• For VLC you are going to want to enter the following information:

• Again highlight Next and allow the installation to complete.  You will get the same warning again about a new installation source, just accept it.
• With those two installation sources added, you are now ready to install the necessary components to get DVD playback working on SuSE 10.2.  Press Alt+f to finish in the installation sources area.
• Once back on the main screen of YaST, highlight Software Management.  Unlike in pervious installation that have been done this way, YaST will now go out and poll each installation source for the latest list of software available on that server.  It could take as long as 2 minutes before the searchable interface comes up.
• Once the interface comes up, press Alt+s to bring up the search window.  The first thing we are going to install is the w32 codec pack from packman.  Search for w32.  When you find it, highlight is and press the spacebar until the + is shown.  The screen shot shows a ‘i’, it was taken after the package was installed on my machine.

• Then search again for the term vlc.  This is going to install VLC from their servers.  I chose to install the mozillaplugin thinking that it would work.  I have yet to test it but it is worth installing if you plan to view any video that might be embedded into a web page.
• After you have selected both the w32 codec pack and VLC press Alt+a to accept the changes and install them.  The installation time should be less than 3 minutes.
• After the installation is completed, go back into Software Management and search the following term: libdvdcss.  You should return an entry with an ‘i’ located next to it.  If you didn’t, then install that package also.

• So you now have all the necessary components installed.   I would highly suggest logging out and then logging back in as root to run the updates.  You should see an orange circle located near the clock.  That is your update manager.

 

• Once the updates are installed, reboot the computer.
• After the host comes back up, log back in and place a DVD into your drive.  You should be greeted with a pop-up window similar to Windows asking what you would like to do with the disk.  Click cancel.
• From the start menu click the SuSE logo | Applications | New Applications | VLC media player.  VLC should load display a simple bar.  Click the Play button to open the loading options.  Select the Disk tab and then click OK.  It may take a few seconds before the movie pop-ups. 

• From there is it like any other video player. Enjoy you now have DVD playback on your SuSE host.

Conclusion:

You should now have a better feel of how to install programs via YaST.  Most sites, like packman, offer repositories so you always have the latest versions in YaST. 

As always feel free to post in the newly created Linux Help section or just drop me a PM if you are having issues with this guide.  I have also attached a .pdf version of this guide. 

~Swimmer