4.2. Listening to Music and Watching Videos with Totem

Abstract

Totem is a media player based on Xine supplied with Mandriva Linux. It features a playlist, a full-screen mode and controls for navigation and for changing the volume. It is capable of playing DVDs, VCDs and media files (audio or video). In addition, you can control it easily using both the mouse and the keyboard.

4.2.1. Getting Started

4.2.1.1. How to Start Totem

Totem can be started by choosing Sound & VideoMovie Player from the main menu. It can also be started by double-clicking an Xine-supported media file from within the file manager.

Figure 4.4. Totem Media Player Main Window

Totem Media Player Main Window

4.2.1.2. Inserting Video Media

To watch a movie, insert a DVD or VCD into the drive and select the corresponding item from the Movie menu.

4.2.1.3. Changing Media

Rather than just pressing the eject button on the drive, to let Totem know that you are changing discs, use Totem's own MovieEject menu. This will prevent Unable to read... errors.

4.2.2. Settings

4.2.2.1. Display Size

Watching a movie may be a bit difficult with a small window, but this is easily resolved by using the various options to resize it. You can change the size of the display with the usual method of resizing the window itself (clicking Maximize, dragging the borders, etc.), or by using the items in the View menu: Fullscreen, Fit Window to MovieResize 1:2 or Resize 1:1 or Resize 2:1.

Obviously the best one here, if you only want to sit and watch a movie, is the Fullscreen mode. This option also removes all menus and controls so you get maximum use of the screen. The controls can be made to reappear by moving the mouse cursor, and you can exit Fullscreen by clicking the button in the top right-hand corner, or by pressing the F key.

When watching a movie, you may find that you are unable to view the extreme left and right of the picture. To correct this, you can change the shape of the display using ViewAspect Ratio, which cycles the display from normal, through the various widescreen sizes. You will now be able enjoy the movie, without missing any of it.

[Note] Note

Except for Fullscreen mode, you will need to resize the window again after changing the aspect ratio.

4.2.2.2. Sound

The volume can be increased or decreased by clicking on the volume icon at the bottom right of displaying screen or, more easily, by pressing the up or down arrow keys. The latter of these methods is more useful in full-screen mode, particularly if you don't want the panel to be displayed on top of the movie you are watching.

4.2.3. Usage

4.2.3.1. Navigation Controls

Not everyone watches a movie or listens to an album from beginning to end, and sometimes you may want to skip back to a particular place in the movie or album, or pause it to go get another drink from the refrigerator.

You can change to the Next or Previous chapter of the movie or track using the corresponding buttons at the bottom left of the window, or by pressing the keys N and B respectively.

To pause play, click the Play/Pause button or press the P key. Clicking the button again will start again at the same point.

To jump back or skip forward within a scene or in a track, drag the Time slider, located immediately below the display, to the right or left and release. You can also use the left and right arrow keys to a similar effect. The movie or track will jump to the point you select.

When listening to audio files, if you want to leave the music playing, so that it loops around continually, select EditRepeat Mode to start again at the first track. Also, if you want a variation from the usual playing order, you can place the tracks in a random order by selecting Shuffle Mode.

4.2.3.2. Watching and Listening to Media Files

Totem is based on Xine and will play any media file type that Xine supports.

To open a media file, select MovieOpen. This will bring up a file selection dialog. From here you can browse folders and select one or more files to be played.

[Note] Note

You can also open streams: use Open Location and type in the URL.

4.2.3.3. Managing Playlists

Once you have selected all of your media files, you may want to be able to watch or listen to them again without having to go through the process of selecting them all again. A playlist is a list of tracks that can be retrieved at a later date.

To create or modify a playlist, click on the Sidebar button to display the Playlist at the right of the displaying screen. You can now change the order of the tracks, add or remove tracks and then save the playlist using a filename of your choice by clicking on the button.

Figure 4.5. Playlist Dialog

Playlist Dialog

4.2.3.4. Taking Stills

There may be times when you want a still photo of a scene in a movie, for example you may want to use the title scene as your desktop image. Totem includes a feature where you can take a screenshot of the display and save that image to a file.

To take a screenshot, choose EditTake Screenshot from the menu, or press the Shift+S keys if the movie is playing fullscreen. At this point the screen will be captured and a dialog pops up asking how you want to save the image. If you use the default option, it will save it as Screenshot0.png, Screenshot1.png, and so on in your Pictures folder. Alternatively, you can save the file giving it a more meaningful name and in a location of your choice.

Figure 4.6. Taking a Screenshot

Taking a Screenshot