virtualbox.org

been having issues lately with VLC running in Debian based guests such as Linux Mint Debian and Crunchbang (which is still alpha). It gulps up all the memory, 100% ram usage and usually locks up the guest if you don't stop it fast enough. Both distos apparently run VLC just fine on metal so I have to assume is something about VirtualBox and Debian graphics. Both distros work fine with gnome-player as long as you select X11 output.

any thoughts?

well, just because the nice people at crunchbang asked nicely, I installed the trial version of Parallels Desktop for the Mac and installed one of the debian based distros, crunchbang actually. turns out, is nothing at all wrong with VLC and Debian based distros, they work together just fine on metal and in Parallels. and I am not checking how it does in VMware Fusion, lol. But it seems there are a few problems with graphics in VB. I am going to give installing Ubuntu 10.10 a shot and see how that goes.

It would've helped if you noted the VB version and the settings you're using. For example, are you using X11, Xv or OpenGL as output for VLC? Do you have 3D enabled for the Guest and did you install the guest additions?

Sasquatch wrote:It would've helped if you noted the VB version and the settings you're using. For example, are you using X11, Xv or OpenGL as output for VLC? Do you have 3D enabled for the Guest and did you install the guest additions?

well, happened with both 3.2.8 and 3.2.10 of VB. yes, I had 3D set with both guests. whatever vlc defaults to as far as output was where it first went wrong, then tried openGL, and xv but those failed. I thought x11 was working but turned out just didn't fail as often. I also tried with 3D turned off and again, it didn't happen as often but would choke after a bit. it does seem gnome-player works fine with both distros if set to x11. it also works if set to openGL but if I move the window, the interface moves but the pic stays in place. it is odd because I have VLC running just fine in various ubuntu guests, pclinuxos guests, and some others.

Which VLC version have you tried? Maybe one of the older (or newer) versions don't have this problem. I have tried VLC on Ubuntu once or twice for a test and it didn't have much issues, not the ones you describe.

The point with gnome-player thing with the video staying where it is when you move the interface is an overlay issue, bug of the OpenGL implementation by the player/Linux. If you put another window on top of it, the video will stay on top no matter what. If you minimize the player, the video will still show. Happens on bare metal too.

Sasquatch wrote:Which VLC version have you tried? Maybe one of the older (or newer) versions don't have this problem. I have tried VLC on Ubuntu once or twice for a test and it didn't have much issues, not the ones you describe.

The point with gnome-player thing with the video staying where it is when you move the interface is an overlay issue, bug of the OpenGL implementation by the player/Linux. If you put another window on top of it, the video will stay on top no matter what. If you minimize the player, the video will still show. Happens on bare metal too.

well both these are new, I think one is vlc 1.1.3 and the other 1.1.4 but they both could be 1.1.4. As I said earlier, I have no trouble at all with any Ubuntu-based Linux or apparently Mandriva-based or Gento-based. It's just the two Debian based distros... Linux Mint 9 Debian, and crunchbang 10... both of those use the new Squeeze repos I guess.

Ubuntu is Debian based, but it has far superior graphics capabilities IMHO. With that said I find that rendering high/animated graphics in any virtual machine is a CPU hog! One reason is you are not using any of the GPU memory and any connection to the GPU is via translation hooks. Lots of overhead. Sorry I don't have a fix for you just an opinion.

Perryg wrote:Ubuntu is Debian based, but it has far superior graphics capabilities IMHO. With that said I find that rendering high/animated graphics in any virtual machine is a CPU hog! One reason is you are not using any of the GPU memory and any connection to the GPU is via translation hooks. Lots of overhead. Sorry I don't have a fix for you just an opinion.

well, I did get both debian based distros to work with VLC. I had to set video to x11 and audio to alsa even though both have pulse installed. I also had to make sure 3d was off. I never noticed but seems 3D was never working correctly in either. Linux mint Debian has compiz installed by default but, I get the same eye-candy with or without 3D enabled. That would explain why I can take screenshots of LMDE with 3d enabled but not Ubuntu where I just get a blank screen or the desktop. I also have Mint KDE and even with 3D enabled I can't use openGL compositing. it seems the openGL modules aren't always compiling correctly on certain distros. beats me. I keep forgetting to mention I am running a Mac host and 3D support and things like compiz have always been iffy.

I have Windows 7 installed in bootcamp and thought maybe that would run VB better but then realized part of the issue is the hardware I'm on. Windows would be using the same graphic chip set as the Mac.

I can live without 3D, I don't run games. And x11 ia fast enough for the occasional video. I actually have no need for Linux at all but is "fun" to play with, and make themes.