4.2. Opening streams

4.2.1. Opening a file

Start VLC with :

% vlc -vvv my_file.mpg

Although VLC should be able to recognize the file type, you may tell VLC what codec to use with the --codec option. For example to play my_file.mpg using ffmpeg audo/video decoder do :

% vlc -vvv --codec ffmpeg my_file.mpg 

A list of all video and audio codecs supported by VLC is available on the VLC features list .

4.2.2. Opening a DVD or VCD, or an audio CD

Start VLC with

% vlc -vvv dvd:[device][@raw_device][@[title][,[chapter][,angle]]]

or (VCD):

% vlc -vvv vcd:[device][@[title][,[chapter][peripherique][@[titre][,chapitre]]

or (Audio CD):

% vlc -vvv cdda:[device][@[title]][peripherique][@[titre]]

where device is the complete path to your DVD or CD-ROM drive .

4.2.3. Start a network stream

To receive an unicast UDP stream (sent by VLS or VLC's stream output), start VLC with :

% vlc -vvv udp:[@:server_port]

To receive an multicast UDP stream (sent by VLS or VLC's stream output), start VLC with :

% vlc -vvv udp:@multicast_address[:server_port]

To receive a HTTP stream, start VLC with :

% vlc -vvv http://www.example.org/your_file.mpg