How To Install Celluloid Video Player on Linux Mint 22

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Celluloid Video Player on Linux Mint 22. Linux Mint 22 “Wilma” offers several options for multimedia playback, with Celluloid standing out as an excellent video player thanks to its clean interface and powerful capabilities. This comprehensive guide explores multiple installation methods, configuration options, and troubleshooting techniques to help you get the most out of Celluloid on your Linux Mint system.

Introduction

Celluloid is a sleek, user-friendly media player designed specifically for Linux systems. It leverages the powerful mpv playback engine while providing an intuitive GTK interface that integrates seamlessly with the Linux Mint desktop environment. While Celluloid comes pre-installed in Linux Mint 22, there are several reasons why you might need to reinstall it or opt for alternative installation methods, such as accessing newer features or resolving playback issues.

This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic installation through different package managers to advanced customization options. Whether you’re a Linux novice looking for a reliable video player or a power user seeking to optimize your media experience, you’ll find detailed instructions and helpful tips to make Celluloid your go-to video playback solution on Linux Mint 22. Let’s explore the various ways to install, configure, and use this versatile media player.

What is Celluloid?

Celluloid, formerly known as GNOME MPV, is a GTK frontend for the powerful mpv media player library. Created to provide a simple yet effective interface to mpv’s robust functionality, Celluloid has evolved significantly since its inception.

The application features a modern GTK4/libadwaita interface that follows the GNOME Human Interface Guidelines while still maintaining compatibility with other desktop environments. This design philosophy ensures a clean, minimal interface without sacrificing functionality.

At its core, Celluloid inherits all of mpv’s capabilities, including support for virtually any video or audio format you might encounter. The player handles subtitles expertly, offers precise playback controls, and delivers excellent video quality even on lower-powered systems.

A key strength of Celluloid is its efficiency with system resources. Unlike some more feature-heavy alternatives, Celluloid focuses on providing a streamlined experience that doesn’t tax your system unnecessarily. This makes it particularly valuable for older hardware or systems with limited specifications.

The application also supports mpv configuration files, allowing users to import custom settings and take advantage of keyboard shortcuts for more efficient control. With active development and regular updates, Celluloid continues to improve while maintaining its philosophy of simplicity and effectiveness.

Why Choose Celluloid on Linux Mint 22?

Celluloid offers several compelling advantages that make it an excellent choice for Linux Mint 22 users seeking a reliable video playback solution.

• Lightweight Resource Usage: Compared to alternatives like VLC, Celluloid consumes significantly fewer system resources while delivering exceptional playback quality. This efficiency is particularly valuable on systems with limited specifications or when multitasking with resource-intensive applications.
• Modern Interface Design: With its GTK4/libadwaita interface, Celluloid presents a clean, contemporary look that integrates beautifully with Linux Mint’s desktop environment. The minimal yet functional design eliminates distractions while keeping essential controls easily accessible.
• Extensive Format Support: Thanks to its mpv backend, Celluloid handles virtually any media format you might encounter, from common MP4 files to more specialized formats. This versatility means you won’t need to switch between different players depending on file types.
• Seamless Integration: As one of Linux Mint’s native applications, Celluloid works harmoniously with system themes and settings, providing a cohesive user experience. It respects system-wide preferences and maintains consistent behavior across the desktop environment.
• Active Development: The Celluloid project receives regular updates with performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features. Recent versions have addressed issues with Nvidia GPUs, improved playlist controls, and enhanced the overall stability of the application.

Before You Begin

Before proceeding with installation, it’s important to prepare your system appropriately:

System Requirements: Linux Mint 22 “Wilma” requires at least 2GB RAM (4GB recommended) and 20GB of disk space (100GB recommended). Celluloid itself is relatively lightweight but may need additional resources when playing high-resolution videos.

Checking Existing Installation: Since Celluloid comes pre-installed in Linux Mint 22, first verify if it’s already available on your system by searching the application menu or using this terminal command:

which celluloid

Confirming Linux Mint Version: Ensure you’re running Linux Mint 22 with:

lsb_release -a

System Update: Before installing any new software, update your system:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Backup Recommendations: If you’re reinstalling due to configuration issues, consider backing up your current settings:

cp -r ~/.config/celluloid ~/celluloid-config-backup

Method 1: Installing Celluloid via APT (Default Repository)

The simplest way to install Celluloid on Linux Mint 22 is through the default APT package manager. This method provides a stable, tested version that integrates well with the system.

Step-by-step terminal commands:

1. Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T
2. Update your package lists:

   sudo apt update

3. Install Celluloid:

   sudo apt install celluloid

4. Verify the installation:

   celluloid --version

If Celluloid was previously installed but experiencing issues, you might want to remove it completely before reinstallation:

sudo apt purge celluloid
rm -r ~/.config/celluloid
sudo apt install celluloid

Version information:

To check which version will be installed from the repositories:

apt-cache policy celluloid

The default repository typically contains a stable but possibly older version of Celluloid. This ensures compatibility and reliability but might lack the latest features.

Benefits and limitations:

Benefits:

• Simple, straightforward installation process
• Stable, tested version with guaranteed compatibility
• Automatic updates through the system update process
• Full integration with Linux Mint’s package management

Limitations:

• May not include the most recent features
• Could contain bugs that have been fixed in newer versions
• Limited to the features included in the packaged version

This method is recommended for users who prioritize stability and ease of installation over having the very latest features.

Method 2: Installing Celluloid via PPA

For users who want more recent versions of Celluloid with the latest features and bug fixes, installing via a Personal Package Archive (PPA) is an excellent option.

What is a PPA and why use it:

A PPA is a personal package archive maintained by developers or community members that allows users to access software versions not available in the official repositories. For Celluloid, the official PPA provides more recent releases with new features and improvements.

Adding the official PPA:

1. Open a terminal window
2. Add the official Celluloid PPA:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xuzhen666/gnome-mpv

3. Update your package lists:

   sudo apt update

4. Install Celluloid:

   sudo apt install celluloid

If you’re upgrading from an existing installation, the package manager will automatically replace the older version. If you’re experiencing issues, consider purging the previous installation:

sudo apt purge celluloid
rm -r ~/.config/celluloid
sudo apt install celluloid

Version benefits over default repository:

The PPA maintained by the Celluloid developers typically offers more recent versions with new features and bug fixes not yet available in the official Linux Mint repositories. For example, if you’re experiencing issues with Nvidia GPUs or interface glitches, newer versions from the PPA might already contain fixes.

To verify the version that will be installed from the PPA:

apt-cache policy celluloid

Security considerations:

When using PPAs, consider these security implications:

• PPAs have the ability to install packages on your system
• Only add PPAs from trusted sources
• The official Celluloid PPA (xuzhen666/gnome-mpv) is generally considered safe and reliable
• PPAs can be removed if necessary using:

  sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xuzhen666/gnome-mpv

This installation method balances having recent features with relative ease of installation and is recommended for most users seeking the latest stable version of Celluloid.

Method 3: Installing Celluloid via Flatpak

Flatpak provides a sandboxed environment for applications, offering benefits in terms of security, dependency management, and access to the latest versions regardless of your distribution’s package repositories.

Introduction to Flatpak:

Flatpak is a universal package format that allows applications to run in isolated environments, independent of the host Linux distribution. This isolation helps prevent conflicts with system libraries and ensures consistent behavior across different systems.

Installing Flatpak if not present:

1. Open a terminal window
2. Install Flatpak on Linux Mint:

   sudo apt install flatpak

3. Add the Flathub repository:

   flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Restart your system to ensure Flatpak is properly integrated

Installing Celluloid from Flathub:

1. Open a terminal window
2. Install Celluloid using Flatpak:

   flatpak install flathub io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

3. Launch Celluloid:

   flatpak run io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

You can also create a desktop shortcut or find Celluloid in your application menu after installation.

Benefits of Flatpak:

• Sandboxing: Flatpak applications run in an isolated environment, improving security by limiting access to system resources.
• Updates: Flatpak applications can be updated independently of the system, ensuring you always have access to the latest features and bug fixes.
• Version information: Flathub typically provides up-to-date versions of applications. The current version of Celluloid on Flathub is usually more recent than what’s available in distribution repositories.
• Consistency: Flatpak applications have the same behavior across different Linux distributions, which is especially valuable when following online tutorials or guides.

If you’re having issues with the repository version of Celluloid, such as the reported crashes when using KDE Connect on Linux Mint, the Flatpak version (which is typically more recent) might already include fixes for these problems.

The Flatpak installation method is particularly recommended for users who value application isolation, desire the latest features, or are experiencing issues with the repository version.

Method 4: Installing Celluloid via Snap

Snap is another universal package format that provides containerized applications with automatic updates and security features.

Introduction to Snap packages:

Similar to Flatpak, Snap packages are self-contained applications that include their dependencies and run in isolation from the rest of the system. Snaps are developed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, and are available on many Linux distributions.

Installing Snap support if not present:

1. Install Snap on Linux Mint:

   sudo apt install snapd

2. Enable the Snap service:

   sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

3. Create a symbolic link for classic snap support:

   sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

4. Restart your system for changes to take effect

Installing Celluloid via Snap:

1. Install Celluloid using Snap:

   sudo snap install celluloid

2. Launch Celluloid either from the application menu or with:

   snap run celluloid

Benefits and limitations:

Benefits:

• Automatic updates ensure you always have the latest version
• Sandboxed environment provides additional security
• Simple installation and management process

Limitations:

• Snap packages may update with some delay compared to other methods
• Snap packages can be larger due to bundled dependencies
• Some users report slower startup times with Snap applications

The Snap version of Celluloid provides a balance of convenience, security, and up-to-date features, making it suitable for users who value automatic updates and application isolation.

Method 5: Building Celluloid from Source

For advanced users who want complete control over their installation or need the absolute latest features, building Celluloid from source is a viable option.

When to consider building from source:

Consider this approach if you:

• Need bleeding-edge features not yet available in packaged versions
• Want to apply custom patches or modifications
• Are developing or testing new features for Celluloid
• Have specific optimization requirements for your hardware

Prerequisites and dependencies:

Before building, install the necessary dependencies:

sudo apt install git build-essential meson ninja-build libmpv-dev libgtk-4-dev libadwaita-1-dev

Download and build process:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/celluloid-player/celluloid.git

2. Enter the directory:

   cd celluloid

3. Set up the build directory:

   meson build

4. Compile the application:

   ninja -C build

5. Install Celluloid:

   sudo ninja -C build install

Benefits and drawbacks:

Benefits:

• Access to the latest code and features before they’re officially released
• Ability to customize the build for specific needs
• Option to apply patches for bugs affecting your specific use case
• Better understanding of the application’s structure

Drawbacks:

• More complex installation process requiring technical knowledge
• Potential compatibility issues with system libraries
• Manual update process (no automatic updates)
• Time-consuming compared to package-based installation

This method is primarily recommended for advanced users, developers, or those with specific requirements that cannot be met by packaged versions.

Launching and Using Celluloid

After installing Celluloid, you can start enjoying your media content with its intuitive interface and powerful playback capabilities.

Different ways to launch:

Via Application Menu:
Navigate to the application menu and search for “Celluloid” or look under “Sound & Video” category.

Via Terminal:
For standard installations:

celluloid

For Flatpak installations:

flatpak run io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

For Snap installations:

snap run celluloid

To open a specific file directly:

celluloid /path/to/your/video.mp4

First-time setup recommendations:

When launching Celluloid for the first time:

1. Explore the preferences dialog to customize your experience
2. Configure default audio and subtitle behaviors
3. Consider enabling hardware acceleration for improved performance
4. Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts for efficient control

Basic usage overview:

Celluloid offers a straightforward interface with intuitive controls:

• Click the “+” button on the left to open media files or a location (URL)
• Use the playback controls at the bottom for play/pause and volume adjustment
• Access additional options through the menu button in the top-right corner
• For playlists, use the sidebar that appears when multiple files are loaded

Configuration options:

Access the preferences dialog from the menu to configure:

• General behavior settings
• User interface appearance
• Playback default settings
• Audio and subtitle preferences

Keyboard shortcuts:

Master these keyboard shortcuts for a better experience:

• Space: Play/Pause
• F: Toggle fullscreen
• M: Mute/unmute
• Left/Right arrows: Seek backward/forward
• Up/Down arrows: Increase/decrease volume
• Page Up/Down: Navigate between chapters

Customizing Celluloid

Tailoring Celluloid to your preferences can significantly enhance your media playback experience.

Accessing preferences:

Open Celluloid and click the hamburger menu in the top-right corner, then select “Preferences” to access customization options.

Interface customization options:

• Toggle client-side decorations for a more traditional window look
• Enable or disable dark theme to match your system preferences
• Control OSD (On-Screen Display) behavior and duration
• Make the video area draggable for easier window management
• Adjust the playlist visibility and position

Playback settings:

• Configure default volume level
• Set autofit behavior for different video sizes
• Enable or disable auto-play when opening files
• Configure screenshot directory and format

Audio/subtitle configuration:

• Set preferred audio language
• Configure subtitle rendering and position
• Adjust subtitle font, size, and color
• Set audio synchronization options
• Configure default subtitle encoding

Advanced Features and Tips

Celluloid offers several advanced features that power users will appreciate.

Using the chapter navigation:

For media files with chapters (like DVDs or properly chaptered MKVs), Celluloid displays chapter markers in the progress bar. You can:

• Click directly on chapter marks to jump to specific sections
• Use Page Up/Down keys to move between chapters
• View chapter titles in tooltips when hovering over markers

Custom scripts support:

Celluloid supports mpv scripts to extend functionality:

1. Place scripts in ~/.config/mpv/scripts/
2. Enable them in Celluloid’s preferences
3. Restart Celluloid for changes to take effect

Video area draggable option:

A useful feature in recent versions lets you make the video area draggable:

1. Open Preferences
2. Find the “Make video area draggable” option
3. Enable it to move the window by clicking and dragging anywhere on the video

Performance optimization:

For better performance, especially on lower-powered systems:

• Enable hardware acceleration in preferences
• Lower the output resolution for high-definition content
• Consider using the “hwdec=auto” option in mpv configuration

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with a well-designed application like Celluloid, issues can occasionally arise. Here are solutions to common problems:

Missing dependencies:

If Celluloid fails to launch due to missing dependencies:

1. Install the base dependencies:

   sudo apt install libmpv1 libgtk-4-0 libadwaita-1-0

2. For playback issues with certain formats:

   sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

Playback issues with certain formats:

For problems playing specific video formats:

1. Install additional codecs:

   sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

2. For DVD playback issues, install libdvd-pkg:

   sudo apt install libdvd-pkg
   sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg

3. Restart your system for changes to take effect

PPA versioning conflicts:

If you encounter conflicts between different installed versions:

1. Remove all Celluloid packages:

   sudo apt purge celluloid

2. Clean package cache:

   sudo apt clean && sudo apt update

3. Reinstall using your preferred method

Flatpak permission issues:

For Flatpak permission issues:

1. Check current permissions:

   flatpak info --show-permissions io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

2. Grant additional permissions if needed:

   flatpak override --user --filesystem=home io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

Audio configuration problems:

If you experience audio issues:

1. Try different audio output methods in preferences
2. Verify system audio settings
3. For specific problematic files, try opening them with additional parameters:

   celluloid --mpv-options="--audio-device=auto" /path/to/video.mp4

KDE Connect compatibility issues:

In Linux Mint 22, there’s a reported issue with Celluloid crashing when KDE Connect is running. As a workaround:

1. Use the Flatpak version of Celluloid (version 0.28+)
2. Or temporarily close KDE Connect before launching Celluloid

Updating Celluloid

Keeping Celluloid updated ensures you have access to the latest features and bug fixes.

Update procedures for each installation method:

APT:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

PPA:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak:

flatpak update

Snap:

sudo snap refresh celluloid

Source build:

cd celluloid
git pull
meson build --wipe
ninja -C build
sudo ninja -C build install

Checking current version:

To check your current Celluloid version:

celluloid --version

For Flatpak:

flatpak info io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

Release cycle information:

Celluloid follows an active development cycle with regular updates. Major releases typically introduce new features and significant improvements, while minor updates focus on bug fixes and small enhancements. The latest versions include fixes for Nvidia GPU issues, improved playlist controls, and various interface improvements.

Uninstalling Celluloid

If you need to remove Celluloid or prepare for a fresh installation, the uninstallation process depends on your installation method.

Uninstall procedures for each installation method:

APT:

sudo apt remove celluloid

PPA:

sudo apt remove celluloid
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xuzhen666/gnome-mpv
sudo apt update

Flatpak:

flatpak uninstall io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

Snap:

sudo snap remove celluloid

Source build:

sudo ninja -C build uninstall

Cleaning up residual files:

To remove configuration files and ensure a clean uninstallation:

rm -r ~/.config/celluloid

If you’ve had issues with Celluloid and are planning to reinstall, this complete removal of configuration files can help resolve persistent problems.

Reverting to default video players:

After uninstalling Celluloid, you might want to set another application as your default video player. In Linux Mint, you can do this through:

1. System Settings > Preferred Applications
2. Select a different video player under the “Video” category

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Celluloid. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Celluloid Video Player on Linux Mint 22 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Celluloid website.