How to make VLC play an iso file directly?

Question

Running vlc /path/to/dvd-video.iso, I'm getting:

[0x8787ccc] main decoder error: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `undf'. VLC probably does not support this sound or video format.

notes:

The version of vlc is 1.1.3.
The DVD plays well when not in iso format (when it's normal files on the filesystem).

Does the path contain non standard characters? And what do you mean by 'extract'? Do you mean that you mount the iso file and read the contents directly? — asoundmove, Feb 02 '11 at 14:16
@asoundmove The path contains normal characters; I updated the answer. — tshepang, Feb 02 '11 at 14:16
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-512698.html shows a similar discussion to the one you've started here. Maybe that will help? — asoundmove, Feb 02 '11 at 14:16
update: this works on a fresh Debian install (right-click, select VLC, and voila!) ; I don't know what the fix is — tshepang, Feb 02 '11 at 14:31
This question is not applicable to the more recent VLC versions that can play ISO-s directly. — , Sep 22 '16 at 14:07

bahamat · Answer 1 · 2011-01-09T22:10:36.907

6

Mount it as a loopback first.

mount -o loop,ro -t iso9660 /path/to/file.iso /path/to/mountpoint/

Or try this...

vlc dvd://path/to/iso

edited Jan 09 '11 at 22:10

answered Jan 09 '11 at 21:56

bahamat

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That is not directly, unless you are suggesting a workaround? – tshepang Jan 09 '11 at 22:01
1

I could be wrong, but I'll bet the second option is about as directly as you will find. – Steven D Jan 09 '11 at 23:17
Nah, 2nd option doesn't work. It expects a normal file system: libdvdnav:DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.IFO failed. – tshepang Jan 11 '11 at 13:36
2

Why is it that you are opposed to mounting it? – bahamat Jan 12 '11 at 06:16
It's extra work. – tshepang Jan 29 '11 at 09:20
Then make a wrapper script. Name it pi for "play image". The script mounts, plays, unmounts automatically. Now you're typing one less character every time. – bahamat Jan 29 '11 at 16:49
I just wanna right-click and hit play. No CLI. – tshepang Feb 02 '11 at 14:26
@Tshepang: so probably the answer to your question is "You can't" – kizzx2 Feb 02 '11 at 16:49
@kiz Actually I can. Check the update on the question (a comment). – tshepang Feb 02 '11 at 17:43

score 2 · Answer 2 · 2016-10-26T10:40:00.237

2

As this is an old question, it may be useful to say that more recent VLC (2.1 and later) versions should be able to play ISO-s directly, unless there is something wrong with the iso.

edited Oct 26 '16 at 10:40

answered Sep 21 '16 at 17:09

@tomas - I have changed my initial post – Oct 26 '16 at 10:41

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Feb 03 '11 at 09:36

1

Do you have to use vlc? mplayer can usually work out a video dvd iso (or even a partial incomplete iso) contains mpeg streams well enough to play them without loopback mounting or complicated flags. Doing it this way means menus, subtitles, alternate soundtracks are unlikely to work tho.

mplayer /path/to/dvd.iso

edited Feb 03 '11 at 09:36

wag

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answered Feb 02 '11 at 13:18

1

Does MPlayer even support menus? – tshepang Feb 02 '11 at 14:25
You can watch the mpeg stream behind animated menus but the hotspots aren't connected up to anything useful. – Feb 06 '11 at 13:43

How to make VLC play an iso file directly?

3 Answers3