How to Install MPV 0.28.0 in Ubuntu 18.04, 16.04

Last updated: December 28, 2017

MPV media player logo

MPV media player reached the 0.28.0 release a few days ago. Here’s how to install it via PPA in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04.

MPV 0.28.0 requires FFmpeg 3.4 and features initial d3d11 and vulkan support. Other changes include:

  • Add DRM_PRIME Format Handling and Display for RockChip MPP decoders
  • Add support for Display P3 primaries
  • support multiple seekable cached ranges, display cache ranges on OSC
  • demux_playlist: support .url files
  • dvb: Add multiple frontends support (up to 8)
  • dvb: implement parsing of modulation for VDR-style channels config
  • hwdec: add mediacodec hardware decoder for IMGFMT_MEDIACODEC frames, rename mediacodec to mediacodec-copy
  • lua: integrate stats.lua script (bound to i/I by default)
  • add support for nvdec hwaccel
  • add android opengl backend

How to Install MPV 0.28.0 in Ubuntu:

MPV does not provide official Linux binaries, but it refers to a third-party PPA which contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives.

To install it, open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “Terminal” from start menu. When it opens, do:

1. add the PPA repository via command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mc3man/mpv-tests

Type in your password (no visual feedback due to security reason) when prompts and hit Enter.

2. If you have a previous release installed, you can now launch Software Updater and upgrade the software after checking for updates:

Or just run commands to install it for the first time:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install mpv

Uninstall:

For any reason, you can remove the PPA easily by going to System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab. And remove the player via command:

sudo apt remove mpv && sudo apt autoremove 

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I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via ubuntuhandbook1@gmail.com Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1

4 responses to How to Install MPV 0.28.0 in Ubuntu 18.04, 16.04

  1. How does it compare to VLC and SMPlayer?

  2. Hi Ji, you are a great help.

  3. Hi,
    Do you have any idea how to make MPV quit automatically? I used to have it close it self.
    The mpv.conf has no visible configurations!
    Thanks.

  4. i had executed the command on the terminal window , its showing following output on my ubuntu 16.04
    Cannot add PPA: ‘ppa:~mc3man/ubuntu/mpv-tests’.
    ERROR: ‘~mc3man’ user or team does not exist.