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Gnome MPV 0.16 Released, How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: January 25, 2019

Gnome MPV, GTK+ frontend for mpv video player, released version 0.16 a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

Gnome MPV 0.16 release highlights:

  • Split up the General tab in the preferences dialog
  • Improve behavior when toggling playlist under tiling window managers
  • Move app menu items to primary menu
  • Use separate MPRIS DBus connection for each window
  • Add support for MPRIS property LoopStatus
  • Add option --mpv-options for setting arbitrary mpv options from the command-line

How to Install Gnome MPV 0.16 in Ubuntu:

You can install the latest Gnome MPV via the flatpak (containerised software package) which is available in Flathub repository.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or from software launcher. When it opens, run command to install flatpak daemon:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

2. Then add the flathub repository via command:

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

3. Finally install Gnome MPV from the repository:

flatpak install flathub io.github.GnomeMpv

Once installed, launch Gnome MPV from application menu or video file’s context menu and enjoy!

Uninstall:

To remove the flatpak package, simply run command:

flatpak uninstall io.github.GnomeMpv
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Install ‘Entangle’ – Tethered Camera Control & Capture App in Ubuntu

Last updated: April 22, 2024

Entangle is a free tethered camera control & capture software. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases, including Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, and Ubuntu 20.04

Entangle provides a graphical interface for “tethered shooting”, aka taking photographs with a digital camera completely controlled from the computer. The 2.0 release, “Sodium”, features:

  • Document some missing keyboard shortcuts
  • Fix upper bound in histogram to display clipped pixel
  • Option to highlight over exposed pixels in red
  • Disable noisy compiler warning
  • Remove use of deprecated application menu concept
  • Fix image redraw when changing some settings
  • Update mailing list address in appdaat
  • Add more fields to appdata content
  • Fix reference counting during window close
  • Use correct API for destroying top level windows
  • Fix unmounting of cameras with newer gvfs URI naming scheme
  • Avoid out of bounds read of property values
  • Fix many memory leaks
  • Workaround for combo boxes not displaying on Wayland
  • Fix race condition in building enums
  • Fix setting of gschema directory during startup
  • Set env to ensure plugins can find introspection typelib
  • Dependency libraries, and translation updates

How to install entangle 3.0 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

The app is available in system repository for all current Ubuntu releases. Simply launch Ubuntu Software (or App Center), then just search and click install ‘entangle’:

For choice, you may press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, then run the commands instead to install the software:

sudo apt install entangle

Run sudo apt update first to refresh cache if the package is not found.

For old Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 18.04, you may run the commands below to add this PPA before using apt install command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dhor/myway
sudo apt update

Uninstall:

To remove the software, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove entangle
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MuseScore 3.0.1 Released with Redesigned New Score Wizard

Last updated: January 16, 2019

Free Scorewriter MuseScore released version 3.0.1 yesterday with some improvements and numerous bug-fixes.

MuseScore 3.0.1 redesigned New Score Wizard for easy searching templates, better score previews, and accessibility improvements for blind users. The new release also features better import of 2.X scores, better automatic placement of hairpins and dynamics, and reworked Mixer UI.

There are also dozens of issues fixed in the release, including:

  • Properties were not saved properly in a number of cases
  • Layout was broken after operations with measure rests and tuplets
  • Time signatures appeared incorrectly in some cases and might lead to crash
  • Using the implode tool on notes connected with slurs led to crashes
  • Editing a barline was applied incorrectly
  • Context menu on instrument names didn’t appear
  • Pages with landscape orientation were cropped when printing
  • Playback went crazy on saving
  • Tempo was applied incorrectly in certain cases involving fermatas
  • Slurs were lost or detached in some cases
  • Autoplacement couldn’t be switched off for stems and arpeggio

How to Install MuseScore 3 in Ubuntu:

MuseScore is available via Snap (available in Ubuntu Software), Ubuntu PPA, and Gnome Flatpak.

As there are not updated to MuseScore 3.0.1 at the moment, you may download the Appimage (single executable package), and run the file to launch the software.

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LiVES Video Editor 2.10.2 Released with New Icons (PPA)

Last updated: January 12, 2019

LiVES video editor and VJ tool released version 2.10.2 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 18.10.

LiVES 2.10.2 release highlights:

  • Fix serious bug in lives_popen() – may prevent saving of new sets.
  • Add in part of the fix for multi_encoder3 which was overlooked in 2.10.1
  • Fix regression in get_extension().
  • Fix regression in get_frame_count().
  • Add new icons.
  • Correctly reset video playback plugin after cancelling quick transcode.
  • Improved youtube downloading.

How to Install Lives 2.10.2 in Ubuntu:

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut and then run command to add the unofficial PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/lives

Type in your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when it asks and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade the software from an existing release via Software Updater:

or simply run commands in terminal to install or upgrade LiVES:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install lives lives-plugins

Uninstall:

To remove the software, simply run commands:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove lives lives-plugins

The PPA can be removed via Software & Updates utility under Other Software tab.

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Alternative Toolbar Plugin Updated for Rhythmbox 3.4.3 (PPA)

Last updated: January 11, 2019

Alternative toolbar plugin released a new bug-fix version today with the latest Rhythmbox music player 3.4.3 compatibility.

Alternative toolbar is a third-party plugin for Rhythmbox. It replaces the default header bar with Gnome-style client-side decoration. And the standard toolbar replaced by a compact toolbar.

The plugin is installed in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher out-of-the-box. However, it does not work well in the most recent Rhythmbox 3.4.3 release.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 18.10 users upgraded to Rhythmbox 3.4.3, you may do following steps to update the Alternative Toolbar plugin:

1. Open terminal either from app launcher or via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Type user password (no asterisks feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then launch Software Updater, and update Rhythmbox as well as the plugin:

Uninstall:

You can remove the PPA by launching Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab. Or simply run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps
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Rhythmbox 3.4.3 Released with Numerous Bug Fixes

Last updated: January 8, 2019

The default Rhythmbox music player released version 3.4.3 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04.

Rhythmbox 3.4.3 release highlights:

  • Improved Android plugin to work better with Samsung and Android 9 devices
  • Replaced status bar with floating bar as used by Nautilus
  • Fixed crash when store request processing fails
  • Fixed crashes when editing auto playlist sorted by Location / Bitrate
  • Fixed crashes when insert a cd
  • Fixed issue that can not transfer songs to phone over MTP
  • And many other changes.

How to Install Rhythmbox 3.4.3 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10 and derivatives, you can install Rhythmbox 3.4.3 from the unofficial PPA.

1. Open terminal either from app launcher or via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Type user password (no asterisks feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then launch Software Updater, upgrade the music player packages:

How to Restore:

You can purge the PPA which also downgrade Rhythmbox to the stock version via command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps
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MKVToolNix 30.0.0 Released with W64 Support

Last updated: January 4, 2019

MKVToolNix 30.0.0 was released today with new features, enhancements, and bug-fixes.

MKVToolNix 30.0.0 release highlights:

  • mkvextract now writes W64 files for .w64 file or file size > 4 GB
  • Add button to show the 10 most recently used output directories.
  • Predefined split sizes and durations can now be customized in the preferences.
  • Add option to append chapters from an existing file to the current open editor tab.
  • Add new context menu action to copy selected entry to another open editor tab.
  • And more other changes, see the release note for details.

How to Install MKVToolNix 30.0.0 in Ubuntu:

The latest MKVToolNix packages will be soon made into its official apt repository for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Linux Mint 19/18, and higher

Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching it from app launcher. When it opens, do following steps:

1. Run command to add the repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb https://mkvtoolnix.download/ubuntu/ $(lsb_release -sc) main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bunkus.org.list'

Replace $(lsb_release -sc) with bionic for Linux Mint 19, or xenial for Linux Mint 18.x. And input your password (no asterisks while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then install the key:

wget -q -O - https://mkvtoolnix.download/gpg-pub-moritzbunkus.txt | sudo apt-key add -

3. Finally either upgrade the software via Software Updater (Update Manager):

or run command to install the software packages:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install mkvtoolnix mkvtoolnix-gui

Uninstall:

To remove the apt repository, launch Software & Updates utility and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove MKVToolNix, use Synaptic Package Manager or run following command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove mkvtoolnix mkvtoolnix-gui
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GnuCash 3.4 Released with Tons of Bug-fixes / Improvements

Last updated: January 2, 2019

Free accounting software GnuCash 3.4 was released a few days ago with tons of bug-fixes and improvements. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10.

According to the release note, GnuCash 3.4 redesigned gnc-uri-utils, cleaned up more report code, improved toolbar buttons, text options widget, and fixed a large number of bugs.

How to Install GnuCash 3.4 in Ubuntu 18.04:

While GnuCash flatpak package is still at version 3.2, you can install the latest 3.4 release via an unofficial PPA for Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 18.10.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut key. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sicklylife/gnucash

Type user password (no asterisks feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then either upgrade GnuCash via Software Updater, or install it via command:

sudo apt install gnucash

Uninstall:

To remove GnuCash 3.4, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove gnucash

And remove the PPA via Software & Updates -> Other Software.

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VLC 3.0.5 Released, How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: December 29, 2018

VLC media player released version 3.0.5 a few days ago with performance improvements and numerous fixes. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases.

VLC 3.0.5 release highlights:

  • Faster and more complete support for the AV1 codec
  • Compatibility with macOS 10.14 “Mojave”, with native dark mode, and notarization
  • Improvements for Blu-ray playback, RTP and UDP streams
  • Improvements for MP4, MKV, CAF and AV1 media
  • Improvements for HDR support, tone-mapping and native Windows HDR support
  • Fixes for Chromecast, Direct3D11, Youtube and subtitles rendering

How to Install VLC 3.0.5 in Ubuntu:

Linux Snap package:

The official VLC snap package (containerized software package) has been updated to v3.0.5. For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply install it from Ubuntu Software.

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install the snap package:

sudo apt install snapd && sudo snap install vlc

VLC package for Ubuntu:

Ubuntu comes with VLC package (see previous picture), and offers software updates through updates repository.

NOTE VLC 3.0.5 is not available at the moment of writing. As usual, the new release package will be published in a few days.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply install VLC .deb package from Ubuntu Software, and VLC 3.0.5 package will be available via Software Updater once published.

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Audacious 3.10.1 Released with Important Fixes (How-to Install)

Last updated: December 26, 2018

Audacious audio player released version 3.10.1 today with some important bugs fixed. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 18.10.

Audacious 3.10.1 fixed following issues:

  • Crash on invalid tuple D-Bus request
  • Playlist search in Qt5 is really slow on huge playlists
  • Song Info window takes a few seconds to appear or UI freezes, when listening to an MP3 stream
  • Audtool doesn’t output UTF-8 on Windows
  • Info popup causes segmentation fault in Qt 5 UI
  • Playlist drag-and-drop no longer working in 3.10 (Qt UI)
  • Floating-point WavPack files play as noise

How to Install Audacious 3.10.1 in Ubuntu:

You can install the new release packages in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 18.10 via the unofficial PPA.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for ‘terminal’ from software launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Type your password (no asterisks feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then you can upgrade Audacious via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade the audio player:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install audacious audacious-plugins

Uninstall:

You can easily remove the PPA either by going to Software & Updates utility -> Other Software tab, or by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

To remove audacious, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove audacious audacious-plugins
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