Strange VLC size error

Dai_trying · 2018-07-28 14:43

I have recently acquired a new machine and have put a HDD from another machine (with Q4OS Scorpion installed) into it and booted up and was pleasantly surprised when everything seemed to be working as normal. Below is the inxi -F results.

System:    Host: q4optiplex Kernel: 4.9.0-7-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: KDE Plasma 3
           Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch)
Machine:   Device: desktop Mobo: ASUSTeK model: P7P55 LX v: Rev X.0x BIOS: American Megatrends v: 1101 date: 11/10/2010
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i3 540 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB 
           clock speeds: max: 3067 MHz 1: 1200 MHz 2: 1200 MHz 3: 1867 MHz 4: 2400 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA GF106 [GeForce GTS 450]
           Display Server: X.Org 1.19.2 drivers: nouveau (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1920x1080
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on NVC3 GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 13.0.6
Audio:     Card-1 Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
           Card-2 NVIDIA GF106 High Definition Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.9.0-7-amd64
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169
           IF: enp2s0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: 20:cf:30:ed:dc:62
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 2000.4GB (1.6% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD20EARX size: 2000.4GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 99G used: 26G (27%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.29GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda3
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 40.0C mobo: 27.0C gpu: 44.0
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 1068 psu: 0 sys-1: 811
Info:      Processes: 143 Uptime: 6 min Memory: 655.2/3945.5MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5

The issue with VLC is it seems to be sizing to a screen much bigger than I can display, I checked in the special window settings to see if I could force it to be smaller and did manage to adjust it to fit the screen but it only shows a very small portion of what should be displayed but at a really bad screen resolution.
First picture shows what I can see full screen (1920x1080)

This shows the desktop after I set the special window settings to 1024,768

When I set the special window settings I did notice that the default values (before I changed them) were 15528,2397 which seemed a bit strange but might be a clue as to where this problem is occurring.

I also thought it might be something to do with the installation so I performed a fresh install to another partition with the exact same results, next I installed Centarus and although the video drivers were newer (but I still used the nouveau one) it had the exact same result. I am a little lost as to what could have caused this although I am guessing it is a display setting that is used by VLC and not used by SmPlayer as I installed that to play a video and it displays without issue.

Any suggestions? this has got me puzzled.

Note: any configuration changes cannot be done from the GUI due to this issue, so if I need to change a configuration option please let me know where to find it.

Dai_trying · 2018-07-28 17:20

I just installed plain Debian Xfce and have the same issue, I'm guessing it is a video/VLC problem although I think it more likely video as VLC is running fine on my other machines

q4osteam · 2018-07-29 12:01

Dai_trying wrote:

... any configuration changes cannot be done from the GUI due to this issue, so if I need to change a configuration option please let me know where to find it.

Currently, a config file is created on a per user basis (there is no global configuration file). If you modify the available options in VLC and save the new configuration, then a configuration file will be created in your user directory. The precise location of this file depends on the Operating System you are running. Please see https://www.videolan.org/support/faq.html#Config

Dai_trying · 2018-08-01 14:53

I have installed the Proprietary NVidia drivers from backports and now have VLC working, but it is still too big as you can see from the below screenshot, it is the only package I have problems with so I am guessing I might have to go to the VLC site and maybe enter it as a bug, but thought I would post in case someone has any ideas to restore it to a proper size.

inxi -F

System:    Host: q4optiplex Kernel: 4.9.0-7-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: KDE Plasma 3
           Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch)
Machine:   Device: desktop Mobo: ASUSTeK model: P7P55 LX v: Rev X.0x BIOS: American Megatrends v: 1101 date: 11/10/2010
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i3 540 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB 
           clock speeds: max: 3067 MHz 1: 1600 MHz 2: 1333 MHz 3: 1200 MHz 4: 1467 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA GF106 [GeForce GTS 450]
           Display Server: X.Org 1.19.2 drivers: nvidia (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa,nouveau)
           Resolution: 1920x1080@60.05hz
           GLX Renderer: GeForce GTS 450/PCIe/SSE2 GLX Version: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 390.67
Audio:     Card-1 Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
           Card-2 NVIDIA GF106 High Definition Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.9.0-7-amd64
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169
           IF: enp2s0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: 20:cf:30:ed:dc:62
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 2000.4GB (4.7% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD20EARX size: 2000.4GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 99G used: 14G (15%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.29GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda3
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 38.0C mobo: 26.0C gpu: 39C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 948 psu: 0 sys-1: 819
Info:      Processes: 149 Uptime: 10 min Memory: 574.0/3945.5MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5

Last edited by Dai_trying (2018-08-01 14:55)

Dai_trying · 2018-08-01 15:25

I found the solution (or workaround) for this, I have to add

QT_AUTO_SCREEN_SCALE_FACTOR=0

to the file /etc/environment and reboot, now I have a "proper" working VLC

Dai_trying · 2018-08-01 16:30

Just to add that this solution also works without the NVidia proprietary drivers, as well as working with Centaurus, and so I would consider it an all round solution.

JimW · 2018-08-01 20:53

Thanks Dai!
I use VLC quite frequently and haven't had that problem. But if I do then I will be searching for this!!

Dai_trying · 2018-08-01 21:54

I think it is a problem with VLC (actually QT) when combined with High Resolution (fhd+) and thankfully is easily remedied.

Q4OS Forum

#1 2018-07-28 14:43

Strange VLC size error

#2 2018-07-28 17:20

Re: Strange VLC size error

#3 2018-07-29 12:01

Re: Strange VLC size error

#4 2018-08-01 14:53

Re: Strange VLC size error

#5 2018-08-01 15:25

Re: Strange VLC size error

#6 2018-08-01 16:30

Re: Strange VLC size error

#7 2018-08-01 20:53

Re: Strange VLC size error

#8 2018-08-01 21:54

Re: Strange VLC size error

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