TotemLinux
vs
Media Player Classic (MPC)Windows
Totem as a Linux alternative to Media Player Classic (MPC)
Updated
Our verdict
Totem is a solid Linux alternative for most Media Player Classic users who need a lightweight player with basic controls, subtitle support and decent codec handling. It fits well for GNOME desktop users or anyone who prefers a simple GTK interface and integration with the desktop. Power users who rely on extensive codec tweaking, advanced subtitle features or very low resource footprints may find Totem less flexible, but for everyday video and audio playback it works well.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 43.2
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both play common video and audio formats out of the box
- Simple, classic‑style UI with basic playback controls
- Support for subtitles with automatic encoding detection
- Playlist handling via drag‑and‑drop or simple list view
- Keyboard shortcuts for play/pause, fullscreen and navigation
What is different
- Totem relies on GStreamer plugins for codecs; MPC used bundled DirectShow filters on Windows
- Totem lacks the extensive codec tweaking UI that MPC offered
- Advanced subtitle options (e.g., styling, multiple tracks) are more limited in Totem
- MPC had a very small memory footprint; Totem is slightly heavier due to GNOME libraries
- Totem integrates with GNOME shell and MPRIS, which MPC did not provide
Opening your Media Player Classic (MPC) files
Totem can open any video or audio file that MPC could play, provided the appropriate GStreamer plugins are installed. It does not export or save MPC‑specific project files because MPC does not create proprietary files; it only handles standard media containers.
Switching from Media Player Classic (MPC) to Totem, step by step
- Install Totem from your distribution's package manager (e.g., sudo apt install totem).
- Install the common GStreamer plugin packages (good, bad, ugly, libav) to cover most codecs.
- Open your media files in Totem to verify playback and subtitle rendering.
- If subtitles are not detected, use the "Open Subtitle" menu to load them manually.
- Configure hotkeys in Totem's preferences to match your MPC shortcuts if needed.
- Optionally, set Totem as the default video player in your desktop environment.
Key features of Totem
- GTK+ interface that matches the GNOME look‑and‑feel
- Automatic codec handling via GStreamer plugins
- Playlist support and simple drag‑and‑drop
- Subtitle display with basic encoding detection
- Fullscreen and windowed modes with hotkeys
- Integration with GNOME Shell notifications
- Remote control via MPRIS/D‑Bus
- Simple file browsing through GNOME Files
How to install Totem on Linux
sudo apt install totemsudo apt install totemsudo dnf install totemsudo pacman -S totemsudo zypper install totemFrequently asked questions
Can Totem play DVDs and Blu‑ray discs?
Totem can play DVDs if the libdvdcss plugin is installed; Blu‑ray support is not built‑in and requires additional third‑party tools.
Does Totem support hardware‑accelerated decoding?
Yes, when the appropriate GStreamer plugins and driver support are present, Totem can use VA‑API or VDPAU for hardware acceleration.
Can I use Totem on non‑GNOME desktops?
Totem runs on any desktop environment; it will just use the GTK theme of the current session.
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