How do I configure MPV's speed to add instead of multiply?

2 min read 22-10-2024
How do I configure MPV's speed to add instead of multiply?

If you've been using MPV, a versatile media player, you may have noticed that adjusting the playback speed typically multiplies the speed by a factor (e.g., increasing from 1x to 1.5x). However, you might want to configure it such that adjustments to playback speed are additive. For example, instead of going from 1x to 1.5x, you may want to go from 1x to 2x in a single increment. In this article, we'll explore how to configure MPV to achieve this.

Original Problem

The original inquiry can be summarized as follows:

"How do I configure MPV's speed to add instead of multiply?"

Solution Overview

To achieve additive speed changes in MPV, you will need to modify its configuration file. By changing the default behavior, you can set MPV to adjust playback speed based on addition rather than multiplication.

Step-by-Step Guide to Configure MPV Playback Speed

  1. Locate the Configuration File:

    • Depending on your operating system, the MPV configuration file might be located in different places:
      • Linux: ~/.config/mpv/mpv.conf
      • Windows: %APPDATA%\mpv\mpv.conf
      • macOS: ~/.config/mpv/mpv.conf
  2. Open the Configuration File:

    • Use your preferred text editor to open the mpv.conf file.
  3. Add Custom Speed Key Bindings:

    • To set the speed changes to add rather than multiply, you will need to define custom key bindings in the input.conf file. If you don’t have one, create input.conf in the same directory.

    • Add the following lines to the input.conf file:

      LEFT add speed 0.1
      RIGHT add speed 0.1
      UP add speed 0.5
      DOWN add speed -0.5
      
    • This configuration binds the arrow keys to increase or decrease the playback speed by a fixed amount rather than multiplying the current speed.

  4. Save and Test:

    • Save the changes and reopen MPV. Test the new configurations by pressing the arrow keys to see how the playback speed adjusts.

Practical Example

Let’s consider a practical scenario: You are watching a long educational video at normal speed, and you want to speed it up gradually. With the above configuration, you can tap the right arrow key to increase the speed by 0.1x each time you press it. If you want to jump to 2x speed, just press the right arrow key 10 times quickly. Conversely, pressing the down arrow will help you slow it down by 0.5x for a more manageable pace.

Conclusion

Configuring MPV's playback speed to add instead of multiply provides a more intuitive way to control your media consumption. By adjusting the settings in input.conf, users can create a personalized experience that meets their unique viewing habits.

For more detailed configuration options and troubleshooting tips, consider visiting the MPV Documentation and MPV GitHub Repository. These resources can be extremely helpful for both beginners and advanced users looking to customize their MPV setup further.

Additional Resources

By following the guidelines above, you'll be able to enhance your experience with MPV significantly, allowing for more personalized control over playback speeds. Happy viewing!