Customizing MPV Media Player Classic Speed Shortcuts: A Comprehensive Guide

MPV Media Player Classic, often abbreviated as MPV, is a powerful open-source media player that offers extensive customization options. One of the key features users frequently want to tailor is the speed of playback. This article will walk you through the process of adding new speed shortcuts to your existing keyboard shortcuts in MPV. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of how to modify MPV's configuration files to suit your viewing preferences.

Step-by-Step Guide to Add Speed Shortcuts in MPV

Adding new speed shortcuts in MPV involves modifying the configuration files. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Locate the MPV Configuration File

The configuration file for MPV is where you define all your custom commands, including key bindings for playback speed. The file's location varies depending on your operating system:

Windows: The configuration file is usually located at macOS/Linux: The file can be found at ~

Open the Configuration File

Open the configuration file using a text editor. For Windows, you can use Notepad. On macOS or Linux, nano or gedit are popular choices:

Windows: Right-click on the file and select Open with Notepad macOS/Linux: Open the terminal and use the command gedit ~ or nano ~

Add Speed Shortcuts

To add new speed shortcuts, you can define them in the following format:

key add speed value

For example, to set shortcuts for increasing and decreasing playback speed, you can add the following lines:

UP add speed 0.1        # Increase playback speed by 0.1x
DOWN add speed -0.1     # Decrease playback speed by 0.1x

You can adjust the key bindings as desired, replacing UP and DOWN with any keys of your choice.

Save the Configuration File

After adding your desired shortcuts, save the changes to the file.

Test Your Shortcuts

Open MPV and test the new shortcuts to ensure they work as expected.

Example of Complete Shortcuts in

Here’s an example of what your file might look like after adding speed shortcuts:

# Existing shortcuts
SPACE cycle pause
LEFT seek -5
RIGHT seek 5

# New speed shortcuts
UP add speed 0.1        # Increase playback speed
DOWN add speed -0.1     # Decrease playback speed

Additional Tips

Key Binding Reference

You can find a full list of available key bindings in the MPV documentation. This resource is invaluable for exploring and customizing the myriad options MPV offers.

Customizing Further

For more advanced users, MPV supports more complex commands such as setting specific speeds or toggling between preset speeds. The flexibility of the configuration file means you can tailor MPV to your exact needs.

Backup

Before making changes to your configuration files, it's a good idea to back up your original file. This ensures that you can revert to the original settings if needed.

What Does MPV Mean?

MPV stands for Media Player Classic, which is an open-source project aimed at providing a robust and customizable media player.

Keyboard Shortcuts Across Different Platforms

If you are looking to set up keyboard shortcuts on your computer, here are some resources:

Windows: Check Microsoft’s official guide for a comprehensive list of Windows key shortcuts. Office Applications: Explore this guide for Office-specific shortcuts. Linux and macOS: Look into the GNOME Keyboard Shortcuts or macOS Keyboard Shortcuts for specific platforms.

It's also important to note that non-Windows programs will still use Windows shortcut combinations, as many shortcuts are standardized across different operating systems.

Further Tips for Efficiency

Finally, if you frequently experience tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, consider learning keyboard shortcuts to reduce strain. Using a combination of keyboard and mouse can indeed be painful, but improving your efficiency can significantly alleviate physical discomfort. Though it may not be fun initially, pain often serves as a great motivator to improve your work habits.