Using Movies in Impress on Linux Without Java

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Overview

This text gives quick instructions on how to run movies in OpenOffice.org presentations without using any Java Software, specifically the Java Media Frameworks (JMF).

The approach described here might be used for working with just a few movies, it is not suitable for larger presentations.

A problem one is going to face is, that for starting the movie in Presentation Mode you will have to click on a graphic. In case you use to wander when presenting and also have fixed timings set up for your slides the approach described here will not be useful to you

Understanding the Basic Concept

Prerequisites

• OpenOffice.org 2.x
• Xine or any other movie player of your preference

Functionality

We will use the following functionality for our purpose:

• Insert > Picture > From File
• Right click on the inserted graphic
• Select Interaction
• Select Run macro as Action at mouse click
• By writing a simple macro running our shell script, which in turn starts our movie player, we hook our movie player in.

File:Impress movies without java01.png

Figure 1: The concept

Writing the External Shell Script

#!/bin/sh
#file:///home/me/tmp/ooo-movie-hook/m1.sh
xine --no-splash --geometry 400x400+420+420 \ /home/me/moviedb/my_movie01.mpg

Creating the OpenOffice.org Macro

Sub Main
  Shell("/home/me/tmp/ooo-movie-hook/m1.sh",2)
End Sub

Linking the Macro to the Graphic

1. Insert your personal "start-movie-button-graphic" via Insert > Picture
2. Right-click on the image
3. Select Run macro as Action at mouse click
4. Assign the macro

KDE Specific: Removing Borders of Movie Player Window

1. Open the KDE Control Center
2. Select Setup
3. For all window instances, which are created by your favourite movie player do not display window borders.
   

You have a nice integration of the external movie player with your OpenOffice.org presentation.

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