Software Requirements

Specification
for

VLC MEDIA PLAYER

Prepared by Pratap Singh

REGISRATION NUMBER: 12203181

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY

20 March,2024
Software Requirements Specification for VLC Media
Player
Page 2

Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Purpose 1
1.2 Document Conventions 1
1.3 Project Scope 1
1.4 References 1
2. Overall Description 2
2.1 Product Perspective 2
2.2 Product Features 2
2.3 User Classes and Characteristics 2
2.4 Operating Environment 3
2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints 3
2.6 User Documentation 3
2.7 Assumptions and Dependencies 4
3. System Features 4
3.1 System Feature 5
4. External Interface Requirements 7
4.1 User Interfaces 7
4.2 Hardware Interfaces 8
4.3 Software Interfaces 8
4.4 Performance Requirements 8
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1. Introduction
This is a document on VLC Media Player, the go-to solution for seamless multimedia playback.
From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global favorite, VLC has redefined how we
experience digital media. This document contains information about VLC media player like its
overview, functions, perspective and the SRS.

1.1 Purpose

VLC media player is primarily designed as a multimedia player for various audio and video
formats. It is not typically associated with Word documents, as Word is a word processing software
and VLC is for media playback. However, there could be scenarios where you might embed
multimedia content within a Word document, such as video or audio files, and VLC could
potentially be used to play these embedded media files within the Word document if it supports the
format.

1.2 Document Conventions

In this Software Requirements Specification (SRS) for VLC media player, several document
conventions have been followed to ensure clarity and consistency. Priority levels have been
assigned to higher-level requirements, with the assumption that these priorities are inherited by
detailed requirements unless stated otherwise. Additionally, specific typographical conventions such
as font styles or highlighting have not been adopted within this document. Instead, clarity has been
prioritized through concise and descriptive language, ensuring that each requirement statement
stands on its own with clear priorities and dependencies outlined where necessary.

1.3 Project Scope

The project scope for VLC media player encompasses the specification of a versatile multimedia
player designed to playback various audio and video formats across different platforms. VLC aims
to provide users with a seamless and intuitive media playback experience, offering benefits such as
compatibility with a wide range of file types, robust playback performance, and a user-friendly
interface. The primary objectives of VLC include providing a free and open-source solution for
media consumption while maintaining high standards of reliability and performance.

1.4 References

 Wikipedia. (2024). VLC media player. [online] Available at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VLC_media_player#:~:text=VLC%20media%20player%20(pr
eviously%20the [Accessed 20 Mar. 2024].
 Wikipedia. (2024). VLC media player. [online] Available at:
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/VLC_media_player [Accessed 20 Mar. 2024].
Software Requirements Specification for <Project> Page 2

 Admin (2020). VLC Full Form - VideoLAN Client. [online] BYJUS. Available at:
https://byjus.com/full-form/vlc-full-form/ [Accessed 20 Mar. 2024].

2. Overall Description
2.1 Product Perspective

VLC Media Player offers a unique perspective on digital media consumption through its:
 User-Centric Approach: Intuitive design ensures usability for all.
 Open-Source Philosophy: Fosters transparency and innovation.
 Versatility: Supports diverse formats and platforms seamlessly.
 Continual Evolution: Regular updates keep pace with technology.
 Accessibility Focus: Features cater to diverse user needs.
 Empowerment: Provides tools for full control over media experience.

2.2 Product Features

 Wide Format Support: VLC supports a vast array of audio and video formats, including
popular ones like MP3, AAC, MPEG, AVI, MP4, and many others, making it highly
versatile for users with different media needs.
 Cross-Platform Compatibility: VLC is available for various operating systems including
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, ensuring users can enjoy its features across
different devices.
 Streaming Capabilities: VLC allows users to stream media over local networks or the
internet, supporting protocols like HTTP, RTP, RTSP, MMS, and more, enabling convenient
access to online content.
 Customizable Playback: Users can adjust playback settings such as playback speed, audio
equalization, subtitles, and aspect ratio to tailor their viewing or listening experience
according to their preferences.

2.3 User Classes and Characteristics

User classes and characteristics for VLC media player vary widely:
 Casual Users: Seek easy-to-use interface for basic playback.
 Media Enthusiasts: Explore advanced features for enhanced playback.
 Tech-Savvy Users: Utilize advanced settings, streaming, and troubleshooting.
 Professionals: Use VLC for media production, testing, and integration.
 Accessibility Users: Require features enhancing accessibility and usability.
 Educators and Students: Utilize VLC for educational purposes and multimedia projects.
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2.4 Operating Environment

 Operating Systems: VLC is compatible with major operating systems including Windows,
macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

 Hardware Requirements: Minimal hardware requirements for VLC include a CPU with at
least 1 GHz processing power, 512 MB RAM, and a graphics card capable of handling video
playback.

 Storage: VLC itself requires minimal disk space, but sufficient space is needed to store
media files.

 Network Connectivity: VLC supports network streaming protocols and requires network
connectivity for streaming media content.

2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints

Design and implementation constraints for VLC media player include:

 Compatibility: Must work across diverse operating systems and hardware configurations.
 Resource Limitations: Efficiently utilize system resources like CPU and memory.
 Legal Compliance: Adhere to open-source licensing agreements and legal constraints.
 User Interface Consistency: Maintain consistent user experience across platforms.
 Security: Address vulnerabilities in codecs and streaming protocols.

2.6 User Documentation

User documentation for VLC media player includes:

 User Manual: A comprehensive guide outlining installation instructions, basic usage,

advanced features, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions.

 Online Help: Context-sensitive help accessible within the VLC application, helping and
guidance on specific tasks or functionalities.

 Tutorials: Step-by-step tutorials demonstrating how to perform common tasks, customize

settings, and utilize advanced features effectively.

 Knowledge Base: An online repository of articles and guides covering various topics related
to VLC media player, including tips, tricks, and troubleshooting solutions.
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2.7 Assumptions and Dependencies

Assumptions and dependencies for the VLC media player project revolve around various factors
that could impact the stated requirements:

Assumptions:
The project assumes:
 Availability of necessary third-party or commercial components for certain features or
functionalities, such as codecs or libraries, which could affect development timelines and
implementation strategies.
 Compatibility with existing and future versions of operating systems and hardware
platforms, ensuring seamless performance and user experience across different
environments.
 Adherence to open-source licensing agreements and legal constraints, ensuring compliance
with usage rights and avoiding potential legal issues.
 Consistent user behavior and preferences regarding media playback and interface
interactions, guiding design decisions and feature prioritization.
 Continued availability of resources and support from the VLC community for ongoing
development, maintenance, and improvement of the software.

Dependencies:
The project relies on:
 External software components or libraries that are reused or integrated into VLC media
player, necessitating coordination and collaboration with external developers or
organizations.
 Continuous updates and advancements in multimedia technologies and standards,
influencing feature development and compatibility requirements.
 Stability and reliability of network infrastructure and streaming services for seamless
streaming functionality within VLC media player.
 Availability of documentation and resources for developers and users to facilitate
understanding, customization, and troubleshooting of VLC media player.

The project's success hinges on the accuracy of these assumptions and effective management of
dependencies, ensuring alignment with project objectives and delivering a robust and user-friendly
media playback solution.

3. System Features

1. Media Playback
 Description: Allows users to play audio and video files in various formats.
 Requirements:
 Support for playback controls (play, pause, stop, seek).
 Compatibility with common media file formats (e.g., MP3, MP4, AVI, MKV).
Software Requirements Specification for <Project> Page 5

 Ability to handle playlists and queue management.

2. Streaming
 Description: Enables streaming of audio and video content over networks.
 Requirements:
 Support for streaming protocols (e.g., HTTP, RTSP, RTP).
 Ability to receive and decode streaming data.
 Compatibility with streaming servers and services.

3. Subtitle Support
 Description: Allows users to add and display subtitles during media playback.
 Requirements:
 Support for various subtitle formats (e.g., SRT, SUB, ASS).
 Ability to synchronize subtitles with audio and video content.
 Customization options for subtitle appearance and behavior.

4. Audio and Video Effects

 Description: Provides options to enhance audio and video playback.
 Requirements:
 Built-in audio equalizer for adjusting sound frequencies.
 Video filters for adjusting brightness, contrast, and color balance.
 Support for visualizations during audio playback.

5. Playback Customization
 Description: Allows users to customize playback settings according to their preferences.
 Requirements:
 Adjustable playback speed for faster or slower playback.
 Aspect ratio adjustment for video playback.
 Repeat and shuffle modes for playlists.

These system features collectively form the major services provided by VLC media player, offering
a comprehensive multimedia playback solution for users across different platforms and use cases.

3.1 System Feature

3.1.1 Description and Priority

The media playback feature allows users to play audio and video files in various formats,
serving as a fundamental aspect of VLC's functionality, hence it holds a high priority. Similarly,
streaming capabilities, enabling the streaming of audio and video content over networks, are crucial
for users accessing media from remote sources, thus also designated as high priority. Subtitle support,
audio and video effects, playback customization, and recording/conversion functionalities are deemed
of medium priority, offering valuable enhancements to the user experience without being as
foundational as playback and streaming. Finally, the user interface and networking features, which
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provide a user-friendly interface and facilitate network connectivity respectively, are high priority
due to their impact on usability and accessibility.
3.1.2 Stimulus/Response Sequences
Media Playback:

o Stimulus: User selects a media file from their library.

o Response: VLC opens the selected file and begins playback, displaying controls for
play, pause, stop, and seek.
o Streaming:

o Stimulus: User enters the URL of a streaming media source.

o Response: VLC connects to the streaming server, buffers the content, and begins
playback of the streamed audio or video.
o Subtitle Support:

o Stimulus: User selects a subtitle file to accompany the currently playing media.
o Response: VLC loads the subtitle file and displays the subtitles synchronized with
the audio or video playback.
3.1.3 Functional Requirements
Sure, here are some functional requirements for VLC media player:

 Media Playback
o VLC shall provide controls for play, pause, stop, and seek functionalities
during media playback.
o It shall support playback of various audio and video file formats, including
MP3, MP4, AVI, and MKV.

 Streaming
o VLC shall support streaming of audio and video content over networks using
protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, and RTP.
o It shall provide options to enter URLs for streaming media sources and
initiate playback.

 Subtitle Support
o VLC shall allow users to load and display subtitle files in formats like SRT,
SUB, and ASS.
o It shall provide synchronization controls to align subtitles with audio and
video playback.

 Audio and Video Effects

o VLC shall offer built-in audio equalizer functionality for adjusting sound
frequencies.
o It shall provide video filters for modifying visual aspects such as brightness,
contrast, and color balance.

 Playback Customization
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o VLC shall allow users to adjust playback speed for faster or slower playback.
o It shall support repeat and shuffle modes for playlists and media files.

4. External Interface Requirements

4.1 User Interfaces

User Interfaces (UIs) for VLC media player refer to the various graphical layouts and interaction
methods through which users can control and interact with the VLC media player software. VLC
offers several UI options to cater to different user preferences and device types. Some common UIs
for VLC media player include:

Default GUI (Graphical User Interface):


This is the standard interface provided by VLC, featuring menus, playback controls, and
various options accessible through a graphical layout.
 It typically includes buttons for play, pause, stop, volume control, seeking, and fullscreen
mode, among others.
 The default GUI may vary slightly across different versions and platforms but generally
maintains a consistent look and functionality.
Minimalist Interface:

A stripped-down version of the default GUI with fewer controls and options, providing a
simpler and less cluttered user experience.
 Designed for users who prefer a minimalist approach and don't require access to all features
available in the standard GUI.
Full Screen Interface:


A UI optimized for full-screen playback, where controls are often hidden or overlaid on the
video during playback and can be accessed by hovering or tapping the screen.
 Provides an immersive viewing experience, especially useful when watching videos or
listening to music in fullscreen mode.
Custom Skins:


Users can apply custom skins or themes to change the visual appearance of the VLC
interface according to their preferences.
 Skins can alter the layout, color scheme, and overall aesthetics of the UI, allowing for a
personalized user experience.
Web Interface:

 Allows users to control VLC media player remotely via a web browser interface.
 Users can access playback controls, manage playlists, and even stream media from VLC to
other devices on the same network.
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4.2 Hardware Interfaces

VLC media player interfaces with several hardware components to facilitate media playback. It
communicates with audio output devices like speakers and headphones, as well as video output
devices such as monitors and projectors, utilizing standard interfaces like HDMI and USB. Users
interact with VLC through input devices like keyboards, mice, and remote controls. Network
interfaces enable VLC to access streaming media sources and network shares, while storage
interfaces allow access to media files stored on devices such as hard drives and USB drives.
Although VLC doesn't directly control hardware, its compatibility ensures seamless integration and
optimal performance across different devices and configurations.

4.3 Software Interfaces

VLC media player interfaces with various software components to deliver its functionalities
seamlessly. It utilizes operating system APIs for system resource access and hardware control
across platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Codec libraries such as MPEG
enable decoding and encoding of diverse audio and video formats. For streaming, VLC interacts
with protocols like HTTP, RTSP, and RTP, while also accessing network services through protocols
like SMB/CIFS and FTP. Additionally, it utilizes user interface libraries such as Qt or native
frameworks to ensure a consistent and intuitive graphical interface experience. These software
interfaces collectively enable VLC to support media playback, streaming, and user interaction
efficiently across different environments and platforms.

4.4 Performance Requirements

VLC media player is expected to meet stringent performance criteria to ensure a seamless user
experience. This includes providing smooth and uninterrupted media playback with minimal
buffering and latency, efficient streaming performance with consistent playback quality, accurate
subtitle rendering within milliseconds of audio and video content, and smooth application of audio
and video effects without causing stuttering or distortion. Additionally, VLC should be highly
responsive to user interactions within the graphical user interface, with quick startup times and
efficient utilization of system resources, ensuring optimal CPU and memory usage. These
performance requirements collectively contribute to VLC's reputation for providing a reliable and
high-quality multimedia playback experience across various platforms and use cases.

Appendix A: Glossary
This glossary provides definitions for terms used throughout the Software Requirements
Specification (SRS) document:

VLC media player: A multimedia player supporting various audio and video formats.
Codec: Software for encoding/decoding digital data streams.
API: Rules for software interaction.
Streaming: Continuous data transmission over a network.
GUI: Visual interface for program interaction.
CLI: Text-based interface for program control.
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Appendix B: Analysis Models

Appendix C: Issues List

Playback Issues:

 Audio or video stuttering during playback.

 Synchronization issues between audio and video.
 Playback freezing or crashing under certain conditions.

Streaming Problems:

 Buffering delays or interruptions during streaming.

 Incompatibility with certain streaming protocols or services.
 Network connectivity issues affecting streaming performance.
Subtitle Related Problems:

 Subtitles not displaying correctly or out of sync with audio/video.

 Compatibility issues with subtitle file formats.
 Inability to customize subtitle appearance or behavior.
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User Interface Issues:

 GUI elements not displaying properly or missing.

 Difficulty navigating menus or accessing features.
 Inconsistencies in user interface behavior across platforms.
Performance Concerns:

 High CPU or memory usage during playback.

 Slow startup times or application responsiveness.
 Resource utilization issues impacting overall performance.