Provide a better way to install libvlc

[jeremyVignelles]

I don't think there should be a lib folder in this repository.

Here are a few reasons :

Not up-to-date

New versions of VLC are out quite often, and keeping the repository up-to-date is time consuming

The Size of the repository

Including binary files, especially VLC DLL files, are making the repository heavy. If you want to keep up-to-date, the files will be included several times and the size will increase rapidly.

Confusing for users

I have seen at least two issues report (#36 and #283) from user that are using the files in the library rather than downloading the version they want from the official VLC website

Independence of the version of libvlc you are using

This library is independant of the version of VLC you are using, and providing a version would make people think that this is the only compatible version.

My proposal

• Create two NuGet packages (.x86 and .x64) that allows yo install libVLC in a folder next to the executable. The version should be pulled directly from the official website.
• Remove the lib folder
• Add a reference to that packge in the sample projects
• Do not add a reference to that package in Vlc.DotNet, so that the user will be free to use any version he wants, including versions he builds himself.
• Document that in the wiki so that user knows that installing this is just a matter of installing 2-3 libraries

What do you think about this?

Edit : added the Independance point, and changed my proposal

[ZeBobo5]

Would you like to be contributor ? I don't have time to work on project now

[jeremyVignelles]

Great, thanks a lot for your invite! I'll work on this project soon

[jeremyVignelles]

I've got news from Martin Finkel, from VideoLan. He doesn't seem against the idea of a VideoLan's official NuGet package for LibVlc. To be continued...

[Moortu]

Any update on this?

[jeremyVignelles]

Hi,
Some attempts have been made ( https://github.com/mfkl/libvlc-nuget available at https://www.myget.org/feed/libvlc-x64/package/nuget/VideoLAN.LibVLC.Win.x64 ) but nothing ready for production yet. The discussion is still going on to integrate this packaging in the vlc building workflow, on VideoLAN's side.
I think this will give something nice and officially supported by VideoLAN, but we still need to be patient...

[Moortu]

Thanks for the quick reply.
Good to know it's being worked on.

[jeremyVignelles]

A new package has been published by VideoLAN on NuGet, let's start using it!
https://www.nuget.org/packages/VideoLAN.LibVLC.Windows/3.0.0-alpha2

[Altiano]

@jeremyVignelles So, On "How To Use" Guide,
Should we just install the nuget as the replacement for step #2?

[jeremyVignelles]

Yeah, sure, can you make the PR for that (with commit message starting with [skip ci] so that we don't publish a new package)?

[jeremyVignelles]

Nevermind, I updated the readme.

https://www.nuget.org/packages/VideoLAN.LibVLC.Windows/ now has 3.0.4 for those who are interested in this topic 🙂