Control VLC with bluetooth headset

Question

I have the S305 Motorola bluetooth headset. I can control other music players (like Audacious or Goggles) from my headset but not VLC.

Is there some way to control VLC with a BT headset?

Can you use the keyboard multimedia keys? Maybe this is the problem: http://askubuntu.com/a/48398/153260 — Leo, Jun 10 '13 at 22:16
Thank you very much for your response Leopoldo but the solution in that question doesn't seem to work. The answer about global hotkeys is interesting but I need it to work even if VLC doesn't have focus (and that didn't seem to work either). — Darin, Jun 10 '13 at 23:19

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 20 '13 at 23:05

2

First download some packages

sudo apt-get install bluez-utils bluez-gnome bluez-alsa

Find the MAC of the headset

sudo hcitool scan

The output will look something like this:

$ sudo hcitool scan
Scanning ...
        XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX       Stereo Headset

Setup ~/.asoundrc file

pcm.bluetooth {
        type bluetooth
        device "XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX"
        profile "auto"
}

Change alsa-audio-device in ~/.config/vlc/vlcrc:

gedit ~/.config/vlc/vlcrc

Find:

# Audio output device (string)
# alsa-audio-device=default

And change it to

# Audio output device (string)
alsa-audio-device=bluetooth

Hope this help.

edited Jun 20 '13 at 23:05

gertvdijk

answered Jun 20 '13 at 00:36

BiggJJ

BiggJJ I am accepting your answer because I won't have time to test it before the bounty times out and if it works I want you to get the full bounty. Thank you so much for taking the time to give a step by step and clear answer :) – Darin Jun 20 '13 at 15:28
@Darin Did you ever try this? – BiggJJ Jun 23 '13 at 00:05
Not yet but I'll try to make time this weekend. I'm using a different laptop at the moment. – Darin Jun 23 '13 at 13:53

1 Answers1