Player 4.2.32 · release · Manual updated 31 October 2026

Install and upgrade

D‑Cine Player targets Ubuntu 26.04 Desktop amd64. Use a package supplied and verified through the approved release channel.

Before installation

• Confirm amd64 architecture, free storage and a stable system clock.
• For Appliance mode, start with a clean dedicated Ubuntu Desktop machine.
• Connect final display/audio hardware where possible.
• Record network, screen, processor and automation details.
• Back up an existing player’s identity, licence, configuration and operational data before upgrade.

Install

Open a terminal in the directory containing the downloaded package. Replace VERSION with the version in its filename.

sudo apt update
sudo install -m 0644 ./dcp-cine-player_VERSION_amd64.deb /var/cache/apt/archives/dcp-cine-player_VERSION_amd64.deb
sudo apt install /var/cache/apt/archives/dcp-cine-player_VERSION_amd64.deb

The install command copies the package into APT’s cache with readable permissions before APT opens it. This prevents APT’s “Download is performed unsandboxed as root” permission notice when the download is inside a private home directory. Your home-directory permissions and APT’s sandbox remain unchanged.

APT installs the cached package, downloads missing dependencies from your configured Ubuntu repositories, and finishes configuring the player. Use this method for fresh installs and manual upgrades. The repositories must be enabled and reachable.

Select Workstation unless the computer will be a dedicated player. The installer prints its selected mode and the offline documentation location. In workstation mode this is normally:

~/Documents/D-Cine Player/Documentation

Recover from missing dependencies

dpkg -i does not download dependencies. If required libraries are missing, it can leave the player unpacked but unconfigured. If an earlier installation attempt left missing dependencies, run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt --fix-broken install

Review and accept APT's proposed dependency installation to finish configuring the player. If required packages are unavailable, check that the machine runs Ubuntu 26.04 amd64 and its Ubuntu repositories are enabled and reachable.

Important installed paths

Fresh workstation installations use your own directories. The launcher creates them without administrator access; XDG directory overrides are supported.

Existing writable legacy workstation installations retain their existing database and identity paths. Explicit environment settings take precedence. System documentation remains under /usr/share/doc/dcp-cine-player.

After installation

Workstation: launch from the desktop menu. This starts your user service and opens its browser controls. Repeated launches reuse that service. Fresh installations listen on localhost; configure remote access explicitly if required. File associations remain available through D-Cine Player File Playback. Appliance: reboot, allow the dedicated session to start, then commission from the local or browser interface. Follow Getting started.

Updates

Use the signed player update workflow or an approved newer Debian package. The package preserves the chosen install mode. Never downgrade or replace keys/configuration by copying another player’s identity directory.

Signed upgrade workflow

Open Config → System → Upgrade. Available Distribution Packages is newest first by default. Check the release/beta classification, notes and signed package identity. Finish active playback/ingest and near-term scheduling before installing. After restart verify version, storage/content, output, audio, automation and schedule. Publishing this documentation does not alter existing installers or installed players.