You can get the xmcd pre-compiled "install and run" binary kits for a number of platforms as well as the source code and other supporting software simply by using the links provided below.

If you are looking for Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS software, stop here. Xmcd does not support either of these operating systems. See the FAQ.

This is the "official" distribution site for xmcd. You are guaranteed to get the latest version of xmcd here, and there is no danger of getting something that has been hacked by someone else. The checksum of each xmcd package will be displayed on screen as you download it. You should check your downloaded copy against the checksum to ensure its integrity.

The xmcd source code package and all UNIX pre-compiled binary kits are distributed as GNU-zip (gzip) compressed tar format archives. If your system does not have the GNU-unzip (gunzip) utility, you can download its source code from GNU Software Archive FTP Server. OpenVMS binary kits are distributed in ZIP format.

The current xmcd version is 3.3.2. For the most up-to-date information and notes about this release, please see the News & Features page.

Pre-compiled binary kits will no longer be offered for ancient Linux systems with libc5 beginning with the next xmcd release.

Pre-compiled xmcd binary kits for a number of platforms are available for download. Distribution of these binary kits are persuant to the terms of the Motif® licensing terms.

Click on your desired platform name to start the download. Please read the important information and instructions on screen while you're downloading.

If you have difficulty installing or running any of the binary kits, you may contact the author for support.

Version 3.1.1 or 3.3.0 binary kits are offered at this time for those platforms denoted with an asterisk (*). If you would like to help compile a version 3.3.2 binary kit for inclusion here please contact the author.

Xmcd supports many other unlisted platforms and architectures, but official binary kits are currently not available for them. You must compile from the source code. Click here to see a complete list of supported platforms.

These are optional. LAME is an MP3 encoder and FAAC is an MPEG2/MPEG-4 AAC encoder. You need these if you want MP3 and/or AAC/MP4 functionality in xmcd, respectively. Pre-compiled LAME and FAAC binaries for a number of platforms are available for download at the following sites. LAME version 3.92 or later and FAAC version 1.23.5 or later are recommended. Install the lame and faac program executables in /usr/local/bin or elsewhere in your PATH environment, and make sure it is executable by you.

LAME and FAAC Pre-compiled Binaries

Note: Due to changes in FAAC 1.24.x command line options syntax, it is not compatible with xmcd versions prior to 3.3.2. If you are running xmcd 3.3.0 or 3.3.1, please use FAAC 1.23.5. Xmcd 3.3.2 is compatible with FAAC 1.21.x through 1.24.x (and possibly future versions).

Note: Due to patents pertaining to the MP3, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 technologies, it may be illegal for you to download and use LAME and FAAC in some countries. These binary distribution sites are not affiliated with xmcd or its author.

LAME and FAAC Source Code

Ogg Vorbis is a fully open, non-proprietary, patent and royalty-free compressed digital audio format.

If you're downloading a pre-compiled xmcd binary kit, then you don't need this package, because it is already embedded. However, if you are compiling xmcd from source code, you will need these libraries for Ogg Vorbis functionality.

Ogg 1.1 and Vorbis 1.0.1 Pre-compiled Library Binaries:

Ogg 1.1 and Vorbis 1.0.1 Libraries Source Code:

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a fully open, lossless compressed digital audio format.

If you're downloading a pre-compiled xmcd binary kit, then you don't need this package, because it is already embedded. However, if you are compiling xmcd from source code, you will need these libraries for FLAC functionality.

FLAC 1.1.0 Pre-compiled Library Binaries:

FLAC 1.1.0 Software Source Code:

Download this only if you want to compile xmcd from its sources, or if you just want to look at the code. Please read the important information and instructions on screen while you're downloading.

If you are downloading a pre-compiled xmcd binary kit then you don't need this package. The CDDB² feature is already embedded if it is designated as such.

If you want to compile xmcd 3.3.2 from its source code, and wish to enable Gracenote CDDB² functionality, you must also download this package. Without this package the compiled xmcd product will use the CDDB "classic" service. Choose the entry appropriate for your OS and platform.

Note: The following kits are compatible with xmcd 3.3.x only. They cannot be used with earlier versions of xmcd. These kits are created with "xmcd-3.3.0" as the top-level directory, but it may be used with any xmcd-3.3.x version.

Note: If your platform is not listed, then CDDB² support is not currently available for it.

The GNU General Public License does not apply to the CDDB² Support Package.

Xmcd/cda controls the CD drive only, and does not control the built-in audio hardware or sound card in your computer (except when running in CDDA playback mode). A separate sound control utility should be used to control the audio hardware.

For any OS platform running audio hardware that is supported by the Open Sound System (OSS) sound drivers, or Linux running OSS/Free or the ALSA sound driver, I recommend xmmix.

For IBM AIX, you should run the Ultimedia Services master_settings audio tool (which incorporates an audio mixer utility) to enable the sound.

For HP-UX, use the Audio Control tool and set the input source to the CD. HP-UX 10.x systems may need an OS patch from HP (Patch number PHSS_18777, always check with HP for the latest audio-related patches).

For Solaris 2.x and later (Sparc and x86 systems), run the Audio Tool and set the recording input source to the CD.

On Digital UNIX/Tru64 UNIX, use the audio control utilities supplied with the MultiMedia Extension (MME) subset.

On OpenVMS, use the audio control utilities supplied with the MMOV run-time layered product.

On systems that do not provide a way to connect an audio cable between the CD drive and the audio hardware, you can try connecting an external audio cable between the CD drive's headphone output jack and the workstation's "line in" port. Alternatively you can run xmcd/cda in the CDDA playback mode.

If none of the above works for you then you should use external amplified speakers connected directly to your CD drive's headphone jack.