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v1.2.0 Release — The "Better Video Backgrounds" Update

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@achu94 achu94 released this 06 Apr 10:56
· 31 commits to main since this release
v1.2.0
77e0687

🚀 Changelog (v1.2.0)

🛠 Improvements

  • Video Background Sync: When setting a video as wallpaper, the first frame is also saved as a static wallpaper for better visual consistency in the GNOME overview.
  • MPV Window Handling: mpv windows are now hidden from Alt+Tab and the GNOME overview.
  • Folder Management: Backgrounds directory moved to prevent data loss during updates.
  • Fullscreen Detection: Improved logic for detecting fullscreen windows (still WIP).

🔧 Bugfixes

  • Minor adjustments to window detection logic for better reliability.

⚡ Notes

This release focuses on improving UX for video backgrounds and overall wallpaper handling.
The first frame of videos is now used as a static wallpaper, making the GNOME overview match the actual background.
Fullscreen detection logic has been refined, especially for games, to prevent unintended behavior with browser windows.

⚠️ Important: If you have a `backgrounds` folder in the root of your extension, it is highly recommended to back it up before updating. Changes in the extension may overwrite or move the folder, causing stored backgrounds to be lost.

⚙️ Prerequisites

This extension requires ffmpeg and mpv installed on your system:

  • Fedora: sudo dnf install mpv ffmpeg
  • Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install mpv ffmpeg
  • Arch: sudo pacman -S mpv ffmpeg
  • openSUSE: sudo zypper in mpv ffmpeg

📦 Installation

⚡ Quick Install (Recommended)

  1. Download the `gnome-wallpaper-engine@gjs.com.zip` below.
  2. Run in your terminal:
    gnome-extensions install gnome-wallpaper-engine@gjs.com.zip
  3. Restart GNOME Shell:
    • Wayland: Log out and log back in.
    • X11: Press Alt + F2, type r, and press Enter.
  4. Enable via the Extensions app.

🧪 Development Notes

I tried using Clutter to remove the mpv window, and it works quite well, but it also introduced its own problems.
Because of that, I skipped it for this release and am generally more satisfied with the current solution.

☕ Support the Project

If you like the "one-man-army" effort, feel free to support:
https://ko-fi.com/achu94

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