banshee

banshee OPTIONS... FILES/URIS...

--help
    Show help options for the command.

--version
    Display Banshee's version information.

--debug
    Enable verbose debug output for troubleshooting.

--no-splash
    Prevent the display of the splash screen on startup.

--play
    Start playback of media from the current queue (if Banshee is already running).

--pause
    Pause currently playing media (if Banshee is already running).

--next
    Skip to the next track in the queue (if Banshee is already running).

--previous
    Go back to the previous track in the queue (if Banshee is already running).

--open=FILE|URI
    Open a specified file or URI for playback.

--queue=FILE|URI
    Add a specified file or URI to the playback queue.

--hide
    Hide the main Banshee window (if Banshee is already running).

--show
    Show the main Banshee window (if Banshee is already running).

--set-volume=LEVEL
    Set playback volume (0-100).

--query-playback-state
    Print the current playback state (e.g., playing, paused, stopped) to the console.

Banshee is a cross-platform, open-source media player designed primarily for Linux, though it also had limited support for Windows and macOS. Developed as part of the GNOME project and built using Mono and GTK#, it offered a comprehensive solution for managing and playing digital music and videos. Key features included importing audio CDs, syncing with portable devices like iPods and Android phones, fetching album art and metadata from online sources, podcast management, and integration with various online music services such as Last.fm and Amazon MP3 Store. Banshee aimed to be an all-in-one media solution, enabling users to create playlists, listen to internet radio, and explore new music. While it was once the default media player for several popular Linux distributions, including Ubuntu for a period, its development officially ceased around 2014-2016. Despite its discontinuation, Banshee remains available in the repositories of many older Linux distributions, allowing users to still install and use this functional, albeit no longer actively maintained, media application.

Banshee's development has been officially discontinued since around 2014-2016. This means it no longer receives updates for bug fixes, security vulnerabilities, or new features.
As a result, it may exhibit compatibility issues with newer audio/video formats, operating system versions, or online services.
Its reliance on the Mono framework might also be a consideration for users who prefer applications built solely on GTK/Gnome or other native Linux toolkits.
While functional for basic media playback and organization, its lack of ongoing maintenance makes it less suitable for users requiring cutting-edge features or guaranteed long-term support.

Banshee featured a powerful plugin system that allowed users to extend its functionality significantly. Plugins enabled features like cover art fetching, podcast support, CD burning, Last.fm scrobbling, device syncing, and integration with various online services, greatly enhancing its versatility beyond basic playback.

As a GNOME-centric application, Banshee was designed to integrate seamlessly with the GNOME desktop environment. This included support for GNOME's media keys, notification system, and sound menu integration, providing a cohesive user experience within the desktop.

Banshee was first released in 2005. It quickly gained popularity as a feature-rich alternative to other Linux media players.
A significant milestone in its development was its adoption as the default music player for Ubuntu in versions 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) and 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot), briefly replacing Rhythmbox. This period saw increased visibility and usage.
It was known for its extensibility through a plugin system and its deep integration with the GNOME desktop environment. However, the project's activity significantly declined after 2012, and official development and maintenance ceased entirely around 2014-2016, with its website and forums becoming inactive.
Despite its discontinuation, its legacy as a robust open-source media management tool persists.

rhythmbox(1), vlc(1), audacious(1), mpv(1)