ok, some new stuff i have learned trying to watch movies :] normally, mplayer plays the files i throw at it.
then came this .mkv file, i have tested on openbsd vlc (choppy, sometimes error message similar to mplayer) openbsd mplayer (crash) windows vlc (ok) windows ffshow (ok) after the mplayer crash, none of the files play anymore on mplayer, and there is also an mplayer process left in memory. after the mplayer crash vlc becomes choppy too. however the offending .mkv file, and/or any other movie plays just fine if i use -vo gl. i didn't even know gl was a viable option.. -f -- check book: a book with a unhappy ending.