Despite all the good things that Linux brings, there are certain licensing restrictions that do not legally allow true Open Source (GPL) software like Ubuntu to contain certain drivers and codecs out of the box. The newest version of Ubuntu (7.04) will make it a little easier. I'm sure this is a FAQ for new users to Linux.
How to play DVD's. This is a two part question. There are regular DVD's and there are encrypted DVD's. Most are encrypted today.
Here's what happens if I insert a DVD into my player with "out of the box" Ubuntu : The Totem player comes up automatically but an error that says "The playback of this movie requires a DVD source plugin that is not installed". So, what is this plugin they refer to? Ubuntu calls these drivers/plugins restricted. Now, you can go into Add/Remove under the main menu to get some of these. In Add/Remove type "restricted" in the search box and select "All available Applications" besides Show. You will see "Ubuntu Restricted Extra" popup in a few seconds. Click the check mark and click install and apply. This will install things like Java, Flash, Microsoft True Type fonts and some other plugins/codecs. Click the "Agree to license terms" for the Java installer and click forward.
Now back to trying to play that DVD. If the DVD isn't encrypted, you should be able to eject it and push the cdrom tray back in and now it should play in Totem. Mine didn't. One more thing (easy) to do to play encrypted DVD's is to install libdvdcss2. Bring up the Synaptic package manager under System > Administration. In Synaptic, go under Settings > Repositories. Click the "Third Party Software" tab. Click "Add" and copy and paste this line into there.
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
(you can change "edgy" to "feisty" if your running feisty)
Click "Add Source" and then Close. Click the Reload button in Synaptic. Ignore the
error for now. Click the search button in Synaptic and enter libdvdcss2.
Click the libdvdcss2 and select "Mark for Installation" and Apply. After the installation, eject your DVD and pop it back in. Totem should run and the DVD should play. Mine does.
Flash and Java should now also work after installing the "Ubuntu Restricted Extras"
(you can change "edgy" to "feisty" if your running feisty)
Click "Add Source" and then Close. Click the Reload button in Synaptic. Ignore the
error for now. Click the search button in Synaptic and enter libdvdcss2.
Click the libdvdcss2 and select "Mark for Installation" and Apply. After the installation, eject your DVD and pop it back in. Totem should run and the DVD should play. Mine does.
Flash and Java should now also work after installing the "Ubuntu Restricted Extras"
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