MultimediaApplications

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Purpose

Many new users are baffled when they can't play their MP3s or DVDs after installing Ubuntu. They think it's a limitation of Ubuntu or Linux. In actuality, these problems are caused by legal restrictions. By following the instructions on this site, you should be able to play Commercial DVDs, MP3s, Windows Media, Quicktime and Realplayer videos and in addition should be able to view embedded music and video in Mozilla or Firefox.

New Ubuntu users are also often unaware of the different multimedia programs available. Many new users will ask on the forums or on #ubuntu what program they should use to play their music and videos. Rather than simply giving personal preferences, I thought it would be useful to give a description and a screenshot of some of the most popular Audio and Video Programs available in Linux.

Anchor(Extra Repositories)

Extra Repositories

Many of the multimedia codecs needed to play popular video and audio formats couldn't be included in Ubuntu for legal reasons. Several of the audio/video applications listed are also only available in the Universe and Multiverse repositories. The Universe repository contains thousands of applications which cover a vast spectrum of what Linux has to offer. However, these packages come with no guarantee of security fixes and support. That said, they are made to work with Ubuntu's main repository and should be quite stable. The Multiverse repository includes software which is non-free, and it too does not get security fixes or support. More information on Ubuntu's repositories can be found at [http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/components Ubuntu Components ]

If you want full multimedia support, you will also need to enable the Hoary-Extras repository which provides packages that aren't included in Ubuntu. Many of these packages are multimedia codecs which for legal reasons couldn't be packaged by Ubuntu. This includes libdvdcss2 which allows viewing of commercial (encrypted) DVDs, and w32codecs which provides support for DivX/Xvid, Quicktime, Realplayer and Windows Media Player codecs.Hoary-Extras is part of the [http://backports.ubuntuforums.org/ Ubuntu Backports Project].

If you would like to add these repostirories follow these [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NewUserGuideAddingRepositories Instructions]. For a general guide to adding repositories (with screenshots and instructions) see [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AddingRepositoriesHowto/ Adding Repositories].

Anchor(Popular Audio & Video Codecs)

Support for Popular Audio & Video Codecs

MP3: Due to licensing restrictions, MP3 support couldn't be included by default in Ubuntu.

To enable MP3 support you need to install gstreamer0.8-mad which is included in the Universe repository.

Commercial DVDs: Commercial DVDs are encrypted with CSS (Content Scrambling System).

In order to play most commercial DVDs in Ubuntu you will need libdvdcss2 which is provided in Hoary-Extras. totem, xine-ui, and gxine all support DVD menus and subtitles.

DivX/Xvid, Windows Media, Quicktime, Realplayer 8,9: These popular formats also aren't supported by default for legal reasons.

To enable support, please install the w32codecs package from Hoary-Extras. You'll also want to install totem-xine if you would like to play these formats using the Totem Video player.

Embedded Video Support in Mozilla/Firefox: Many websites allow users to watch streaming audio and video online through an embedded media player.

In order to get this support in Ubuntu install mplayer-386 (or the correct version for your architecture) and mozilla-mplayer from the Multiverse repository. This will allow you to play Quicktime, Windows Media, MPEG, and RealVideo streams through Mozilla and Mozilla-Firefox. If you would like to play embedded videos fullscreen, or if you would like to save the stream you can install kaffeine-mozilla or mozilla-plugin-vlc instead.

Anchor(Popular Audio Programs)

Popular Audio Programs Available in Ubuntu

Rhythmbox: This is the default music player in Ubuntu. It has a very simple layout and is quite easy to use, but still can meet most needs. Rhythmbox has a browser window with a list of Artists on the left and a list of Albums on the right (this window can be minimized). It also has a search function. This allows users to search for songs based on Artist, Album and track name simultaneously. In addition, Rhythmbox can integrate with an ipod. For more information visit the [http://rhythmbox.sourceforge.net/ Rhythmbox Website].

attachment:rhythmbox.png

Amarok: This is KDE's premiere music player. It has all the bells and whistles one could want. It supports several visualizations and can be used like Rhythmbox with a single player window and playlist or like XMMS/Beep Media Player (think Winamp) with a seperate playlist and player windows. Amarok has an included database which will keep track of what songs you listen to most and least and rate them for you. It'll download CD covers, allow you to download lyrics from within the player and even burn tracks to CD. If you're going to use amarok, I recommend you install the amarok and the amarok-engines package. After starting amarok, right click and choose Settings , Configure Amarok. Then select Engine and use gstreamer. Choose the esdsink or alsasink output plugin. For more information, visit [http://amarok.kde.org/ Amarok's webiste].

attachment:amarok2.png

Beep Media Player: Beep Media Player is very similar to Winamp. If you like Winamp, you're likely to enjoy this player. Ubuntu also includes tons of skins that can be used to make the player look any way you want. Install beep-media-player and bmp-skins. If you want musepack support and you have Hoary-Extras install bmp-musepack. After installing the player you'll want to make few configuration changes. Right click the player and select Preferences , Plugins , Output and choose the eSound plugin. Select Close to save the change. For more information visit [http://www.sosdg.org/~larne/w/BMP_Homepage Beep Media Player's home page].

attachment:beepmediaplayer.png

Streamtuner Streamtuner allows you to browse streaming internet radio stations, and play them in your favorite media player. The program includes support for SHOUTcast, Live365 and Xiph and allows you to add custom stations. Install the streamtuner package from the Universe repository to use this program. With streamripper (also available in Universe) you can also simultaneously rip the songs to individual mp3s. A guide to setting it up can be found on the forums, here [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=28356 StreamTuner and StreamRipper]. For more information visit the [http://www.nongnu.org/streamtuner/ Streamtuner Webpage].

attachment:streamtuner.png

Anchor(Popular Audio Programs)

Popular Video Programs Available in Ubuntu

Totem: Totem is Ubuntu's default video application. It has a nice user interface and can be used to play DVDs, DivX/Xvid, Quicktime and Realplayer videos with the

totem-xine package. DVD support includes menus and subtitles. In addition, totem can be used to play MP3s, Ogg Vorbis and other music files as well as streaming media with its nice visualizations. For more information visit the [http://www.gnome.org/projects/totem/ Totem Website].

xine-ui: Xine doesn't have the most attractive interface but it's powerful and gets the job done. I personally find it to be the best DVD player. It allows you to fine tune keyboard shortcuts and has an excellent default set to make the program easy to use without a mouse. In addition, it has numerous options for DVD menus and subtitles. It also has a small footprint, and starts up in seconds. For more information visit the [http://xinehq.de/ Xine Website].

attachment:xine2.png