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Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
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Adventures with open source apps on Linux - Part 2

By | June 13, 2008, 1:57pm PDT

Summary: Today’s post is a change from the “Adventures with open source apps on Linux” I had planned (that will now become Part 3 in the series). In this post I’ll be covering how to add multimedia support to Ubuntu.

Today’s post is a change from the “Adventures with open source apps on Linux” I had planned (that will now become Part 3 in the series). In this post I’ll be covering how to add multimedia support to Ubuntu.

Read Part 1 here

Check out the Adventures with open source apps on Linux - Part 2 gallery here

The inspiration to cover this topic again (last time I covered this was in relation to Ubuntu 7.04 and using Automatix) is down to TalkBack regular pjotr123 (a regular who has made some excellent contributions to Linux-related posts made on this blog) who made two posts that concisely covers the topic. I was going to cover multimedia support in passing but given the email I’ve received asking about multimedia support in Ubuntu (not everyone reads the TalkBack … I know, I know, they should, but what can I do?) I’ve decided to give this stand-alone coverage.

Another reason for giving this process attention is that it gives the Ubuntu beginner a chance to wade out a little bit deeper into Linux waters by experimenting with some more advanced aspects of the OS, yet at the same time remain safe. This experience can be an excellent confidence booster for the Linux newbie.

Adding support for common media –>

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Topics

Ubuntu, Multimedia, Toolbar, Change, Plug-in, Search, Mark, Installation, Linux, Open Source, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

Disclosure

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

All opinions expressed on Hardware 2.0 are those of Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. Every effort is made to ensure that the information posted is accurate. If you have any comments, queries or corrections, please contact Adrian via the email link here. Any possible conflicts of interest will be posted below. [Updated: February 23, 2010] - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other actual/potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted so far on this blog.

Biography

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera.

Adrian has authored/co-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include "Build the Ultimate Custom PC", "Beginning Programming" and "The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide". He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Adrian also runs a popular blog under the name The PC Doctor, where he covers a range of computer-related topics -- from security to repairing and upgrading.

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Just not my day. I meant DRM.
b.bob 30th Jun 2008
Oops again.
View in thread
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One of the reasons I prefer PCLinuxOS 2007
NonZealot 13th Jun 2008
I found that all media support was enabled out of the box.
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Contributr
Really?
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes 13th Jun 2008
Even DVD?
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Same on SLACKWARE 12.0
Linux_4u! 13th Jun 2008
But I did have to go off shore and get libdvdcss.so.2 for XINE, but everything else works.

Even using some Window CODECS with it so I can view all the WINDOW based stuff.
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Yes.
TripleII-21189418044173169409978279405827 14th Jun 2008
I honestly think they are openly defiant, daring the multimedia conglomerates to come after them.

TripleII
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Even on Linspire, which is Ubuntu based.
Narg 16th Jun 2008
I prefer Linspire, or Freespire if you hate paying as most Linux folks do.
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Ubuntu based?
cmjrees 18th Jun 2008
Linspire is based on Debian, not Ubuntu. Ubuntu is also based on Debian.
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Enjoy the DRM
b.bob 30th Jun 2008
And be happy that big brother Microsoft and his little sisters the RIAA and the MPAA have determined what you can and cannot do with you computer.
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Ment for another message
b.bob 30th Jun 2008
Oops
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Mandriva Powerpack too
TtfnJohn 16th Jun 2008
Though, cause you pay some $60 USD for it I suppose you've already paid up front.

Still it's nice to install them all off the top.

ttfn

john
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PCLOS 2007 - get win32 codecs from repo
Don Collins 13th Jun 2008
With PCLOS 2007 you need to get the win32 codecs from the repo. They don't work out of the box. I've used PCLOS a LOT, and know that as a fact.

If you want all multimedia working right out of the box, get Linux Mint.
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Linux MINT
User07734 14th Jun 2008
Linux MINT even plays DVDs from a fresh install.

Best distro for home use I've seen. Installed it on my daughter's HP laptop and she loves it.
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Or you coud just get Windows
Crestview 16th Jun 2008
And save all the pain.
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And do the same thing...
storm14k 16th Jun 2008
...download the codecs as you hit files that aren't supported. That would be a waste of money if you ask me.
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...
Linux User 147560 16th Jun 2008
Save the pain? More like inflict more pain of a different sort... devil
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Save all the pain?
elderlybloke 16th Jun 2008
I think we would inflict more pain on ourselves by getting Windows . DRM ,being treated like a criminal, reactivation etc.etc
I refer to Microsoft now with a prefix beginning with F and ending with k, sometimes followed by ing.
Microsoft will be forced onto my cold ,stiff body (apologies to Charlton Heston).
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Installing systems
stomfi@... 16th Jun 2008
Thanks for this series of articles as they help me build good systems. Pity Synaptic cannot get the pgp key, as it can add the repository in its GUI.

Having installed Windows on old and new hardware to achieve the same results, one has to go through a lot more processes and costs than those involved in installing Ubuntu, especially to get a similar applications experience, so I presume this comment is for a machine already set up with lots of software by a system builder.

This is why I perform all these activities when installing Ubuntu for friends and clients.

Actually Windows system builders tend to use the same hardware so that they only have to perform the long winded install once, and then clone that drive for all the others.

Ubuntu is a lot easier to clone as the hardware abstraction layer discovers the hardware on each boot, so putting a cloned drive into completely different hardware is relatively easy.
The source machine needs to be setup with all the codecs, extra software, and importantly put into a generic state.

This involves editing fstab drive labels to point to the real devices identified in /proc, changing the video driver to vesa so it can be set to the actual one in the target, and making sure removable media is available for user access.

The latest updates are installed on the source before cloning.
I use the proprietary Acronis True Image because its easier for the non techies I teach to do the job.

Since cloning only takes about 15 minutes and testing and setup only another 20, this is a lot quicker than a new install from either a CD or a network.

For all those hundreds of people I have upgraded from Windows to Ubuntu, they all say that they are pleased not to have the pain of spending their earnings on yet another Windows upgrade with its accompanying extra hardware and software costs, and no longer have the pain of malware, crashes in the middle of work, defragging and a slow Internet experience.

Ubuntu plus articles like this mean that people who are fed up with their Microsoft experiences, and are willing to try anything to get something that works without constant costly and time consuming visits to a technician, get services that they are used to having plus all the other useful things a Ubuntu desktop provides for nothing but an Internet connection fee.
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Enjoy the ERM
b.bob 30th Jun 2008
And be happy that big brother Microsoft and his little sisters the RIAA and the MPAA have determined what you can and cannot do with you computer.
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Just not my day. I meant DRM.
b.bob 30th Jun 2008
Oops again.
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One of the reasons I do *not* prefer PCLinuxOS and Mint...
pjotr123 14th Jun 2008
...is that they haven't the same degree of reliability, stability and quality control that the big five distro's have. Plus their developers community is much smaller and therefore their continuity is more vulnerable.

Their legal status is more vulnerable as well, precisely because they pay less attention to legal matters involving restricted codecs. That may end badly, when they attract enough outside attention.

That's why it's good to have an easy way of supplementing a big distro with the necessary multimedia support.

However, I like Linux in general, not only Ubuntu. And I wish the best for every distro around, because we're all part of the same open source community. Learning from each other.

Greeting, Pjotr.
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RE: One of the reasons I do *not* prefer PCLinuxOS and Mint...
richdave 16th Jun 2008
The neat thing is that your home directory never gets lost. Your distro goes under, just install whatever the current flavor is and decline to format your home directory. All of your stuff is pretty much right there on your new distro.
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Question Regarding Mint:
User07734 16th Jun 2008
Pjotr,

Isn't Mint based upon Ubuntu? I was under the impression that it was just being repackaged.

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_elyssa.php

"This is Linux Mint 5, codename Elyssa, based on Daryna and compatible with Ubuntu Hardy and its repositories."
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If I'm not mistaken....
storm14k 16th Jun 2008
Mint is just repackaged Ubuntu where they tried to focus even more on end user polish and ease. I think the issue being discussed in the original post was the legality of having some of those codecs prepackaged in the U.S. It may be illegal and some of the distros like Mint though the mean well may bring negative publicity with their actions.

Personally I don't see why people find it so difficult to simply accept the terms presented to them when they try to play an uninstalled format. I was prompted to install the codecs while Rhythmbox was indexing...not playing but indexing my music. By the time it was finished it was ready to play any format in the collection. I haven't tested it out but since its "watching" my music folder I imagine it would prompt me if a new codec is needed for a new format.

I simply don't see enough of a problem to generate the multimedia fuss that I see about Linux...at least not Ubuntu and maybe Fedora.
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I installed it a long time ago
NonZealot 13th Jun 2008
I apologize, I thought even DVD support was there out of the box. I'm not in front of my laptop now but I seem to remember that I did not need to add any repositories in order to install DVD support which makes things slightly simpler than with Ubuntu.
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Same experience.
TripleII-21189418044173169409978279405827 14th Jun 2008
DVDs worked from day one. I knew MP3 support was there for listening, don't know about encoding, I use OGG. Maybe I did have to install them using the package manager? As you, it was a long time ago, but it was trivial.

TripleII
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Thanks for the compliment, Adrian (and for publishing the how-to)
pjotr123 13th Jun 2008
In the meantime, I have published a small support website for Ubuntu 8.04. With some more tips and how-to's for beginners with Ubuntu Linux 8.04:
http://ubuntutip.googlepages.com/

I hope this helps. It's often the first steps into Linux that prove difficult for people. If we can help them with that, then they'll be able to find their way much quicker. There's a whole new world to discover! happy

Greeting, Pjotr.
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Thanks for the "How To" link.
Professor Messer 16th Jun 2008
The link you provided is a must view for Newbies like me!
Thanks Again.
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Installed the missing codecs got Dvd and all
marks055@... 13th Jun 2008
the audio working fine using VLC. All very cool, Ubuntu is coming along very nicely since I last tried it (6.10) Thanks to all for the support.
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The easier way
rfdparker2002 Updated - 14th Jun 2008
Most of the codecs, Flash, Java and the Microsoft Core font can be installed via a dummy package called ubuntu-restricted-extras, which is called "Ubuntu Restricted Extras" under 'All avaliable applications' in Applications>Add/Remove...

This install everything prior to other than those packages Adrian shows you how to get via the Mediabuntu repository, which is still a must for things like DVD playback. On the topic of DVD playback, I don't live in the US, but as far as I am aware, the ludicrous DMCA act over there counts encrypted DVD playback on Linux via libdvdcss2 as some sort of content protect circumvention, though to be honest I don't think expect it's enforced.
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The inadequate way
pjotr123 14th Jun 2008
ubuntu-restricted-extras is in Adrian's how-to, as well.... But it's not the only thing in there, because ubuntu-restricted-extras alone, is not enough.

Plus you have to get rid of openjdk, which is part of that dummy package nowadays.

Greetz, Pjotr.
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The easier easier way
gaehrich@... 16th Jun 2008
You can add Medibuntu, all the instructions are on the page.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu
It discusses the legality/illegality of it all, and has instructions for multiple versions of Ubuntu. Mplayer and gxine are nicer, and are also installed here, but it also works for Totem Movie player that is the default.
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Medibuntu not required
daengbo 16th Jun 2008
Medibuntu isn't required for DVD playback. Ubuntu supplies a script which will install it for you.

ALT-F2 to bring up a Run dialog
gksudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh

That will download and install DeCSS.
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RE: Adventures with open source apps on Linux - Part 2
zelrikriando 14th Jun 2008
I dont know why you guys are still using the terminal for simple tasks as described in the article...that's retarded. Just dig a bit into the Synaptic package manager and stuff you will see that you can do most things with your mouse.
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Brilliant Adrian!!!
Johnny Vegas 14th Jun 2008
Unbelieveable how many you hooked with this! You have shown Mike Cox who the true master is happy So funny reading all the talkbacks from the trolls completely unaware you're poking fun at how lame it is to have to go through a couple dozen steps including opening terminal windows and editing config files instead of having a single checkbox to click at install.

Given the sucker ratio though maybe next time you should conclude by blatantly calling out what a perfect example this is of how bad linux still sux on the desktop OS user experience front and mention which parts of this may or may not be legal in the USA so no one gets into trouble at the expense of your laughs.

Great job! You really have me looking forward to your next one happy
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This is not for you, dear...
Solid Water Updated - 14th Jun 2008
Your articles are written by Ed Bott - How to fix Windows Vista, one computer at a time. wink

I read the article with great interest since I installed Ubuntu 8.04 at work (for work) on a desktop and going to install it now on my daughter's Acer laptop. Since my daughter is a student and she is young installing music support is vital for her transition to Linux. happy

And at work I was forced to install Linux by our IT running PGP encryption plus full virus scan plus SMS on all company machines during working hours.

Now I have two machines:
1. Linux, Ubuntu for development (P4/2.4GHz/2GB RAM/60 GB HDD)
2. Windows/XP for running encryption, antivirus and SMS software on laptop (Core 2 Duo/2.0 GHz/1GB RAM/120 GB HDD, 4200 RPM).

That is nice! Now, in Linux, my project compilation lasts 1.5 minutes versus 4 minutes (no IT tasks) on a laptop under Cygwin.

Friendly advice. happy
Do not be so much upset if you do not understand what Adrian is writing about - just pass by to another article.
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So Lame.
TripleII-21189418044173169409978279405827 14th Jun 2008
The MPAA tried twice, TWICE, using coercion to intimidate another countries prosecutors to convict DVD Jon and his libdvdcss library. Guess what, they failed and last I knew, he was living in California, openly inviting Apple to take their bite because he created PyMystique.

BTW, you did know that Linux supports ten times as many formats out of the box as Windows right? (ogg, AACS, FLAC, PDF, .doc, .ppt, ...) Same you have to negotiate malware infected programs or shareware to get an experience as good as Linux out of the box.

Anyway, Loverrock you aren't. grin

TripleII
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Actually libdvdcss and DeCSS are two different things.
LazLong 14th Jun 2008
But for the parent poster it is completely legal to watch DVD's as part of section 1201(f) of the DMCA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libdvdcss
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeCSS
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Until now I had forgotten...
storm14k 15th Jun 2008
...how nice it is to actually hit a .pdf link on a fresh OS install and not have to download Acrobat Reader. Its also sweet to be able to export PDF's from alot of programs....something the poor Windows folk just don't know about.
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Where is Mike?
elderlybloke 16th Jun 2008
I haven't seen a contribution from Mike for a while.
I miss him, he is far funnier than you Johnny.
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Lets Not Forget Crossover Office
chessmen 14th Jun 2008
This will make many Windows products work seamlessly with Linux. Highly recommended.

Here is there web site:
http://www.codeweavers.com/
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Throwing another $60 to the cost
Crestview 16th Jun 2008
Of a Mac and 'free' Linux.
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Good Grief
aureolin 15th Jun 2008
This is classic "Why Linux isn't ready for the desktop".
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Why not?
storm14k 15th Jun 2008
You'd have to do something similar on just about any OS you install YOURSELF. Don't be fooled by the preinstalled OS you may be used to using.
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Not necessarily true...
Ben_E 16th Jun 2008
...the "big two" (Vista and Leopard) do an awful lot of this stuff out of the box, and you don't have to get your hands dirty in a terminal session if you don't want to.

Put it another way: all 3 OSes are capable of the same thing, but I've never come across a Linux install (ubuntu or otherwise) where I haven't had to type some god-awful archaic command into a terminal window to get some sort of basic functionality working (usually my wireless card, a broadcom based unit that Linux takes one look at and sulks). As for the other two OSes, it is entirely possible to go for the life of your computer without opening a command window (well, very possible on Windows and for most Mac users a veritable certainty).

The last release of Ubuntu was a big step forward for me in terms of ease of use and configurability, but until these hangovers from a bygone era are removed from the general user experience (or the commands changed to make it more obvious what you are doing in some cases) Linux as a whole will remain the ultimate niche OS.

Which is a shame.
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....
Linux User 147560 16th Jun 2008
So you never used a professional version of Linux then... like OpenSuSE. I haven't had to use "archaic command line" with OpenSuSE since version 9.0 to get anything to work. YaST and the built ins were simple to use GUI methods. Limiting your knowledge to one or two distributions then proclaiming all of Linux as in capable is not wise at all. Especially when there are Linux systems out there that run circles around Windows for ease of set up and use... such as OpenSuSE. And each version of OpenSuSE gets easier and easier to set up and requires less and less user intervention. Out of the box. devil
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To be honest....
storm14k 16th Jun 2008
He just ran out and looked for tutorials. I have yet to use openSUSE so I won't bother with the "professional version" comment. But I have done quite a few Ubuntu installs and none of them NEEDED the command line to get basic functionality working. Even the Broadcom can be set up from the restricted drivers manager. Most of the multimedia will pop up a GUI asking you to install the codecs once you try to open a file. I even had it ask me to install the codecs while I let Rhythmbox index my music.

Most people that complain simply run out looking for help as soon as the OS boots and it doesn't look like Windows. When they run out looking for help the find CLI based answers because they are far easier to document.
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...
Linux User 147560 16th Jun 2008
SLED is the professional version of Linux, OpenSuSE has a professional and very clean look to it and it's menus, since it's based on SLED. So that is what I meant by the professional comment.

But I see your point. devil
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You miss my point...
Ben_E 16th Jun 2008
...probably because I didn't make it very well, due to the fact I have a stinking cold and a fogged up brain because of it!

Ubuntu is being pushed left, right, and centre, as the distro for those making the switch i.e not necessarily those who are tech savvy. And it works against it that you stand a much increased chance of having to get down and dirty with the command line.

I'm certainly not proclaiming knowledge of all Linux distros from my limited exposure to only one or two (and yes, one was OpenSuSE). But I am coming at it from the point of view of someone who is interested in maybe making the switch one day. A "Linux amateur" if you will - the sort of person that Linux as a whole is going to have to grab if it is to make proper in-roads into the home desktop, rather than just the desktops of enthusiasts and their families.
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...
Linux User 147560 16th Jun 2008
Drink a hot taddy, and stick your head over a eucalyptus steam bath, that will help with relieve some of the cold icky's.

Thanks for the clear up too. devil
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Once again you have to realize...
storm14k 16th Jun 2008
...alot these things that you see done on the command line can be done from a GUI. And a GUI to do them can always be built. However alot of these issues will go away as hardware makers make more drivers available.

Another issue unfortunately is that people will most of the time have to install Linux themselves vs preinstalled Windows. They will get their first experience in driver hunting with Linux even though installing Windows from scratch can be worse. I think the Linux community could actually combat this all by advertising the use of LiveCD's more. You can for the most part see right off the bat what will and won't work and see what must be done to fix it before you ever commit to the OS. I think this would help reduce the effect of "it doesn't work out of the box" FUD thats being spread.
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Choose a distro suited for the task
User07734 16th Jun 2008
Ben,

If your goal is a home system with rich media support, then pick a Linux distro that fits your needs. While this article is specific to Ubuntu, there are others.

In fact, a distro that is based on Ubuntu that has DVD / MP3 playback capabilities after a clean install is Linux MINT. http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_elyssa.php The latest version of which is based upon Ubuntu Hardy

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