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Ubuntu 15.04: Install Media Codecs & Enable DVD Playback

Last updated: April 25, 2016

Ubuntu 15.04 Vivid

After installing the new Ubuntu 15.04 Vivid Vervet, one of the top things to do is to install audio/video codecs and enable DVD playback.

Due to legal constraints in many countries, Ubuntu does not include these codecs to play mp3, movies, and DVDs out-of-the-box. But we can easily get them from the default repositories through Ubuntu Software Center.

1. Install the codecs to play common audio and video file formats:

Open Ubuntu Software Center, search for and install ubuntu-restricted-extras package. After that, you should be able to play your musics and movies through the default multi-players.

2 The previous step also installs libdvdread4, library to read DVDs. If not, install it from Ubuntu Software Center.

3. To play encrypted DVDs, you also need the libdvdcss2 library by installing it via below command in terminal:

sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

You may need to set the region code for DVD drive if it is still not working, by running below command in terminal:

sudo apt-get install regionset && sudo regionset
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    I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via ubuntuhandbook1@gmail.com Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1

    3 responses to Ubuntu 15.04: Install Media Codecs & Enable DVD Playback

    1. mark bower May 25, 2015 at 11:09 pm

      very helpful and simple to follow – thanks. got me up and running with DVDs on 15.04.

    2. scott April 24, 2016 at 10:32 pm

      Ji m,
      per your request for language assistance: “The previous step should also installs” is incorrect (installs should be install in this sentence). leave out the “should”
      and installs is correct. you’ll develop an ear for it. are you still blogging?

    3. Blanca August 16, 2016 at 10:04 pm

      Is there any way I can do it for all the dvds from now on? Or should I just repeat the process and use the command with every media I haven’t done it yet?