Ubuntu

Can't get restricted formats working (mp3, mpg, avi, etc)

Asked by mactar

Hi,

I can't get restricted formats working on my Ubuntu 7.10. I've followed all the recommended steps, and I wonder if I made some change that is causing me problems. Here is what I've done so far:

-Installed ubuntu restricted extras per:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

-Installed w32 codecs from medibuntu repository, making sure the 'main, universe, restricted, multiverse' are enabled, per:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu?highlight=%28medibuntu%29 "Adding Repositories" section, and "With entire medibuntu repository" section

-Installed Gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly using package manager

-Installed VLC media player

When I try to open a .mp3 in Totem, it searches for a codec, but finds none, and says it needs 'MPEG-1 Layer 3 (MP3) decoder'
When I try to open a .avi in Totem, it searches for a codec, but finds none, and says it needs 'MPEG-1 Layer 3 (MP3) decoder' and 'DivX MPEG-4 Version 5 decoder'
When I try to open a .avi OR .mp3 in VLC, the time begins counting as though it's playing, but there is no audio and no video.

So, it seems obvious I can't get the codecs. Any help please?

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mactar
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Zombie (initramfs) said : 		#1

mactar,

Please install the following codecs and then try:

gstreamer0.10-plugins-good
gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly
gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg
libxine1-ffmpeg

With Regards,
Zombie.

Revision history for this message
mactar (blotocki) said : 		#2

Zombie,

Thanks. I installed each of those plugins but no change to my symptoms. Any other ideas?

I recently updated my BIOS. Could that have anything to do with it?

Revision history for this message
mactar (blotocki) said : 		#3

Update: I was just messing with other gstreamer plugins. I installed these two:

gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mp3
gstreamer0.10-gl

This allows me to play .mp3, and when I play mpgs I can hear sound, but still no video. .AVI still nothiing.
It seems like the problem is when it searches for codecs, it can't find the ones I need. I installed 7.10 on this machine previously and it searched and found the necessary codecs no problem.

Still looking for what will get me video..

Revision history for this message
Dariel Dato-on (odd-rationale) said : 		#4

mactar,

Have you tried replacing totem-gstreamer with totem-xine? Or try a different video player like vlc or mplayer?

Revision history for this message
mactar (blotocki) said : 		#5

Odd-rationale,

Yes, I replaced with totem-xine. Strangely that would play video, but no audio. Although I did not try to download any additional xine codecs. Any recommendations?

I have vlc and it gives the symptoms as described in my first post.

I also have mplayer, but I can't even get it to open.

Revision history for this message
naufal (musp-student) said : 		#6

hello,
try to install 'GStreamer ffmpeg video plugin' from Add/Remove Application..
hope this help..

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mactar (blotocki) said : 		#7

This is really weird. I already had that plugin installed, but I uninstalled, reinstalled. .avis and .wmvs work! However, .mpgs still don't.
I uninstall that same plugin, avis and wmvs still work, mpgs still don't. I made no change to my machine since my last post except it's been off all day.

Any ideas on the .mpg files? Or to why my computer is acting crazy?

Revision history for this message
mactar (blotocki) said : 		#8

I ran the live cd, and totem found the codecs it needed automatically. So I just caved and reinstalled Ubuntu. Problem fixed...not really the right way though. Thanks for the help anyway.