How to find and install codecs to play cd's & dvd's
 

HI,

I am a new convert to Linux. I use the Gnome environment on OpenSuse 11. I have Totem, Banshee and Real player but unable to play cd's or Dvd's. Apparently I have to download extra codecs. Can someone please guide me in the right direction. AS I am new to linux, please, please I need step by step guide too.

Cheers

In YaST2, go to the installation sources module, or enter "kdesu yast2 inst_source". Select "Add". A "media type" window will open. Select "community repositories" near the top of the list. You want to add packman and vlc repos.

I did as you suggested, but no change. Please help! Cheers

A guide to the installing & running the Perfect Desktop for OpenSuSe 11: http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfec...op-opensuse-11 Scroll through the different sections until you come to what you want.

You should dl Mplayer, from http://www.mplayerhq.hu

Grab the source, codecs package, and the Blue skin.

To install the codecs:

tar jxvf essential-whatever.tar.bz2
cd ess*
sudo mkdir /usr/local/lib/codecs
cp * /usr/local/lib/codecs/

These codecs will only work with MPlayer.

To install MPlayer:

cd ..
tar jxvf MP*.bz2

cd MP*

./configure --enable-gui

*** lots of cryptic text ***

make

*** Gobs of even more cryptic text ***

sudo make install

To install the skin:

cd ..

tar zxvf Blue*.bz2

cd Blue*

sudo mkdir /usr/local/share/mplayer/skins/default

cp -r * /usr/local/share/mplayer/skins/default/

Now you have a player that will play nearly every media file in existence. One tip, for .m4v files, rename to .mp4, like so:

mv file.m4v file.mp4

And then try playing it with MPlayer.

To launch MPlayer:
as a normal user, not root:
/usr/local/bin/./gmplayer

It won't break, so mess around with it. Just don't forget what you did. You can do a lot with MPlayer. It's a great program.