I tried to use Totem and Rhythmbox to play an mp3 file but it fails because of a missing decoder. I have found a solution that solve the problem through a repository. Unfortunately, the PC I'm using doesn't have internet connection so I'm looking for another approach. I couldn't find any rpm that would work for CentOS I could copy the my Linux system?

Thanks,
Mike

You still need to download the codecs for playing MP3's no matter what.... If anything, use the computer you used to create your thread to download the needed codecs and copy them to a USB flash drive or blank CD.

Where can I download the codecs for a Linux system? And where to copy them to in the Linux system?

I don't know if this will work, but try downloading this and installing the rpm on your Centos computer. I assume it's an i386 architecture.

Doesn't VLC bring all necessary codecs with itself?

I do believe you are correct darkduck as I have used VLC on many distros and never had to install any codecs aside from the ones built in

Yes VLC does. Not sure if all the codecs are there with repo versions of VLC? But downloading it from their website will have what you need.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Quote from their website:

I checked VideoLAN but they don't seem to provide an rpm for CentOS. I thought I'd check the rpm for Red Hat but got lost. Here is the link I reached http://apt.sw.be/redhat/el5/en/i386/rpmforge/RPMS/

Has anybody tried to install VideoLAN on CentOS?

it instals just fine on centos 5.5 32 and 64 bit
and so dose mplayer and the gui - smplayer
they are in the repos listed in the cent wiki
http://wiki.centos.org/
http://wiki.centos.org/AdditionalResources/Repositories

just be warned the "rpmforge" packages are NOT binary compatible with other repos
so use Protectbase and prioritys yum plugins ( and set them up / configure -- a MUST )
---------- they ARE A MUST ------------


also keep in mind that music and videos are an afterthought for support in RHEL
i do not even install them on Cent/RHEL/SL systems - they are not needed, for the most part .

As I mentioned this pc doesn't have internet connection. So I have to use a different pc to download the rpm to a USB flash drive and use that later. The page I was able to reach has endless rpms and I don't know which one I need.

you can get a basic list ( the names will be a bit different)
from a fedora 13 or 14 guide like this one
http://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mj...l#mediaplayers

the full names WILL be slightly different but the rpm short names should be the same
gstreamer-plugins-good ,gstreamer-plugins-bad gstreamer-plugins-ugly

yes they did cal them that ( good bad & the ugly )

also you might want to READ the CentOS forum
"Application & Software Support "
https://www.centos.org/modules/newbb...m.php?forum=38

Why
a connection would make things 1000% easier
if there is NO isp in your area or just not being used ( no paid service)-- then HOW are you posting here?

if it is a laptop take it to a coffee shop and use the network there,m but again - how are you posting here?

if you DO have a cable or dsl or 56k dialup ( or 3g wireless) and you just have NOT set it up in cent -- THEN SET IT UP !

Try using the free mp3 codecs from Fluendo.

http://www.fluendo.com/gstreamer/

Thanks for all you inputs......... I downloaded fluendo-mp3-12.i386.tar.bz2, I couldn't find any instructions on their website as to how install it. I did a search and found that I will have to run,

tar -jxvf fluendo-mp3-12.i386.tar.bz2 -C /tmp/extract_here/

Where should I extract this .tar.bz2 to? And what I should do after that? For example, will I have to install whatever is extracted?

Yes. As far as where it is being extracted to, within the above command, it is being extracted to /tmp/extract_here/. Honestly, you can save the file wherever you want to, and run tar -jxvf file.tar.bz2 without the -C switch, and it will extract in the directory where that file is located.

As far as compiling and installing, read the README and INSTALL files. Most likely, here is what you will have to do:

./configure
make
[make test OR make check]
make install (as root - either sudo, su -c, or run a terminal and su to root and navigate to the directory where the extracted files are)

As I just stated though, make sure you read the README for certain setups and switches for the ./configure command.

Hope that helps man!

but WHY even bother running "tar -jxvf fluendo-mp3-12.i386.tar.bz2" in the terminal


just double click on it THE EXACT SAME WAY YOU WOULD DO ON MICROSOFT WINDOWS
YOU DO THE SAME THING HERE -- THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!


why do people get so stupid when they think something is "new and different"

also almost ALL( 99.9% ) of tar.bz2 or like packages ARE THE SOURCE CODE and it will need compiling

THERE ARE INSTRUCTIONS oin the cent web site !!!!!
did you even READ them !!!!!!!!!!!!!