.wmv codecs: where do they go?
 

Kubuntu 6.10

Trying to get Kaffeine to play wmv files ... I have downloaded the "essential codecs" package from the mplayer site. Via Google and "read me" notes, I have since run across three recommendations for placement of the codec files: /usr/lib/win32 ; /usr/local/lib/codecs ; and /usr/lib/codecs. None of these places seem to work for wmv; Kaffeine crashes every time.

I changed the order of the service to use from mplayer to xine in the Properties menu of my test wmv clip, but same results each time.

In what directory do you all place the codecs, and what else I am doing wrong? Kaffeine worked perfectly for me in 6.06.

thx ## rasta

If you're on Kubuntu, check out EasyUbuntu and Automatix - they both automate installing these types of packages.

If you installed the codecs from the Ubuntu repositories they will be installed in the right place.

That brings up a question on repositories ... how do you get Adept to show a usable multiverse? I couldn't install it using Adept because it wouldn't show the me the right packages; that's why I downloaded and installed manually.

thx

I use Ubuntu and it has Synaptic package manager. I don't know what package Kubuntu uses but I believe they both use the same repositories.

Yeah, install automatx and easyubuntu, that is unless you want a system that actually works. Automatix is the worst offender here, so I'll focus on that.
Automatix (and Automatix2) are scripts that are used to install unofficial packages and often breaks. Sometimes it's easier to reinstall than to fix these errors. Kubuntu (and for that matter *buntu) do NOT recommend or support it.
There is a guide to enabling universe/multiverse on kubuntu with adept here https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Kubuntu
However, the codecs you want (to play wmv) wouldn't be in there. There is a separate package for them (See this page)
Basically all you need to do is:

I did EasyBuntu before I read Binary's note and Kaffeine is now so hosed it won't play anything without crashing. How do I undo the Easy install of the codecs?

thx ## rasta