What does the system have for the libdvd files installed? I once had to install
Libdvdread-dev and liddvdnav-dev to get DVDs to even play why unsure.

If the above does not work I suggest trying this

Sudo apt purge vlc


Than use synaptic to remove each of the dvdlib files than reinstall the lib files than reinstall vlc.

Now that, for the moment, the HP Pavilion is my primary computer, it is clear that VLC's behaviour is the same, whether running a DVD or a file downloaded onto the computer: it will open a DVD or file without difficulty; but then will refuse any other file until the computer is restarted or I go through the command line.
Curiously, the VLC icon has turned up in the panel two or three times, but disappears when the computer is restarted. When I have tried the panel icon it opens VLC and allows me to choose a file ... but then refuses to run it (even if it is the first time.

This only becomes a real nuisance when I am dealing with a file where I need to adjust the track synchronization on a file, and need more than one try.

I had a issue like this in a on IBM thinkpad. On synaptic look for dvdlib or just dvd.
Install libdvdread-dev and libdvdnav-dev see if this helps.it may do nothing but worth a try.

Has anyone considered that the drive could be faulty? Or that this could be a A DVD region issue. Have a read of this see if it helps.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Re...ts/PlayingDVDs


Or

If the drive faulty than you can find a new one on ebay. If you have a USB DVD drive test it see if it plays DVDs etc.

Try Tools -> Preferences -> Video -> Output -> "X11 Video Output (XCB)" (instead of Automatic). I found this solution in some other forum and it helped me.

1 members found this post helpful.

Son of a gun!
It worked!
Hats off to Vrull.