Playing WMV files

sunilkrgarg · 11-17-2006, 07:52 PM

I tried to open a "wmv" file that a friend sent to me but I got an error message from Totem saying:

"You do not have a decoder installed to handle this file.
"You might need to install the necessary plugins".

What are the "necessary plugins", where are they, and how do I install them?

I googled around and found a few other people having the same problem but no clear answer. I'm really new to Linux and need some real step-by-step instructions. Thanks.

Tinkster · 11-18-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunilkrgarg

I tried to open a "wmv" file that a friend sent to me but I got an error message from Totem saying:

"You do not have a decoder installed to handle this file.
"You might need to install the necessary plugins".

What are the "necessary plugins", where are they, and how do I install them?

I googled around and found a few other people having the same problem but no clear answer. I'm really new to Linux and need some real step-by-step instructions. Thanks.

I split that post of yours out of the completely unrelated
thread you plugged it into, and removed the quote because
it really didn't make any sense, specially after the split.

Cheers,
Tink

Tov · 11-18-2006, 02:28 PM

WMV is closed source, so in most Linux-distro's you can't play them by default and you have to install extra codecs.
How? I have to know which distro you are running.
If you're running (K/X)Ubuntu I have a quick answer:
http://www.getautomatix.com/
or, more precise:
http://getautomatix.com/wiki/index.p...e=Installation

It gives you the option to install a lot of things like flash, media-players, wine and...
Restricted Codecs!
Hope this helps you,

If you don't run (K/X)Ubuntu you should tell which distro you're running and maybe someone else can help you.

IndyGunFreak · 11-18-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunilkrgarg

I tried to open a "wmv" file that a friend sent to me but I got an error message from Totem saying:

"You do not have a decoder installed to handle this file.
"You might need to install the necessary plugins".

What are the "necessary plugins", where are they, and how do I install them?

I googled around and found a few other people having the same problem but no clear answer. I'm really new to Linux and need some real step-by-step instructions. Thanks.

It always helps to tell everyone what Linux Distro you're using, as its different for every single version of Linux. If you're using one of the Ubuntu's, I totally agree with TOV, Automatix or EasyUbuntu is the way to go.

IGF

tyger · 12-10-2006, 06:01 AM

I tried play a wmv file it gives me this error msg "You do not have a decoder installed to handle this file. You might need to install the necessary plugins".

manishsingh4u · 12-10-2006, 06:19 AM

Please let us know the Linux distribution name and version and the name of the video player which you are trying to play the wmv files with.

Personally I prefer Mplayer to play all types of video files. Anyway, if you wish to know the location of the codecs only, here's a link.
http://www3.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/rel...061022.tar.bz2

extract and place the files in this archive at /usr/lib/win32. If this directory doesn't exist, create it and copy all the codec files to this directory.