How do i watch film dvds under Linux.
 

I'm probably just being stupid but here goes.

For example:- i have Lord of the Rings on dvd, if i put it in the drive under Windoze it opens a nice Window and i can watch my film. UndeR Linux however i can't seem to watch it. I understand there may be copyright and Kaffeine tells me that i need to install the codecs but i'm no computer expert and i'm new to Linux, so how do i (and what do i install) and is there a program that will ('Just Work!')

Please help.

understand that the capabilites are removed in certain "respectable" distros (i.e. ones that make a LOT of money in the server sectors etc...) as it's more trouble than good getting involved in a lawsuit about a hacked codec they distribute. as such most distros have additional unsupported bolt on RPM's (or equivalent) to provide this functionality. The best way normally though is to get the REAL version from the REAL homepage of the app and install it from there.

get mplayer and libdvdcss

mplayer doesn't need libdvdcss. a default install of a REAL mplayer build will play a DVD with NO extra packages at all.

Re: How do i watch film dvds under Linux.
 

You can do this by following the suggestions already mentioned above. You should be aware however that the REASON they do not include the uncrippled versions of the libraries needed is that those libraries are illegal in the United States. Under the digital millennium copyright act is became illegal to develop a program the decodes the encryption in order to play them under linux. The Motion Picture Association of America even tried to prosecute the author of the library that allows you watch movies under linux.

Since you mentioned kaffeine my guess is that you use suse but please write that next time ok? Here is a really good step by step guide it works with 9.2 ass well as 9.3 http://madpenguin.org/cms/?m=show&id=3601

Kaffeine is the default media player in Mandrake 10.1, he might be using this distro.

It should still work if but he'll have to use a sources.list for mandrake 10.1 instead for the one in the howto.

i would suggest using xine and do install libdvdcss and even libdvdread cause chances are you will need them in teh future. make sure that the right drive is set in the setup of the media player you use. What distro?

Another program to add to the list is vlc http://www.videolan.org/

It is good at playing dvd's and sometimes is better at playing .mov files that xine or mplayer sometimes can't play.

that is an excellent point benjithegreat. and in fact just in installing it you ahve to get all the dependancies for it, and that is most of the needed codecs that all players will use.