Installing mp3 codecs and divx codecs (for playing video) in Ubuntu is a one click event. Make sure you have an active internet connection.
Under Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalop (9.04)
connect to internet and try playing a mp3 file or playing a video file. It will inform you that required packages are missing and automatically offer you to download codecs.To install vlc, open (Accesories > Terminal)
$ sudo apt-get install vlc
TODO: List packages that need to be downloaded in case of no internet connection
Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex 8.10, Ubuntu Hardy Heron LTS 8.04
Open Synaptic (System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager). In Settings -> Repositories, make sure you have a "multiverse" repository activated.
Search for vlc and install it. You should also install vlc-plugin-esd, mozilla-plugin-vlc (and libdvdcss2). Command line way
You need to check that a "multiverse" mirror is listed in your /etc/apt/sources.list.
% sudo apt-get update % sudo apt-get install vlc vlc-plugin-esd mozilla-plugin-vlc
Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon 7.10, Ubuntu Feisty Fawn 7.04 Graphical way
Open Synaptic (System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager). In Settings -> Repositories, make sure you have a "universe" repository activated.
Search for vlc and install it. You should also install vlc-plugin-esd, mozilla-plugin-vlc (and libdvdcss2). Command line way
You need to check that a "universe" mirror is listed in your /etc/apt/sources.list.
% sudo apt-get update % sudo apt-get install vlc vlc-plugin-esd mozilla-plugin-vlc
Ubuntu Dapper Drake LTS 6.06
Dapper will be supported until June 2009 by Canonical. However, its VLC version is very old, so use our packages to get the latest version.
Be sure to have a universe repository enabled. Type these commands in a terminal:
echo "deb ftp://ftp.videolan.org/pub/videolan/ubuntu dapper universe" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vlc.list sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install vlc vlc-plugin-esd mozilla-plugin-vlc libdvdcss2