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Automatix2 fixes your w32codec and libdvdcss2 problems

Whilst searching the web I still find a lot of Linux Debian based Ubuntu users asking how to get through with the famous w32codecs and libdvdcss2. These codecs permit us to have a better multimedia Linux platform. It’s much easier to list-out what we can’t do without them than what we can do with them.  
You need codecs and software to read the contents of DVDs, and to be able to see multimedia files of different formats, listen to streaming music and more. These software are provclassed free for use in Ubuntu but not the codecs. Take note that download and installing w32codecs and libdvdcss2 and other non-free codecs without paying a fee to the concerned authorities constitutes a crime in the USA.
With the help of Automatix2 you can install MPlayer – thats takes care of the libdvdcss2 and w32codecs. MPlayer is a movie player which runs on many different architectures. It plays most MPEG/VOB, AVI, Ogg/OGM, VIVO, ASF/WMA/WMV, QT/MOV/MP4, RealMedia, Matroska, NUT, NuppelVclasseo, FLI, YUV4MPEG, FILM, RoQ, PVA files, supported by many native , XAnim, and Win32 DLL codecs. You can watch VclasseoCD, SVCD, DVD, 3ivx, DivX 3/4/5 and even WMV movies.
This install option also installs the MPlayer plugin for the Firefox browser giving the user a rich out-of-the box streaming multimedia experience.
So the point is get Automatix2 and forget about multimedia codecs for your Ubuntu box. It’s not a newbie application, they say even Micheal Dell uses Automatix2.
The installation is rather easy. All you need to do is goto Automatix2 were you’ll find detailed information on how to install and uninstall Automatix2. Choose your Linux version and follow the few instructions needed to install Automatix2.
When installed the Automatix2 can be found in Application >> System Tool >> Automatix.

The interface is very friendly, its almost like that of the Synaptic Package Manager. Arm yourself with the root password to get in. Accept the conditions if you want to install Non-free audio and Dvd codecs. Note: You pay nothing. From there, just choose the applications you’ll like to install; MPlayer and FF Plugin and AUD- DVD Codecs, just as with the Synaptic Package Manager, then click Start and it takes off with your installations. That’s enough to turn your Linux box into a multimedia jukebox.

5 Comments;

  1. Devo
    12:28 pm on September 10th, 2007

    you’re blessed, i got head-ache for this. thanks

  2. sas
    1:06 pm on September 10th, 2007

    Automatix solves a lot of problems, you can also install ioswift with it

  3. sas
    1:07 pm on September 10th, 2007

    I mean the ioswift browser

  4. g2g591
    10:53 pm on November 24th, 2007

    just gotta WARN you, AUTOMATIX WILL BREAK YOUR SYSTEM WHEN UPGRADING FROM DISTRO VERSION TO DISTRO VERSION and it MAY BREAK YOUR SYSTEM AT OTHER TIMES ALSO. see http://www.ubuntuforums.org for some of the details. This is a headache causer and not very necessary, it is easy enough to use synaptic and/or adept to add the medibuntu repository to add libdvdcss2 and w32codecs is even in the regular supported repos (in the restricted section though)

  5. Kanute
    2:23 pm on November 25th, 2007

    Thanks for the Warning g2g591; I’ve already heard of the problems it gives at upgrading; All you need to do is take it(Automatix) off before upgrading and then reinstall it if you need it.