Some video formats, such as Flash, QuickTime, and Windows Media Video, are proprietary and so support for them cannot be included in Ubuntu by default. You must install some extra software to allow playback.
In order to play the most common proprietary formats in the Totem movie player or Firefox web browser, install the ubuntu-restricted-extras package (see Restricted Software for more information).
(e.g. QuickTime, Windows Media)
If you try to play an unsupported video file, you will be asked if you would like to search for a suitable codec. Click and, when the Install multimedia codecs window appears, select one of the codecs displayed in the list and click .
If you are asked to confirm installation of restricted software, the codec required to play your video may have some legal restrictions which you should be aware of. If you think that the restrictions do not apply to you, press to continue with the installation.
Once installation is complete, the video should begin to play. If not, try closing and then re-opening the video.
(e.g. Youtube, iPlayer)
When you first try to play a Flash video in the Firefox web browser, a bar will appear at the top of the window saying that additional plugins are required. Press the button and follow the instructions on-screen to install a Flash player.
You will be offered the choice of several players. The Adobe Flash Player is the official plugin, which should offer the best support for videos. Unfortunately, it is proprietary software and so cannot be supported directly by Ubuntu. The Swfdec and Gnash players are not proprietary and so are supported. You may also find them to be more stable (cause fewer problems) than the official player.
(e.g. RealVideo)
The most reliable way of playing RealVideo-format videos is to install the official RealPlayer software. See Installing and configuring RealPlayer for full instructions.
Support for most other types of streaming video can be added by following the instructions for video files or Flash videos. If you are having difficulties getting a video to stream in your web browser, right-click the video and select Open with "Movie Player" if that option is available.
