Need Help Installing Codecs

English Multimedia
#1

HI,

newbie to Linux and openSUSE needing help installing multimedia codecs from Fluendo. I downloaded the package, which I assume is compresses, to my desktop (11.0). The downloaded package is named “fluendo-megabundle-4.i386.tar.bz2”

I want to install it, but I do not understand the directions provided in the README.txt file included with the software. This is an excerpt:

To do this you need to have root access on the machine. This can be achieved
either by running commands with sudo or getting a root shell with the su
command.

Once you are root you can copy all the files contained in the
codecs directory in the following directory
/usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10/

If that directory does not exist that can mean that GStreamer 0.10 is not
installed or is installed in a different location. If it is installed in a
different location you can figure out where that is with the following command :

root@host# gst-inspect-0.10 oggdemux | grep Filename

which should return something like :

Filename: /usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10/libgstogg.so

Meaning that plugins are installed in /usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10/

To copy all the codecs in the GStreamer plugins directory run the following
command (assuming your current working directory is inside the unpacked codec
archive where this documentation is):

root@host# cp ./codecs/* /usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10/

Checking your codec installation :

i need to extract these compressed files, and copy them to the appropriate directory. So I guess I need to extract the files and then copy them but I am having trouble doing that. Can someone please provide some assistance?

#2

I extracted the files to a directory in Documents called MMCodecs. Then I have tried to copy to what i thought was a directory, but appears not to be. Below is the commands I tried to use:

jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd /jamesc/documens
bash: cd: /jamesc/documens: No such file or directory
jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd documents
bash: cd: documents: No such file or directory
jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd /usr/jamesc/Documents
bash: cd: /usr/jamesc/Documents: No such file or directory
jamesc@linux-dlym:~> ls
bin Desktop Documents MMCodecs public_html Text Output.odt
jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd MMCodecs
jamesc@linux-dlym:~/MMCodecs> su
Password:
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # ls
libgstfluac3dec.so libgstflumms.so libgstfluwmadec.so
libgstfluasfdemux.so libgstflump3dec.so libgstfluwmvdec.so
libgstfluh264dec.so libgstflumpeg2vdec.so libmcaacadec.so
libgstfluisodemux.so libgstflumpeg4videodec.so libmch264dec.so
libgstflumcaacadec.so libgstflumpegdemux.so
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # cp ./codecs/* .gstreamer-0.10/
cp: cannot stat ./codecs/*': No such file or directory linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # cp * .gstreamer-0.10/ cp: target .gstreamer-0.10/’ is not a directory
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # cp * .gstreamer-0.10
cp: target `.gstreamer-0.10’ is not a directory
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs #

#3

On 08/16/2008 vegas588 wrote:
> jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd /jamesc/documens bash: cd: /jamesc/documens:
> No such file or directory jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd documents bash: cd:
> documents: No such file or directory jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd
> /usr/jamesc/Documents bash: cd: /usr/jamesc/Documents: No such file
> or directory jamesc@linux-dlym:~> ls bin Desktop Documents MMCodecs
> public_html Text Output.odt jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd MMCodecs
> jamesc@linux-dlym:~/MMCodecs> su Password:
> linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # ls libgstfluac3dec.so
> libgstflumms.so libgstfluwmadec.so libgstfluasfdemux.so
> libgstflump3dec.so libgstfluwmvdec.so libgstfluh264dec.so
> libgstflumpeg2vdec.so libmcaacadec.so libgstfluisodemux.so
> libgstflumpeg4videodec.so libmch264dec.so libgstflumcaacadec.so

So far so good, now:

libgstflumpegdemux.so linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # cp * /usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10

HTH
Uwe

#4

This is what I get:

bin Desktop Documents MMCodecs public_html Text Output.odt
jamesc@linux-dlym:~> cd MMCodecs
jamesc@linux-dlym:~/MMCodecs> su
Password:
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # ls
libgstfluac3dec.so libgstflumms.so libgstfluwmadec.so
libgstfluasfdemux.so libgstflump3dec.so libgstfluwmvdec.so
libgstfluh264dec.so libgstflumpeg2vdec.so libmcaacadec.so
libgstfluisodemux.so libgstflumpeg4videodec.so libmch264dec.so
libgstflumcaacadec.so libgstflumpegdemux.so
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # libgstflumpegdemux.so linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # cp * /usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10
bash: libgstflumpegdemux.so: command not found
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs # cp * /usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10
cp: target `/usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10’ is not a directory
linux-dlym:/home/jamesc/MMCodecs #

Not a Directory?

Thanks for your help.

#5

On 08/17/2008 vegas588 wrote:
> cp: target `/usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10’ is not a directory

You don’t have gstreamer installed.
Go to Yast, Software, Software Management and install it.

Uwe

#6

still not working. I am just trying to play back a DVD movie. Latest output:

linux-dlym:/usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10 # ls
libgstcoreelements.so libgstflumcaacadec.so libgstfluwmadec.so
libgstcoreindexers.so libgstflumms.so libgstfluwmvdec.so
libgstfluac3dec.so libgstflump3dec.so libmcaacadec.so
libgstfluasfdemux.so libgstflumpeg2vdec.so libmch264dec.so
libgstfluh264dec.so libgstflumpeg4videodec.so
libgstfluisodemux.so libgstflumpegdemux.so
linux-dlym:/usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10 # gst-inspect-0.10 | grep flu
bash: gst-inspect-0.10: command not found
linux-dlym:/usr/lib/gstreamer-0.10 #

It would appear that the files are now in the correct directory. The README.txt file from Fluendo suggests the following to test the installation:

In order to test codecs you can run the following command in a terminal :

user@host$ gst-inspect-0.10 | grep flu

which should show the following result (or only some of them if you did not
buy the complete codec pack):

flumpeg4vdec: flumpeg4vdec: Fluendo MPEG-4 ASP Video Decoder
flump3dec: flump3dec: Fluendo MP3 Decoder (IPP build)
fluisodemux: fluisodemux: ISODemux Demuxer
flumpeg2vdec: flumpeg2vdec: Fluendo MPEG-2 Video Decoder
fluasf: fluasfcmdparse: Fluendo ASF Command Parser
fluasf: fluasfdemux: Fluendo ASF Demuxer
fluwmvdec: fluwmvdec: Fluendo WMV Decoder
fluac3dec: fluac3dec: AC3 decoder
flumms: flummssrc: Fluendo MMS source
fluwma: fluwmsdec: Fluendo WMS Decoder
fluwma: fluwmadec: Fluendo WMA Decoder
flumpegdemux: flutsdemux: MPEG Transport stream demuxer
flumpegdemux: flupsdemux: MPEG Program Demuxer

Some codecs require some old dependencies that might not be present on modern
Linux distributions such as libstdc++5. From one Linux distribution to another
the name of the package providing that dependency differs. To install it you
need to use your Linux distribution package manager.

For example on Ubuntu you would need to install libstdc++5 with Synaptic and
on Fedora Core you would use yum to install compat-libstdc+±33

Once the codecs are sucessfully installed, you should have access
to playing back supported media files like Windows Media Video, MPEG videos,
DivX movies using GStreamer applications such as Totem Movie Player,
Rhythmbox Music Player, Banshee Music player, Amarok, Kaffeine or the
Elisa Media center. Please make sure that those applications are using the
GStreamer backend before reporting issues to the support.

The licensing terms of each codec can be found in the LICENSE.txt
file that is shipped together with this file. Usage of Fluendo codecs means
that you accept the terms and conditions of these licenses.

So, that command does not work. Should I creating a directory within 0.10 that would be called plugins? That was suggested in the beginning of the README.txt as seen here:

  1. For one user only :
    ======================

Please copy all the files contained in the codecs directory in
the following directory ~/.gstreamer-0.10/plugins/

As a commodity you can run the following command line from a terminal :

user@host$ mkdir -p ~/.gstreamer-0.10/plugins; cp ./codecs/* ~/.gstreamer-0.10/plugins/

Once this is done a simple :

user@host$ ls ~/.gstreamer-0.10/plugins/

should show the following list of files (or only some of them if you did not
buy the complete codec pack):

libgstfluac3dec.so libgstflumcaacadec.so libgstflumpeg4videodec.so
libgstfluasfdemux.so libgstflumms.so libgstflumpegdemux.so
libgstfluh264dec.so libgstflump3dec.so libgstfluwmadec.so
libgstfluisodemux.so libgstflumpeg2vdec.so libgstfluwmvdec.so

I also noticed that there are a large number of repositories available for gstreamer in yast. Should I install them, which ones though?

Your help is greatly appreciated as I learn linux.

#7

Not really sure why you are not installing through Yast?
You might want to Check these links out for future reference.

Restricted Formats/11.0 - openSUSE-Community

1-click-collection - openSUSE-Community

Multimedia - openSUSE-Community

#8

On 08/17/2008 vegas588 wrote:
> still not working. I am just trying to play back a DVD movie.

And you are sure the codecs support DVD playback?
What Doog said, install the “normal” codecs first.

Uwe

#9

When I try installing the normal codecs through yast, there are so many available for gstreamer I don’t know which ones to install. When I picked a few of them, I immediately received error messages about them, so not sure where to go. The documentation from Fluendo points out that the user needs to make sure that Totem is using gstreamer “on the back end.” How would I check that out? Do a search in yast for gstreamer and you will see how many possible installs there are. What would you guys suggest as my next step?

#10

If you are in a country with patents restricting your use of codecs, then I have no advice, other than to stick with this thread and the help you are getting re: Fluendo codecs.

If you have more flexibility in your codecs because you are not constrained by the laws of your country, then you could consider a different approach.

Many of us instead install (all from Packman):

  • libffmpeg0
  • w32codec-all
  • libquicktime
  • xvid
  • mad
    … plus some other less well known codecs for applications such as amarok, xine, vlc, etc …

Novell’s position on restricted codecs is noted here:
Restricted Formats - openSUSE

some openSUSE community alternatives (which in essence does what I noted above) is noted here:
Multimedia - openSUSE-Community

or more specifically here:
Restricted Formats - openSUSE-Community

Good luck.

#11

OK. I have the packman repository installed already. I found mad, and when I do a search for xvid, it comes up with many possible installs. For example, (sorry to be wordy here, but I am new to Linux–please be patient):

dvd2xvid
dvd2xvid-debuginfo
dvd2xvid-debugsource
gpac
libxine1-xvmc
ogmrip
transcode
xvid-devel
xvid4conf
xvidcap
xvidcap-debuginfo
xvidcap-debugsource
xvidenc

Which to install?

Also, I have seen the repositories now, and as noted here, many of them have debuginfo and debugsource in them. What are those for?

w32codec-all, libffmpeg0, are already installed.

#12

With respect to your repositories I recommend you limit your repositories to ONLY oss, non-oss, update and packman. No others. NONE!! If you find it essential to add another repository for a specific few apps (say nvidia or mozilla repos) then do it on an adhoc basis, add the repos, install the app, and then PROMPTLY remove the repos. In other words ONLY oss, non-oss, update and packman on a permanent basis.

Good. Now my having stated that, and your having implemented that, are you still getting all those options? Now when it comes to Packman, if you want to know what an app does, you go to the Packman web page and read what it says. Thats not difficult. Packman have a great search engine.

So in the case of xvid, go here:
PackMan :: home

Type in “xvid” in the quick search gives you this …
PackMan :: Search results

Click on the “xvid” link:
PackMan :: Package details for xvid

and it says:

Xvid is a high quality MPEG-4 ASP video codec. Xvid encoded MPEG-4 videos can be played back by other MPEG-4 implementations decoders such as DivX, FFmpeg MPEG-4 or standalone DVD players capable of MPEG-4 playback.

I think that is VERY clear.

I find this incredibly intuitive. Maybe because I have been doing this for many years. …

Now where is xvid in your list? Do you forget to type it? I find it hard to believe its not an option for you (or are your repos messed up ? ) .

I also use the Smart Package Manager for managing my software. Its not as fast as zypper in openSUSE-11.0, but its faster than zypper in 10.3, and smart does have some features that smart will list all uninstalled packages with a list (similar to the above) as to what the package does.

But there are many ways to do this.

One thing I do NOT do is use the one-click install. IMHO this is still for users who do now know what is going to happen to their system, but who are also more at risk when things go wrong. And Linux is not like Windows. When things go wrong with Windows, because Windows has a monopoly, you can ask your next door neighbour or all of your compatriots at work, or ask a relative. With Linux one typically does not have that luxury, and hence I think a higher level of knowledge is MUCH more useful with Linux.

#13

My repos have been corrected according to what you have said. I installed xvid. What do I do with it? I assume that a codec is just a series of programs that allow another program to decode files, in this case multimedia files like a DVD movie. I think Totem has been damaged somehow because when I start the program, it comes up and then immediately closes itself.

#14

You only need to install xvid. The applications that need it, will know where to look for it.

Reference totem, I never use it. I use smplayer, xine-ui and vlc for video.

But the standard Linux technique, when an app launched from a GUI desktop behaves like you described, is to open a gnome-terminal or a konsole, and type the apps’ executeable name.

ie. (I think) in the case of totem, open a konsole / gnome-terminal, and as a regular user, type:
totem

or alternatively, type:
totem myvideofile.avi #where in my example the file you are trying to play is called “myvideofile.avi”.

Now typically (not always, but typically) if the video player has a problem, and exits like you mention, it will provide an error statement on the gnome-terminal / konsole, and the precise wording of that can give a hint as to what the problem might be.

#15

If you are trying to play a movie that is on a video DVD, then you likely need libdvdcss2. That app is provided by videolan repository, an it is the ONLY videolan packaged application that I have installed. One also needs the program libdvdread (in addition to libdvdcss2) to play back commercial video dvds. I think libdvdread is provided by Packman (or possibly by Novell - I need to check).

Please note that commercial DVDs are typically encrypted. And hence a program like libdvdcss2 is needed to decrypt them. Again, the legality of the use of this depends on the country in which one resides.

Also, don’t forget that DVD players also tend to have region code restrictions, and if one is not using a region code free player, then one has to be careful as to what the region code is of the DVD that one is trying to play.

#16

here is the output of the failed totem:

jamesc@linux-dlym:~> totem

(totem:4693): GStreamer-CRITICAL **: gst_object_ref: assertion `object != NULL’ failed

(totem:4693): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_object_set: assertion `G_IS_OBJECT (object)’ failed

(totem:4693): GStreamer-CRITICAL **: gst_element_set_bus: assertion `GST_IS_ELEMENT (element)’ failed

(totem:4693): GStreamer-CRITICAL **: gst_element_set_state: assertion `GST_IS_ELEMENT (element)’ failed
jamesc@linux-dlym:~>

#17

libdvdcss is already installed. Cannot find libdvdcss2 when I do a search for that using my repos.

#18

I also have libdvdread3 installed.

#19

How would I know the region code/restrictions?

#20

Hi
Try this (watch out for line wrap);


wget
http://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/1.2.9/rpm/libdvdcss2-1.2.9-1.i386.rpm
sudo rpm -Uhv libdvdcss2-1.2.9-1.i386.rpm
sudo /sbin/SuSEconfig

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
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