[Deaf-lug] Playback of web videos in Ubuntu Heron/Firefox

[JGJones]

Well the codecs themselves aren't open sourced - they are patented and
demand an licencing fee etc - for example Microsoft isn't going to let
anyone be able to use WMV codecs without paying them first.

I did purchase the complete set myself although for a long time prior to
this, I used w32codecs (I still do - GStreamer can use w32codecs or
other plugins as required).

Linux is open source - it doesn't mean it's free - GPL does allow me to
sell you an Ubuntu CD for example ;-) It just mean anyone is allowed to
access source code, make changes, fork it etc, make it better etc as
long as their code is also in GPL.

That's why when I make music/sound files - I use Ogg vorbis format, or
for video I use Ogg Theora (even though H.264 is superior at same
bitrate) but the ogg codecs are free for anyone to use (it's patented
too, but owned by some open source firms who want anyone to use it for
whatever they like)


On Fri, 2008-05-02 at 15:21 +0000, Paul Johnston wrote:
> Thanks Joe.
> 
> Re Fluendo - did you buy the complete set?  Seems to defeat the purpose that Linux is free. :-(
> 
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: JGJones <mailinglist at gwallgofi.com>
> To: deaf-lug at mailman.lug.org.uk
> Sent: Friday, 2 May, 2008 3:25:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [Deaf-lug] Playback of web videos in Ubuntu Heron/Firefox
> 
> OK there are a few options you can do here...
> 
> RealPlayer:
> 
> You can get RealPlayer for Linux -
> http://uk.real.com/download/player/linux/en_eu/
> 
> You can install it from command line - ask if you're unsure how to start
> this - if you use the sudo command, then it would install for everyone,
> and if you don't, then it goes into your /home and only you could run
> it. Not an issue if you're a single user.
> 
> Cons: BBC are phasing out RealPlayer, they're replacing most of their
> content with iPlayer videos instead. Nowhere else use Real. Not worth
> it.
> 
> So you're better off going with Windows Media.
> 
> Obviously by default and due to licencing and legal crap, you can't play
> WMV's by default. However you can get codecs for nearly all video
> formats:
> 
> http://www.medibuntu.org/ - "Medibuntu (Multimedia, Entertainment &
> Distractions In Ubuntu) is a repository of packages that cannot be
> included into the Ubuntu distribution for legal reasons (copyright,
> license, patent, etc)."
> 
> It includes GoogleEarth and Skype for example too.
> 
> What you want to install from the above is quite a lot :)
> 
> w32codecs (if you're running 32bits or w64codecs if 64bits)
> ffmpeg
> mplayer
> 
> there's some others but can't remember.
> 
> Myself I have purchased legally licenced codecs by a 3rd party that
> write plugins for GStreamer which cover MPEG2, WMV, WMA etc etc and is
> fully supported - it's made by Fluendo and their webshop is here:
> 
> https://shop.fluendo.com/
> 
> No problem playing WMV videos except for DRM-restricted crap.
> 
> There should be an plugin that play WMV files already included in
> Firefox, so select WMV, but the above is to ensure you have the codecs.
> 
> On Fri, 2008-05-02 at 13:24 +0000, Paul Johnston wrote:
> > Hi again, 
> > 
> > Last night I attempted to watch a live video (BBC snooker) under this setup.  First time I done this, which meant I got prompted by Firefox to select the player type.  Either Real Player or, surprise surprise, Windows Media Player!! Which I thought hilarious, esp when the Real Player option is greyed out so could not be selected!!
> > 
> > So what should I do here?!!
> > 
> > Paull
> > 
> > 
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