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A Proposal for Dealing with Restricted Codecs and DVD Playback
Restricted codecs to play formats such as MP3 as well as the issue of playing back encrypted DVDs is a continual problem for Linux users. Basically, in some areas they may be illegal and in others they may not. Unfortunately, without these codecs, many standard functions do not work. At this point there are three options: install the ones that may or may not be legal, buy $90 worth of software from Canonical, or buy a Dell that comes with DVD and MP3 playback. Sadly, for most of us, none of those are great options, unless you happen to be looking for a new computer.
Right now, the best option for those not looking for a new computer, but that need restricted codecs and DVD playback, is to purchase them from Canonical (if you run Ubuntu.) There is a problem, though: the price tag – $90??? To put that in perspective, that’s roughly the price of an OEM copy of Windows from Newegg. I realize that Canonical may have little control over the price, but $90 is a tough price to sell at.
The second problem is that it looks like you have to buy additional software just to look at standard media. Despite the reality that free + $90 < $200+, it still looks strange (“but it’s built in to Windows…”). I believe it would be easier to explain to new users if there was a “premium” version of Ubuntu. This version would be exactly the same except that it would include the restricted extras and it would cost some money. I realize that the proposal to create any sort of commercial version of Ubuntu will be very controversial. The only reason to do this is to make it seem more normal to a new users. For an existing user, this makes no difference. It is just a way to get the codecs pre-installed. Nothing more. There would be no premium content, artwork, software, or anything. Just codecs.
I believe this would simplify the entire codecs and DVD playback issus for new users without changing anything for existing users.
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Gaming seems to be the big let down for some and codecs for others. As a Linux newbie – and a deliriously happy one at that! – I look forward to this thread developing. Thanks.
lindvd?
“The only reason to do this is to make it seem more normal to a new users. For an existing user, this makes no difference.”
Sounds like it’ll then be just a waste of time, effort, and resources, and nothing more.
“I bought and OS, but it doesn’t come with any commercial support…”
I was going to buy that codec pack, too, last year, but the price was a deal breaker. I had the same sticker shock. $9, yes. $90? Please.
The current solution works well enough in my opinion.
Although they could improve the popup you get when trying to play back unsupported media to something like:
“Due to licensing it is not possible to distribute Ubuntu with these codecs preinstalled. For full multimedia support, using the Add/Remove… option in the Applications menu select ‘Show: All available applications’ then Search and install all GStreamer codecs.”
manny – That is actually what, as I understand it, Canonical is selling. Unfortunately, buying it through Canonical or buying a Dell are just about the only ways to get it, since they don’t sell it directly.
Vadim P. – Is writing documentation also a waste of time, effort, and resource, then? Doing something that helps newbies transition to Linux is not a waste of time, just because it doesn’t effect existing Linux users.