How to Play (Some) Blu-rays on Linux with VLCīlu-rays are a bit more complicated. That should ensure VLC is correctly using libdvdcss. If it doesn’t appear to work, try restarting your computer. If that doesn’t work, you may need to specify the device path of your DVD drive here. VLC should automatically find a DVD disc you’ve inserted and play it back. Click the “Media” menu in VLC, select “Open Disc,” and select the “DVD” option. Once installed, insert your DVD and launch VLC. (Alternatively, you can run sudo apt-get install vlc to install it from the command line.)
You can then install VLC from the Software Center if it isn’t installed already. You’ll find instructions and third-party repositories that should make the process easy. Follow the instructions that appear in the terminal to install libdvdcss: sudo apt-get install libdvd-pkgįor other Linux distributions, perform a web search for “install libdvdcss” and the name of your Linux distribution. On Ubuntu 15.10 and up, run the following command instead. On Ubuntu 12.04 to Ubuntu 15.04, you can install libdvdcss by opening a terminal window and running the following commands: sudo apt-get install libdvdread4 sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh
You can get DVDs for free if you’re willing to take just a few extra steps. NOTE: You can also buy a licensed copy of Fluendo DVD Player for $25 on Ubuntu’s Software Center, but most people won’t want to bother.
The Windows builds of VLC have libdvdcss built-in, so you just need to download, install, and start watching.
Windows 8 and 10 no longer include DVD playback functionality, and the standard advice is to download and install VLC. The status of this library is legally unclear– it’s potentially illegal under the DMCA in the USA–so Linux distributions don’t generally include it in their software repositories.īut this is actually the same method many Windows users use. This library effectively breaks the CSS encryption on DVDs, allowing you to watch them. It automates the process of downloading source files, compiling them, and installing the binary packages.The free VLC media player can play DVDs on Linux, but it requires a special library known as libdvdcss. This package provides libraries (including libdvdcss2) that are needed for playing video DVDs with a media player (such as VLC, SMplayer, Totem, etc.). Sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg # to allow DVD playback Open the terminal and type: sudo apt install libdvd-pkg libdvdnav4 libdvdread4 In Ubuntu 16.04-19.10 DVD-Video playing library - installer ( libdvd-pkg) can be quickly and easily installed from the default Ubuntu repositories. Open the terminal and type: sudo apt install libdvd-pkg libdvdnav4 libdvdread7 In Ubuntu 20.04 DVD-Video playing library - installer ( libdvd-pkg) can be quickly and easily installed from the default Ubuntu repositories. Open the terminal and type: sudo apt install libdvd-pkg libdvdnav4 libdvdread8 In Ubuntu 20.10 DVD-Video playing library - installer ( libdvd-pkg) can be quickly and easily installed from the default Ubuntu repositories. If after doing all this, you still get messages about not being able to play DVDs, check that the DVD drive has a region set (see below). Then open a terminal window and execute: sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.shĪfter this, VLC will automatically use it. Install the libdvdread4 package ( no need to add third party repositories) via Synaptic or command line: sudo apt-get install libdvdread4 The latest LTS, 10.04, and the radically different 11.04 also work this way. Works for old releases that are no longer supported if you have repositories on Cd/Dvd or somewhere. Legal Warning: Check with your local laws to make sure usage of libdvdcss2 would be legal in your area. Unless those devices are too old, of course Then you have to buy new ones.įrom : Installing libdvdcss You also aren't allowed to enjoy them in just any manner you please you may only watch them on certain devices with pre-installed decryption keys. I believe playback will work in any region.Ĭommercial DVDs are copy protected to ensure that you aren't able to backup your legally acquired movies, but instead have to buy new ones if they break. It's useful to have both installed, because sometimes one will have a playback quirk that the other will not. Ubuntu 12.04 to 15.04 sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.shĪccording to the Ubuntu Wiki, Kaffeine, MPlayer, xine, Totem-xine, VLC, and Ogle will play DVDs with libdvdread and libdvdcss installed.
Then follow the instructions to let it download and compile. Ubuntu 15.10 to 19.10 sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg Note: You may have to enable multiverse to install this package. Install libdvdread4: sudo apt install libdvd-pkg