Can't play DVDs through either VLC, Videos, or Kaffeine

Question

Running this through an external DVD drive. Videos app says DVD source is required to play the file, but is not installed. Hitting play in VLC activates the disc (you can hear it start up in the drive) but nothing happens. I've installed Ubuntu Restricted Extras and libdvdread4 and libdvdcss.

I know varieties of this question have been asked before, but none of the answers I've tracked down are solving the issue.

Solution

When it comes to playing DVDs in Ubuntu, the libdvd applications needed to play DVDs are not installed by default. To install them run the following:

From a terminal window:

First, enable the Universe/Multiverse repositories:

sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo apt update

Then install the missing applications:

sudo apt install libdvdcss2 libdvdread4 libdvdnav4 ubuntu-restricted-extras

You may have to install the libdvd-pkg instead:

sudo apt install libdvd-pkg

Hope this helps!

Comments

[user227495]

I hope you have the drivers installed properly

[Cruiser13]

Well, gee, I do too, but do you have any actual suggestions?

[Terrance]

Have you installed libdvdnav4 as well? Also, what version of Ubuntu are you using?

[Cruiser13]

Yes, libdvdnav4 did it. Thanks!

[Terrance]

I'll write that up as a quick answer.

[cipricus]

ubuntu-restricted-extras was necessary in my case

[Lexible]

This did not permit me to watch a DVD on VLC 3.0.4 in Ubuntu 18.10.

[Terrance]

@Lexible I believe that for 18.10 it is just the package of libdvd-pkg to be installed for DVDs.

[Lexible]

@Terrance Nope.

[Terrance]

@Lexible Hmm, don't know what else to tell you. I just did a clean install of 18.10 here and installed the libdvd-pkg and everything worked fine. I was able to play DVDs in VLC 3.0.4.