audio and video plugins

[Thomas Blasejewicz]

Good morning from Japan

> Akhona Moses wrote:
>   
>> I need how do download audio and video plugins for my Ubuntu version
>> 9.04,,, everytime I try to play mp3 and video files it tells me that
>>  I need to install such plugins,,,, Please help
>>     
>
> I suppose, this is what you are looking for:
> <https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats>
> <https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu>
>
> BTW: It is recommended to use a descriptive subject for your inquiry.
>
>
> Nils
>
>   
THIS was something I wanted to know for quite a while now. Thank you.
The page about the "restricted formats" clears up a few questions .... BUT
does not help.

There is a link, saying that if you want to install the required 
packages that will enable the user to play various audio formats
.. "click here" ..
OK. I clicked. The computer did something for a while and then told me 
installation is finished.
Yet, the radio (in my case I am interested in playing internet radio 
stations and always get these messages telling me I need some plugins) 
still does not play.
Below the
.. "click here" ..
line is a hint at a command to achieve the same goal. One of those 
million character long "sudo"  things.
I executed that command too.
Again the computer was working for a while, then told me there are not 
updates (everything is already in).
But ... the radio does not work.

What am I missing?
Is there anywhere a documentation / instruction that explains how this 
should work?
(as far as I can tell, there are no explanations on the above page 
except for "click here" or "execute ...")

I learned about internet radio quite recently. For my work machine 
(windows xp) I found a tiny, cute piece of freeware 
(www.screamer-radio.com, in case anybody is interested; Rhythmbox comes 
with 25 stations, only half of which can actually be played; if you want 
to add a new one, you have to find out the EXACT URL and enter that 
manually - only to get that funny error message about plugins; as far as 
I could figure out, there is no "scanning" for stations or a list of 
genres to select from ...)
that comes with about 3-400 preinstalled stations. You just pick one and 
play it. THAT is what I expect from a radio: turn it on, select station, 
play. That is also the way all radios on the planet work.
Why then must Linux make this so difficult?


If there actually IS a way of selecting stations from among the millions 
that must be broadcasting and ***JUST!!*** play it -- I would really 
love to know.