Codecs and DVD playback on Ubuntu 8.04 for all users
For the first time we are making codecs for media playback and a DVD player, from our partners at Fluendo and Cyberlink, available through the Ubuntu store. We have had relationships with these companies for a while and to date we have offered their products to our hardware partners as pre-install options.
Now though, we are making them available to all users. It is important to us that no matter how you choose to access Ubuntu, pre-installed or as a free download, that you can have a similarly rich experience. The vast majority of our current users will have installed Ubuntu themselves. These users should also be allowed legal DVD and media playback and so we have built a way of letting them do this.
We cannot ship codecs through the distro, as they are not free to redistribute. So we have built a restricted download area that is accessible through the store. Once purchased you can find your software here which will then install in the familiar hassle-free way that Ubuntu users appreciate. A pretty cool feature is that, should you wipe out your machine you can go back to the restricted download area and access your codecs again. Enjoy
Gerry Carr – Marketing Manager, Canonical
September 16th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
This is great! I have been looking forward to this. I also would LOVE to see the following from Canonical.
1. A bundled version. Including all dvd and codecs together that I can pay for upfront, download and install with the codecs etc included.
2. More of a CNR or Apple iPhone like App Store built into Ubuntu
3. Better tech support options. Maybe like $50 a year for a limited email support for users recurring. This is something I liked from the Linspire days. They had a site you could sign into, when you went to put in a ticket a lot of times the answer was in their support database. if not then the user could enter a ticket and get an answer back in a set amount of time (Like 24 to 48 hours)
September 20th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Canonical Provides A Solution to A Frequent Misconception…
For a number of reasons, Linux is significantly different from other operating systems. One of the ways in which it differs is that it is free. This makes including licensed media codecs very difficult, leading to reviewer complaints such as this one w…
September 20th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Reproducir dvd en linux puede ser ilegal (EN)…
La reproducción de DVD en Ubuntu Linux requiere codecs propietarios. Esto deja a los usuarios 3 opciones: • comprar los codecs y estar dentro de la legalidad • descargar e instalar codecs ilegales • esperar a que los fabricantes comprendan que p…
September 20th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
If someone has previously purchased the Fluendo bundle from Fluendo for a previous Linux distribution (no longer installed), will it be possible to gain access to the Ubuntu-specific version (assuming a special packaging different from Fluendo’s default packaging) by presenting a receipt from Fluendo?
September 21st, 2008 at 1:28 am
Can you clarify if the codec issue is related to software patents?
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:51 am
Does this “legal” DVD codec force region locking?
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
No-one mentioned it, so I thought to ask: Will there be 64-bit codecs?
September 25th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
first off – apologies and to all, moderation caught your mails and it has taken me a while to notice.
chokey – We will make 64 bit codes available very shortly. I will update the post when we do.
lowen – no it won’t. you will have to buy a new version I think, there is no agreement for backporting or for other linux distros
zoobab – you will have to be more specfic. Related in what way to s/w patents?
September 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
So I have to purchase another ‘license’ even though I possess one already, and I used it under a previous Ubuntu? Just to get the easier packaging? Or is the packaging as .debs?