WatchingDVD

Is watching DVD free or unfree...? I installed the libdvd***, but its doesn't play the DVD... message comes - codecs failed?

The used codecs are most likely restricted.

Upon searching for an answer on Google I stumbled upon an Ubuntu forum thread which suggested to install restricted codecs to fix an issue like this one.

DVD movies are encrypted with a system called CSS (Content Scrambling System) by Macrovision.

Previously to decrypt them legally you needed to pay royalties to Macrovision.

Then an european hacker crew and especially this guy who will be later called DVD John: http://www.nanocrew.net/ , wrote a software to decrypt DVD called DeCSS and release it as free software.

Since it is free software, using deCSS to watch DVD doesn't affect your freedom.

Be aware that in some countries like USA, using DeCSS is a crime.

To watch DVD in gNewSense there is a script that will download DeCSS and install it for you:

Run this command:

$ sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh

Reboot and then you will be able to watch DVD with Totem (Gstreamer) but I prefer Totem-xine.

Interesting, great contribution arc.

I am trying it.

Thanks, the DVD is playing now, but sound only?!? My screen is black an after few second crashed my system?

I wrote a quick guide a while back, but it didn't work too well: http://wiki.gnewsense.org/Main/WikiSandbox#toc19

Totem-xine is much better for playing DVDs. Totem-gstreamer seems to have issues with DVD menus.

I confirm what Davo just said. Totem-gstreamer can't read DVD menu well. Please use Totem-xine instead or VLC.

But the script from the wiki doesnt works?

Strange, it worked for me.