Play RMVB in ubuntu

http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/27/how-to-play-rmvb-files-in-ubuntu/

This tutorial will take you step by step through installing all of the software necessary to play rmvb (RealMedia Variable Bitrate) files in Ubuntu Linux.

Though the steps and screenshots are specific to Ubuntu, they will likely be similar for other versions of Linux. With that said, be sure to read the MPlayer README file if you’re not using Ubuntu. Similar to some of the other tutorials on Simplehelp, this is almost certainly not the only way to play .rmvb files in Ubuntu, but it’s the easiest way I could find. If you know of a easier method, by all means please feel free to leave a comment.

1. The first step in playing .rmvb files in Ubuntu is to use the Synaptic Package Manager to install MPlayer. When you mark MPlayer for installation, you’ll be prompted to install additional software packages (if they’re not already installed).

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
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2. After MPlayer has been installed, exit out of the Synaptic Package Manager and visit the MPlayer binary codec download page. Download the codec package for your platform (for example, if you’re using a 32bit Intel or AMD processor, download the Linux x86 package).

Save the file to your desktop (or home folder). Once the download has completed, double-click that file. Select the folder to uncompress, and click the Extract button.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
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3. Choose a location to extract the files (your desktop is ideal) and again click Extract.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
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4. Make sure the files extracted correctly. They’ll be in a folder titled essential-date.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
5. Open up a Terminal by selecting Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
6. Enter the following commands (and your password when prompted):

cd Desktop
cd essential-date
sudo mkdir /usr/lib/codecs
sudo cp * /usr/lib/codecs

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
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7. NOTE: you may need to install libstdc++5 to get .rmvb files to play. Even though it might not be necessary for you, it can’t hurt to install (the package isn’t very big). Run the command: sudo apt-get install libstdc++5 in a Terminal, or use Synaptic and search for libstdc++5. Thanks to everyone who commented (see comments below) for the tip.
8. Launch MPLayer by selecting Applications -> Sound & Video -> MPlayer Movie Player. Right-click in the Mplayer - Video window and select Preferences from the menu.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
9. Select the Video tab and change the Available drivers: to x11 X11 (XImage/Shm).

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
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10. Select the Codecs & demuxer tab and change the Video codec family: to RealVideo decoder and the Audio codec family: to FFmpeg/libavcodec audio decoders. When you’re done, click OK and close down MPlayer.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
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11. Locate one of your .rmvb files, right-click it and select Properties.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
12. Select the Open With tab and change whatever the default is to MPlayer Movie Player. Click Close.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux
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13. Double-click any of your .rmvb files and they should open up in MPlayer and start playing.

play rmvb files in ubuntu linux