Ubuntu strives to make all of the most important software available to its users automatically. However patent and copyright restrictions complicate distribution of software to support non-free formats.
However, you can install the ability to play popular non-free media formats, including DVD, MP3, Quicktime, and Windows Media formats, by following the instructions below.
Manual Install
Open a Terminal Window and then:
If you are using regular, stock Ubuntu:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
If you are using Kubuntu:
sudo apt-get install kubuntu-restricted-extras
If you are using Xubuntu:
sudo apt-get install xubuntu-restricted-extras
If you are using Lubuntu:
sudo apt-get install lubuntu-restricted-extras
Addlibdvdccs
In addition, in order to play DVDs, you need to install libdvdcss by entering the following in a terminal:
sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh