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====== Ubuntu - Video - Install h.264 decoder ======

H.264 (High Profile) decoder is required to play the file, but is not installed.

{{:ubuntu:video:ubuntu_-_h.264_encoder_-_not_found.png?600|}}

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===== Install all multimedia codecs =====

Ubuntu provides a meta-package named **ubuntu-restricted-extras** that consists of most of the common audio and video codecs along with some other packages like the Microsoft fonts.

  * Install this package and this should resolve most media codecs issues.

<code bash>
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  Since this meta-package contains software from Microsoft, you will have to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA).

  * With the multimedia codecs installed, most media files should be able to be played (almost).
    * This includes, mp4 and mkv video files; as well as mp3 music files.

</WRAP>

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===== Install the Bad gstreamer plugin =====

<code bash>
sudo apt install gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  Once this package is installed, open the video file again and see if it works now.

There is the option to click on the **Find in Ubuntu Software** button, but suggested not to.

  * Clicking on that option opens the Software Center and it may (or may not) show some packages that will install the h264 decoder on your system.
  * But it is not easy knowing which package to select in this case.

</WRAP>


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====== Install more decoders ======

There may be other video files that also require some other decoder.

<code bash>
sudo apt install libavcodec-extra gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly gstreamer1.0-libav
</code>

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====== Optionally, install a better video player (recommended) ======

Install vlc or mpv.

<code bash>
sudo apt install vlc

or

sudo apt install mpv
</code>

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