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user283272
Asked: 2020-03-28 07:25:52 +0800 CST

18.04: Playing DVD movie fails with error "missing dvd ac-3 (atsc a/52) decoder"

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I just installed Ubuntu 18.04. When I try to play a movie DVD I get an error message that I need to install the dvd ac-3 (atsc a/52) decoder. I can't find this software and instructions on how to install it. I can play movies on the internet, hard drive, and flash drive but not the DVD player. Any help would be appreciated.

dvd ac3

2 Answers

  1. The video you’re trying to watch is using copyright protection technology and Ubuntu is not designed to play those videos unless you enable AC3, a Dolby Digital audio format for DVDs.

    Run these commands to add AC3 capability for apps other than VLC (VLC already has it):

    sudo apt update
sudo apt install libdvdnav4 libdvdread4 gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly libdvd-pkg
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
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  2. The VLC player is use full to play DVD

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