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musicMPEG codecs on Ubuntu (Jaunty Jackalope) doesn’t come with full fledged support. For instance if you want to play an mp3 file post Ubuntu installation, you can’t. The reason is because the mp3 and other similar formats are not free and they are automatically supported on Windows because Microsoft has paid the royalty. However, since Ubuntu is open source it’s cannot offer default proprietary support for mp3 and mpeg codecs with it’s default player.

Let’s see how we can install the supported codecs. Of course you are installing them at your own risk as if you want to use them without risk you’ll have to pay some money.

1. Post Ubuntu installation, just double click an mp3 file. You’ll be prompted with a window similar to the one below suggesting that the plugin is not found:

codecnotfound

2. Click on Search and you’ll see another window showing you the packages available.

codecinstall

3. Click install. You’ll be prompted with a window saying that you are about to install restricted software. Click confirm if you want to install them.

codecconfirm

Depending on your internet connection speed, the mpeg/mp3 codecs/plugins will be installed. Enjoy playing music and watching movies on your Ubuntu (Jaunty) machine.