Ubuntu – VLC won’t run DVDs

dvdvlc

Just updated to the newest version of Ubuntu and now VLC player won't read DVDs and displays the following message every time I try to play a DVD:

Playback failure:
DVDRead could not open the disc "/dev/dvd".
Your input can't be opened:
VLC is unable to open the MRL 'dvd:///dev/dvd'. Check the log for details.

What actions do I need to take?

Best Answer

These steps worked for me on a fresh install of Ubuntu 13.10:

Read through the steps fully before you start.

  1. Make sure your entire os system is up to date with ubuntu software updater.

  2. Install vlc:

    sudo apt-get install vlc

  3. Route around "broke on purpose" system damage to the internet by trolls.

    sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2 libdvdnav4 libdvdread4
sudo apt-get install libavformat-extra-53 libavcodec-extra-53 libdvdread4
sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

  4. Restart the computer.

  5. Run VLC.

  6. Right click the screen "Open Media" -> "Open Disc".

  7. Select the DVD radio bubble. To ensure you have the right path to your DVD you may have to reset it. Click "Browse" to the left of 'Disc Device' field. In the chooser window double click "DVD" on the left pane.

  8. Press Play.

  9. The DVD menu comes up and I can click on the screen to navigate the menus and play the DVD.

Remember... A lot of really smart people are working VERY hard day and night to make what I've listed above inoperable or impossible. Trillions of dollars weigh in that balance. The game is afoot, make your time.

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