How to install the MPEG-4 AAC decoder and the H.264 decoder?

Question

Where do I get the MPEG-4 AAC decoder, and the H.264 decoder.

How to install them and play the multimedia?

Answer 1

ubuntu-restricted-extras package allows users to install ability to play popular non-free media formats, including DVD, MP3, Quicktime, and Windows Media formats.

To install ubuntu-restricted-extras package:

1. Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.

2. Run this command:

   sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
   

3. Alternatively, you can install the package via Software Center by launching it via Dash and searching the package and clicking on Install.

   

Also, try installing libavcodec54 libav-tools and ffmpeg with this command:

sudo apt-get install libavcodec54 libav-tools ffmpeg

Answer 2

Support to decode MPEG-4 AAC is provided by gstreamer1.0-libav and to decode H.264 there is gstreamr0.10-ffmpeg:

$ sudo apt-get install gstreamer1.0-libav gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg

For more information have a look at the Ubuntu Documentation.

Answer 3

In the last Ubuntu ver 14.04 , 14.10 the best way for setup them is :

To install ubuntu-restricted-extras package:

Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mc3man/trusty-media
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg libavcodec-extra-53 libavcodec53

and N-joy

Answer 4

Unfortunately none of these options seem to work on Ubuntu 16.04. I get a python 3.5 message for searching MPEG-4 AAC in one of the videos I try to play. None of the above fixing the missing codec.

A fine workaround is to install VLC:

sudo apt-get install vlc

(or from software center)

Update: found a fix:

sudo apt-get install gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad

This made sound work for Totem (Video)

Update: Try going to 'Software & Updates' and enabling the checkbox for 'Software restricted by by copyright or legal issues'. Then allow Ubuntu to update after clicking the close button. You should now be able to run:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

You'll also have to accept the EULA's terms and conditions before continuing.

Answer 5

Beware of the audio-only gstreamer bug

Hearing only audio on H.264 playback with an otherwise black video screen was reported as gstreamer1.0 bug #1562875.

Luckily, this bug can easily be resolved by issuing the following command once:

$ rm -R ~/.cache/gstreamer-1.0

This will take effect after restarting the application.