VLC media player for Ubuntu – Best Open Source Video Player for Linux

Installing VLC Media Player on Ubuntu: A Simple Guide

VLC media player is a popular choice for Ubuntu users due to its versatility, wide format support, and ease of use. Here’s a quick and straightforward guide on installing VLC on your Ubuntu system:

Using the Ubuntu Software Center (Recommended):

  1. Open the Ubuntu Software Center: Click on the “Activities” icon (usually a grid of squares) in the top left corner of your screen. Then, type “Software” in the search bar and click on “Software Center” when it appears.

  2. Search for VLC: In the search bar within the Software Center, type “VLC media player” or simply “VLC.”

  3. Install VLC: Once you see VLC in the search results, click on it. You’ll see the application details and a button labeled “Install.” Click on “Install” to begin the installation process.

  4. Authentication (if required): If prompted, enter your Ubuntu user password to authorize the installation.

  5. Wait for Completion: The Software Center will download and install VLC. You’ll see a progress bar indicating the installation status.

Using the Terminal (For Advanced Users):

  1. Open the Terminal: Press “Ctrl + Alt + T” on your keyboard to launch the terminal application.

  2. Update Package Lists: It’s recommended to update the package lists before installing software. In the terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:

Bash
sudo apt update
  1. Install VLC: Once the update is complete, type the following command in the terminal and press Enter:
Bash
sudo apt install vlc
  1. Authentication: You’ll be prompted to enter your Ubuntu user password. Type your password and press Enter. The terminal will display information about the downloaded packages during installation.

Verifying the Installation:

After installation (using either method), you can verify it by following these steps:

  1. Open the Applications Menu: Click on the “Activities” icon again.

  2. Search for VLC: Type “VLC” in the search bar of the Applications menu.

  3. Launch VLC: If VLC is installed correctly, you should see the VLC media player icon appear in the search results. Click on the icon to launch VLC.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed VLC media player on your Ubuntu system. Now, you can enjoy playing various video and audio formats with ease.

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