This tutorial explains how to install the VLC player in GUI interface from the Ubuntu Software Center and in the CLI interface from the apt-get utility.
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player. It can play most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. There are two ways to install the VLC player in Ubuntu Linux; through the Ubuntu Software center and through the apt-get command line utility. Let's understand both methods in detail.
Installing VLC Player through the Ubuntu Software Center
Connect system with the Internet and click Ubuntu Software Center from the left menu bar.
In the search box of the Software center, search the keyword "vlc". Since VLC is an open source project, you may see multiple results.
To select the correct VLC player, read the description of result or open the detailed description screen by clicking it.
On detailed description screen, you can use the details section to identify the official repository.
To install the VLC from the official repository, click the Install button.
To authenticate the installation, type your password and click the Authenticate button.
Upon successful authentication, the installation process starts. Since the installation process downloads the installation files from the Internet, depending on the Internet speed, it may take some time.
Once installation is done, the Install button on the detailed description screen changes to the Launch and Remove buttons. The Launch button allows us to start the VLC directly from the detailed description screen while the Remove button allows us to uninstall the VLC player.
If you see the Install button on the detailed description screen of any application, it indicates that application is not installed. You can install that application by clicking the Install button. Instead of the Install button, if you see the Launch and Remove buttons on the detailed description screen of any application, it means that application is already installed. You can verify the installation by clicking the Launch button or if require, you can also uninstall that application by clicking the Remove button.
Installing VLC from the apt-get command line utility
Due to any reason if you do not want to install the VLC from the Ubuntu Software Center, you can install it from the command line. To install it from the command line, open a terminal.
To open the terminal, press Alt+Ctrl+T keys or right click on the empty area of workspace and from the right click context menu click Open Terminal.
In terminal, run the following command.
$sudo apt-get update
This command synchronizes local database with remote repositories. This command is used to ensure that always the latest version of application is installed.
Once the database is updated, run the following command to install the VLC.
$sudo apt-get install vlc
This command downloads the latest version of VLC player. Once downloading is finished, it calculates the necessary disk space in installation. It prints the calculated disk space and takes permission to continue the installation process. To continue the installation process, type y and press the enter key.
Once installation is finished, you can start the VLC from command line to verify the installation.
$vlc
Starting VLC player
No matter how you install the VLC player, you can start it from the Dash (Application launcher). To start it, click the Dash button and in the search box of the opened window search the keyword "vlc". From the result, click the VLC player.
On first run, VLC displays the Network and Access policy. Keep default selection and click the Continue button.
This brings the main screen of VLC player.
Removing VLC player from GUI
To remove VLC from GUI, open the Ubuntu Software center. In search box, search the keyword "vlc". From the result, click the installed vlc player. This brings the detailed description screen.
Click the Remove button to uninstall the VLC.
To authenticate the uninstallation, type your password and click the "Authenticate" button.
Upon successful authentication, VLC will be removed in few seconds.
Removing VLC from command line
To remove VLC from the command, open a terminal. In terminal, run the following command.
$sudo apt-get remove vlc
When it prompts, type y and press enter key to confirm the uninstallation.
That's all for this tutorial. If you like this tutorial, please don't forget to share it with friends through your favorite social site.