Hacks, Linux

How to play Amazon Instant Videos on Ubuntu/Kubuntu Raring Ringtail 13.04 with Firefox

We’re all aware that there are issues with Flash and playing streaming videos on Linux. You can’t play AIV on Chrome; you’ll get that annoying “If you’re using the Chrome browser with Linux, you must disable PPAPI to continue using Amazon Instant Video. You can also use a different Web browser, like Firefox. Learn more” message. Just use FF for now to play AIV. At least you’re not using Wine. So, let’s solve your real problem.

Having trouble playing Amazon Instant Videos on Firefox? Have you seen this message?

“Sorry we were unable to stream this video. This is likely because your Flash Player needs to be updated.”

Here’s how to handle this.

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer

sudo apt-get install hal -y

sudo mkdir /etc/hal/fdi/preprobe

sudo mkdir /etc/hal/fdi/
information

/usr/sbin/hald --daemon=yes --verbose=yes

rm -rf ~/.adobe

Now, go restart Firefox, and you should be good.

With thanks to:

http://www.liberiangeek.net/2013/03/install-adobe-flash-player-in-ubuntu-12-10-13-04-raring-ringtail/

and

http://askubuntu.com/questions/286297/is-there-a-work-around-to-get-protected-hulu-or-amazon-prime-instant-videos-work

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10 thoughts on “How to play Amazon Instant Videos on Ubuntu/Kubuntu Raring Ringtail 13.04 with Firefox

  1. I tried what you suggested but I'm still getting 'flash player needs tp be updated"
    I've installed and removed flash several times – maybe something got messed up there?
    ,Amazon works fine on my older computer with ubuntu 12.04 – I'm trying to get it to work with newer netbook running raging ringtail
    any help will be appreciated.

  2. Thanks for putting together the instructions. Much appreciated. It did the trick, but only after I turned off the Firefox plugin "HTTPS Everywhere." Don't know what that had to do with it, but turning it off made the videos work. Anyhow, thanks. Never met a cowgirl (or a cowboy) I didn't admire. I'm old and I can't move, but I can look out the windows and see the mustangs. And that's a beautiful thing.

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