https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

got it working by installing all new gstreamer apps. next problem, i must delete
history. think i have the answer, but must wait 10 hr till spin rite finishes.

Can't read DVD as in any DVD or as in movies on DVD. They are different
problems. If it is any DVD then I would try to find out if it reoccurs after a
reboot. If so, then it is probably a setting in fstab that is fouling things.
If it clears up then it is nothing to worry about. If it is movies that are not
playing then install VLC and it will play movies.

ok now,will work on deleting history later. have vlc on, but not sure how to
access movies (dvd) yet.

File
Open Disk

couldn't be simpler.

VLC media player from videolan.org plays practically anything. It
should be part of anyone's OS, Linux or Windows.

File | Open Disc|
You may have to change the device where it says 'Device name' if you have more
than one drive. VLC also plays music and flash, just about anything to do with
multimedia.