Rhtyhmbox gstream: Rhythmbox requires to install plugins to play media files of the following type: Windows Media Audio 9 decoder

[Kevin L. Thomas]

Rhythmbox has been handling all of my sound files with ease for the past year. So well that I had placed all 8,400 sound files there. But, literally overnight, it has ceased to play anything from file that had been transferred. Since a majority of these files were rescued from Windows, it seems to be those files that are now not being read. The error message is pretty direct as well as it states: "Rhythmbox requires to install plugins to play media files of the following type: Windows Media Audio 9 decoder" It displays Audio 8 decoder message as well. I am not sure how I lost this functionality, but it is significantly hampering my musical interests. As a music teacher, I use these files daily to help implement the instruction of my students.

I love what Rhythmbox has been able to do for me over the past several years, and really hate to think that I have just lost the vast majority of my music library.

I made the switch from both Apple and Windows to Linux for many reasons, but mostly due to constant harassment of commercialization. Even to the point of itunes wanting to sell me a song that I had recorded myself.

So, my question is, How did I loose functionality overnight without changing my programs?

This may be a security issue due to the fact that in some ways it has stolen from me the ability to continue being productive. Not to mention the lost man-hours physically storing these albums into the program.

Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus

I did try really hard to look up gstream updates, or any other plugins available through software center. I just hope I can find the solution soon.

Thank You!