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Question

Watch Amazon Instant Videos

Nov 7, 2013 7:18PM PST

with a Linux OS w/ FF v24 and Opera v 12.16 . I am an Amazon Prime member and trying to watch a movie on Amazon. All movies start playing but it freezes up after a few seconds and a popup say's the movie is unable to play because I need to install Adobe Flash player. I have Shockwave installed and it works fine on all other sites. I emailed Amazon customer support and they said the same thing, I need to install Adobe Flash player. It works fine on Windows 7 w/FF v24 w/ Shockwave. I also have hardware acceleration turned off but it made no difference. Where am I going wrong here?....Digger

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I won't be able to try this for a few weeks. But
Nov 7, 2013 8:45PM PST

But if I was to look into this I'd try Chrome next as Chrome is pre-compile with Flash builtin. I've had less trouble with Chrome in this area. Sorry but it's been a long time since I've tinkered with Opera.
Bob

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Already did
Nov 7, 2013 8:52PM PST

I installed Chromium and had the same results. All three instances, when I click "About" , it shows Adobe Flash Player v. ...., so I do have the player. Confused confused...Digger

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It looks like folk are discussing that.
Nov 7, 2013 9:03PM PST
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=Amazon+Instant+Videos+on+linux finds folk that seem to claim they fixed it.

THIS LINK IS DATED but gives me a headstart on what Amazon did.
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=133626

This link is more fodder about Amazon's change and how you are not getting the straight scoop/story from Amazon.
http://slashdot.org/story/13/04/23/1615219/the-dark-side-of-amazons-new-pilots

And this link notes to use PIPELIGHT.
http://thelinuxcauldron.com/2013/06/18/fix-this-amazon-instant-video/

Remember I can't check this out for a few weeks.
Bob
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Thank You Bob
Nov 7, 2013 9:06PM PST

I'll do the Grunt Work and let you know how it turns out....Digger

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Thank you for asking.
Nov 7, 2013 9:12PM PST

Your question helped me to look at this again since the usual didn't work. But that's not all.

One of my projects on the back burned is a little box called a "NEO-X5" which came with some outdated Android but there are claims there is a Linux for it. Eventually I want to get that on Linux and you bet I would want to try Amazon video on it.
Bob

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Mozilla
Nov 8, 2013 12:30AM PST

Have you tried Mozilla instead of Opera? I'll have to dig into my Linux but I am thinking there is/are patches available to resolve your issue, within Linux of course..

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as stated in my OP
Nov 8, 2013 5:08AM PST

I'm trying FF , Opera and now Chromium as well. I'm working on some of the fixes others have tried but so far no luck.....Digger

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Amazon's Reply to a scathing E-mail
Nov 8, 2013 11:52AM PST

I've reviewed our previous correspondence with you, and I'm very sorry about the incorrect information you received by one of my colleagues, Khan M.

I'll be sure to pass your comments along to the appropriate people on our Customer Service team.

From the content of your email, I understand your concern about the availability of Amazon Instant Video content on Linux, but at this time, this feature is not available. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience caused.

Due to some technical limitations currently we are unable to provide this feature but I hope you understand that this was never intentional from our end.

We're continually listening to our customers regarding this feedback. Rest assured our development team is already working on this option to be made available in near future.

Customer feedback like yours is very important in helping us continue to improve the experience of using our digital video service. I've forwarded your message to our Amazon Instant Video development team for consideration as we make future improvements.

Please continue to check back for additional information on our website.

Thanks for your patience and understanding in this regard. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Best regards,
Satiish T

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Answer
Patches
Nov 10, 2013 3:01AM PST

I finally got around to checking Linux/Amazon functionality, no problem, I'm able to play Amazon clips, Movies from Crackle, etc. using Mozilla. If you haven't already done this, make sure that you have Gstreamer and its' extras loaded, Gnome as well. Run either Movie Player or VLC player. As you know some of the patches need to be coded and loaded via the terminal, shades of Dos. If you are not familiar with doing this, there are tutorials and how to's available. Some of the tricks and patches are a little tricky and can be a learning experience. I have considerably less hair because of some of this.

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Oooooooops
Nov 10, 2013 4:01AM PST

The patches to which I alluded are Gstreamer related, forgot to throw that in....

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Thanks pgc3
Nov 10, 2013 4:59AM PST

I can play all of the clips and trailers no problem, movies on Crackle too, movies from anywhere . But not the movies on Amazon lol. I'm all over gstreamer....Digger

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Gstreamer
Nov 10, 2013 5:14AM PST

It takes a little figuring out but you can do it, just do a search, how to run vids using Gstreamer for Linux, you should be able to get it done. Best of luck!!!

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Well pgc3
Nov 12, 2013 6:50AM PST

as I said, I can run all of the clips, trailers I want from Amazon and full length movies from anywhere else with no problems. I suggest that you become an Amazon Prime user with Linux OS for a month for free and see how your theory pans out. Let us know how that works for you.....Digger

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Full trial
Nov 13, 2013 1:27AM PST

I'll give that a shot over the week end when I have some time to goof around, meanwhile, stay with the Gstreamer load etc. etc...I'll let you know what happens with the Amazon test.

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I've Gstreamer'ed
Nov 13, 2013 3:18AM PST

my a** off with a lot of different configs , tried Pipelight ,Hal's a part of the installation with distro, Thinkin' I'm a gonna take a break and send Amazon some more nasty e-mails, keep the proverbial burr under the saddle Devil .....Digger

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Gstreamer
Nov 13, 2013 3:23AM PST

Too bad my daughter left Amazon to go back and write for MS, think I'll give her a call anyway, she knows all of the writers since she was one, maybe I can find something out, will keep you posted.

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Answer
Man
Nov 23, 2013 2:45AM PST

Either everyone that say's they got this to work with Linux is full of BS or I just don't have enough pizzazz. I'm sure it's the latter but I've tried every fix I can find with no success. Angry ....Digger

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Linux Amazon, etc.
Nov 23, 2013 3:01AM PST

I've got some time later today and I will get back into it...I'll try the freebie trial you suggested...IF that works then I'll try to figure out what you might have missed. Normally I can run vids w/Linux and even burn CD'S and DVD'S, that takes a little bit of figuring out and has resulted in a little less hair and more gray as well **LOL**

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Cool
Nov 23, 2013 3:03AM PST

I Can do everything you say, just not watch Whole Movies as a Prime Member....Digger

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Getting to it
Nov 23, 2013 3:10AM PST

I'll get to it this afternoon and keep you posted...Worse case scenario is that I'll have a bit less hair, ah but I'm used to that. Yeah I'll do the freebie prime member thing and see what happens...

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Don't pull any more hair out
Nov 23, 2013 3:14AM PST

I've done enough for the whole male of the species Cry

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Now I'm Wondering
Nov 23, 2013 4:01AM PST

if there would be a difference if I tried it with the 64 bit version. I'm running the 32 bit (Debian SolydK) because it seems to run smoother on the old Dell 530S

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32/64 bit
Nov 23, 2013 5:17AM PST

That might be a possibility. In order for me to do the PRIME thing, I have to divulge (which I will not) personal credit card data to Amazon, I had a friend do this a while back with nearly disastrous results. What I did find out is that some are using the Linux Mint download, codecs, etc. The current one is called PETRA, it is, of course, a Beta set up and is a VERY long down load. There is another possibility, that is a flash error, if this is the case there is a video tutorial on a flash player fix that is related to Amazon prime, just punch in Watch Amazon Prime instant videos, look for the link for Fix flash errors, watch the short vid clip. You will have to input the codes, sudo...blah blah blah into the terminal, basically follow the instructions and I'd just about bet you will get it flying. Before I would get involved with the long Petra/Mint download I'd try the flash error fix, way easier. It may sound hokey but when I buy items from Amazon I truck down to a local store and buy a gift card and input to my online account, it is a little inconvenient but is much less intrusive and it works. Keep me posted on your trials, hopefully you don't lose a bunch of hair.

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there is no flash error
Nov 23, 2013 5:49AM PST

I've had that conversation with Amazon. That is a well documented area that Amazon has hoodwinked the Linux users with. I will look into PETRA

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I see
Nov 23, 2013 6:37AM PST

Petra is just another Mint version. No , I've had enough Ubuntu based distro's ....digger

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Mint/Petra
Nov 23, 2013 11:24PM PST

Yes Petra is the most current variation of Mint..I think the current one is Olivia, which runs out in January of 2013, Petra is good until July of 14.

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Answer
tried almost everything, 11-23-13
Nov 23, 2013 5:53PM PST

hi,

I use chrome and it doesn't work. I spoke with someone from customer service for 45 minutes and I gave up. My flash is up to date. He had me uninstall and reinstall restart my computer, clear my cache, tried on another browser and none of them work.

so, I can only surmise this is not suppose to happen or someone made it happen.

in the meantime what am I suppose to watch when I'm paying for prime instant?

it's been since 11/02, have you gotten it to work yet? or has this player been down for 3 weeks.

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Amazon
Nov 23, 2013 11:27PM PST

From what I have seen so far I believe the issue with Prime player/Linux has mainly to do with Amazon.

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I thought you understood that
Nov 24, 2013 12:11AM PST

it's all about Amazon . Has nothing to do with flash players, I have the most up to date . I see Netflix doesn't work with Linux either , lot's of PAYING folks squawking there too....Digger

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Answer
what about windows vista?
Nov 23, 2013 5:55PM PST

bezos made it stop working for windows vista. is there a fix for windows vista?