Ubuntu Streaming Video

Hey all,

I am brand new to Linux. Never used it before but i am not an idiot when it comes to computers. I work on windows computers installing POS systems for a living. I have a Dell Latitude D510 and have managed to fix the apparent wireless card bug that was left out of the drivers. I have played some but the issue I am having streaming video. I have spent hours looking at forums trying to figure out my problem I can steam videos from YouTube and flash seems to work just fine. But i cannot stream videos from MSNBC and other websites. I found several forums speaking about Mplayer say that would fix the problem and i have tried that as well. I think its installed correctly. Would anyone have any idea? I tested the flash just by searching for flash videos and playing several websites so i know flash works. On MSNBC I tend to get a black screen or I get a black screen with what looks like a play isignia in the center but nothing ever happens. I even tried going to redtube.com cause someone told me that always plays videos,