I like to use Totem with the xine engine because of it’s simple interface, and I have experienced it is easier to configure totem with xine then with the default gstreamer. To get the full use of your video watching fallow the directions at Debian Multimedia, then type at terminal:

sudo apt-get install totem-xine w64codecs

Replace w64codecs with w32codecs if you are running a 32 bit system. This package allows you to play a multitude of Video formats.