Ubuntu and debian are the same to install, they use the same installer.
Except once debian is installed, you're good. Just begin installing your programs. They even have ubuntu's GUI installer ported in case someoe does not want to use a terminal.
With ubuntu, you have to go find all your codecs and install them through a terminal, not the easiest thing if you are a compete noob to Linux. I am also confused by ubuntu's lack of ability to login as root. Sudo is not appropriate for everything.