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Real(One)Player, how bad is it?

Discussion in 'Other PC Software' started by Christer, 2004/05/19.

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  1. 2004/05/19
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hello all!

    First, I didn't know in which forum to post this but "Spyware" was kind of a natural choice, based on what I've heard/read about the subject.

    Some two years ago, I installed RealPlayer and one of the first things I noticed was that it "phoned home" as soon as I started my computer. (I'm always connected via broadband.) I didn't know much about firewalls at the time (as if I do now ...... :rolleyes: ......) and I tried to find out what it was up to.

    Information on the internet said that it was among the worst one could install on a computer and that one was better off without it. I listened to the "advice" and got rid of it.

    A few days ago, I "had" to install RealOnePlayer to be able to watch a few video clips which are in .rm format.
    Immediately after installation, it requested permission in the firewall to connect to be able to complete the setup. I allowed it on this single occasion and then set the firewall to "always block ".

    In TaskManager, there is a new addition - realsched.exe - which never has requested permission to connect.

    Consulting TASK LIST PROGRAMS at AnswersThatWork gives a clear message: unless one really needs it - get rid of it.

    Finally to the question(s):

    Is it really that bad, if the firewall prevents it from connecting?

    Can realsched.exe connect without neither I nor the firewall detecting it?

    Thanks for Your time,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #1
  2. 2004/05/19
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hi Christer,

    The only process that I know of that will bypass a firewall is something that attaches itself to another process that already has permission, like a BHO or Java, riding along with browser.

    That of course doesn't absolutely guarantee it can't, but I think in my security sites cruising, it would of been discovered and written about.

    *Is it really that bad, if the firewall prevents it from connecting?*

    Not clear on what you mean here.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
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  4. 2004/05/19
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi Charles,

    Well, neither am I when I re-read it ...... :eek: ...... !

    What I mean is, if allowed to "phone home" whenever it wants to, then it could be concidered to be "spyware ".

    If the firewall is set to "always block "; is it still a "privacy risk" concidering the possibility of realsched.exe connecting anyway?

    Now, I'm even more confused ...... :D ...... how about You?

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  5. 2004/05/19
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    First of all, let me say I never have used any RealPlayer product.

    Based on the TaskList site, realsched.exe is useless if you don't want to do what is decribed under these different names: Evntsvc TkBellExe Realsched These people seem to hate RealOne :)

    So, spyware or not - the EULA according to Task List, says its not, I would disable it. The site mentions that it re-enables itself if using msconfig and recommmends changing the exe name. I had to do that once with the MS Works "look for updates" startup; changed it by 1 character.

    Regards - Charles

    Are doing an "all nighter "? :)
     
    Last edited: 2004/05/19
    charlesvar,
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  6. 2004/05/19
    Welshjim

    Welshjim Inactive

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    Christer--I do not know what firewall you use, but I agree with charlesvar. Unless you have given these RealPlayer apps permanent permission to dial out, you will be asked each time "if you will permit ". Just say "No" and a good firewall will deny permission. Or as charlesvar says, get rid of RealPlayer. There are a few work-arounds for RealPlayer's absence.
    quinnware mediaplayer411.exe http://www.quinnware.com/
    http://www.lurkhere.com/forum/DCForumID17/256.html (See Tara's app)
    And believe it or not, there supposedly is a spyware-free version of RealOne
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/audiohelp.shtml?help I do not use it, so cannot comment.
     
    Welshjim,
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  7. 2004/05/19
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

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    I moved this to Other Software.
    It really isn't spyware, compared to the real things. It doesn't keep track of where you go, nor does it try to control what you see, control your search, or change your homepage without your permisson. Uninstall it, and it doesn't come back. UNLESS you have AOL, as AOL will give a message that the software isn't installed to provide you with the options you have selected to run ['You have mail' voice], and AOL reinstalls it. But isn't Real doing this, but AOL.
     
    markp62,
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  8. 2004/05/19
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hello MarK,

    To clarify: The subject is Realsched.exe, not the whole app, and whether to allow it out - Christer's point, and my point about what to do if indeed it won't stay disabled if he decides to disable it.

    Regards - Charles
     
    Last edited: 2004/05/20
    charlesvar,
    #7
  9. 2004/05/21
    r.leale Lifetime Subscription

    r.leale Well-Known Member

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    Christer,
    It annoyed me for ages too. Then I found out the K-Lite codec pack, only 9 MB and replaces all the functions of Real Player, Quicktime, and various others. Guaranteed no spy-ware from http://www:k-litecodecpack.com
     
    r.leale,
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  10. 2004/05/21
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    r.leale,
    thanks for the tip, I'll check out the link when I get back home!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  11. 2004/05/22
    joeskys

    joeskys Inactive

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    Real(One)Player

    Christer: I had a similar problem. Was sent to the following by someone here :)
    It solved my problem as I use the Player.
    http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/search.php

    Under searchStartup Programs use the filename >realsched< and for Program Title > TkBellExe<. The solution is in the last 4 or 5 lines.

    Joe R.
     
    joeskys,
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  12. 2004/05/22
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hello joeskys,

    Thanks for the site - always good to have more.

    The info on Realsched.exe aggrees with the Task List site, also good to know.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
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  13. 2004/05/22
    RayH

    RayH Inactive

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    As far as technical playback quality, Real One is actually pretty good. But it does like to phone home. Also, if you disconnect it from auto Start Up, it will try to slide back in the auto start up position when you use it!

    I use Start Up Monitor (www.mlin.net) to keep the restart from happening. Everything phones home. Real Player is just a bit worse at it! Too bad. I'd use it more.
     
    RayH,
    #12
  14. 2004/05/23
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Thanks all for Your comments!
    I've been out of town for a few days and have only thrown in one repsonse but now ...... :D ...... :

    Welshjim,

    It's the one included in Norton Internet Security 2003.
    There are some programs that are automatically configured by Norton (trusted or well known) and others that are left to user discretion. Real(One)Player is one of them and the options are to either block or permit and to make it ask again or either block or permit permanently.
    If blocked but not permanently, it will nag You to a certain nervous break down ...... :mad: ...... and if You "block permanently ", You will have to change the firewall to "permit permanently" if You want to stream anything from the web.
    My idea was to "block permanently" and to download anything that I want to watch to the HDD.

    joeskeys,
    thanks for the tip on that site!

    It seems useful and has the same information/opinion as is found on Answers That Work - Task List.
    Good to have a cross reference, especially if they concur!

    RayH,
    I've had Mike Lin's site in my favourites folder for a while but never downloaded anything from it.

    The Startup Monitor seems like a nice tool and can be useful to track down a problem.

    I'll probably do what I did the last time: Get rid of anything Real and try one of the "substitutes ".
    I've not made the final decision but the Ghost Boot Disk are on red alert ...... :cool: ...... ready for action.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  15. 2004/05/26
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    r.leale,
    regarding the K-Lite Codec Packs, there are the following alternatives:

    K-Lite Codec Pack Basic/Standard/Full

    K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, which includes

    QuickTime Alternative and

    Real Alternative

    Spontaneously, I would choose QuickTime Alternative and Real Alternative to be able to watch those media formats.
    This would include Media Player Classic. Would that interfere with my current WMP8?

    Would I benefit from the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack which includes everything?

    You mentioned 9 MB which approximately fits K-Lite Codec Pack Full but it doesn't seem to contain anything "Real" or "QuickTime ". Is this the alternative that You're recommending or which is it?

    TIA,
    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2004/05/26
    Christer,
    #14
  16. 2004/05/26
    r.leale Lifetime Subscription

    r.leale Well-Known Member

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    Hi Christer,

    I have the whole 9 MB pack which caters for Real, Quicktime, but also allows Windows Media Player to function normally. I have attached the K-lite read-me file for your info.
    >> Installation instructions:

    * It is highly recommended to first uninstall existing codec related packages before installing this package. You can do that in Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs.
    Examples of packages that should be uninstalled first: K-Lite Codec Pack, Nimo Codec Pack, QuickTime, QuickTime Alternative, RealOne, RealPlayer, Real Alternative.

    >> Features:

    * BSplayer [version 1.00.805]
    * Media Player Classic [version 6.4.7.5]

    * DivX Pro [version 5.1.1] [Decoding]
    * DivX Pro [version 5.1.1] [Encoding]
    * DivX ;) MPEG-4 Low and Fast motion [version 4.1.0.3927]
    * XviD [2004-02-07] [Decoding]
    * XviD [2004-02-07] [Encoding]
    * 3ivX [version D4 4.5.1] [Decoding]
    * 3ivX [version D4 4.5.1] [Encoding]
    * Windows Media 7 [version 7.1.0.3055]
    * Windows Media 8 [version 8.0.0.371]
    * Windows Media 9 VCM [version 9.0.1.369]
    * MPEG-2 decoder [Elecard demultiplexor / Ligos decoder]
    * On2 VP3 [version 3.2.5.0]
    * On2 VP6 [version 6.1.0.2] [Decoding]
    * On2 VP6 [version 6.1.0.2] [Encoding]
    * Cyberlink DVD decoder [version 5.0.0.1031]
    * Ligos Indeo XP [version 5.2820.15.58]
    * Intel Indeo [version 4.51.16.2]
    * Intel Indeo [version 3.24.15.03]
    * Intel I.263 [version 2.55.1.16]
    * huffyuv [version 2.1.1]
    * MS MPEG-4 [version 4.1.0.3927]

    * QuickTime codecs [version 6.5.0.48]
    * QuickTime DirectShow filter
    * QuickTime Control Panel
    * QuickTime plugin for Internet Explorer [version 6.5.0.48]
    * QuickTime plugin for Opera/Mozilla/Netscape [version 6.4.0.29]
    * Extra QuickTime plugins

    * RealMedia codecs [version 6.0.12.690]
    * RealMedia DirectShow splitter [version 1.0.0.9]
    * RealMedia plugin for Internet Explorer [version 6.0.12.690]
    * RealMedia plugin for Opera/Mozilla/Netscape [version 6.0.12.690]

    * Fraunhofer MP3 DirectShow decoder [version 1.9.0.311]
    * LAME MP3 ACM codec [version 3.95.1]
    * WMA DirectShow decoder [version 8.0.0.4487]
    * AC3 DirectShow decoder [version 0.70b mod]
    * Ogg Vorbis DirectShow decoder [version 1.0b5]
    * MusePack DirectShow decoder [version 1.0.0.3]
    * AAC DirectShow decoder (CoreAAC) [version 1.0b9]
    * Voxware DirectShow decoder [version 1.0.0.12]
    * Monkey's Audio DirectShow decoder [version 0.80]

    * Ogg Vorbis DirectShow filters [version 0.9.9.5]
    * Matroska DirectShow Splitter [version 1.0.2.1]
    * DirectVobSub (vsfilter) [version 2.32]
    * Matrix Mixer [version 0.30b]
    * SHOUTcast Source [version 1.0.0.1]
    * Morgan Multimedia Stream Switcher [version 0.9.7]
    * DivX Anti-Freeze [version 0.4]

    * GSpot Codec Information Appliance [version 2.21 build 030711]
    * FourCC Code Changer
    * Bitrate Calculator

    * Bink and Smacker playback plugins for Media Player Classic

    >> Notes:

    * RealMedia .smi and .smil files are not fully supported. Only the first part of a clip will be played.

    * DirectVobSub is a tool for displaying subtitles. Your subtitle file should have the same filename as your video file (for example Movie.avi and Movie.sub) and should be in the same folder as your video file. Then the subtitles will automatically be displayed in most players.

    * Matrix Mixer can be used to amplify the sound of a video file. It also can mix stereo sound to multiple channels (useful for 4.1 and higher speaker sets).

    * Morgan Multimedia Stream Switcher can be used to switch between two audio streams in a video file that has two audio streams. These types of video files are not very common. BSplayer also has this functionality built-in. So if you use BSplayer, you don't need to install this.

    * GSpot is a tool that can tell you exactly which codecs are needed to play a certain video file. This is very helpful when you have troubles playing a video file.

    * FourCC Code Changer is a program for changing the FourCC code of a video file. The FourCC code is used to identify which codec should be used to decode the file. This tool is for expert users only.

    Roger
     
    r.leale,
    #15
  17. 2004/05/26
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Thanks for that, Roger!

    The quoted read-me file has approximately the same features as the Mega Codec Pack as related in its "Features" on the web page.

    The current download is approximately 18 MB which was confusing since You say 9 MB.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #16
  18. 2004/05/26
    r.leale Lifetime Subscription

    r.leale Well-Known Member

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    Sorry about that, I must have downloaded the K-lite codec pack - not the mega. I didn't even notice, because I only use Real and Quicktime.

    Roger
     
    r.leale,
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  19. 2004/05/26
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    The current download of K-Lite Codec Pack Basic/Standard/Full includes neither the QuickTime Alternative nor the Real Alternative and those are the two that I'll use.

    In concequence, I'll download/install QuickTime Alternative and Real Alternative only since I won't need the rest ...... :confused: ...... I think.

    Thanks,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #18
  20. 2004/05/27
    RayH

    RayH Inactive

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    I decided not to use an emulator for Real One because if I want to use Real Player I will. The technical quality of Real One is actually superior to all the other players out there.

    Really, listen to the same files. Real One does a good job. It they didn't have all that ET PHONE HOME stuff, people would actually probably use it.

    Their problem is that they don't have any other business besides that software and they want to compete with the big boys!
     
    RayH,
    #19
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