MediaPlayer vs RealPlayer

A while back I remember reading something about the comparison of these two players. I tried a search in here and didn't find it. I'm thinking it was on the 'old' board, and therefore that knowledge is forever lost....until now!

My question is this: I know that Media is the computers default player. It comes with every computer, I think. RealPlayer is one you can download and use because it's supposed to be bigger and better than Media. Is this true? I remember hearing something about RealPlayer NOT being good for the computer because it takes over EVERYTHING, and why bother having it when Media does as good a job. Is this true? When I open files, whether they be .avi or .mpg or .wav, sometimes my Media or RealPlayer or Jukebox will open to play these files. MPlayer wants me to update every time I open it now and I'm not sure if I really want to. I'm considering just dumping MPlayer and staying with the default Media, but need to get some feedback as to whether this is a good choice, or not. If I do dump it, what programs associated with it should I be dumping, too, if any? Will I have problems viewing video or audio files I get from friends and family? I need these confusions cleared up for me.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

 

Real Player is and always has been a resource hogging, nosey, info stealling piece of software. As long as it is allowed to run in the Systray it is on line anytime you are, And with Cable or DSL that is all the time. Unless you are running a firewall to block it.

I still have it on the machine but it only gets used when called for by a web site,

I also run a firewall so RP is only allowed to go online WHEN I DECIDE.

Media player DID NOT do this until version 7. Now it wants to go online line all the time also. I got sick of fighting with it everytime I wanted to test a wav or midi file so I went back to version 6.4.

As far a taking over RP will if allowed to during the install. But if you go through the Media Player Options/formats you can pass everything back to Media Player.

But with both Real Player and Media Player you have to consider what you want them to do for you. If you want all the newer fancy stuff, then you will need the newer players.

BillyBob

 

Thanks for replying, BillyBob.

LOL! That is what I read. Just couldn't remember all the juicy words used to describe it.

I don't keep it in my systray. I always uncheck that option in all programs I download or install. Learned that one ages ago.

I've noticed that my harddrive is starting to get a bit full and that was one reason why I was considering dumping RP. I don't deal a lot with videos or wavs or mpg. Just what people send me occassionally. So, if I decide to dump it, will my Media be able to handle all this ok? And, should I upgrade it? And, if I do, where can I find 6.4, since you say that 7.0 is a hassle? Also, what all goes (or, came with) RP that I also need to dump? (QuickTime?)

 

Vs. Irfanview, all I will use. Not near the resource hog of the others.

 

So, you are saying that I should dump RP, keep the Media on the puter since it came with it and point all video, wav and mpg's to Irfanview? I have version 3.36 right now and I do love the program!

Thanks for the feedback. Will keep watching for more useful hints and suggestions.

 

An Old Post....Question Still Stands

Wow! Almost forgot about this old one. I still have a few questions about this.

Since I did a full restore on my computer, it's so squeeky clean that I hate to clog it up again. I think I'm convinced that I DON'T want RealPlayer to play my videos and sound files. SLED mentioned that Irfanview does it all. Really? I didn't realize that. I usually only use that program to resize my digital camera pics. Are you saying it can be my default media player? Interesting. My Media Player is version 6.4 and I think BILLYBOB said this one is better than the 7.1 version. I guess what I need is just a little more feedback on this.

No, I don't need all the bells and whistles that come with the newer versions. I just want something to be able to open files or stuff I get from friends or check out on the net.

Thanks.

 

Panda...

I have setup my PC to use Irfanview to view all my avi's, wav's, and mpg's. It does not even come close to the power hogs that MP and RP are...and it's free.

By the way you mentioned that your version of Irfanview is at 3.36. You have an older version...go to http://www.irfanview.com/ and get the latest copy.

 

Yes, Panda go for it.

www.Irfanview.com

 

Thanks for the input!!!! Guess it looks like I won't be upgrading Media Player.

BTW...I forgot to mention that I downloaded the newest version of irfanview after my full restore. I now have 3.7. I do like keeping that one up to date.

Now....I have an idea HOW to point fles to a program, BUTTTTTT....I'm not 100% sure. Soooooo....how do I do that? I know it's in File Types, but I think I sometimes have trouble typing in the correct path in the Edit part. Guess I need a blow by blow, simple explanation on that one. (Please forgive my old brain......)

Thanks.

 

Options - Properties - Extensions (in IrfanView). Plug-ins available here.

 

DUH!!!

Well, gee. If I had just taken the time to check out all the new features after I downloaded it, I MAY have found all this info on my own! I'm so embarrassed now. Thanks, Brett! I already downloaded the plug-ins. I remember that from the first time I used this program.

Ok. So now I just go in and configure to my hearts content!

Thanks, BUNCHES!!!

 

Lots of good stuff in there that wasn't around a couple of versions ago.

Outstanding on cropping pics now and putting in text boxes with comments if you want (but I still want to figure out how to make them round rather than rectangular).

And unlike many programs, the changing of file associations from whatever to iview works fine with XP.

Does anyone have a clue why the author keeps doing all these great updates to a program he is giving away? I used to think he was gonna get it popular and then start charging for it but now I'm convinced that ain't the case.

 

You could almost say the same thing about this BBS. How can they run such a FANTASTIC board and not charge you???? This is where the D O N A T I O N S come in. I'm thinking my next donation will be to Irfanview.

 

I just D/L MediaPlayer 6.4 and I forgot to uncheck all the files which it will read. I also like Irfanview and my question is if you make Irfanview your default Player, do you have to uninstall MediaPlayer in order to save resources? Will having MediaPlayer on the computer alone still use up a lot of resources?

I do have MediaPlayer as a Netscape plug-In to view video on the web. Will this still work if I change the default to Irfanview?

Thanks so much to all for any help.

Ann

 

Now I support RP over WMP. Some arguements have been made here in favor of WMP, I just wanted to comment objectively.

"Real Player is and always has been a resource hogging, nosey, info stealling piece of software. "

The newest version of Realplayer, RealOne does comsume alot of resources, more than WMP9, but not much more. So resource-wise, its not the best player out there.

It can be nosey, Real is famous for its surveys. It seems you have to fill out one of their surveys every time you make any kind of upgrade. It can be quite annoying. Earlier versions of WMP have not been such. Real Networks has to make money somehow. This is because RP is free and WMP is not. You pay for it when you pay for the windows preinstalled on your computer. But, WMP has taken an about face on end-user privacy of late. WMP9.0 is filled is online whenever you are, and thats no matter what you do in Systray whatever. MS has already been in legal trouble for being deceptive to the public about what kind of information it has been sending back home.

RP does set itself as the default to many filetypes if you install it using the recommended install. If you custom install you can stop this. I remember RP prompting saying somthing along the lines of that Real was not the default for some applications , do you want to correct this (I don't have time to check exactly what it said)? Clicking yes would then set it to the default for all kinds of files. This is deceptive IMO. However, note that MS products are default by default on any windows system (and no, I don't think this is justification).

One thing I like about RealOne is how fast and easy it is to change the skin. There are tons available in varietys of shapes and sizes. I think it has WMP beat in this area, it is more customizable and looks alot better.

One of the biggest reasons I give RP the edge over WMP is that RP will play just about any format available, including the windows formats. WMP does play more than just Windows formats (such as MP3), but it is way more restrictive than RP as to what formats can by played. Being so restrictive is a very bad thing for the industry as well as users. Real Also supports SMIL, which gives it the potential to play presentations with audio, video, images and text integratedand synchronized as the content provider wishes. And IMHO that is a big plus.

A big minus for both is they both have a strong lacking of technical support.

If it were just that I'd go with RP over WMP by a hair, but what really turned me over is the DRM in WMP. For those who don't know, DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. Basically its a system for enforcing copyrights, giving more control over media files to the copyright holders, and less to you. Yes, that includes the media files you have on your computer's hard drive. In WMP9.0's EULA is requires you give MS permission to enforce DRM on your computer. This means the right to delete all the authorized MP3s on your hard drive if they want to. Now weather they will do this or not is anyone's guess, but I'd rather I had control over what goes on on my computer. MS is planning on starting a model for its media technology that only plays authorized MP3s and movies. Only ones that have been paid for. They will not be copyable either, or perhaps they can be rented. The payment system/authorization plan will be determined by the record company. For example they could offer a MP3 album that is only playable for a month and deletes itself after that time for say...$7.99. I personally like it better the way it is now. I don't have any illegal MP3s, and I want to be the one who controls the computer I paid for. A significant part of the WMP9.0 installation was dedicated to DRM technology. MS has not been very open as to exactly what its is and is going to do. But I'd rather not leave it to them, and enjoy my media files without worry on my RP. RP also offers a community supported player without all the crud mentioned about (up to version 8.0, ROne is in alpha still), but I don't know which OSes it runs on.

My 2 cents, and I'm sure there are some of the MS trusters on this forum who will be skeptical of what I am saying, but it is a big issue and information on this is available all over the web if you don't believe me.

BDBD

 

This is not a problem, Ann. You can open up Windows Media Player 6.4, go to View Options Formats and UNcheck the types of files you would rather not open in Windows Media Player. I'm guessing you would rather open certain filetypes with another player? For example, if you would rather have RealPlayer or Winamp play MP3 files:

RealPlayer 8:
View Preferences Upgrade: "Reassociate" button will bring up a screen where you can check the filetypes you would like to reassociate (your current default player will be shown). MP3 files will be included under MPEG Audio

NullSoft WinAmp 2.79
Options, Preferences, Setup Filetypes
Highlight the filetypes you want associated.

I think the argument is with the newest version of WMP (and RealPlayerOne) being a resource hog. Windows Media Player 6.4 is not, and it doesn't automatically start up when Windows starts so you should be able to control when you run it. Real Player8 can be a problem as far as bugging you to update and starting when Windows starts ( "StartCenter" option) You have to go through the options and Ucheck any you don't want. First thing I do when upgrading RealPlayer is to UNcheck the "Start Center" (General tab, Start Center Settings button in RP8 Basic). I also deselect the Support screen "send" and "cookie" options.

Fow what it's worth, I have WMP6.4 associated with ALL fileyypes, WinAmp only for PLS (playlist) files and RealPlayer8 Basic is not associated with anything except for the proprietary types that is is built to play such as RM and RA.

I can't say too much about using Irfanview for multimedia on the internet since I don't have it associated with anything and the only plugin I've installed is the flash.dll.

This is from Irfanview's plugins page:
http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.html
===========copy/paste=========
How to install IrfanView PlugIns?

1) Download PlugIns (see below)
2) Click on the PlugIn file
3) PlugIns will be installed into IrfanView "PlugIns" directory
(snip)
You can download the PlugIns as 4 separate ZIP files (for experienced users!):

Download: iv_mmedia.zip. http://irfanview.tuwien.ac.at/plugins/iv_mmedia.zip
Contains these PlugIns: Video, Slideshow, MPG, IV_PLAYER, MP3, MED, QUICKTIME, RA_PLAYER.
(snip)
4) IV_PLAYER - PlugIn (version 3.35): allows IrfanView to play video/sound/audio-cd files (AVI, MPG, WAV, MIDI, CDA, WMA, ASF, AIF, SND etc.)
====end copy/paste============

To associate certain media types with Irfanview go to:
Options, Properties, Extensions.

As for Netscape,, it will go by whatever plugin you have set up for specific mime types, regardless of your Windows default player. Open Netscape and click Help, About Plugins to see what will play certain type files. If you have Netcape's LiveAudio plugin listed, and enabled for wav and midi files, for example, then Netscape's LiveAudio plugin will play midi and wav files even though another player like WMP6.4 is set up as the associated program. If you try and play those same files in Internet Explorer, then WMP (or whatever you have associated) will open them.

Hope that helps.

 

Alice

Thank you for the most informative post!

Re:WMP -
Good to know that 6.4 is not a problem regarding resources.
I have learned to always install via the customize method, and not to accept default installations which usually cause problems. Since I let MP do its own thing, I was afraid I'd have to remove and reinstall.
Piece of cake to customize via the View, Options, Formats tab. Thanks.

Re: RealPlayer and WinAm - I installed both a long time ago and had nothing but problems regarding my surfing speed. I did not like them.

Irfanview I am familiar with, but never used it for viewing on the Net. I don't know if that can be done. Maybe 'll post a new thread and see if the powers that be can answer that.

New Problem:

I still cannot view the video portion of a clip although I get the sound while on the Net and using NS with the WMP plug-in. I have everything enabled in NS. Can you help me with this.

I am very grateful for your input.

Ann

 

Do you have a link that I can test for you?

I just tried WMP6.4 using Netscape 4.79 and played one of the movie clips and news clips offered at http://broadcast.yahoo.com/home.html and I do see the "video" portion although at 50K dialup it's not much to watch.

I also wanted to add that you should try the broadcast.yahoo.com site since it offers a " Yahoo! Broadcast Media Helper" that might help.

 

Don't know what the problem can be. I tried the yahoo site and the Media Helper will not continue through to the end. Transfer interrupted is the message it gives before it quits.

BTW, Can MP6.4 and NS handle a higher Codecs, like 4, maybe that would help. If not I will forget about this and tackle the biggies, like the critical updates.

Thanks

 

Ann,

In case it is a Netscape issue, try the Yahoo broadcast site in Internet Explorer. I tried the movie clip "Lured ". It works perfectly on IE5.5sp2. I also tried a "News Video" clip at http://www.msnbc.com/ (where it says 'Watch MSNBC Video Updates', click 'News') using IE 5.5sp2. After I chose the '56k' option, the video loaded and played fine.

Also I don't remember what version of Netscape you're using but the Yahoo broadast site uses the WMP Netscape plugin npdsplay.dll. The WMP6.4 version of the plugin doesn't work right in Mozilla 1.0 which is similar to Netscape 7. That's why I didn't try the site in Mozilla 1.0 .1 - I don't have the WMP 6.4 plugin installed there.

I checked the MSNBC media player "Help" link and it says this:

============copy/paste========
What version of the MSNBC Player is needed for Netscape?
The MSNBC Player uses the embedded Windows Media Player version 6.4 via a plug-in for Netscape. Unfortunately, Microsoft does not offer a Windows Media Player plug-in for Netscape 6.x. However, Microsoft does offer a Windows Media Player plug-in for Netscape 4.x. Download the plug-in from Microsoft’s Windows Media Player’s Download Center.
===========================

There may be audio or video codecs that are specific to higher versions of WMP like WMP7.1 or WMP 9, I don't know. Not sure what you meant by 'higher codec like 4'