Windows Media Player 9/Netscape 7.0

I'm using Netscape 7.0 under Win98 SE and a little while back, when I clicked on a videoclip to view it, I was sent to a download Windows Media Player site. I tried but the install failed so I went to the Microsoft site, downloaded Media Player 9 and installed it. It works fine except that Netscape doesn't know it exists. When I'm in Netscape and click to view a video or audio, it still informs me that I need to download Media Player. How Can I inform Netscape that Media Player is there and use it for the default viewer?

 

Hi jrtech1,

I don't use Media Player, so my expertise in this are leaves a lot to be desired.

When you type aboutlugins in the Location Bar, do you see anything listed for Windows Media Player? Keeping in mind that Plugins override "helpers ". "Helper" means that the program itself starts and reads the file, while "plug-in" means that it displays the file within the web-browser itself.

From another excellent WMPlayer 9 Resource:

Windows Media Player: WMP mini FAQ

Please note: WMP7.1 includes an updated Netscape plug-in which works around some of their bugs. The plug-in will still not be scriptable, but it will be embeddable. Windows Media Player for Windows XP also includes this updated plug-in. Going to WMP's Tools:Options:Formats dialog and reselecting "Windows Media file" and clicking "Apply" will reinstall the plug-in to Netscape for you.

Q: Why does WMP's Netscape plug-in get copied to "C:\" or so on installation sometimes?
A: It's a bug in the plug-in copying code. It's fixed for future releases, but if you want a temporary work-around, create the registry key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Netscape\Netscape Navigator\Users\Main ".
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MS WMPlayer FAQ says:

Q. How do I make Windows Media Player the default player for a file type?

A. In Windows Media Player for Windows® XP and Windows Media Player 9 Series, this option is available on the File Types tab of the Options dialog box. You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to change the list. If your version of the Windows operating system supports AutoPlay, your AutoPlay settings may affect your Player file types settings. For more information about AutoPlay, see Windows Help. If you install other players on your computer, they may interfere with your Player file types settings. For more information about setting file type ownership in other players, see the documentation that came with those programs.
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I hope this helps you, or at least gives you some options. You can also add WMPlayer as a Helper Application in the Netscape Preferences, using the MIME Type for which you want WMP9 to be the default player.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,
Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try. I believe I want WMP9 to be a "helper" (it opens when you click a related link and plays the file, like Real Player) But what is MIME and how do I utilize it? Thanks

 

Hi jrtech1,

When you go to Edit|Preferences|Navigator|Helper Applications
In the right Panel there is an "Add" button

When you click on that button you will be given a small Window in which to add information regarding the file type:

MIME Type:
Description:
Extension:

If you want WMPlayer to be the default for streaming video you would add this information:

MIME TYPE: video/x-ms-asf
Description: Streaming Video
File extension: .asf, .asx

and so forth....

If you have other players on your system ensure that you have disabled them as the default player for any file types that you select for WMPlayer 9.

Ramona