Comments on: RealPlayer Alternatives

Question: RealPlayer Alternatives

unreason — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 06:40:29 -0800

My mother wants to use realplayer to listen to streaming audio from her browser. After looking at the latest version of realplayer, what with the ads and spyware, I suspect that it would be best if she were to use something else that can read real files. I need something that's integrated into the browser. She's fairly intimidated by computers, so ease of use is essential. What would be the best player/codec/whatever for her?

By: Dipsomaniac

Dipsomaniac — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 06:49:46 -0800

Get Real Alternative - Real Player without the spyware or the crappy media player app. It comes with Media Player Classic and you can also install a Quicktime alternative if you want to later.

By: riffola

riffola — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 06:50:00 -0800

Real has made a crap free version of their player for BBC, have her use that.

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 07:14:20 -0800

Real Alternative. Not only crap-free, but much smaller and friendlier. I've had problems getting the codec to work with other players (e.g. BSPlayer), but the included Windows Media Player Classic works like a charm.

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 07:23:24 -0800

Unfortunately, Real Alternative doesn't play nicely with browsers. I have yet to get an embedded real file to play with the RA plugin.

I'd go with the crap-free BBC version.

By: mookieproof

mookieproof — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 09:30:40 -0800

I've never had any luck with Real Alternative and streaming, dunno why. But I filled out the crap forms and got the RealPlayer enterprise edition, which omits the ads and bells & whistles.

By: EvilKenji

EvilKenji — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 09:57:29 -0800

the real alternative and quicktime alternative installers let you install media player classic with it...originally i had media player classic and i installed the Real alternative and quicktime alternative without installing the packaged media player classic (that is to say i installed it seperatly). I had problems getting it to work in the browser. However, if you install the media player classic version that comes in the package it should work fine. I use firefox and every works great. I can play quicktime and real.

By: milovoo

milovoo — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 10:42:00 -0800

What about using the Internet Radio in iTunes, works on Mac or PC, has plenty of genres and no spyware.

Also, I remember reading that the BBC realplayer is not any different than the normal version ... but that could be incorrect.

By: Tufa

Tufa — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 12:43:47 -0800

jetAudio reads RealPlayer streams more than adequately, and while it doesn't embed in the browser, it will launch automatically on clicking a .ra file.

What's more, the free version comes with an alarm/timer and basic audio recorder, for giving those streams a permanent place on the hard drive.

By: ascullion

ascullion — Sat, 04 Dec 2004 06:15:06 -0800

I have Realone on my PC, and never see a pop-up ad. You just have to install it with the correct options. The idea that Real install spyware without letting you know is an online urban myth.

It is a flabby program though, and will slow your PC down when used.

By: xiojason

xiojason — Sat, 04 Dec 2004 14:45:57 -0800

I'd like to basically repeat what ascullion said: The idea that the RealPlayer installs spyware is a myth. And the ads you see on launch of the RealPlayer will 1) not be seen when the player is utilized as a webpage-embedded app, and 2) are easily turned off by closing the Media Browser using the globe button on the right-hand side of the window.