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RealPlayer

From Alfawiki
RealNetworks
IndustrySoftware
Founded1994
FounderRob Glaser
Headquarters
Seattle
,
United States
ProductsRealPlayer, RealAudio, RealVideo, Helix media framework
Websitewww.real.com

RealPlayer, previously known as RealAudio Player, RealOne Player, and RealPlayer G2, is a versatile media player created by RealNetworks that operates across various platforms. It accommodates numerous multimedia container formats such as MP3, MP4, QuickTime File Format, Windows Media format, along with proprietary formats like RealAudio and RealVideo. This player is compatible with a wide range of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix, Palm OS, Windows Mobile, and Symbian.

The application is powered by the open-source media framework known as Helix.

History

Originally released on April 3, 1995, under the name "RealAudio Player," RealPlayer was one of the pioneering media players to offer streaming capabilities over the Internet. Version 4.01 was available as an optional Internet tool included in the Windows 98 setup package. Subsequent editions were branded "RealPlayer G2" (version 6) and "RealOne Player" (version 9). Both a free "Basic" version and a premium "Plus" version were provided, with the latter featuring enhanced functionality. For Windows users, RealPlayer 9 incorporated elements from the standalone RealJukebox software.

On December 4, 2001, the fusion of RealPlayer and RealJukebox resulted in the launch of the RealOne Player brand, which supported more than 50 video formats. A follow-up version was released in September 2002.

In July 2008, the RealPlayer Music Store was phased out and replaced by the Rhapsody MP3 Store.

The Windows edition of RealPlayer 11 debuted in November 2007, followed by the Mac OS X version in May 2008. Released on November 18, 2011, RealPlayer 15 introduced features that allowed users to transfer videos, music, and photos between computers and mobile devices, share content on social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, and download videos from websites including YouTube and Metacafe.

Initially favored as a plugin for streaming audio and video—adopted by broadcasters like the BBC—RealPlayer's prominence declined with the emergence of Adobe Flash and subsequent adoption of HTML video standards.

Current status

In February 2016, RealNetworks unveiled RealPlayer 18, which incorporated functionalities from the previous year's RealTimes application. RealTimes generates multimedia montages using users' photos and videos, supported by cloud storage services. According to the Real.com Blog, RealPlayer combined with RealTimes preserves legacy tools like Downloader, Converter, and Web Videos while integrating new features such as Photos and automatic video collage creation. By 2018, RealNetworks ceased releasing a macOS version of RealPlayer but continued offering RealTime for Mac.

As of January 2022, www.real.com made RealPlayer accessible on Windows, Android, and iOS platforms.

Features

Among its capabilities, RealPlayer offers a video downloader, integrated web browser, music visualizations, equalizer settings, video controls including crossfade and gapless playback available in RealPlayer Plus, audio recording functions, CD ripping options, and a media converter compatible with numerous audio and video file types.

  • Photo and Video Sharing – enables users to upload videos directly to Facebook and Twitter or distribute them via email and SMS.

Supported media formats

RealPlayer is compatible with a wide range of file types, including:

  • RealMedia formats: RealAudio files (*.ra, *.rm), RealVideo files (*.rv, *.rm, *.rmvb), RealMedia HD (*.rmhd), RealPix images (*.rp), RealText subtitles (*.rt), and RealMedia Shortcut files (*.ram, *.rmm)
  • Streaming protocols supported: RTSP (rtsp://), Progressive Networks (pna://, pnm://), Microsoft Media Server (mms://), Real Scalable Multicast files (*.sdp), and SMIL presentations (*.smil, *.smi)
  • Audio formats: MP3 (*.mp3, *.mp2), CD Audio tracks (*.cda), WAV files (*.wav), AAC/aacPlus version 1 (*.aac, *.m4a, *.m4b, *.mp4, *.acp, *.m4p), Apple Lossless audio, AIFF files (*.aif, *.aiff), AU format (*.au), and Panasonic AAC format (*.acp)
  • Video formats: DVD video files (*.vob), Video CD files (*.dat), MPEG videos (*.mpg, *.mpeg, *.m2v), AVI files including DivX encoded (*.avi, *.divx), MJPEG streams from AVI containers, Windows Media formats (*.wma, *.wmv) requiring Windows Media Player 9 or 10, QuickTime movies (*.mov, *.qt) requiring QuickTime Player, Flash animations (*.swf) needing Flash/Shockwave Player, and Flash Video files (*.flv)
  • Playlist file types: *.rpl, *.xpl, *.pls, and *.m3u
  • Image formats: BMP images (*.bmp), GIF animations or images (*.gif), JPEG pictures (*.jpeg, *.jpg), and PNG graphics (*.png)

Formats enabled via optional plug-ins

  • AT&T A2B format files (*.a2b, *.mes)
  • Adobe Systems Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) files (*.svg)
  • Audible audio books (*.aa)
  • Object Video format files (*.obv)
  • Luidia eBeam data files (*.wbs)
  • Digital Bitcasting content
  • Envivio video streams (*.mp4)
  • EVEN Technologies PSI video files (*.psi, *.fxv)
  • LearnKey RealCBT training videos (*.lkv)
  • Liquid Audio formats including *.la, *.lmsff, .lqt, .lavs, .lar, .la1
  • Netpodium Quickcast image files (*.npi)
  • LiveUpdate! streaming MIDI content files (*.mid, *.midi, *.rmi)
  • Camtasia video recordings (*.camv)
  • Ogg Vorbis/Theora multimedia containers (*.ogg, *.ogm)
  • RichFX graphic formats (*.vpg, *.wgs)
  • Mode2 CD audio discs
  • MIMIO Broadcast data files (*.mbc)
  • BeHere iVideo 360° movie files (*.bhiv)
  • iPIX 360° panoramic movies (*.ipx)
  • ScreenWatch capture files (*.scw)
  • Vivo video format files (*.viv)
  • MJuice mobile content files (*.mjf)
  • Blue Matter media types (*.bmt, *.bma)
  • OZ.COM fluid3d graphics
  • IBM EMMS multimedia streams (*.emm)
  • On2 VP5 video codec streams (*.vp5)
  • On2 VP4 codec videos (*.vp4)
  • On2 VP3 codec videos (*.vp3)
  • ImagePower Motion JPEG 2000 sequences and AVI containers (*.jp2, *.avi)
  • 3GP mobile phone video files (3gp)
  • Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) Narrow Band audio codecs (*.amr)
  • Adaptive Multi-Rate Wide Band audio codecs (AMR) also using the extension *.amr

Plug-ins

RealPlayer provides numerous plug-ins to extend its functionality; several are highlighted on its accessories page.

Audio Enhancers
Four audio enhancement tools are available for the current version of RealPlayer: DFX Audio Enhancer, iQfx, Volume Logic, and Sanyo 3D Surround. Additionally, Lake PLS by Lake Technologies primarily supports RealJukebox but can be adjusted for use with RealPlayer 10 and remains accessible through the official site.
Skin Creation Tools
There are two plug-ins for creating skins: SkinsEditor designed for RealJukebox by DeYoung Software and RealJukebox Skins Converter that transforms Winamp skins into compatible RealPlayer skins.
Playback Extensions
Detailed information about supported formats through optional plug-ins can be found under the section Formats supported by optional plug-ins.
vTuner Plus
A specialized internet radio tuner developed exclusively for integration with RealPlayer.
Visual Effects
The visualizations offered include Annabelle the Sheep, Cosmic Belt, Fire animation, Audio Analyzer display, and Nebula. Additional visual effects from RealNetworks feature FrequencywurX, FyrewurX, FlamewurX, X Factor, Spectral View, FluxWave, Puddle simulation, Paint Drops effect, Polka Dots patterning, SticksterZ 1.0 animation, Circle visualization, TomTom On the Road theme, Real Logo display, and Hubble Bubble. Third-party visualizations encompass SurrealFX by RealNetworks as well as G-Force and WhiteCap developed by SoundSpectrum.
Firefox Download Add-on
A Firefox extension (version 1.0) that enables users to download videos directly from player windows through a pop-up menu interface.
ScrobRealPlayer
An audioscrobbler plug-in that connects RealPlayer to the Last.FM social music platform.

Windows

RealPlayer SP offers features such as audio CD creation, DVR-style playback buffering, multimedia content search, Internet radio access, a jukebox-like media library, and an integrated web browser powered by Microsoft Internet Explorer. It also facilitates media conversion and transfer to various devices including iPod, Zune, iPhone, BlackBerry, Sony PSP, Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii. Starting with version 11, the software added support for Flash Video playback, DVD/SVCD/VCD burning (up to two hours), and video capture with digital rights management (DRM) capabilities.

In 2008, RealPlayer Enterprise was introduced as a licensed solution designed for corporate environments, featuring customization options and remote management through RealPlayer Enterprise Manager. The free RealPlayer Enterprise Education Edition has since been discontinued. Both Enterprise editions are streamlined, ad-free versions that omit most consumer-oriented features and plugin compatibility. The update notification utility (RealSched.exe) can be permanently disabled without needing to reinstall the software.

macOS

Although RealPlayer for macOS was once freely accessible, as of December 2018, no macOS version is officially available for download from the Real website. The final stable release in July 2010 incorporated Real's Helix playback engine supporting RealAudio and RealVideo formats, a 10-band equalizer, video adjustment tools, and a fully resizable full-screen "theater mode," closely mirroring the Windows counterpart.

Since the launch of version 10 in January 2004, RealPlayer enhanced its integration with macOS by adding QuickTime playback capabilities—including full-screen viewing before Apple implemented this feature in QuickTime Player in 2007—a WebKit-based browser sharing cookies with Safari, Bonjour support for sharing Internet favorites, and a Cocoa-based user interface.

All macOS versions of RealPlayer are limited to 32-bit architecture, restricting compatibility to macOS Mojave and earlier releases, as support for 32-bit applications was discontinued starting with macOS Catalina.

Linux/Unix

The Linux/Unix iteration of RealPlayer was developed independently from its Windows and macOS versions. It is built upon the open-source Helix Player from the Helix Community and supports formats such as Windows Media 7/8, RealAudio/Video, MP3, and Ogg Vorbis. The user interface dynamically adapts to the current GTK+ theme installed on the system.

Android

RealPlayer for Android is available at no cost via the Google Play Store. It supports playback of Real Audio, Real Video, MP3, 3GP, AMR, among other media formats.

Symbian

The Symbian edition of RealPlayer enables mobile devices to play Real Audio, Real Video, MP3, 3GP, AMR, and additional formats. Distributed as freeware, it supports streaming audio and video (including MP3 and 3GP) on newer Symbian smartphones.

Palm

RealPlayer version 1.6.x is offered free for PalmOne-manufactured Palm OS 5 devices such as the Palm Tungsten and Zire series. It supports tracks from the RealPlayer Music Store but is incompatible with non-PalmOne hardware like Sony's Clie PDAs. This version does not support later Palm smartphones including the treo 700p, 755p, or Centro models; however, it remains compatible with treo 600 and 650 devices.

Related products

RealJukebox, introduced in May 1999, served as a media player designed for organizing digital music stored on hard drives, CDs, and the internet. By the end of 2001, its capabilities were merged with those of RealPlayer and GoldPass to form RealNetworks' comprehensive media solution, RealOne Player.

Reception

Previous editions of RealPlayer were criticized due to the inclusion of adware and spyware components, including Comet Cursor. In 1999, security expert Richard M. Smith disclosed that RealJukebox was transmitting unique user IDs alongside music data; RealNetworks addressed this concern by releasing version 1.02 with a fix and revising their privacy policy accordingly.

The 1999 release of RealPlayer was ranked second in PC World’s 2006 list titled "The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time," primarily because of its intrusive default configurations and advertising methods. Additionally, between 1996 and 2004, various versions were placed fifth in the "The 20 Most Annoying Tech Products" list published in 2007.

From 2010 through 2014, US-CERT issued several security alerts regarding vulnerabilities in RealPlayer across different platforms that could permit remote code execution.

Real Alternative

Real Alternative is a codec that allows users to play RealMedia files without needing to install the official RealPlayer software. In 2010, RealNetworks initiated legal action against Dutch webmaster Hilbrand Edskes for providing links to this codec, alleging it was an illegally reverse-engineered product. The lawsuit was dismissed in November 2011, with the court ordering RealNetworks to compensate Edskes €48,000 in damages; however, Edskes bore legal expenses amounting to €66,000. The case was reopened in 2013 after RealNetworks claimed to have uncovered new evidence implicating Edskes in uploading Real Alternative.

See also

External links

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