CNET Editors' review
Most people don't need anything more than a Web browser and a Macromedia plug-in to watch Flash videos. However, if you want a hair's breadth more control over your viewing, this open-source freeware program will do the trick.
FLV Player's exceedingly simple controls allow you to navigate backward and forward through videos and play them in a loop. You can also adjust the volume, mute it, and adjust the size of the player. The Settings menu provides some basic control over program behavior, such as opening a new player window when double-clicking on an FLV file and remembering previous settings. And that's about it.
Our only major complaint is that the display window doesn't automatically resize to the size of your movie frame. We hope this problem will be remedied in future versions. FLV Player isn't a must-have by any stretch, but it's a decent tool for penny-pinching Flash developers.
Publisher's Description
From mdvisser:
Plays FLV Format files downloaded from YouTube and other video sites, as well as other popular formats like WMV. MOV, MPEG, AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MP4 and more. Just click a video file in your file explorer and it plays automatically, or choose it from the FLV and Media Player menu.
What's new in this version: Version 3.0 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 889 votes
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Current version:
1.8 starsout of 8 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-8 of 8
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"Malicious Malware"
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
Plays videos somewhat OK
Cons
See title, this application installs with 2 different malware applications even after you opt out of them. Then when you try to remove them, the uninstaller craps out and you end up manually editing your registry. I can't believe that Cnet still allows this application to be hosted on it's site. Just goes to show that nothing is free.
STAY AWAY FROM THIS APPSummary
RUN RUN FAR AWAY before you download this app, unless you want to get a crash course on how to edit your registry.
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"Terrible, malicious junk"
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
It was at one time a clean and light player, but, not any more.
Cons
Forced install of adware, does not honor unselection.
Summary
I switched to using media player codec pack with windows media player instead.
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"Nice HD video but its got malware, bugs, & it freezes"
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
It's good free n got a best HD resolution.
Cons
Probles and issues - it freezes, can't move, can't resize in different view, and mostly there's bugs and malwares.
Summary
Must fix/repair the bugs that unable to move, can't resize nor adjust screen size, and mostly there's bugs and malwares. Please repair them. It really discourages customers and very unstable these two version 3.0 and version 3.0 OTR...
I'll give 5 stars if u repair and remove the bugs, malwares and adwares. It's very unstable... I removed/uninstalled this product already. -
"Does not honor your election to NOT install toolbars."
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
None - Deception begins at install
Cons
The interface obfuscates the opt out sufficiently to qualify as deception to the average end user. The tool bars can make some browser configurations unstable.
Summary
When deception begins in install, there is no need to do business with this company under any conditions. Shame on you Cnet for associating yourself with Funmoods and Freeworkz, and Pricegong. We have trusted the Cnet brand, for several years, as a guide to quality software. This is the first time our vetting process has ever turned up a problem like this with Cnet. We hope this is an anomaly, and does not become systemic.
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"Complete crapware"
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
It probably plays FLV.
Cons
Agree completely with MACpistol.com.
Neither do i understand why Cnet would support downloading software like this. Nothing more then crap/ad/malware. FlV player 2 was good.Summary
This one is garbage.
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"Pay attention to each screen during installation"
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
IMHO it is still the best option for local viewing of downloaded flash files. I like the interface, the full screen option is clearer, and I like being able to cue several files for playback rather than selecting them one at a time.
The download from the developers website will force installation of something called InstallIQ, the download here does not.Cons
This download WILL install multiple instances of unwanted software if you do not decline each one during installation. This is a minor inconvenience in light of the usefulness of the program. Pay attention during installation and by declining the extras you will end up with just FLV Player.
Summary
I still like this program but I feel that cnet/download.com should have been explicit about the added software that could be unintentionally installed by users.
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"FLV 3.0 is malware and adware. It changes your settings"
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
There are no "pros" to flv 3.0. Version 2.0 had "pros" and they destroyed those pros with this awful version. FLV player 3.0 is awful to work with and awful to use to play files. Basic interface with 3.0 is difficult. Playing files is difficult and obnoxious. FLV player 2.0 was good, and simple, and it wasn't adware. 3.0 hounds you with ads.
Cons
This program is malware and should be removed from cnet IMMEDIATELY. If you want to keep FLV player 2.0 (since 2.0 is a good version), I discovered that ever since 3.0 was released, the program or the maker's website actually CHANGES YOUR FLV PLAYER SETTINGS back to allow it to check for updates even if you explicitly tell FLV player 2.0 not to. This constitutes malware. Whenever a program changes your settings without your permission, it is malware. PERIOD. Cnet should be ashamed for offering this trash and for making it look good. FLV 3.0 is loaded with ads and ridiculous bugs in the interface which cnet clearly didn't care about or didn't bother to notice. I actually had to go into windows firewall and BLOCK FLV player 2.0 from accessing the internet to keep it's maker from hacking my settings back every day to allow it to check for updates and harass me to get the new and awful version 3.0. You should NEVER have to go to such an extreme just to have your settings respected.
Summary
3.0 is not just awful, it is full blown malware because it's maker hacks your settings and tells version 2.0 to check for updates after you EXPLICITLY told it not to by unchecking the update box. I watched it change this setting a dozen times before I finally blocked this program's access to the internet via windows firewall (something you should NEVER have to do because your settings should be respected). Changing our settings in version 2.0 without permission, makes FLV player 3.0 MALWARE and it makes it's makers CRIMINALS. It is illegal to secretly hack someone's computer and change their settings but I watched the maker of this program do it to my version 2.0 every day for a month.
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"don't see any advantage"
Version: Applian FLV and Media Player 3.0
Pros
It plays FLVs
Cons
It takes 4 or 5 times longer to load the file and start playing than the free VLC player. The interface is confusing. It tries to trick you into installing programs you don't want.
Summary
I just uninstalled it. No advantage over the VLC player while being slow to load. When installing it tries to install other programs
Results 1-8 of 8
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