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Most PCs can handle QuickTime videos, but playback for Windows Media (WMV) files on a Mac isn't always predictable. Flip4Mac WMV is a free collection of QuickTime components that lets you play WMV and Microsoft Silverlight files on your Mac, either through QuickTime Player or right in your browser. You can also pay to upgrade Flip4Mac for more advanced WMV features, such as importing, exporting, and creating encoding profiles, which integrate with other QuickTime applications like Final Cut Pro.
If you just want to play videos, you only need the free Flip4Mac WMV Player. Flip4Mac then installs plug-ins that let you play Windows Media streams and Silverlight media in Safari and other browsers. (You can also customize your installation if you don't want to install Silverlight.) You can change your settings in the Flip4Mac preference pane later, but for the most part this app's functionality is invisible once installed, with playback in your browser that's nearly indistinguishable from QuickTime.
Flip4Mac isn't perfect--for example, it can't play Windows Media Digital Rights Management, and it hasn't fully made the jump to handle Safari's default 64-bit mode in Snow Leopard. But if you ever visit the growing number of sites that use WMV and Silverlight (such as Netflix and its Watch Instantly titles), Flip4Mac gives you a free, easy way to watch videos on those sites.
Publisher's Description
From Telestream:
Flip4Mac WMV Player component allows you to play Windows Media in QuickTime Player and your web browser. In fact, you can play Windows media in almost any application that supports QuickTime. With Flip4Mac, you don't have to pass up high-definition movies or Windows Media files you find on the Web. You have more viewing options and the great playback experience you've come to rely on with QuickTime Player
By upgrading Flip4Mac WMV you can import Windows Media files and create Windows Media files for distribution. These features are optional and available in trial mode until you need them. Flip4Mac WMV export components can be used with applications such as QuickTime 7 Pro, Final Cut Pro, Compressor, iMovie, Keynote, PowerPoint, among others as well as within web browsers such as Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome.
Editing local Windows Media files or downloaded web streams is easy with Flip4Mac WMV Player Pro. Simply open Windows Media files in QuickTime 7 Pro and convert them to other formats such as for iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPhoto or iTunes. For advanced editing Flip4Mac Player Pro enables direct import into iMovie or for large amounts of files a batch conversion with Apple Compressor to QuickTime AIC (iMovie), ProRes (Final Cut Pro X) or even MPEG-2 for DVD is also possible.
Flip4Mac WMV Studio includes all features of Player Pro plus click-simple ability to export Windows Media. We've taken the mystery out of making WMV movies with our built-in video and audio encoding templates. Flip4Mac WMV Studio is the perfect companion to ScreenFlow, QuickTime 7 Pro and Compressor. Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro includes all features of Player Pro and WMV Studio. In addition you can use custom settings to export Windows Media or create your own encoding templates. Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro provides 1-pass, standard definition Windows Media encoding with standard audio.Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro HD is the ultimate toolset for the video professional providing maximum flexibility and superior quality. Expand your viewing audience by adding true Windows Media import and export capabilities to your editing workflow, and enjoy the ultimate encoding capabilities: 2-pass, high definition and pro audio features.
What's new in this version: New Features in this Release
- Added a progress indicator while waiting for streams to buffer in web browsers.
- Fixes an export scaling issue that causes video quality issues with source frame sizes not divisible by four.
- Fixes a problem exporting Silverlight templates.
- Fixes numerous problems in the Web browser plug-in that prevented streaming and playback of various sites and other problems with clicking and scrolling while in t... See all new features
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 159 votes
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Current version:
3.0 starsout of 5 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"DO NOT USE, Unless you know what your getting into!"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.4.1.4
Pros
It's good for watching your clips, but there are better options!
Cons
Just like others have mentioned, it WILL watermark your files, even the ones that you haven't tried to convert! If you just want to watch them, fine, but if you ever try to convert them for upload, it's watermarked! I have many old videos that I imported and haven't had the time to convert, until now. Many are not wmv's, but Mov's and they have somehow aquired the watermark! The issue is that I am above average in my computer skills and if they were able to backdoor me into having to purchase, there are many many others. Just search the web for folks in the same boat! Shame on you for holding our memories hostage for profit! BTW, the comment about your original files not being marked, funny how I have tried to pull a mov file into iMovie and I get the watermark?? Apparently , they trick you into thinking it's a mov file, but it's a wmv in a mov container and you can never extract it without paying the man!!!
Summary
Be very careful with this app!!! Know what your getting into or you will be forced to pay !!!
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"Another plugin, albeit for a mediocre format..."
Version: Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.4.1.4
Pros
It seems to do what it indicates, that is enabling my Mac to play Windows Media files using Quicktime Player X and Quicktime 7.
Cons
It still doesn't allow me to use Window Media as is in iTunes. Also, I am a long time user of VLC, which is set as my default player, so I don't really get much use out of this. I am really not sure what the installation of Silverlight has to do with enabling me to play WMV and WMA files.
Summary
This may not be something I am truly excited about but it is definitely useful for anyone who does not use VLC or MPlayer or something similar. I opened up the contents of the package (installer file) and then proceeded to only install the Quicktime Plugin. I am just not a big fan of more bloat. I feel as though, for what this does, it could be about 15MB smaller and still be effective. Despite all that, I still feel as though this is something that a majority of Mac users should install on their machines.
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"Does What It's Supposed To!"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.4.1.4
Pros
A buddy from up north sent me a short clip, but he runs Windows, I'm on a Mac. Messages told me none of my apps could play it, even though I've got all the heavy-duty ones that claim they play anything. So googled the prob, found this app (obviously on CNET again) and it worked great. Totally simple to use, enters when needed, otherwise hides. I'm now going back, re-vivifying old clips with same file extension, playing and enjoying them also!
Cons
None so far. I'm a recreational Mac user, not in business or needing it for something responsible, so traffic is thin and I've had no complaints.
Summary
Again, can't think of any adverse qualities, just a little add-on-app that makes doable what this computer should have been able to do, on its own, in the first place.
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"another plug-in for my browser"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.4.1.4
Pros
Another plug-in for my browser that lets me watch video
Cons
Nothing comes to mind
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"Zero, zero, zero"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.4.1.4
Pros
Nil, nil, nil
Cons
I want to go back to the older version, but it won't let me.
This version gets a zeroSummary
Not for me
Results 1-5 of 5
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