CNET Editors' review
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:
- The importer now accepts files with a .wm extension.
- Fixed issue where watermarks would appear incorrectly.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 151 votes
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Current version:
2.0 starsout of 1 votes
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My rating:
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"It works, but..."
Version: Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.4.4.2
Pros
It generally does what it says.
Cons
The watermarking issue is not addressed in this out-dated review, nor very clearly in the publisher's description.
Summary
I won't put it back in play until I am sure there is no longer indiscriminate and inappropriate watermarking.
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