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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:
With the Windows Media Components for QuickTime by Flip4Mac, you can play Windows Media files (.wma and .wmv) in QuickTime Player and view Windows Media content on the Internet using a web browser.
The Windows Media Components for QuickTime have been highly optimized and support playback of Windows Media HD.
What's new in this version: Fixed crash when playing mms streams from some sites. Fixed an audio bug when exporting from Final Cut Express that was causing it to hang and add extra audio to the clip. Fixed parsing on some .asx sites that could cause a hang or crash.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 150 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 15 votes
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My rating:
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"new computer new flip"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
up to date fast
Cons
none i can think of
Summary
works fine relibal
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"1000x better than Silverlight- must have for OSX"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
It works and it works well
Cons
None so far
Summary
A must have for OS X
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"Reports Error, then tells me to call Customer Service"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
Can't note any since it does not run.
Cons
Like I said, it doesn't run on my machine and, apparently, I'm not the only one.
Summary
The content of the error message tells me that the developer suspected the app would not run under certain conditions. Have these folks ever heard of meaningful "beta testing?"
Unable to use app; gave error when launched. Cisco Tech Support corrected the problem for me and the app now runs fine. Interface is a bit confusing but does get the job done.
Updated on May 8, 2011 -
"Nice to use"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Didn't find any yet
Summary
Nice and easy to use
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"Plum Don't Work"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
Didn't do any damage.
Cons
It won't launch. Does that count as a con?
Summary
Downloaded and installed TWICE. Can't be opened, doesn't work. At all. As I recall, the previous incarnation worked just fine. Have used WMV player for YEARS prior to this with no problem whatsoever. I agree CNET's puff-piece author--"this app's functionality is invisible once installed." In fact, it's virtually undetectable--you can't even open it to configure it.
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"Does what it's supposed to do - well"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
Seems to run in the background - I'm not really aware of it. Seems useful with You Tube.
Cons
none that I can tell
Summary
I have this installed but have no idea how often my system uses it - so I guess that's a good thing.
When I go to play anything where I have to choose a player though - I always go for VLC. -
"would not show as application"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
none as would not show as application
Cons
had to down load application to uninstall
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"It works effortlessly."
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
Easy to install. Works in the background.
Cons
None to date
Summary
Great tool that is totally install and forget.
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"no comment"
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
no comment
Cons
no comment
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"Does all I want."
Version: Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.8.1
Pros
Works faithfully.
Cons
None apparent.
Summary
Fine product.
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