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CNET Editors' review
These days, a great number of people are not only finding the majority of their entertainment online but are also conducting a fair amount of their social lives there as well. In such times, it's great to have a quick and simple tool for downloading, editing, sharing, and transferring media. RealPlayer for Windows already had most of that down, offering a sweeping array of features, from one-click video downloading to automatic transcoding to social network sharing. The latest offering focuses mainly on improved device integration and an even smoother user experience.
RealPlayer has been around since 1995, which is practically the dawn of the Web. It started as a basic media player, becoming the preferred embedded app for streaming audio and video as sites started to offer that functionality, and eventually morphing into the easy-to-use, fully functioning beast we have today.
The previous version of RealPlayer already offered an easy, one-click solution for downloading unprotected videos for the Web. Another click transcodes those same videos to your portable device without a bit of extra effort on your part when it comes to fiddling with tricky digital format settings.
The program also incorporates a very simple-to-use video-trimming tool that allows you to select only certain bits of a video to transfer or share, and there are one-click buttons that let you share with a variety of social sites, such as Facebook and YouTube. In addition, you have the option to strip the audio out of the videos and save those as separate files.
The latest version of the software adds even more devices to the ever-expanding list of compatible handsets. Plus, RealPlayer now shows USB-connected smartphones and cameras inside the library in the main app window, allowing users to quickly and easily transfer content to the devices via drag-and-drop. Perhaps more compelling, though, is a new back-end feature that simplifies the process of getting photos and videos off of those devices and organized on your PC. In our testing, content was slow to load, but it's a welcome feature nonetheless.
Best of all, you can do all this for free. RealPlayer only requires a license fee if you want to upgrade to the Plus version in order to access additional features, such as H.264 conversion and DVD burning.
Publisher's Description
From RealNetworks:
For digital media enthusiasts who enjoy online and offline media files, RealPlayer is a universal media player that plays video and music files in virtually any format. RealPlayer also lets you download, convert and transfer videos to mobile devices, in addition to organizing your videos, music and photos.
This latest version brings improvements to the free application that leads the industry with its free and innovative features, such as downloading online videos, converting videos to mp3.
What's new in this version:
- Download and watch videos in Private Mode, a new feature that makes your video collection secure with password protection, anonymous file names.
- Instant access to your Facebook videos with Facebook video integration. After signing in, view and play videos that have been shared by your friends without leaving RealPlayer.
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All versions:
3.5 starsout of 2,447 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 36 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"The worst player ever"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
There is a free basic version.
Cons
Very painful process of installation. You need to register and create an account in order to install this. Very complicated layout. There is an ad to upgrade to the paid version. There are a lot of things I do not need. And above all, it crashes and there is no remedy for this for now. As if it is not painful enough to install, this software asks to install additional plugins to work. I wonder why a respectable company would want to distribute such a garbage!
Summary
DO NOT INSTALL. Look for an alternative, I will.
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"I'm download every Video watching YouTube and more..."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
Fast and easy use Realplayer
Cons
I'm used every production of ONET
Summary
Very good, follow me ONET....
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"very good so far"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
very good so far!
Cons
none right now!
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"Great!! & THEN"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
I purchased the Realplayer Plus so I could have the extras. Worked fine for 6 months.
Cons
After 6 months they wanted another $40 to upgrade to SP. My Plus would no longer work. Not a stable program. Plus would cut in & out. No help from Realplayer.
Summary
They keep changing the program & coming after you for another $40.
I am back to using You Tube downloader & Format Factory (both free) to change from flv & other files to WMV, MP3 or whatever. No more rip off for me from Realplayer. -
"Okay, ...."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
All Purpose
Cons
Size, Spyware, Adware, Malware, etc...
Summary
Okay, ...
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"good. Records many formats."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
Works pretty well downloading videos from youtube.
Cons
noe that i have found
Summary
useful playes a loy of formats
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"worst,suck,crash"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
for normal user
download realplayer SPPLUS free:http://www.mediafire.com/?gny8z85tvj9ict1#2Cons
if you no want the best
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"Works good."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
Good improvements.
Cons
Slight problem reading Apple stuff.
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"One of the worst."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
Nice UI, download manager, burner
Cons
It plays very few files. It always says -"It needs new software to play the file". If does not have the net(then, he won't need its downloading features), it's a useless piece.
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"Lovely graphics and download manager in one"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0
Pros
This player has a lovely picture...gorgeous compared to many others I have used. A download manager is one feature (I don't recall if it must be downloaded separately or not)...it is every bit as good as any You Tube downloader and a lot easier to use.
Great picture, easy downloader...it's great.Cons
I find some of the instructions difficult to follow, for instance, how to get my entire video library to play (from my hard drive and from a total of 5 external hard drives).
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