CNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will download a small installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual download.
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.
More Popular Video Players downloads
- VLC Media Player
171,183 downloads
- GOM Media Player
155,479 downloads
- UMPlayer
138,064 downloads
- RealPlayer
73,264 downloads
- Media Player Codec Pack
32,898 downloads
-
All versions:
3.5 starsout of 2,458 votes
-
Current version:
3.5 starsout of 46 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"An excelent video player"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Simple design! no need for more
Cons
I wanted to use real one player in order to download youtube to mp3 & mp4 and i found it very hard
Summary
If you are intrested in downloading youtube to mp3 and mp4 use
YouTube By Click .com -
"too many of the good reviews seem completely fake"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
just want someone to verify some of these reviews. almost all the good ones seem fake.
Cons
just want someone to verify some of these reviews. almost all the good ones seem fake.
Summary
stopped using it years ago, for same reason I won't put apple software on my pc. I was looking for something and thought I would check this out and noticed that most of the good reviews seem completely fake. between miraculous solutions for problems that don't happen IRL unless you are completely useless. seriously, its a program Not a "God Send"
just wanted to say, I did/do appreciate the Editor's review. I just wanted to see if people IRL had the same experience.
Updated on May 22, 2012 -
"This game is excellent and wonderful, and"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Pros
Such as accuracy, design accuracy, and also in terms of playingCons
Negatives
Comment repeated, and also no-load at high speed for the rest of the gamesSummary
This game is excellent and wonderful
Updated on May 15, 2012 -
"converter NOT free"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Support of multiple formats, ease of use
Cons
Since the latest upgrades, you can no longer do ANY conversions without being forced to upgrade to the paid version. If you drag a file over to the converter and hit the "Convert" button, it just takes you to their site to pay for the upgrade version - if you say "No Thanks" it then goes to yet another nag screen - say no to that second screen and it just closes out the program. Sucks. I'm taking it off my system
Summary
Used to be great - now the "free" part is next to useless.
-
"not bad but rubbish for youtube"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
works well on downloading a good number of music streams and they play back in Windows Media Player...
Cons
...but it doesn't want to work on Youtube videos (the 'download this video' button simply doesn't show) and picks and choose which Vimeo videos it downloads
Summary
Reasonable but not brilliant
-
"A very good video player gets better."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Impressed with its ability to change rapidly, and stay usable.
Cons
Having to pay for Realplayer Pro (which is very good), but it is arguably, the best.
Summary
After resisting for years, I finally came back to RealPlayer, and I am glad I did. It is better now, and seems to be less intrusive than it used to be (Do you remember being interrupted in your browsing by RealPlayer wanting something from you?)
-
"easy to use and plays DVD's"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Plays DVD's easy to use very user friendly.
Cons
Haven't found any yet.
Summary
Simple to use, easy to set up and no frills.
-
"You want a review, but you are telling me how to do it."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
It has stuff on it, that I need to try yet.
Cons
There is not as much as I thought there would be. I remember playing games on it years ago ( what happened?)
Summary
I really don't know how much I will use this program. I know it is free, but I was able to do more on it years ago.
-
"it's been a godsend"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
-quick
-easy to use
-no membership required
-no "trial version"
-i can finally watch videos without needing the internet!Cons
-none, for me
-
"Love having one program that meets all of my needs."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Tons of features that make things simpler for me, no time trial or frustrating "limited" trial. So far, I have no need to search for any additional media software.
Cons
Had the same issues as many others with the program not working correctly, crashing, no downloader, and being painfully slow. The following article with instructions solved every issue I was having.
Summary
Some versions of Real Player, particularly version 8, do not recognize Firefox, and consequently do not install the necessary DLL files in the correct place. Even though Real Player is installed, Firefox does not and cannot know this, since it has not been informed about the installation.
What Firefox needs is a specific file called "nppl3260.dll," which must be placed in Firefox's plug-ins directory. While this file is temporarily created by Real Player during installation, it is deleted upon the installation's completion, meaning you will likely not have it on your computer.
Luckily, nppl3260.dll can be freely downloaded from multiple places online, meaning you will be able to fix the problem. Obtain a copy of the file and save it in "C:\Program Files\Mozilla\Plugins." Restart Firefox and you should be finally be able to play Real Media
Read more: Firefox Real Player Problems | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5558328_firefox-real-player-problems.html#ixzz1mBjFwCmh
Read more: Firefox Real Player Problems | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5558328_firefox-real-player-problems.html#ixzz1mBioh1jG
Read more: Firefox Real Player Problems | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5558328_firefox-real-player-problems.html#ixzz1mBbzRyLh
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
