Manage updates with the Download App
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
We have to admit that it had been years since we used RealPlayer, and we weren't quite sure what to expect from this version. Nor were we particularly excited about trying it out; we have a media player already, thank you, and what could RealPlayer possibly do that we hadn't already seen before? Quite a lot, it turns out. In addition to managing and playing your media, it can also download and convert videos, keep certain content private, and more.
RealPlayer has a sleek and intuitive interface that opened with a page touting its latest features. After a bit of exploration, we realized that RealPlayer could perform expected tasks, such as scanning for existing media on our computer, but that it was also capable of much more. If you've ever needed an easy way to download videos from the Web, RealPlayer can help; the program places a Download This Video button above content on sites like YouTube, and in a matter of moments users can download videos and convert them to a variety of other formats. Private Mode lets you download and store videos securely using a PIN, which is great if your taste in entertainment tends to fall on the mature side; once you exit Private Mode, videos that were downloaded in it are hidden from your library. The program also lets users sign into their Facebook account to view videos recently uploaded by friends. Combined with old standby features like CD burning and management tools for music, videos, and images, these new features make RealPlayer an innovative choice for users who are serious about media.
RealPlayer installs a desktop icon without asking but uninstalls cleanly.
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:
3.4 starsout of 2,516 votes
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Current version:
3.3 starsout of 50 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Too Many Upgrades"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Video Downloading
Burning CDsCons
Crashes
Upgrades with no improved features
Pop up adsSummary
It's annoying when you buy a product and they want you to buy it all over again six months later. Please tell me what improvements you have made before asking for another $40. RealPlayer can suck it. They should have free updates for people who have already purchased it.
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"Incompatible with Firefox"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Prior to updates, satisfied with performance.
Cons
Recent updates in both Firefox and Real Player prevented audio and video load. Thanks to the advice of another reviewer, I uninstalled Real Player and my load problems disappeared. Audio and Video are back to normal.
Summary
Obviously updates can be a minefield if there are incompatibility issues.
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"Not compatible with Firefox"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
1) Allows downloading from Youtube.
2) Converting video file into MP3 with just click very swiftlyCons
1) Frequent updates that causes compatibility issues with browser, especially Firefox
2) limited converting formats.Summary
Previously, both real player and firefox worked well together, but since the new update from both sides, I was unable to view flash video at all on hotmail, youtube and facebook. Suspected the cause was from Firefox, so i uninstalled firefox 13 and installed an older version 11. The video still did not work. So i uninstalled Real player, and voila, video is working again on firefox. So Real player is the culprit for compatibility problem. Sayonara real player! Thanks, but no thanks!
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"RealPlayer G2 was the best Realplayer at the time."
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Allows downloads of videos, hides private videos so your business only stays yours.
Cons
Crashes once in awhile, seems with every update, it loses compatibility with Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, interface has lost its design charm since Real Player G2. Music indexing / scrolling is very slow, even on a machine that well meets the system requirements. No real compelling arguments from the developer on why the plus version is worth $49.95
Summary
It appears this software brags about being the all in one media player from the free version setup out of the box. However some features are disabled and requires a purchase of the program. Most notably the video conversion. For lower quality formats such as WMV and 3GP you can convert to those. You can also convert some things to MP3 audio too but for high end formats such as MP4 and h264 or other MPEG formats it seems that they could not include these in the free edition due to some licensing restrictions that only allows the encoding technologies to be used in a commercial project. As for the interface goes, I really miss the simplicity of the older RealPlayer and its formats, especially the different channel content buttons that were present in older versions. Now Realplayer defaults to Film.com and there is no Real.com Showcase anymore. Supposedly there is a subscription for SuperPass or other premium content, but player seems to be more focused on advertising itself rather then the 3rd party services / add ons. Video downloading is ok, download speed is intentionally neutered in the free version, as is the conversion speed. When it comes to the privacy of viewing videos, EG videos that are not appropriate for everyone viewing it, this player does its job. HOWEVER..... You don't need this player just for that feature , there are many excellent freeware utilities out there that can assist you with locking down your private stuff. But I won't mention those here. With all the limitations of the free version of the product and all the up-selling of the program noticed around different screens of the interface, This program sounds more like a piece of spam then a useful media player. If you want to play it all, consider looking at Zoom Player, VLC, Media Player Home Cinema Classic, and use a few useful freeware utilities to convert the videos and download them . I wish I could rate it higher but its too limited in features.
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"Works but Miro is better-"
Version: RealPlayer 15.0.4.53
Pros
Real player is one of the few programs that can download video from the web,You Tube etc. the videos are downloaded as FLV or MPG4 files and you can play them in Real Player or other Media players such as VLC player. Real players is both an all in one Media player that plays any video and audio file you have and a video downloader.
Cons
Lots of unwanted adverts and as it also works in Firefox and Google Chrome web browser it slows down your web browser.tends to crash and freeze a lot.Takes over your web browser Firefox or Google Chrome if you have them installed. That is every time you view a video in your web browser,Chrome or Firefox,you get a " download this video message." Not everybody likes this as it is rather intrusive.
Summary
You can download videos in Real Player itself as it also has it's own built in web browser or in Firefox and Google Chrome web browser.Real player does work unlike Firefox and add ons Download helper and Download It All which don't always download the whole video. But Real player does download the whole of the video. But there is a lot of adware(adverts) and bloatware. So Miro media player is a better alternative to Real Player as it is lighter and not so bloated and works better than Real Player. I used to use Real player but now I use Miro instead. Andrea Borman.
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"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.
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"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
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"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?)
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