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Prince · 02-15-2004, 12:27 PM

I haven't used RealPlayer in a while. I've tried all free versions since 8 or so, but I've eventually uninstalled each. Namely for the following reasons:

- Slows down the machine considerably. I know you don't want to believe this to be true, but it's the #1 reason I dislike RP. Happened to me with each version that I used.

- You say it plays every format available. Well I do recall having to resort to WMP to play Windows Media files (audio and video). Does the most recent free version of RP play Windows Media files? What about DIVX and XVID files?

- I don't remember when it was that RP acquired the new, awful interface, but I've to say it's utterly unbecoming. It looks to me like something made in Flash or Java, and falls in the same category with Netscape 6. Functionality is important, but appearance is a good #2 to me. I've neve tried to skin RP...is it possible? You can even skin WMP, after all.

- I've never seen a good quality RealMedia clip, but I've to admit I have not seen enough of them in my life to really make my mind about that. Streaming over 56k isn't a joy anyway.

- Realsched.exe or whatever it is. When I last installed RP, I found myself having to manually kill that process each time I restarted Windows. Fun, fun, fun. I seriously dislike software that plants something to be automatically started when Windows starts. Sure, WinAmp does this too with the WinAmp Agent, but at least I've found that easy to disable.

- RP takes over the file extentions automatically. I don't like this feature. You did say that RP assumes it is supposed to play media since that is its job. Sure, but in this day and age people tend to have several players on their computers, and there is the freedom of choice. Anything that tries to interfere with that can go.

- I hate ads, I seriously do, but the company's gotta make money somehow. The price tag of the Plus version seems to be around 20 bucks, which isn't bad, but RP would have to offer something unique and special for that money, considering how many free apps are out there that do what it does.

- I hate subscriptions to networks. I'm not buying a car and wanting to make monthly payments. I'll pay for the software ONCE, and that's it. Don't offer me subscriptions I've no need for. I'll look them up myself if I feel inclined to spend money on something.

I'm glad you've taken it upon yourself to hear people out and answer their questions. Even if there is a lot of dislike towards RP that must be frustrating to take when your own faith in the product stands strong. This has encouraged me to download RP again and give the new version a shot. I'll let you know what I think of it, and yeah I'll be sure to reboot a few times.

Good - and important - thread, IMO.

Btw...what is the difference between RealPlayer, RealOne and RealJukebox?

02-15-2004, 12:27 PM	#41 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	I haven't used RealPlayer in a while. I've tried all free versions since 8 or so, but I've eventually uninstalled each. Namely for the following reasons: - Slows down the machine considerably. I know you don't want to believe this to be true, but it's the #1 reason I dislike RP. Happened to me with each version that I used. - You say it plays every format available. Well I do recall having to resort to WMP to play Windows Media files (audio and video). Does the most recent free version of RP play Windows Media files? What about DIVX and XVID files? - I don't remember when it was that RP acquired the new, awful interface, but I've to say it's utterly unbecoming. It looks to me like something made in Flash or Java, and falls in the same category with Netscape 6. Functionality is important, but appearance is a good #2 to me. I've neve tried to skin RP...is it possible? You can even skin WMP, after all. - I've never seen a good quality RealMedia clip, but I've to admit I have not seen enough of them in my life to really make my mind about that. Streaming over 56k isn't a joy anyway. - Realsched.exe or whatever it is. When I last installed RP, I found myself having to manually kill that process each time I restarted Windows. Fun, fun, fun. I seriously dislike software that plants something to be automatically started when Windows starts. Sure, WinAmp does this too with the WinAmp Agent, but at least I've found that easy to disable. - RP takes over the file extentions automatically. I don't like this feature. You did say that RP assumes it is supposed to play media since that is its job. Sure, but in this day and age people tend to have several players on their computers, and there is the freedom of choice. Anything that tries to interfere with that can go. - I hate ads, I seriously do, but the company's gotta make money somehow. The price tag of the Plus version seems to be around 20 bucks, which isn't bad, but RP would have to offer something unique and special for that money, considering how many free apps are out there that do what it does. - I hate subscriptions to networks. I'm not buying a car and wanting to make monthly payments. I'll pay for the software ONCE, and that's it. Don't offer me subscriptions I've no need for. I'll look them up myself if I feel inclined to spend money on something. I'm glad you've taken it upon yourself to hear people out and answer their questions. Even if there is a lot of dislike towards RP that must be frustrating to take when your own faith in the product stands strong. This has encouraged me to download RP again and give the new version a shot. I'll let you know what I think of it, and yeah I'll be sure to reboot a few times. Good - and important - thread, IMO. Btw...what is the difference between RealPlayer, RealOne and RealJukebox? __________________ Who is John Galt? Last edited by Prince; 02-15-2004 at 12:48 PM..