Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

CyberDoc999 reviewed v18.0.2.59 on Aug 13, 2015

they are making an effort to move with the times

CyberDoc999 reviewed v18.0.0.112 on May 20, 2015

formerly no one wants it anymore

FrostyZ reviewed v17.0.12 on Aug 8, 2014

Terrible. Wow. How... and WHY did it get released?

Sven123456789 reviewed v17.0.10 on May 30, 2014

All these years later since the start if Realplayer. I really have only one question. Whose the blond?

BANDIT- reviewed v17.0.6.13 on Feb 20, 2014

I don't use this App, But I've dabbled with it in the past.
It attempts to (Kind of) "Dominate/Take-over" your system..!!
@NOOBS could get in a real Tangle trying to Install this.
Be on the LookOut for Bogeys.. (~_^) ....... Naaaaahh .. 0*

CyberDoc999 reviewed v17.0.4.61 on Jan 2, 2014

Bloated

Sven123456789 reviewed v16.0.3.51 on Nov 21, 2013

Time to say its jumped the shark. Download feature no longer works in Youtube. Other players around with less bs to worry about than this. Time to put this baby to rest.

alanejewel reviewed v15.0.2 on Jan 5, 2013

I'm a fan of the latest versions of RealPlayer, I use it for all my media needs. Ive been using it for the last year and download, convert and save all my videos with RP, its pretty universal, plus cs is very helpful when I need some troubleshooting.

Sven123456789 reviewed v15.0.2 on Sep 16, 2012

Still the best. Bar none

armpit reviewed v15.0.2 on Apr 24, 2012

Really? Version 15? What's new? More malware? More spying? 0/5

Uriel reviewed v15.0.2 on Feb 7, 2012

Nothing is free. You pay with your identity. It's laced with advertisements. It's a major cookie dropper. They only support codec files used in their web store. They won't allow you to do any p2p file sharing with this so it is pretty much restrictive to what it can do.

Zoroaster reviewed v14.0.7 on Oct 6, 2011

It could be worse, like shareware, trialware for instance.

Bala7 reviewed v14.0.7 on Oct 5, 2011

It has improved a little over the past couple of years as long as you get the UK installer NOT the USA installer. UK has better privacy rules therefore less adware than the US version. UK installer is a bit smaller also.

armpit reviewed v14.0.6.666 on Oct 5, 2011

Still the worst player EVER. Cool interface? Ha! More like candy coating a turd if you are into that.

Such a piece of crap, it requires adobe flash for mp4 and h.264 videos. No FLAC audio, MKV, or OGG support. No external subtitle support of any kind without installing additional software.

Do yourself a favor and get The KMPlayer, Daum´s PotPlayer, VLC or Media Player Classic Home Cinema. Any of those are WAY more capable to PLAY all your video and audio files with strong support for .srt external subtitles, all of them are a lot lighter than RealCrap player and don´t spy on you or constantly show you ads.

Not even the BBC uses it anymore: "The streaming service provided in RealMedia format has been with us at the BBC since 1996. At the time it was the best option available, but more recently alternative methods of delivery have become just as important. These include Windows Media and Flash.

When evaluating services with our public value tests, which includes the costs of the services, we came to the decision that RealMedia was something we needed to phase out."

rebeccahart reviewed v14.0.5.660 on Aug 16, 2011

This software has a cool interface.

armpit reviewed v14.0.5.660 on Jul 28, 2011

Still the worst player EVER.

Such a piece of crap, it requires adobe flash player for mp4 and h.264 videos. No FLAC audio, MKV, or OGG support. No external subtitle support of any kind without installing additional software.

Do yourself a favor and get The KMPlayer, Daum´s PotPlayer, VLC or Media Player Classic Home Cinema. Any of those are WAY more capable to PLAY all your video and audio files with strong support for .srt external subtitles, all of them are a lot lighter than RealCrap player and don´t spy on you or constantly show you ads.

Not even the BBC uses it anymore: "The streaming service provided in RealMedia format has been with us at the BBC since 1996. At the time it was the best option available, but more recently alternative methods of delivery have become just as important. These include Windows Media and Flash.

When evaluating services with our public value tests, which includes the costs of the services, we came to the decision that RealMedia was something we needed to phase out."

Sven123456789 reviewed v14.0.2.633 on May 16, 2011

Still the best

armpit reviewed v14.0.2.633 on Apr 16, 2011

Such a piece of crap, more than 100mb of installed files for a mediocre player? No internal h.264 decoder, uses flash player for such files. No FLAC audio, MKV, or OGG support. .SRT subtitles are not supported also without installing additional software.

Do yourself a favor and get KMPlayer, Daum´s PotPlayer, VLC or Media Player Classic Home Cinema. Any of those are WAY more capable to PLAY all your video and audio files with strong support for .srt external subtitles, all of them are a lot lighter than realcrap player and don´t spy on you or constantly show you ads.

shallot reviewed v14.0.2.633 on Jan 28, 2011

One word.
SPYWARE

There are plenty of other good players...

VLC, MP2

Raysy reviewed v14.0.1.609 on Jan 17, 2011

Has some good features, RealPlay is better than its bad reputation. And to my mind, iTunes is worse than its rep. But that's my personal opinion.

trents reviewed v11.1.3 Build 6.0.14.955 on Nov 25, 2010

HI,
I like to used this player where RealPlayer for Windows 11.1.3 Build 6.0.14.955 The new RealPlayer gives you the ability to download them all to your personal video playlist.

SnoBrdr reviewed v1.1.4 Build 12.0.0.756 on Jun 24, 2010

Beware if you use Firefox 3.6.4.

This will NO LONGER WORK with the new Firefox.

This always seems to happen hen Firefox puts out a new update, it takes a while for Real to catch up.

Zee333 reviewed v1.1.3 Build 12.0.0.658 on Mar 31, 2010

RealPlayer SP has improved so drasticly compared to the older versions, its light on resources, doesn't install any spyware or adware plus it has so many great features and doesn't overtake file types without your permission.

highly recommended

Gus_Valentine reviewed v1.1 Build 12.0.0.591 on Feb 19, 2010

According to their blog, SP 1.1 adds video trimming...
http://realnetworksblog.com/

dapxin reviewed v1.0.5 on Jan 21, 2010

I listen to a lot of livestreams, especially the BBC radio five live.

They broadcast on .asx(wmp) and .ram streams but I always use the .ram streams using RealPlayer.

With the right speakers, the sound quality even at 64kpbs is immensely better.

Its a decent application that does what it promises. period. The only reason it wont get my 5 stars, is you 'd still expected to pay some $$$ to get its full features.

Otherwise. functional stuff.

cyberia reviewed v1.0.5 on Nov 30, 2009

Let's see: Not bloated, but it gives you the ability to download .flv from sites such as Youtube, save them, and view them.

Four!

nilst2006 reviewed v1.0.2 Build 12.0.0.319 on Nov 4, 2009

Crap ! Spyware s-it !

Sven123456789 reviewed v1.0 Build 12.0.0.301 on Oct 25, 2009

By far the best video player on the market. Bar none.

CyberDoc999 reviewed v1.0 Build 12.0.0.301 on Oct 6, 2009

no one uses this crap anymore...... RIP

Sven123456789 reviewed v1.0 Build 12.0.0.297 on Sep 1, 2009

Still the best. For people who give this a bad review (and of course have not installed and tried this) stop it. To think that quicktime or WMP is remotely better is total bs.

catchpole reviewed v1.0 Build 12.0.0.297 on Aug 27, 2009

no good.

netean reviewed v1.0 Build 12.0.0.297 on Aug 27, 2009

how the mighty fall. Real player was once the dominant media player for live content, but their stealth spyware downloads, their bloated apps and the sheer arrogance of the company had led to their demise. I'm truly suprised they're still going.
This player is.... poor. there are a lot of better free alternatives around - a lot!.

This is another example of how greed and the ability to annoy your customer base and then ignore their wishes leads to the your demise.

The soon real player and real network die the better.

Galifray reviewed v1.0 Build 12.0.0.297 on Aug 26, 2009

Wow, you've got to love a program that cannot play it's own content once installed. Okay, it could play the content AFTER I downloaded yet more codecs for it to use. That's ridiculous though, the default install should have been able to play realmedia WITHOUT need to installed more bits.

Gus_Valentine reviewed v1.0 Build 12.0.0.297 on Aug 26, 2009

Yet another new skin for RealPlayer 6.0; I feel sorry for websites that ar still stuck in a contract with Real. At least the BBC is now switching to AAC in Flash for most of their streams.

superman2k6 reviewed v11.1.3 Build 6.0.14.955 on Jul 1, 2009

Such a huge, major improvement from previous versions, i understand why this has a bad name but you should try the latest version, its majorly improved, light in resorces and no adware, spyware or any of that junk included

Sven123456789 reviewed v11.1.2 Build 6.0.14.954 on Jun 14, 2009

Still the best....

niknetpc reviewed v11.1.1 Build 6.0.14.944 on May 5, 2009

Outstanding media player with perfect sound quality ! Much better than WMP or Jet Audio Pro if you have good sound card. Also ability to record any audio/video stream from web or flash video, do not need separate programs. For people who low rate.. simply change your 10 bucks plastic speakers and everything to be right.

oomingmak reviewed v11.1.1 Build 6.0.14.944 on May 5, 2009

Both the Real Media file format and the player are utter garbage.

Like other reviewers have already said; I'm astonished that this piece of junk is still around.

Zankur reviewed v11.1.1 Build 6.0.14.944 on May 5, 2009

I have never come to understand the pig-headed reviews by some people here....
with out even using the current version how can you rate it? i have used real-player many-a-times and i found no malware or spyware on it.....wonder what you guys are talking about?
also,if u sissies don't know how to disable the message center,atleast ask somebody.....
this is a decent software with no adware and related stuff..

nvic reviewed v11.1 Build 6.0.14.895 on Mar 19, 2009

You don't know how many systems i take this garbage off of.

What's even funnier is that new Dell systems come with this malware pre-installed...Not sure about HP/Acer/Compaq/Toshiba/Gateway/eMachines and such, but i wouldn't be surprised if it did. I think this junk might even be below the class that AOL is in...

kholdstare reviewed v11.1 Build 6.0.14.895 on Mar 19, 2009

is this still around LOL. come on real just let it die

Dreimanis reviewed v11.0.8 Build 6.0.14.891 on Mar 2, 2009

Does any one ever use this? I mean with free will and all?

KuHGl reviewed v11.0.7a Build 6.0.14.881 on Feb 16, 2009

Interesting, that this 'company' is still nervy enough to advertise for this collection of malware which they masked as media player.
And... freeware? Is there really anybody out there who needs a program on his/her system which spies them systematically as well as permanently out, 'delivers' them advertisements and - of course - more crap of this 'quality' (?) until the operating system dies?
I wished freeware sites created a new category called 'free junk' or similar... you guess, which 'software' I would suggest first to be transferred into this category...?

belthurgp reviewed v11.0.7a Build 6.0.14.881 on Feb 13, 2009

Adware,Malware, Threatware, dangerware and all other *wares...

worst possible piece of junk software....

Once you install, there's no way to get this thing out. Needs a reformat and reinstall of Windows....

slinkys_delsol reviewed v11.0.0.544 on Feb 1, 2009

It had it's time, but this software / format still exist why??? I know they still use it alot over in the UK, but get withe times... FLASH BASED!!!

frankwick reviewed v11.0.0.544 on Feb 1, 2009

I had no idea this product still existed. I gave up on this piece of junk of when they released the RealOne player and it was loaded with bugs and adware. There is a case study in how to ruin your business.

some guy reviewed v11.0.0.544 on Jan 31, 2009

wow I thought they died with AOL

Betachecker reviewed v11.0.0.544 on Jan 31, 2009

I am living without it

Sven123456789 reviewed v11.0.0.544 on Jan 31, 2009

Still the best.

Nighted reviewed v11.0.0.544 on Jan 30, 2009

lol
I can't even remember the last time I had the misfortune of encountering media encoded using this format.

Zoroaster reviewed v11.0.0.544 on Jan 30, 2009

It still exists?
Bloated, sneaky, dreadful sound quality.

PagingDrLeoMarvin reviewed v11.0 on Nov 11, 2008

I don't like it. I much prefer their approach with their Helix player, instead.

PagingDrLeoMarvin reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 11, 2008

I don't like it

Ama3rd reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 7, 2008

A rating of 2.2 is to good for this.

DJGM reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 7, 2008

If this is about RealPlayer 11, why the screengrab of v10.x ?

mmoak reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 7, 2008

Terrible. Bloaty, phones home without permission. Slow. Why is this thing still around?

blahman2005 reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 7, 2008

Outstanding. These people basically designed the internets digital media content expression.

brusco reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 7, 2008

Disgraceful piece of trash. It keeps trying to contact Real Networks servers to send back info about me (nowhere does it tell me exactly what).
I can see this by running on the windows command line netstat.exe

It crashes every time I shut it down. It adds crapware to my list of Start up apps whether configure it to or not. (see this by running msconfig.exe then going to the Start up tab)

It keeps trying to sell me "services" when all I want to do is view my files.

This is garbage-ware of the highest order. Avoid. Use the program "Real Alternative" instead. (google it)

armpit reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

Horrible piece of software.

Esquire reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

version 11.0.0.477?

My current RealPlayer reports that it's version 11.0.5, so which is newer?

echohead reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

BUFFERING

DakotaSunRunner reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

Excellent product, have used it for year with little or no problems. I like real player as well as a few others. For FREE it is excellent and well worth having. Nothing on internet is perfect so I give this a 4..

kindbud1 reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

Total POS.

Aegis69 reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

I can't believe this thing is rating over 2..

Funny how they want US$39.99 One-time fee for getting the miracle the must be Real Player Plus

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

bouncyboingy reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

This really is one of the last things you want on a system.
A neat product seven+ years ago etc.. , but now just a bloated pile of crap

catchpole reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

"Now also includes an option during setup to install the Real Toolbar for Internet Explorer."

great...

madmike reviewed v11.0.0.477 on Nov 6, 2008

LOL what a waste of time and effort.. hideous

Sven123456789 reviewed v11.0.0.468 on Oct 2, 2008

Still the best.

y0himba reviewed v11.0.0.453 on Jul 8, 2008

wait, people still use this bloated, ad infected, spyware? Wow. Next you will be telling me that Norton still makes good antivirus products.

halc reviewed v11.0.0.446 on May 6, 2008

Complete and utter piece of c*rap.

1. Buggy
2. Slow
3. Lots of pushware
4. Lots of trackware (you have to opt-out in 4 different settings AND put real-servers in your hosts file to diver the rest)
5. The minimum skin is HUGE. No way to resize. No way to skin (not even in the paid version!)

The only reason to use it, is that Real Alternative doesn't work very well with forwarding .ram -streams.

Otherwise it's completely and utterly useless.

Wish Real would just go bankrupt and die. The world would be much better a place without their 'software'.

Sven123456789 reviewed v11.0.0.446 on May 6, 2008

Still the best.

KuHGl reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 22, 2008

Years ago, when I had no idea about spam, ad-/spy-/malware I installed this piece of sh.. on my PC. In the end I had to re-install Windows to get rid of the numerous pieces of crap installed together with or by using the backdoors of the r**l(sick!)player. And although there are alternative players one should occasionally reflect about the possible reasons for websites using these codecs in the (sick!) hope the consumers use this client to watch/listen to it..., and ask them to use reasonable codecs which are made for and used by reasonable software!
Altogether: There is no real need to use this piece of software and as long as you are no masochist or something similar you should avoid using it. The bare time to download it (let it be some seconds, or even less...) is completely wasted. It's a pity that there is no possibility for negative Ratings...

Crispy777 reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 19, 2008

Oh hai! Just dropped in to say my butt still hurts RealMedia!

I would never download anything from this comapny unless I get sent some flowers and chocolate and a handwritten apology for bloating my computer a few years ago.

ZenoLabs reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 18, 2008

Bloat+ads+obsolete.

hfaerden reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 18, 2008

Now it is about time to stop all complaints about the sins of the past when we talk about Real Player. I used it in the 90's, stopped when it started to "eat my machine for breakfast". But with 11 I am back again, and more happy than ever. Especially with the Download Video function. The only reason I do not give 5 is because it still is a little to messy with ads. But no big problem. You can just turn them off.

outofspace reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 18, 2008

Mega Bloadware Mega Spam Making Tool.

Banquo reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

Nothing else to say.

armpit reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

Is this piece of crap still being developed? god, stop it already.

mikeyx11 reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

Ugh. Go away already. Nobody wants you.

white lightning reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

Obviuosly the worst ever .
Spam, Spam, Spam .

EarlyMorningHours reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

You mean people still download and use this? Now that more and more OEMs are whittling down on the crapware or, in some cases, eliminating it completely, I think that the days are numbered for sorry excuses like this.

madmike reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

still as awful as ever..

ninjeratu reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

Haven't *buffering* tried this *buffering* in *buffering* ages, so I thought I'd *buffering* do that.

Yes. It's still invasive and takes over settings and codecs. Yes. It's still almost impossible to get rid of completely. Yes. Almost all the stuff you find in free alternatives are there .. if you pay them money. It feels like some adware for itself.
The spyware is almost completely gone, unless you allow it to send anonymous stats and such.
The player is, and this is a subjective feeling, pretty pleasant to look at. The UI is nice, but nothing special. Not so sure about the choice of colours, but .. It's good enough.

But, come on! Free players have for years been able to do a lot more than this player can. WIth less annoyances, less diskusage and even with skins to suit you. Without the need to "upgrade".
Real, as formats, are deader than the dodo. Small, free codec packages will make almost any other player able to play the few RealMedia streams still out there, making this dinosaur obsolete and pointless.
RealPlayer as an OEM player might have a few dozen customers, but other than that this is as dead a format and player as it can possible be.
Try it for the novelty, but be warned that it's an obnoxious, invasive and annoying player.
It's should just disappear into oblivion and not twitch in death throes in small version bumps just to annoy us. Go away Real. Please?

DakotaSunRunner reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

I like real player and it matters little what anyone else thinks, everyone has a right to have on his or her computer what he/she wishes. There are allot of people who still use this software. So all you nay sayers, get a life...

shroom reviewed v11.0.0.446 on Apr 17, 2008

The best of the crap yeah ;)

Sven123456789 reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Apr 4, 2008

Still the best.

keir reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 31, 2008

warm_rain_on_cool_grasses, use RealAlternative instead.

warm_rain_on_cool_grasses reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 31, 2008

The only reason I still have RealPlayer at all is to listen to the BBC. If I didn't have to use it for that I wouldn't have it at all.

frodo888 reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 28, 2008

I hate this player in the past and in the present. If I could avoid this kind of media I did it. Fortunately today is really no need anymore to install this spy/bloat/cripple-ware. I hope they will vanish more soon or later...

Skyfrog reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 28, 2008

This was a horrible format and player even in the days of 56k dial-up when it was at least relevant. Who uses this garbage these days? Aside from maybe a few sites that Real pays to use it I have not seen any. Just bury it already, RM is dead. Next thing you'll be telling me that WinZip is still around. :P

Lawrence01 reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 28, 2008

I make sure to never go anywhere that may depend on the .rm format. RM is bloatware and will be glad the day its dead.

slinkys_delsol reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 28, 2008

Real Player had it's time, but it's time is over. Even if it was still relevant, a lot of BLOT to it.

VERTigo Wrote: (Translated by BabelFish: http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr)

"Without doubt one of the best programs of reproduction multimedia. He is something that can be recommended, so that we have to have left well... If you want to transform your equipment into a center multimedia uses products of REALNetworks, all the days describes something new, thought about everything."

Banquo reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 28, 2008

The sooner this format dies the better.

DoHickey reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 28, 2008

Use English please VERtigo, I have no idea what you said.

This version really isn't that bad. Don't forget to configure it. It's not the same player your grandpa use to have.

Project51 reviewed v11.0.0.442 on Mar 28, 2008

Sorry for being biased. I only use Real player to play rare real file. But honestly... I just like real to die. We have enough media format.

VERtigo reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Feb 23, 2008

Sin lugar a dudas uno de los mejores programas de reproducción multimedia. Es algo que se puede recomendar, por que bien nos hara quedar...
Si quieres transformar tu equipo en un centro multimedia usa los productos de REALNetworks, todos los dias descubris algo nuevo, pensaron en todo.

Zee333 reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Feb 2, 2008

i dont actually think people download this before reviewing it...
where did that person get that crap from saying too many ads? there are no ads when i installed this on my PC :S
maybe u already had ads on ur system before u installed this or u didn't even install this program before posting ur fake review
anyway this has improved a lot
i like the "download now" button for flash files and music and all sorts of media
which means u can download stuff from myspace, youtube etc... with this program its great!

jgra reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Jan 18, 2008

OMG I think Realplayer should just become opensource and donate its code to the community or give it all its information to Miro, Miro is about a couple of megabytes more but it allows you to do so much more including torrent downloads and who uses realplayer for listening to the radio or podcasts, I can't remember the last time I used realplayer to play an avi file. goodluck real your stubborn pride is leaving you in the dust

pedigree reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Jan 17, 2008

Bloat, bloat and bloat. Tried very hard to take over your system but threading itself into everything it can.

No thanks, wont even use Real Alternative because I hate Real so much

white lightning reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Jan 16, 2008

One of the worst , no doubts .
So many Ads are boring & absurd for a media player .
KMPlayer can read .rm files...without Ads .

DanielCarver reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Jan 16, 2008

every program rips audio cleanly, its digital time you know? EAC does it best.

billweh reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Jan 16, 2008

I still like RP - it's got a nice interface and it rips audio cleanly. One beef I have with this current version is that their menu/tool bar across the top of the program is fixed at a certain size. So you can't make this a small window when using.

If you could turn the bar off or have it stack or have it become a button menu (drop drown button list when I click on the arrow) - then it would be much more usable to me.

Winkler reviewed v11.0.0.431 Beta on Jan 16, 2008

betabettabest, you are jokin, right?

tehmul reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.738 on Nov 15, 2007

No longer works with Windows 2000.

betabettabest reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.738 on Nov 15, 2007

Most of yesterday's reasons for despising RealPlayer no longer hold. It's actually one of the less-offensive players as far as taking over your system.

All media players have their plusses and minuses. If you have high-end audio in your computer, you will find RP's sound more 'crisp' than WMP and more 'solid' than Winamp. Unlike WMP (v 11 on Vista, anyway), RP does not disable DSP enhancements for all streams.

Real Radio's jazz station (BlueNote) is by itself a good enough reason to stop bashing this player.

Beware the video/flash downloader new feature in RP v11, though. It still doesn't work with IE, and crashes it on Vista. Some of this must be Adobe's fault, though; even with RP uninstalled or the RP plugin disabled, 'Flash.OCX' crashes IE far more than anything else.

rseiler reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.738 on Nov 15, 2007

FYI: It's out of beta now.

Not many sites require Real any longer, but I've never had a problem with v10.5 for those that do. Don't know about this one yet.

ballyhairs reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.738 on Nov 15, 2007

Last time I had it installed on my pc was years and years ago, wonder why it still exist!!!!!!

Winkler reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.738 on Nov 15, 2007

Realplayer getting worse and worse all the time.

robertmc8 reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 30, 2007

Thats why it's called beta what people don't know with this player you can record live music :) then after that you can burn it to cd hehe :)

Defcon79 reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 28, 2007

RealPlayer has improved a lot over the old days when it used to take over all your file exts and generally was a pain. That being said, the only reason I have this is because its the easiest way to download youtube and other web videos - I've tried out countless firefox extensions and scripts and this beats them all.

mikeyx11 reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 27, 2007

Absolute rubbish.

smarterthanyou reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 27, 2007

Excellent software for downloading videos to your hard disk. Unfortunately, this only works if you have a high speed internet connection like Verizon FiOS which largely defeats the purpose. On slower internet connections like 768K DSL RealPlayer drops frames like crazy when downloading videos.

armpit reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 26, 2007

There are better (non spyware) freeware alternatives.

some guy reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 26, 2007

die with AOL

white lightning reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 26, 2007

Advertising...advertising...advertsing...pop-ups !
Boring , useless .

belthurgp reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 26, 2007

this is trashware, spyware, adware all rolled into one beautiful package...ready to bite the novice naive enough to try it...

stick with WMP / FooBar2000 and you don't need anything else.

Das mod reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 26, 2007

completely agree with ninjeratu's post

ninjeratu reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 26, 2007

FINALLY!
Oh. Wait. Real Player.
It's just a massive ad showcase for the not-so-free stuff you might want to make this a usable player (and all of it is free in almost any other player, free or otherwise, on the market). It's one obnoxious application that is almost completely impossible to get rid off when (not if, when) you want to uninstall it. It leaves registry changes and left-over files everywhere.
The UI is sort of nice, but dated. Even WMP is better than this and that's saying a lot.
I wonder why they even bother releasing betas or .. to be honest .. anything at all? They should just give up.

castiglione reviewed v11.0.0.183 Beta on Oct 26, 2007

Rating this a five because it's what I think this application deserves.

This application is much better than the older versions of Real Player (RP 10 and below).

There is only one thing that I wish for Real Player 11, and that is MKV support.

improvelence reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 27, 2007

Putting a chick in a bikini on the screen doesn't change the fact that this is complete crap and only used by novices that don't know any better..

Tao2005 reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 22, 2007

I didn't like realplayer. Thought it was a piece of crap. You have to sit and wait while the splash and ad's got done playing. When I found JetAudio, I dumped realplayer. Cause it's Adware, I wouldn't recommend this.

Sven123456789 reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 11, 2007

First of all, theres no friggen spyware with this. So stop the bs lies right there. I've had it for a day and fooled around with it. Its pretty good. I have a 3 ghz pc with 512 mem. with windows xp home and it runs quick and performs well. Better than the 10 series i had on my pc. Is it the player of the year, Probably not, but its a good alt. to wmp. Don't listen to the Microsoft bots on here. You want a good video player to fool around with, give this a shot.

belthurgp reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 11, 2007

Need a new rating of 0...this deserves it.

This is one crapware when installed makes a computer go crap. This screwed up my computer so bad that I had to almost re-install.

If you want to know who's the grand daddy of all spyware...here it is.

oomingmak reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 11, 2007

Avoid at all costs.

Point Zero reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 11, 2007

Burglarware

Darkman00 reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 10, 2007

It says "Windows (All)"

I tried it on ME (over 10.5 i think) - and it wouldn't install - says "Windows XP and up, etc" :)

armpit reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 10, 2007

Real Player stinks. Stay away from it.

UniversityofKentucky reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 10, 2007

No problem with the beta. Now if I were to rate the Helix Server, I'd question why it doesn't run well on W2K server, but no issues on W2K3. Anyhow, use this player, it's very good.

ritubpant reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 10, 2007

There are other programs that are better than this!

DakotaSunRunner reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 10, 2007

Excellent piece of software and works well. Have no had any problems with it at all. Best of all it is free. Do not listen to those here who write negative words about real player, this is very good software.

castiglione reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 10, 2007

Ignoring the negative commenting of some of the more uninformed people, I have not had any real problem with Real Player 11.

If you want to use it, go ahead. You don't have to listen to those people that mark this application as a 1. They don't really know what they're talking about. I use RP11 and it works wonderfully.

CharlieGimbert reviewed v11.0.0.181 Beta on Sep 10, 2007

"Now also includes an option during setup to install the Real Toolbar for Internet Explorer."

Great!!!!

Sven123456789 reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 29, 2007

It might be time to update this screenshot for RP. Its been the same one for 7 years and doesn't look at all like the new player that they are showing.

armpit reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

There are better freeware alternatives which won´t spy on you, nobody uses the realmedia format anymore.

billweh reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

RealMedia continues to upgrade a great product. I like their organization of my audio/video library over the way that WMP and WIMP handle it and don't even get me started on that poor excuse of an app iTunes, maybe it looks better on a MAC?

I've been using RM for years and it still is the number one program I turn to for listening to audio, ripping CDs and organizing my library. It now plays windows media video without a hitch along with just about everything else.

If it were completely free, I'd give it a 10.

some guy reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

it needs a big AOL stamp on it

Reverb reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

How anyone could give a high rating to a media player that collects and uses your personal info for it's own use is a clear sign of ignorance. See the links below posted by madcats which state their data gathering policies:

www.realnetworks.com/company/privacy/index.html

www.realnetworks.com/company/privacy/cookies.html

Their are numerous alternatives that do not require setting up an account or monitor your surfing habits. The Realmedia is a proprietary streaming format that offers no advantage over Directshow or any other widely available video format. I realize that there are websites that only stream realmedia content - install Real Alternative for those.

Anyone who rates this higher than a (1) has one of the following:

A) Not tried many other media players to compare it against or is unaware that they can install Real Alternative instead.

B) Has metal fragments embedded in their skull thus inhibiting normal cerebral activity and prone to excessive drooling.

Real Media Player is crud.

MooseMuffin reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

Not only does it suck as hard as it did years ago, but now nobody on the internet uses the realmedia format anymore so theres absolutely no reason for anyone to have this.

xsnred reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

Real media? Guys, it's 2007! Give it up already!

Aires reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

Not even gonna bother to write a review because of all those crap idiotic misinformed stupid spyware/malware posts. If you guys can write a waste of time post - then you can bet that so can I!

a7 reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

Now, spyware/malware inclued (IE toolbar) with this s*** player.

tinkerdill reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

"Now also includes an option during setup to install the Real Toolbar for Internet Explorer"

is this a joke?

kindbud1 reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

first thing i uninstall on any new computer.

doctorsmith reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 15, 2007

no need for this junk there is a real alternative
http://fileforum.betanew...ve_Regular/1054136293/1

robertmc8 reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 14, 2007

Thats why it's called beta lol. If you don't know what beta means don't installed or insult it lol.

Jammerdelray reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 14, 2007

That screenshot is not the right one, Real Player 11 is totally different and well put together and not to mention lighter.

Comes with Firefox Real Player plugin that lets you download videos from youtube, google etc.

Cons" Could have a better Open, Close and Minimize buttons in Vista.

p51d007 reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 14, 2007

Do yourself a favor and get the real alternative.
I can't tell you the number of computers I've fixed,
thanks to the real player problems. Bloated is just one of its problems.

DACWILSOL reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 14, 2007

Great media player. GUI is better than previous one. I bought RealPlayer Plus after testing the new beta. Library management is better than previous version. Buying music is seamless and content on media guide is wholesome. Overall, I like the new RealPlayer. Burning music is fun again. This is all my own opinion. Try the player and choose for yourself.

hell0 reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 14, 2007

Real Player for the lose.

Use Real Alternative or Vista Codec Pack (which includes the real codecs) instead.

TheDevilHimself reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 14, 2007

This sucks as it always does. If I need something that can deal with realplayer files, I always use RealPlayer alternative which you also can download from betanews and the same goes for Quicktime and WinAmp, there's also a Quicktime alternative and a WinAmp alternative and they all running through MediaPlayer Classic which also are implemented in those alternative progs. And I can tell you that it runs perfectly.

DoHickey reviewed v11.0.0.175 Beta on Aug 14, 2007

It should be named Real Bad Player. I don't like the look of it. If it were really free, I might use it at least a couple of times a year.
If it has to open in real player, I avoid the file. Simple.

smarterthanyou reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.543 Beta on Aug 2, 2007

The idea of downloading streaming video to your hard disk is great. Unfortunately, in most cases rather than download the video file from the web sites I visit, RealPlayer 11 beta simply plays the video and records it. This means if you have a slow internet connection like 768K downstream DSL it's nearly impossible to download high quality streaming video without getting a significant amount of dropped frames.

acey99 reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.543 Beta on Aug 2, 2007

Is it just me or is Real player boring & lame?
I use Winamp for 99.9% of my audio (inluding Real)
VideoLan for everything else (Video, .1% of audio)
if Winamp won't play it, it may not be worth it !

also does everybody have a toolbar ?

Google TB,
Yahoo TB,

so many toolbars, will there be any room left for your browser?

billweh reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.543 Beta on Aug 2, 2007

I like this version of RealPlayer. It's a step up from version 10 and I like the fact that they are allowing you to get the full functionality now by paying just once for the product. Not having to pay month by month like before.

That was my biggest beef with RP10.

I've always liked their streaming video - I thought in low bandwidth situations, the audio and video were clear and I didn't get a lot of delays and stutterings that I get with programs.

I've always liked the way the software organizes things when ripping CDs. I've tried Winamp and Foobar and dozens of other apps and none of them fit the way I wanted to do things.

RP does and RP11 does it even better.

ModderXManiac reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.543 Beta on Aug 2, 2007

I actually installed this version and tried it thoroughly for nearly an hour, and I still dislike it.

It is indeed bloated, intrusive, and really not worth using because of all the alternatives out there. People who rate this never consider the alternative, much like people who still use IE6 because it's what's included. RealPlayer has alot of functionality, it can do alot, but it doesn't do it well, not nearly as well as it could.

I consider their audio and video formats to be failures, especially their streaming format. And when there are half a dozen players and codec packs that allow for playback of all these formats, and they do it better.

And I still condemn them for using a Paris Hilton screenshot :D

Lands reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.543 Beta on Aug 2, 2007

Piece of junk. Don't bother installing.

tinkerdill reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.543 Beta on Aug 2, 2007

"Now also includes an option during setup to install the Real Toolbar for Internet Explorer"

great....

Project51 reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jul 29, 2007

I've only installed this because some idiots are still encoding in rm codecs.

flashhh reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jul 19, 2007

Complexars!!!!
First TRY the software, then rate it!!!

horsecharles reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jun 27, 2007

Reviewer: ModderXManiac Jun 26, 2007
Version: 11.0.0.167 Beta

Adware, bloat, lousy standard and a tastless Paris Hilton screenshot.
_______________________________________________
Nah, that's been up for eons-- since she was a pre-teen hussy almost. There's a better chance it's her floozy mother.

Reviewer: Dsfargeg Jun 27, 2007
Version: 11.0.0.167 Beta

Nah, just some ugly Hilton wannabe. It's to attract all the desperate failures who still use RealPlayer
__________________________________________________
Don't insult that good-looking model, Paris is a skinny, ugly dog... and she ain't even sexy-- that bj from her video: my momma could do it much better.

One huge improvement-- no prompt to register w/ username / pw anymore: just a voluntary email newsletter option.

I actually don't have the issues the rest of the world seemingly has with it-- 4 years ago i completely uninstalled it, then installed the BBC version(EU forced them to provide a non-spy version)... which i've gradually updated over time.

No spy or un-removable background/startup processes to report.

Somebody has to be seriously off their rocker here: Either i'm a genious among mere mortals or a mere mortal among gods... but judging from some previous comments here-- i doubt it's the latter.

Dsfargeg reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jun 27, 2007

Nah, just some ugly Hilton wannabe. It's to attract all the desperate failures who still use RealPlayer.

ModderXManiac reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jun 26, 2007

Adware, bloat, lousy standard and a tastless Paris Hilton screenshot.

VictorAnderson reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jun 26, 2007

Lookee! ...it's a media player buried way down inside some banner ads and spyware!
What a pile of J U N K.

madcats reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jun 26, 2007

ninjeratu's comment is right on! Real Alternative
plays realaudio files without the spyware. Here's 2 links which reveal the data RealPlayer collects:

www.realnetworks.com/company/privacy/index.html

www.realnetworks.com/company/privacy/cookies.html

The only way to get rid of it is to format your harddrive; then use Winamp or Real Alternative.

ninjeratu reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jun 26, 2007

Ugh. Someone should mercifully (and humanely) put this monster out of its misery.
Most of the phone-home "features" are gone and so are the most blatant spyware tendencies. But it's still got some rather serious issues.

Main issue is and has always been that almost nothing in the free player is actually free. The whole player is plagued by fine (or less fine) pointers to the AMAZING features found in the commercial version. Not long ago you had to upgrade to the commercial version to get an equalizer...
It has serious issues with many codecs, notably AC3Filter and some Xvid flavoured builds.
To make matters worse it takes over many embedded functions in your system, like the embedded playback of webbased video, even thought it might not actually recognize the played format/codec. Even if it actually DO recognize the stream format it almost never works as it should anyway.
It's also almost impossible to completely uninstall it. You're almost always left with either files, associations, registry entries or any combination of the three. Almost guaranteed to mess up your system.
The only thing I like about it is the interface, thought different colour schemes would be nice.

It's a parasitic dinosaur with less features in its commercial version than any free alternative (KMplayer, GOMplayer, MPC, and so on).
They should've put this to sleep a long, long time ago.

xproject51 reviewed v11.0.0.167 Beta on Jun 26, 2007

I'm still using RealPlayer. And I prefer this than RealAlternative.

But that doesn't mean I like this.

flashhh reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 14, 2007

A brand new version of RealPlayer - I just have to say - GREAT!

Pros: Brand new free features like video recording, DVD burning and a brand new great interface! No Media Library Ads ;)

Cons: Still uses the windows wave control. MP3 ripping is up to 96k... in 10.5 free version it was up to 320k and VBR...

...and it defenately does not install a toolbar for IE. That statement is valid only for RealOne Player V1 and V2....

Sven123456789 reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 13, 2007

I'm no fan of anything aol, but i have always liked Real Player. This is the first big upgrade(though beta) in i don't know how many years. Its not bad. Nicer ui. Seems stable. I tried a few different video formats with no problem. I ignore the term bloat. These are people using 1995 pc's and a 1 meg software download causes there world to crash. Give me all the bells and whistles a program can provide. If real player came out with a 50 meg Real player, i would have no problem downloading and using it if it was good. I have no clue what morons are posting on here. There was no spyware, no secret toolbars or anything stealth on my pc. If you want another choice besides Windows media player, give this a try.

tinkerdill reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 12, 2007

"Now also includes an option during setup to install the Real Toolbar for Internet Explorer"

wow! real great!

UniversityofKentucky reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Jager,

You shouldn't dis BetaNews, especially when you're wrong. RealMedia comes in two modes, free and pay.

From their site:

Do you want the free or the premium RealPlayer Plus?

- Free RealPlayer:
Visit www.real.com and click the Free Download button.

- Premium RealPlayer:
Visit www.real.com/playerplus and click the Download Now button. You will be prompted to enter payment information before the download starts.

I haven't checked BN's link, so maybe that points you to the Gold beta version.

castiglione reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

There's no such thing as "bloatware"... it's just doomsday-speak for things people say about things they don't like.

RP11 is an awesome app. It does what is say (and is not a scam by RealNetworks). Here's a suggestion to the people who say this is bloatware: Test it, and if you still think it's bloatware, remove and don't complain about it. Whining about something because you think it's bloatware si ridiculously immature.

Rated a 5 because it's what it is advertised: an awesome app, and not because I like the app (even though that plays a minor role in my decision).

nvic reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Does what it says, but like many others, this software is bloatware.

I fix computers and when I'm removing junkware, Realplayer is one of the first to go. AOL comes next...

If the owner insists on using RealPlayer, I install RP Alternative.

Jegar48 reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Another Scam by real player. Restrict the download speed unless you pay for the "upgrade". In addition, as usual BetaNews has misrepresented the software. It is not Free, it is a 14 day free trial.

Bah to all of it

gate1975mlm reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Realplayer 11 is a nice improvement from version 10.

But because its beta there are some bugs.

Like

On Windows Vista when viewing a youtube video if I right click on the playing video to show the context menu its blank.

and

On Windows Vista not sure about XP if I turn down the Volume all the way in Realplayer 11 beta I still can hear the sound. No other player has this problem.

Is this a bug? If I click on the Windows mixer I can turn off the Realplayer volume there.

I also had this problem in realplayer 10 on Vista.

The problem is when you move the volume all the way to the left in "realplayer" and then check the realplayer volume in the "windows mixer" you can see that the volume is not all the way off. Thats why I still hear sound.

Dsfargeg reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Absolutely worthless bloated garbage, even worse than the already very crappy Windows Media Player.

There are a lot of free, good media players, e.g. Gom or KM Player - absolutely no reason to use this garbage.

Yet there still seem to be some ret***s left who use the notoriously poor quality RealMedia format. Should you ever have the need to play it back, use RealPlayer Alternative.

tenebrusmke79 reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

So far so good. Ignoring the negative comments/ratings insofar as I can, this application is so much better than the previous Real Players.

Gus_Valentine reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

It's just a new skin, and a browser helper object for downloading embeded videos. It still doesn't play QuickTime unless you have the QT player/codecs installed, and WMV files played only audio with a black screen for me. MP3 ripping is back to 96Kbps, you have to pay for 128Kbps and up. So basically, it still installs several hundred files just to play RealMedia. Pointless when you have a free player like JetAudio 7 Basic that plays RealMedia, QuickTime, Windows Media, and many more features than the pay version of RealPlayer. And then there's KMPlayer, VLC, and the list goes on...

horsecharles reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Nice trannie-- that alone merits a 5.

dkratter reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Yeah right.

http://fileforum.betanew...ve_Regular/1054136293/1

DACWILSOL reviewed v11 Build 6.0.14.484 Beta on Jun 11, 2007

Sweet! New GUI is awesome. Added download and record web objects is great. Still testing the beta, so far so good. Real Player is a step up on WMP 11.

armpit reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Mar 26, 2007

Horrible piece of bloated software. Avoid it like the plague.

polysius reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Jan 8, 2007

Just when you thought iTunes, QuickTime and Windows Media Player couldn't get any worse... along comes Real Player!

Don't waste your time with 5 different programs for 5 different formats: use VLC (VideoLAN Client), Media Player Classic or another open source/free media player that can support all these WM, QT, RM formats and more.

knivez reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Dec 1, 2006

Nice screenshot, very smart from Real's pr dep.

Nice chick, horrid program. avoid like the plague.

1.

Paradise-FH- reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Nov 16, 2006

garbage. every other review sums it up pretty well.

..::][Ben][::.. reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Oct 28, 2006

Biggest crap i ever saw.

A few customers told me that they like it, customers who brought there pc for repairing/reinstalling.

All of you guys who want to tell us that this player is good, must have really no clue whats going on in an ms os.

(edit for flashhh)
flashhh dont bore me with such selfexplaining nonsense.

yes, i installed it on several computers and therefore i tried it many times over the last years, and no I dont think its the only reason why people mess up there pc, the reason for that is that they have no idea of anything pc related and its allways the same kind of people who like this junk, guys who only see the player window, but not whats going on behind...

I dont want to waste any more time on that.

flashhh reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Oct 24, 2006

^^^^^^^
Ben, who has not tried the player. It cannot cause a system crash!!!!!!!!! Try it before commenting!!!!

I'm a normal user, who TRIES a product before commenting. TRY the so called "Bloated" player and stop spreading your BLOATED LIES!!!!!!!

constust reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Oct 19, 2006

Real media and any product Real makes should be banished from the Internet. Most invasive piece of software I have ever installed.

doctorsmith reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Oct 18, 2006

fairly horrible piece of rubbish, alexweber15 and Banquo sum it up in their reviews, not much else worth saying about it.
Although good to Mrs.Bush submitting reviews here at BN under the pseudonym of "flashhh", unfortunately she makes about as much sense as her husband with her paranoid rave, "it's all lies I tell you, we don't torture people, there are weapons of MD, and Real Player isn't full of crap". :-)

WeR4saken reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Oct 18, 2006

It's a decent player once you spend a few minutes turning off all the crap that comes with it. I'm getting sick of these full releases for minor security updates though. Couldn't they distribute patches or something for those who already have it installed? Reinstalling it loses some settings, so it's a pain to do.

Banquo reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1741 on Oct 18, 2006

I'm giving it a 1 just because of flashh's childish tirade. Must be a Real employee. Ok, not just because of that since that wouldn't be fair. Also because RealPlayer is complete garbage and always has been.

flashhh reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1698 on Sep 26, 2006

STOP SPREADING YOUR DAMN LIES! The player is great and the info is wrong - there's no IE toolbar stuff!
Bloated?!? Are you such a loser, that you can't click a menu?
Spyware? Yeah right! And I'm the president's wife! There are some kind of ads in the media library, but! Therefore there's the program called RealPlayer Ad Tweak! It works!
http://www.softpedia.com...alPlayer-Ad-Tweak.shtml

All the "added icons" can be removed during setup.

And all these people who say "crap", have you got a mirror to see if you are not a crap? First try something before commenting!

Real Alternative is called a program??? I can make an exact copy - just try the InnoSetup Compiler! Real Alternative is nothing more than:

"Note that distributing so called RealVideo codec packs, which is nothing but re-distribution of codec DLLs copyrighted by RealNetworks, and a few registry keys, is illegal. This is not unique for RealPlayer DLLs, most proprietary software products have this restriction."

Maybe nobody will note my review, but I hope the spammers will shut up!

id242 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1698 on Sep 17, 2006

"Now also includes an option during setup to install the Real Toolbar for Internet Explorer."

What does this have to do with being a digital-media-player? Nothing. Nor does taking over your system by installing unrelated icons for it's partner companies on your desktop, quick launch toolbar, start menu, application menu & directory and your bookmark lists.

by the way, after an uninstall, this program leaves several traces of itself on your computer's "program files" and "windows" directory and in the registry.

Browser12 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1698 on Sep 16, 2006

Link to download this from betanews isn't working. In anycase, I still like this the best for viewing video's. Its allot more user friendly that wmp, quicktime or other players out there. Easy to resize a video while watching it. Just cursor to the size you want. Its basically all i use it for. People who complain, well, stop using it. Geez. My only complaint is the typical, ask you for your email and password info. everytime you download the latest version. I wish they would just make it a player that you download and thats that. Other gripe i have, when you go into the update section, theres always a dozen other updates that dont come with the main one. Now i could see back in the day of dial up not putting everything into the main download, but come on, everyone has broadband. So put the entire enchilada in there guys.

mengo reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1698 on Sep 16, 2006

"Now Buffering" well that should be enough, if not you´re just in love with bloating ressource demanding crap. I have a myspace, but i still dont like this.
Give me lightweight, ease of use and simple GUI like foobar

Aires reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1698 on Sep 16, 2006

Total crap below. Excellent player. I don't have a MySpace page.

landfish reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1698 on Sep 15, 2006

total garbage, one of the worst programs you can infest your computer with, loved by the same type of people who think it's cool to have a 'my space' page.

meteecee reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1698 on Sep 15, 2006

"RaelPlayer does not run on my 3.11. Crap!!1"

so what. that's like saying i can't jam my tom jones 45 into a dvda player.
from wikpedia . .
"The Windows 3.1x family of operating systems were released from 1992 to 1994

for managing large collections of files with a clear, complete,readable interface,, no need to download new codecs every month, no loss of data
there's nothing like real.
and if it doesn't work with an ipud or have the new beyonce video the day it's released . . who cares?

twosheds reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Jul 7, 2006

"Real themselves make an adware-free version of their product, designed for corporate users to deploy on their hard-disk images. It is called Realone Enterprise Desktop, will not be advertised anywhere, and can be obtained after a filling in a form here http://forms.real.com/rnforms/products/tools/red/ with fake information."

From: http://jogin.com/weblog/...04/02/29/real_obnoxious

ogman reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Jun 19, 2006

Don't believe the FUD spead by the Alternative coding team. Real Alternative is for idiots who can't click a menu. For those who know how to use preferences, REAL Player is better, faster, and superior to the fake alternative.

ZenWarrior reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Mar 5, 2006

Most unfortunately, Real Alternative is not a true alternative. As someone has already pointed out, it simply does not work all too frequently. This is in no way a ringing endorsement for Real, however. I despise the fact that after "buying" its player upgrade, I must still log into Real every single time to use the upgraded features [that I *purchased*]. Real is evil. Let there be no doubt about that -- but one does seem to need their Real[bad] player all too often on the web.

So, only a one-rating for very customer-unfriendly business practices -- and for repeatedly installing crappy "update" software, that I do *not* wish installed, every time I use it. (And after many years of using Real[bad] Player, I have yet to see what amounts to "legitimate" spyware actually perform a required update of the player.)

flashhh reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 23, 2006

Adrian79 and horsecharles are totally right. Using that CRAP Real Alternative is like cracking. Sa about the others, including the Beta News editor - YOU SUCK, NOT REALPLAYER! HOW COULD YOU AWARD THE ILLEGAL REAL ALT...BLAH AND LAME REALPLAYER?

STOP SPREADING LIES!

Adrian79 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 23, 2006

alot of silly complaints here, real alterntive sucks.. cuz most websites wont allow that proggy to run... like the guy below me said :-)

yup, this works fine.. i have no problem using my email to update... i have no problem disabling "desktop messege center" with 2 clicks.. i mean, all this is basic knowledge

horsecharles reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 23, 2006

I actually have come around to re-liking this all over again, since the EU set them on the straight and narrow path-- get it here(and then update from within it): http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/audiohelp_install.shtml

No bugs/privacy concerns/other problems to report on any/all systems: Win98, ME, 2K, Xp, Ubuntu. In fact, there are some progs that do tax resources on the 9x systems, but Real's NOT one of them.

The Alternatives(mp,ra,qta) are a noble concept-- but not ALL websites with such embedded content allow anything but the original/authentic prog...

GhoS reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 23, 2006

Same with others posted here. I think it has a lot going for it, and I used to use RealPlayer. But once it went to the "One" it became bloated, full of spyware/adware and just littered your computer with junk. Its not worth having , especially when there is a terrific alternative, called Real Alternative.

DeKoquonut reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

Bloated, invasive and easily replaced with Real Alternative. No reason you should use "Real-Plaguer" unless you like icons plastered everywhere and yet another program starting it's self and puffing the system tray out until it reaches the start button.

djdanska reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

Tried it. Runs fine. It's ok. Better than nothing. I still prefer real alternative though.

Esquire reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

To this day I still don't understand why is it that everytime I update my RealPlayer installation I have to provide my email address again and again and again in order to proceed with the rest of the update! Isn't providing an email address the first time I install RealPlayer ENOUGH!

Kramy reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

I love Real Alternative, but this thing caused stability problems on a 98SE box. I won't let it touch my Win2k box.

Last I checked it also had adware/spyware built-in, though apparently the spyware was removed?

horsecharles: There's ways around those sites that *require* Real Player to stream.

pyridox reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

Too much adware\spyware to suit me. I used to like it before it got bloated, and contains adware & spyware. Yeah for Real Alternative!

wizard68sc3 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

I don't work for realnetworks and I also love this software. Yes it is a little bit of bloatware but if you get a better job you should be able to afford a better computer that can handle it. Real alternative, what is the sense in that piece of garbage. You should try the real thing.

Notreallyhere reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

I really like this software. For me it's much easier to transfer music with this program than with windows media player. Yes it is bloated, but for me it does everything I need :)

sn0wflake reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

A bloated pile of sh*t adware with one of the worst version histories ever. Get Real Alternative instead.
DIE, RealNetworks, DIE!!!

gate1975mlm: Either you work for RealNetworks or you're just an ignorant user. Look at the rating everybody else gave it and go figure.

flashhh: He definately works in the marketing department. Check out how he's "selling" this product with the words he use and the features he mention.

gate1975mlm reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

I am very happy with Real player fo rwhat I use it for. it gives me no problems at all! And I am very picky with my software trust me. I just don't see the problems that a lot of other people seem to see.

Theoldwino reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

bloat, bloat, bloat, I will not use software that phones home on me as well.

madmike reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

Well, admitedly it plays files ok if there wav or Divx (providing u have encoder) otherwise its from a prehistoric age.. we have all moved on from Compuserve days. Its Bloated to hell, uses excessive system resources and I beleive is as popular as a dog with rabies

Should send them a telex me thinks which would read:
Thank you for the beta - STOP- Thought it was awful - STOP- Please , please, please STOP!

PS: Musickevin.. PLEASE PLEASE STOP

ModderXManiac reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1483 on Feb 22, 2006

Crap player.

It satisfies the less-knowledgeable user with it's pretty-looking interface and screenshots of Paris Hilton, o but for my needs, and with how bloated and intrusive it is, this is no solution.

THIS is adware in disguise, if you use this, you will be tracked. THIS, steals bandwidth for no good reason. THIS, eats memory. THIS, has crappy format support. Oh, and to end, who wants to use a 3rd party media player with security issues?! I sure as hell know I dont. You use the 3rd party apps to avoid these things!

imanino reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 26, 2005

Program that spy on my computer data and do download without me permission get de gas face...Find real alternative..make it your own..and your computer will thank you... I still think Homeland Security runs Real behind the scenes, but since that whole Guantanamo thing, i'm too nervous to speak about it.

musickevin reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 6, 2005

OK, I know that there are a lot of REAL haters out there (I was one as well, so I completely understand). I know to expect it. I expect the push back and the sideways glances, but I'm going to say it. Hello. My name is Kevin...and I use Real Player Plus. There, I've said it. OK, so it all began with big, spankin' new external hard drive. I migrated all of my music and videos over to it and proceeded to see if iTunes 6 would play nice with all of my formats. No go. So, will WMP 10 play? Negative. What about Musikcube? Nope. After searching the net for something that would play all of my .mp3, .mp4, wma, protected wma, .ogg, play well with my iRiver H320 and read all of my tags correctly so as to avoid retagging 7000+ songs, I found it.

As surprised as I was, I decided to give it a go. Am I glad I did. Installation was a breeze and I've always thought that RP had a nice layout and design. It read all of my tags correctly, played all of my songs and transfered all of my files. Additionally, with the external hard drive, it's easy to take all my music with me and Real Player for linux plays all of them well on my Ubuntu system and on my laptop. So there. I switched.

ModderXManiac reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 3, 2005

Before you download this overly gloated and horribly bloated video player, you might want to read this:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20051202/tc_zd/166605

Sure, it may work, but with how intrusive it is to your system, it leaves it to be the most vulnerable media player.

Aside from that, this is bloated as hell and wont play most of the formats I use, so I stick with Videolan and Foobar2000 for all my media needs.

ohh, and is that paris hilton in the screenshot? Meh, even more reason not to use it.

clawso1 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

I use RealPlayer too and have never had any problems with it, but I guess some people don't like that it wants to "Phones Home" when it detects the user online. They can stop it from doing that by configering their fire-wall!

gate1975mlm reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

Realplayer works fine for me. I don't inderstand why so many people hate it?

jsc315 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

i decided to try this just to see how well it worked. well, yea its a resource hog, and can only do so much with it till you have to pay a fee for stuff you can get for free and it seems that nothing realy has changed with this player. i do not recomend this at all. It's junk. if i could rate this a 0 i would. This player a long time ago used to be decent. now its just a waste of space.

ZenWarrior reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

I very much dislike (even despise) a product, that after purchasing, requires logging into Real[Bad]Networks in order for that [supposedly] purchased product to deliver the very features for which you paid to have!

Log out of the Real[Bad] player, and then find yourself somewhere you cannot log into the Real[Bad] network again, and you quickly realize your money has effectively been stolen b/c you at that point cannot have full access to the product features you thought you bought (e.g., 10-band equalizer, enhanced video controls).

That's before recognizing that the Real[Bad] player handles some file types the poorest of all available players. File types that load into WinAmp in just a few seconds can take at least 30 or more seconds to be loaded by the Real[Bad] player.

Caveat emptor.

brinkeguthrie reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

i used to do lots of audio file work, encoding, FTPing, etc. WinMedia was seamless. RM was terrible. play the two files side by side, RM consistenly sounded murkier, etc.

I avoid anything that has the RM logo like the plague.

And HOW big is this file??? ack!! no way!!

horsecharles reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

HHmmmm..........it's not bloated at + 40MB, twice the size of already-bloated WMP....
it's not adware/malware, yet there's the obligatory: create account or sign in screen during install--which repeats itself during subsequent upgrades too(& does NOT offer a PERMANENT cancel option, even more annoying is that this last update is buggy while connecting to their servers, necessitating several username/pw/zip/country re-enters), even when opting out of ALL offers one still receives email correspondence-- worse, the opt out process in said emails does not result in one being opted out!; the attempted file assoc. hijack(there needs to be an option to assoc. ONLY Real types, noobs won't know which to check/uncheck)...
what else am i overlooking?
Be all that as it may, for work purposes, I do use it, wmp & qt rather than the Alternatives, which though very good(disregard the snide win95 analogy from another poster) do not handle all such content at all sites--particularly the browser-embedded type, which can also only be accessed with IE and/or a particular win version at some sites.
(& no, it's not a hardware, codec or plugin issue-- some sites have not been coded to interface with other browsers/os/apps)

sQin reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

taliah84 told it uses less resources than Winamp. Anybody agree??
4 years ago its was a good music player. Now we have several growing projects with bright future (Songbird Media Player, MusikCube, Foobar2000 0.9) to completely replace this commercial S**t

OSuser reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

Realplayer came a long way when it was very popular, still is for some of us but with all other alternatives out there available so why would anyone use RealPlayer? Well, I like the fact it does has very user's friendly interface and easy to navigate. And overall package are very useful. Now people think it's Free. Of course the player is free but if you like extra features, you have to upgrade by purchasing it but still it's functional in the free mode. For those that dislike the "NAGGING" to buy the product, just turn it off in the pref. Nevertheless, RealPlayer is a good media player (w/few plugins).

twosheds reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

Scummy ad/spy/bloatware. AVoid with extreme prejudice.

lzvk25 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 on Dec 2, 2005

Hmm... Let me see 12MB for a player that CAN'T play lots of formats, hijacks your system settings and nags you to death to buy the "SuperPass" crap, takes forever to load, and who knows how many other little surprises... I think I better stick with the K-Lite MegaCodec Pack which includes everything. And if you want just a music player use Quintessential Player http://quinnware.com/

taliah84 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Nov 13, 2005

Does NOT contain Adware or Spyware. I dont know why people are posting lies. It isn't bloated, neither does it use a lot of resorces, it uses less then iTunes and Winamp & QuickTime ...

johnk119 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 16, 2005

contains adware and uses alot of memory

koza reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 16, 2005

I fully agree with flashhh. RealPlayer is NOT bloated, and Winamp - AOLNess. AOL Sucks => Winamp Sucks.

flashhh reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 16, 2005

Stop spreading lies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RealPlayer is NOT Bloated!!! Does NOT CONTAIN ADWARE OR SPYWARE AND DOES A WAY BETTER JOB THAN THE BLOATED WINAMP!!!!!!
JUST TRY THE PLAYER!
THINGS SUCH AS REAL ALTERNATIVE ARE USEFUL ONLY FOR THE OLD WIN95.

Aires reviewed v10 on Oct 14, 2005

With the new agreement between Real Networks and Microsoft I expect things to get better and better now. Keep up the good work - well done on a fantastic player and congratulations for developing it from what RealPlayer used to be to what it's now become.

Zoroaster reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 14, 2005

RealPlayer works fine for me, once the Message Center and Realschedule disabled, as someone already mentionned. It manages many formats, and the audio and video outputs are just fine. I wonder if there isn't a sort of anti-Real fashion, originated how I ignore. I dare anyone to distinguish a same melody played on either RealPlayer or another well known audio player: a lot of bla-bla to express the idea that the elite knows best, and that the best is elsewhere. An attitude close to the sectarianism of a few.

donpacman reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

"Dead and Bloated" remove all the "Buy This" stuff!

phrentec reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

Mplayer can play realmedia files with the realmedia codecs which can be found in the complete codecs package on the mplayer.hu website as well as the win32 build. Just extract the codecs zip file and put it in the codecs folder in mplayer and then use open with on a realmedia file and then associate all .rm file to mplayer.exe so that you can just doubleclick the .rm file and launch the player. this does not require having to install realplayer or even realalt however realalt installs the brower plugin as well.

Tenoq reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

Ugly, clunky. Still haven't seen a good reason to use this over Media Player Classic?

Adrian79 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

good stuff...just disable the messege center and realsch and...now no more b1tching :-)

joeshmoe7 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

look for the real player enteprise version, its less bloated only about 8 megabytes. And just kill the realsched from starting in the registry and your good to go.

some guy reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

join AOL and MSN and die!!!

Banquo reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

Why do they force so much garbage on Windows users. Forcing you to register, pushing ads in your face, etc. I tried the Linux version in SUSE 10 and it just opened right up, no nags, ads or anything. But anyway I just install the corporate version and then use Media Player Classic to play the content.

DACWILSOL reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

What's new about this build. I would try it out if I knew the change log.

SamiChang reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

so is it like RealSh*t or RealCr@p?

Blaxima reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

Some things never change, like how this player absolutley sux. Just like Quicktime it is loaded with intrusive adware and loves to take liberties whithout your input. Do yourself a favor and download the K-Lite Mega codec pack. It comes bundled with two players for you to choose from and it will play just about anything. Did I mention yet how much Real (and Quicktime)sux? Stay away from this and QT like the plague.

Hmmmm QT and Real out on the same day...Hmmm

Metshrine reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

Go figure, microsoft gives them 700 million, and now they release a new version. Coincidence? I think not!

Crapware, always has and always will be

themafia_69 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

THE WORST PLAYER EVER! IT DOES COME WITH ADWARE, POP UPS AND A STARTUP PROGRAM TO LOAD ALL THAT! ITS THE WORST PLAYER YOU CAN GET, JUST DOWNLOAD K-LITE MEGA CODEC PACK AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY ALMOST ANY FILE THAT COMES YOUR WAY!

Paradise-FH- reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1348 on Oct 13, 2005

ugh. two totally slanted reviews below.

the simple matter of fact is this: real's codecs are synonymous with terrible quality when it comes to streaming.

if you have to use real's codecs for some reason and don't mind having thirty million different players (one for real, one for wm*, one for qt*, etc.) then grab this. otherwise, do yourself a favor and check out real alternative and quicktime alternative and then play all your media from either WMP or the provided Media Player Classic that comes with the alternative packages.

flashhh reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1235 on Aug 24, 2005

The player that I use - 100% no adware, spyware, bundled software. And it's not bloated!!!!

People who give it 1 or 2 stars rating have never tried ver 10.5 and think that it's the same thing as RealOne. So the rating is 2.4/5 Ignore them!

The Real junk is AOL's Winamp.

If someone wants to have realmedia support without the full realplayer - download RealPlayer Enterprise or Helix Player for Windows! Do not use RealAlternative - Real Alternative SUCKS. There's no need of it

flashhh reviewed v10 on Jul 25, 2005

I'm giving it 5 stars, because i like realplayer for Windows.
But keep it going! I'm sure in future it will be better!

Neoprimal reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1235 on Jul 9, 2005

*Sigh*...more ignorant people with no idea of what real *bloated* programs are or of the concept of ad and spyware. Realplayer is a decent multimedia player with capability to play most file types available. The player has an attractive look and a very easily workable interface. Files are also easily organized with it's built in organizer and transferring Mp3s to portable devices couldn't be easier. The program is/has no ad or spyware and any 'ads' shown are now only on it's internal browser. It also has a messaging feature that sends entertainment news to your desktop, this feature can be completely disabled (for those that know how to read, or take the time to do so).
Realplayer has a nasty past, but they've cleaned up most of the mess and what's left is a clean player for people who prefer an all in one media player alternative to Winamp or WMP10.
The lite version disables some features, mostly EQ Settings, Video controls, Crossfading and Player size - this doesn't stop it from being an impressive piece of FREE software. The player so far is completely stable and fast....I'm sorry for those of you still on your K63s or P3s, it doesn't cut it for software made post 2k, upgrade already it's like 300 for a PC now.
For those with anything higher than an AMD AthlonXP 1900 (1.6GHZ) or a P4 2.0 GHZ, you should have no issues with the player speed.
About the only downside to this player is a quite lengthy install process which requires you to do some reading lest you end up putting unnecessary icons everywhere and installing the google toolbar and message center. Other than this issue, the software is a solid performer.

minimarko reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1235 on Jul 7, 2005

Alright, I'm going to give a fair review of Real Player:

Pros: Easy interface and controls, browser plugin works great, very good video and audio quality, plays almost every file you can get, easy to use, lot's of options, and skin support.

Cons: Bloated with so much junk, basic control sunch as brightness; contrast; and gamma controls for video are blocked out only for users that pay for the "pro" version, timely install, huge download, updates so often with security updates and you have to download the entire package again every time, resource hog, DVD controls arn't the best.

So in conclusion, if you don't want Real Alternative you gotta get the player, otherwise your screwed if you want to play .rm, .ram, and other Real file types. It great to use when other player won't play videos. Hell, even Video Lan, WinAmp, WMP, and Media Player Classic sometimes dont' play certain files and Real Player will. But I say stick with Real Alternative and save some time with resources, disk space, and nagging.

comstock reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1235 on Jul 7, 2005

Ugh. Is this company still around?

WickedLester reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1235 on Jul 6, 2005

This is nothing but bloatware. I will just stick with installing Real Alternative instead.

lzvk25 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1235 on Jul 6, 2005

Can you spell M-A-L-W-A-R-E ?

ecjs reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 30, 2005

I don't need all that stuff. I prefer Real Alternative.

flashhh reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 26, 2005

The BEST player around!
And this crap "Real Alternative" should be removed from the web!
RealPlayer has 100% no adware, spyware or garbage stuff. Only an icon for free music and games, which can be removed. Even has good sound quality, mp3 ripping, and more extras. Version 10.5 is really fast.
Just give it a try.

ogman reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 16, 2005

Much improved since early versions. Great freemedia player! Paid service has terrific support, unpaid installs NO spyware and only nags those who don't know how to click option buttons. Most negative reviewers have not used the program in years. Try it on your own for an accurate evaluation.

anomoly reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 15, 2005

http://www.free-codecs.c...ad/Real_Alternative.htm
yeah but only if you click the link

some guy reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

real Who ?
they part of AOL ?
lol

Adrian79 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

works great, i just install it, ignore what u people b1tch about, then if i need to view a real file it shows up...otherwise it NEVER gets in my way or bothers or offends me lol

later ;)

bourgeoisdude reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

Yep, realplayer killed itself a long time ago in my book...

Banquo reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

No, people call it bloatware because it is. I just want to play a video, I DON'T want a thousand links and doo-dads blinking at me trying to get me to go to their site or subscribe for something. I also do not like being forced to fill out a registration form and submit it just to install the program. It is really none of their business, and everyone puts in fake info anyway so why do the idiots even bother us with it? Finally Real is by far the dregs of streaming formats. Why it isn't dead is beyond me; if only sites would stop using it maybe it would go away. I'm usually not so harsh when reviewing a program but in this case I have to make an exception. This company sucks.

ModderXManiac reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

Bloating at its best(which is not a good thing). Slow, adware, crap. i'm sticking with real alternative.

cooldude7273 reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

I honestly think the reason you think its bloatware is because you hear others do the same.

I challenge you all to list the reasons it's bloatware.

Pipewrench reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

Junk.

It's the worst player ever made.

Bloat Bloat Bloat...

Aires reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

I give it a 5 if only to just offset the idiotic bloatware posts and the misinformed spyware posts. It is no way bloated for what it does. Real Alternative is not really a good alternative. It's just an alternative but still not really very good. If you think RealPlayer is bloated then you really need a new pc.

Paul Lush reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

Good idea, good technology but awful implementation. Huge bloat, digs itself into everything, very hard to get it to give up anything that it wants.

Dreimanis reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1212 on Jun 14, 2005

so it's version 10 or version 6 of the bloat of the universe?

princeofpentacles reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on May 1, 2005

i agree that real is a bit of a bloatware,but since the real alternative does not fully support streaming music(as it says itself), whats the point in going for real alternative?i would stick with my real player rather than gor real alternative for now.

poedgirl reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 26, 2005

If you need to play RealMedia files, get RealAlternative. This program is the most bloated piece of software I have ever seen.

music_lover reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 21, 2005

I agree with ogman, most of the complaints appear to be from people still living in the '90's. Real Player is cool. I luv it! Don't listen to people who don't use it, try it for yourself.

FailedCRC reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 21, 2005

\o/ for real player 8

oufc_gav reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 21, 2005

Bloat is not necessarily about how much space it takes on your hard drive. It's how many services and processes it runs on your system. Even when it's not running it has processes running on your system. Do I need a messenging client installed on my system so that Real can send me advertising? No.
Less offensive than it used to be (no "secret" software installs and preference grabbing any more - after many many complaints).
Average product at best

ogman reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 21, 2005

HaHa! I see all the real "alternative" crew has been here.

Bloated? Only if you still have that old 4.3 gig hard drive. Time for an upgrade! Crashes? Only if you still can't run a computer. Time to buy "Windows For Dummies." This is an excellent program needlessly ripped by ancient pony-tailed geek wannabees who haven't tried actually tried the program in about 5 years.

Real is an excellent player; give it a try! The player is free. They do offer an optional fee based content service that is one of the best. They also have the best customer service of any tech company I have ever seen.

note to oufc_gav - You use Windows, right? Just wondering why you would be worried about so many background processes. Yeah, uh-huh.

donpacman reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 21, 2005

This build crashes allot on my XP Pro system.

XP error log clearly shows a Real hang
*buffering* always.

RealPlayer seems to be falling back again!

Uninstall RealPlayer and go back to WinAMP.

some guy reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 20, 2005

can you say bloated crap?

ninjeratu reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 20, 2005

A horrible, bloated piece of software whose sole purpose is to make you pay for Real's web services and "features" most other players give you for free. If you really NEED web services you might as well use another crappy player, WMP10.

Worth noting is that recent builds do NOT use spyware-like activities ("phone home"), even though "anonymous user statistics" can be sent if allowed.

Use Real Alternative (search for it here) and you can access ALL Real Media types, streaming or not, without the need to install Real Player. Media Player Classic, the most versatile and fast media player around, is even included! And, yes, embedded Real Media works fine even in Firefox.

Then you can search for Quick Time Alternative...

xrayspex reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 20, 2005

The new versions of Real Player DO NOT steal file associations and is LESS intrusive then Quicktime and WMP.
I have absolutely no problems with the new builds of Real (totally different from the very intrusive old builds of the late 1990's) and actually like the quality it gives for veiwing streaming video and playing downloaded media files.
If your going to complain about intrusive players these days..the award goes to QuickTime.

guevara reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1069 on Apr 20, 2005

No need to upgrade- keep the old version

jaelanicu reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1059 on Apr 8, 2005

Wow, this is a good program to significantly reduce your available memory. Bravo.

PS: Real Alternative has less memory usage. Alas.

johnk119 reviewed v10 on Mar 11, 2005

Real's products have always been what i'd consider "bloat-ware". They usually include unnecessary tasktray icons and advertisements. Their player is ineffective at playing many media formats and their proprietary format offers no benefits i'm aware of.

dapence reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1059 on Mar 7, 2005

Still pretty much the same, but this 'upgrade' now forces you to pay them at least 12.95 per month to access the 'toolbar' mode, of course you get access to all those Internet Radio Stations that you ... well, can get with Winamp, Microsoft's Media Player, and a host of other players for free, so I don't know ... 3 stars down from 5 for this cheap little stunt.

uberfly reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1059 on Mar 2, 2005

Needed for proprietary file types and web streaming, and yes, still a bit bloated. But overall is a good player. Not sure why people still think they're cool to hate Real so much. They have survived against Microsoft when almost all others in their position haven't... and pioneered streaming web media along the way. If people take the time to look, RealPlayer does what it is built to do (which is a lot of stuff) and does it very well. Also, the days of it being too obtrusive are in the past. You want too obtrusive, turn your whining towards Windows Media Player. Talk about obtrusive and bloated. If half of it didn't start up while your OS was loading, it would take 5 minutes to open.

virtorio reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1059 on Mar 2, 2005

RealPlayer has come along way in the past few releases and it not nearly as bad (in fact, it's actually quite good) as many people say. I have far less problems with this than I do with QuickTime. Of course if you are the sort of person who likes a more advanced application, with a more minimal interface, which does only what you need then Media Player Classic is a better alternative. I don’t know the problem is for some people but its not slow for me nor does it steal file associations (assuming you take the time, about 2-6 seconds, to uncheck which file types you don’t wanted associated with RealPlayer).

anti00Zero reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1059 on Mar 2, 2005

no.
real alternative and medai player classic :P

mpc is faster, better and can do more.

never realplayer

Zeeshaan reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Dec 3, 2004

An excellent player, and you'll need it to play .rm and .ram files.

Aires reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Nov 4, 2004

@SacrificeX: "I try to avoid rating software that I have never used."

"However, in the case of RealPlayer, I will make an exception."

"I would not recommend RealNetworks software based on past experiences, and also knowing that there is an alternative available."

What absolute sh!t. What kind of a coward are you?! And an uninformed coward too!!

SacrificeX reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Nov 1, 2004

I try to avoid rating software that I have never used. However, in the case of RealPlayer, I will make an exception. I would not recommend RealNetworks software based on past experiences, and also knowing that there is an alternative available.

The last few versions of RealPlayer have been notorious for insinuating itself into a computer system. It automatically associates itself with every media format it supports, causes unwanted utilities to load on start up, and creates shortcuts to other software available from RealNetworks.

Getting to the point, their software is bloated and annoying. Instead, I recommend using Real Alternative. It is efficient software that allows you to play Real files without having to install any programs from RealNetworks. Check it out:

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1054136293/1

jonspencerbx reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Oct 29, 2004

This program has no spyware whatsoever.. And it sure is not bloated.. I don't think the people that gave the low ratings actually tried the program. Maybe they have their opinions ready from past versions (realOne Player and realplayer 8) of the player (those were really bad), but the realplayer 10.X branch is very good. Try it out and see for your self.

eL MaesTro reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Oct 29, 2004

I must agree 100% !!!

none of those who gave this software 1 stras, have actually tried it. This player is da bomb. Very good, if not check for proffesional audio reviews!!!

they give it all a 9 of 10 !!!! 9/10 .

There is absolut no spyware, and it isnt bloated, thats only pure bs.

Give it a try and see what I'm talking about.

ogman reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Oct 28, 2004

Don't buy the bovine waste material from the haters below. This is an excellent product with the best service of any company on the web.
Try it for yourself. Trust me, the haters haven't actually tried it.

LOL! zridling, it's a virus? what anti-virus are you using? And to the guys worried about his cpu and RAM...dude, upgrade already. Seriously, that Pentium II w/64mb of RAM just won't cut it anymore. I've got RP running right now and it's using 5mb of RAM and my whole machine is using 4% of CPU capacity. The alleged "spyware," which is really just service options, is only hard to turn off if you can't read. Saying Real Player has spyware is like calling Windows Update spyware. Seriously, if you want to trash a program, be at least a little honest about it.

Also, a note to those who can't read, this review page is for Real Player. Other products can be reviewed on their own page.

zridling reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Oct 28, 2004

RealPlayer is recognized as a virus on my system, and this version does not uninstall its registry entries. Very bad, very dishonest.

Dreimanis reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Oct 28, 2004

bloat

Sintex reviewed v10.5 Final Build 6.0.12.1056 on Oct 28, 2004

I'm updating my review on this.

I have removed a star from it. I installed this on my PC again (Unfortunately) just to attempt to clarify some issues my fellow reviewers are having.

1. The CPU and RAM. You're right, it only takes up 5 MB of RAM. When it's sitting there looking "pretty". As for the CPU using 4 - 8 cycles to play audio is awful. If I want to waste my cycles I will use Windows Media Player for everything.

1a. For the guy who stated the following: "And to the guys worried about his cpu and RAM...dude, upgrade already. Seriously, that Pentium II w/64mb of RAM just won't cut it anymore"

For one a P2 with 64 MB of RAM should be fine for running audio and video. And secondly, I run an AMD XP3200+ with 1.5 GB of PC3200 RAM.

2. The bloat issue. Realplayer is fairly bloated (This version being much better than the last couple of version though) and very intrusive. When I say I don't want it to play certain filetypes I mean it.

All in all it's just not worth installing it. Real Alternative does the same thing but is so much better. If you don't buy music online (Which I don't) it's just not worth the trouble of the install and configuration so it doesn't play all my files and add subliminal messages telling me to buy 5 copies of Real Player Professional and then eat my own foot (Ok it doesn't really do the last part) but you know what I mean. If it's to be used as a primary player it is not great but a lot better than the previous versions in almost all aspects.

So for all the people saying that if you give it a low rating you haven't used it, don't assume that. Assuming makes an a** out of you and umption. People have their own opinions about software, what it should and what it should not do.

GoodThings2Life reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1040 on Aug 18, 2004

RealPlayer has always been slow and bloated indeed, despite what its few fanboys/fangirls claim. For a 9MB download, it sure does consume a LOT of RAM when actually using it! And its default options are so invasive of privacy and the computer... always connecting to the Internet and phoning home.

Although those "spyware" options can be disabled... RealPlayer puts you through hoops to find those options inside Preferences. The default options allow it to track all sorts of information.

WinAmp and Windows Media Player will remain on top for some time to come unless RealNetworks learns to write clean, simple features.

cricri_pingouin reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1040 on Aug 18, 2004

I can't understand why my friends, especially every single chinese one, just have this as standard. Sure, it works well, it looks nice and all, but behind... It's like having a nice siamese cat, which "meows" well, looks nice, but craps and pees everywhere on your carpet. I use Media Player Classic because it's a simple file to extract, doesn't do anything underhand, and is very "green" (i.e. doesn't put junk in terms of files and registry keys all over the place). If you really think it's the best multimedia software around and really want to keep it, by all means go ahead, I'm just giving my 2 cents. Oh, if you "need" (o_O) to play these formats, install RealAlternative in parallel to MPC, I'd be surprised if you were disappointed.

drewby reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1040 on Aug 18, 2004

Love the fact you can actually preview a song. Can't do that in iTunes as far as I know. Can't bet 49 cents for a song. Awesome.

ogman reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1040 on Aug 18, 2004

Great player, works perfect, and has NO spyware or adware. Great content and terrific value. Free or optional paid service have excellent features. Also, their music store now charges ONLY $.49 CENTS PER SONG!!! Company has best customer service of anyone out there.

It's amazing the lack of computer knowledge possessed by some betanews users. Don't believe the FUD!

mancub reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1040 on Aug 18, 2004

loaded real player ,when useing it , on xp pro sp2 , made my comp crash ,had to reboot twice and restore and then remove it , not good

Aires reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1040 on Aug 18, 2004

@ Mark Gillespie:
If you want to rate a 1 because it has a toolbar and you think it's bloated - fair enough.

RealPlayer is not infested with spyware. Any adverts RealPlayer contains relate to subscription services.

Your post just makes you seem like an idiot.

@ mancub:
The problem is the fact that SP2 has compatibility issues with a lot of programs - not just RealPlayer. I'm sure Real Networks will fix the compatibility issues but the problem is with SP2 - not the other way around.

Oh and btw, apparently I'm a RealPlayer fanboy. :?

Mark Gillespie reviewed v10.5 Build 6.0.12.1040 on Aug 18, 2004

Infested with spyware, adware, and installs all sorts of bloat onto your system like autoupdate system tray rubbish that nobody needs (or wants).

I notice in addition to all the previous bloat, the latest version has even more extra bloat, the latest version "includes an option during setup to install the Real Toolbar for Internet Explorer." How may damn Toolbars do they think people want in IE? IE toolbars seem to be the latest "must have" (reality is, nobody wants this crap..)

Companies like Real that produce this rubbish must realise that to survive, they need to produce clean, lightweight, bloat-free products, or the will go the way of the dodo.

Does anyone actually know that this program does, that Winamp or FooBar does not do?

Avoid all Real Networks software, your PC will never be the same again (even the uninstall does not remove alot of the rubbish it puts on your system).

singwolf reviewed v10.5 Beta on Aug 5, 2004

I hated all RealPlayer version prior to RealOne. Since RealOne, 10 and now 10.5, I use it for ALL my media play back, burning, web surfing - it's a nice peice of software. Keep up the good work and the fight against those that try and lock you into one player, platform, device or O/S.

jurrie reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 30, 2004

as of version 10, RealPlayer is a quality piece of software. No spyware at all. I'd rate it 4 stars normally, but since all these idiots who prefer to fill the site with flames against anything they dislike, I give it 5 stars.

tech_8356 reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 29, 2004

Old version 8 was half decent...anything after that is nothing but bloated spy/adware infected crap...I don't care how well it's configured

keekles reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 29, 2004

Same as the reviewer below stated. Learn how to use the program and disable all notifications and such annoyances. The program is great once properly configured.

Aires reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 29, 2004

5 stars to offset the idiotic misinformed spyware reviews and the bloated 'use Real Alternative instead' reviews. Idiots all.

PC Rat reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 29, 2004

The previous version "called home" a lot. Why trust RealPlayer again ?

Was also tough to get a complete uninstall on. Not to mention that the older but pretty good 'G2 RealPlayer' would ~never~ work again !

Basically, RealPlayer has transitioned into a spyware product.

Sad.

If you got the earlier 'G2 RealPlayer', whatever you do ...DON'T overwrite it with this piece of crap !

The Computer Rodent

CosmosX reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 29, 2004

Slow, Bloated & Nothing Special. Stick to Media Player Classic, does all the same things except for having the bloated GUI and other stuff you will never need or use. Real should learn that people aren't interested in a program with all the bells and whistles but most people want is a program that is simple to use and doesn't look over the top.

the1gadget reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 29, 2004

I can find no good reason to use this bloat ware in the extreme. Horible interface, terible options, can be very annoying, intrusive.

Back to RealAlternative.

Aaroniekins reviewed v10.5 Beta on Jul 29, 2004

i wish ppl wud smarten up and stop supporting companies like this

allsiante reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 20, 2004

Well overall this would be nice, but it doesn't start on a winxp+sp2b2162. Where it does (winxp w/ sp2) it seems slow for me (the hw under it is plenty enuff for a dozen of realplayers).

Anyway, I'm not the realplayer type-a guy, but I still give it a 3 cause it shows some talent. It's a pity that only "some".

Gryzor reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 20, 2004

Bloat, bloat, bloat. Messed-up interface/options, very annoying, intrusive, non-respecting. Try RealAlternative instead...

donpacman reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 20, 2004

This has been out now for at least five days...
"Hell has frozen over" I've been using RealPlayer 10 now for two weeks and this version isn't that bad... it could be better like less clicking to get where you want to!
I would never pay for plus but I would crack RP10 with no problems!!!
I would not be surprised if all the adware comes back some time down the road.
This RealPlayer 10 Gold has No Adware or Spyware (confirmed) "for now".
I would keep a copy of WinAMP close...just in case greed shows has adware again.

guevara reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 19, 2004

Ok
i agree.
but it's a nice player.
But
Ok it got spyware and very slow

And they really want your money in that compagny


maybe we have to find A new standard
player

mike_loldrup reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 19, 2004

Mony make the world go around.
and this one like to make you pay in a near future.
**** real audio player.
Make a new standard use winamp
**** all those monymakers

piter1 reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 19, 2004

RealAlternative is better (read lighter & faster)

Zulithe reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 19, 2004

If you have problems with Realplayer 10 read this thread: http://forum.doom9.org/s...82da&threadid=68399
Some of the more common problems are discussed there. Realplayer 10 is great IMO, not the best but still a vast improvement over RealOne version 1 and 2

mr_george_bush_president reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 19, 2004

hmmm. want you to buy more.

(spyware maybe.)

ok let's stay on Winamp. much better player and no spyware
and mdediaplayer izzzz better and they dont ask money from the start
Love to your all
George Bush

JohnnySkidmark reviewed vBuild 6.0.12.883 on Jul 19, 2004

I just upgraded to the new version and it's already crashed and given me "Fatal Application Exit - EXITING APPLICATION" errors five times in ten minutes. I tried to get it to crash again so I could write down the dialog box for this review, but when I tried to open a menu it froze!

Terrible. Just terrible. Unless this version introduces some new conflict with my particular system, I'd recommend sticking with the previous build.

blackpages reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 17, 2004

default gui can be look better and be friendlier. Real should let more apps use its codec. It should record streams, and video data without a user having to setup a proxy. it's ok for playing real media and channels, and not much else.

MadCoder reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 17, 2004

Extremely limited functionality and very low user-friendliness. I can't believe how many clicks and mouse movements are required just to switch to a full-screen playback mode when viewing clip on a Web page. Ugly green interface, no Alt+Enter for full screen, the usable clip area is small due to all the status bars and think borders.. Give me a hammer, I will fix this.

ogman reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 16, 2004

A excellent player and service that just gets better all the time.

geekz reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 16, 2004

An extra 5 stars for my buddy don!

robmanic44 reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 15, 2004

Wow! This sure seems more like a schoolyard than a review site. If you like the software say so, if you don't that's fine too. What's all the name-calling about? I've never particularly liked RealPlayer, but I also don't particularly like loudmouths either.

donpacman reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 15, 2004

RealPlayer is still useless...surprise

BonnieD reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 15, 2004

Excellent, gets better all the time!

Zulithe reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 15, 2004

No, it is still Realplayer 10, it hasn't went back down. This is Realplayer 10 BUILD 6.0.12.872 (says so under 'About'). And I like it. Realplayer has improved a lot since the RealOne/RealOne v2 days. This build has also fixed the problem with realsched.exe always started even when it is disabled. It won't do that anymore. Read this thread for more tips and info from a Real developer: http://forum.doom9.org/s...2415&threadid=68399

eL MaesTro reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 15, 2004

Though I know its just a build tag nr. Im still getting the headaches. They went back to 6 or what? Real Player 8 then Real ONE, then Real Player 10 , now back to 6 again ??!?. . . . . o_0

altblitz reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 15, 2004

technically speaking, Real has no advantage over other players.
worse than others, too restricted options and settings, which suits the most undemanding users (read clueless n00bs)
in Reality, the codec itself is not the best One (ironically, RealOne)

no reason to have this player at all

Neoprimal reviewed v6.0.12.872 on May 15, 2004

It's sad that Fileforum still has no kind of screening for reviews.

Anyhow - Realplayer isn't bad at all. It's comparable to Windows Media Player 10. They both have top notch organizational techniques and play a plethora of different media. Real's only advantage over wmp is it's ability to play the widely used realplayer proprietory codec.

All *startup* additions that real puts into the registry can be disabled by going into the *real message center* and finding the *options* and unchecking everything. After doing this, I've had nothing from Real in my startup.

It's not a bad player at all. The 'bloatedness' that people refer to, is the fact that the program is packed with features and nifty ways to do things. You can also get a ton of plugins that expand the player that much more.

Silly, stupid, idiotic people that don't know how to look for and uncheck startup options should stay far away from this program (or it will put things into your startup EVERY time you take it out).

Also, people who decide they may have to use 60 percent of their brain power to set it up, should stay away and let those who are using .0000000000001 percent of it handle the 2 minute setup process.

Simple minded people who don't like change or options can always stick with the old fave, winamp and foobar and let those who can, deal with Realplayer.

5 stars for a well developed program.

Ziad270 reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 29, 2004

One more precision: In fact...i use RealAlternative instead of real one.
Ziad

ogman reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 27, 2004

Winamp is the review below this one donpacman, but it was nice to see you move all the way up to sixth grade language usage.

5 stars for an excellent player - RealOne!

donpacman reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

Hey, ogman could you extract your cranium from your dirt hole long enough to smell the roses...WinAMP kicks RealPlayers proverbial ass!!!

geekz reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

Winamp is the next review down. 5 stars for Real.

MadCoder reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

WinAmp comes with awesome plugins and is FREE. What does this thing have? The jerking sheep video plugin. WMP isn't much better...

grdh20 reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

one word: "annoying" every time it plays anything it puts something in the startup menu (msconfig) and when you uncheck it, as soon as RP launces again, back it comes. No thanks.

wd40 reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

Just get RealOne Corporate Desktop. No extra crap and it's only like 8 megs.

http://forms.real.com/rn...ts/tools/red/index.html

ditroia reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

Real Player is Ok. I hate the fact that every time I install a new version not only do I have to send 5 minutes reconfiguring it. but that sometimes I have to re-download plugins. Could be a lotter better, but it's not that bad.

-Overlord- reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

Good player. I use the music store, too. NO DRM!!!

rakmup01 reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

Oh give me a break! "REALPLAYER IS DEAD AND BLOATED...DOA Anybody who likes this s*** ware is ****ed in the head!!!" Something about considering the source comes to mind. It's a good program that have been unfairly trashed by children.

cees2000 reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 26, 2004

much much better than windows media player!!!!!

bangbang023 reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

For those of you saying realsched launches when you launch real, I don't know what you are doing differently than me, but I can run and leave real open and realsched does not launch. I have no altered the file at all.

eL MaesTro reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

This USED to be crap, when the time realone gold, and that stuff, but HEY !!! now its a coola playa. very nice , zero adware, not intrusive, and you can even find a lite version, even lighter!!! :) good turnaround

mastercpu reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

Just installed it and I like it! The music store looks good, too.

ranasrule reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

horrible prog,......hasnt been worth installing since version 8.....stick to real alternative

  reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

Ugh geez you guys make this so difficult. It's not the message center, it's the hidden Real Scheduler. You CAN disable it, but that does NOT prevent it from launching. Maybe it launches and does NOTHING, but I DON'T WANT IT RUNNING AT ALL! And to do that, you can't just disable it in the options. As for the goofballs who keep saying "here they come", yeah, "here come" the people who don't like their systems littered with a billion registry entries and files, and having an untold slew of modules to account for, with cartoonish graphics shoved in their face, and executables launching behind their backs (I mean, come on now: The realsched registry run entry tries TWO TIMES to insert itself before setup is even complete. Disallow it, and it just keeps on trying.)

BonnieD reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

Awesome media player!

cakePie reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

Um.. the last time I needed to play a realmedia file was freaking 1996. 2 stars because it appears to run... I guess.

coover reviewed v10.0 Final Build 6.0.12.857 on Mar 25, 2004

Real Player is Real Bad!

scodan reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 22, 2004

Don't waste your time, Neoprimal; newbie kiddies like roj will continue to believe what they believe, even though they cannot substantiate it with even the slightest bit of actual, reproducible evidence.

Neoprimal reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 8, 2004

The only problems I find ever with Real, period, are the message center and the processes it runs on startup, like realsched. etc. (or what so many over reactively class as spyware). I disable all that within the program. On checking the processes, nothing's leftover, so I don't myself term this as spyware, because you can disable all that. And for anyone who decides to take me up on this by referencing the ports that real opens and closes as such - it's an interactive online media player, how do you think they find the info for the CD or DVD or MP3 you're playing, or beam ads to the banners .. etc .. etc?
They're not taking your name, address, phone number, or credit card number....and if they're not taking that - then what the hell? Have something to hide?

As for the adware - it's understandable, as the program is provided somewhat free of charge. There are others you can get....but this program is not as horrible as some of the users on here are saying. And some of those lite programs I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy.

All in all...if you're not a paranoid freak, convinced that Microsoft or the Government are trying to get you, and you are into neatly organizing and playing lots of movies and music, give it a shot.

If you hate Microsoft, and believe that anything on your PC that opens ports or makes a little popup come up are spyware or absolutely hate banners and desktop ads and such, or that the Government, RIAA, Movie makers and all that are trying to get you...maybe you should stick to foobar.

m2.k reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 8, 2004

Bloated, adware. Real Alternative is the way to go

tedbieri reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 8, 2004

If it says adware it is a big pain in the a_s! Lets just be honest its not us the reviewers that have the problem, its the poor newbies that got that comp for xmas that are going to be bringing their comp into my store to have the garbage cleaned off because they don't know what adware or spyware is. So in conclusion, I give all adware programs 5 stars for makin me $$$$! and 1 star for the pain in the a_s for the newbies!

matt2971 reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 8, 2004

Real HAS contained spyware in the past - that's a fact. Whether it does now I have no idea, because I'd never install anything as horribly bloated as this on my PC....

Aires reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 8, 2004

(5 star rating to offset the idiot 1 star spyware rating).

star51L reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 7, 2004

You have a valid point scodan, but I have yet to get any security alerts for Real Alternative :P

Computer Rodent reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 7, 2004

... BetaNews continues to promote dispicable spyware programs like RealOne, while being an implacable hater of Microsoft ! What's wrong with this picture ? ... The DataRat ...

donpacman reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 7, 2004

Dead and bloated 2.0

roj reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.872 on Feb 7, 2004

Most of the neophytes who dismiss the claims of spyware wouldn't recognize it if it reached up and bit them in the ass. They're the same bunch of kids who praise trash like MusicMatch Jukebox as being the be-all and end-all of media players. A subtle hint kchildren: try turning on your firewall logs and actually READING them. Oh, I forgot - you wouldn't have a clue what the information meant anyway (assuming of course that you were intelligent enough to even have a firewall in the first place which is something I sincerely doubt). After all, it's not spelled out in terms of "see spot run - run spot run". Real has a long history of producing garbage - this just the latest flavor. It is also one of the newest johnny-come-latelies to jump on the whole "please pay me far too much for lossy online music" con job bandwagon. To the other more sensible readers who recognize Real wares for what they actually are: don't waste your time dissing the proponents of the junk. After all, those who use it actually *deserve it*.

Enamour reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 31, 2004

Alot better then previous versions. Still a ways to go tho...

virtorio reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 24, 2004

I was skeptical to download this, but I was forced to after I installed Real Alternative and rm files no longer played on my computer and when I tried to install RealOne, that didn't work either. However, this new version is great. Its runs fast and memory useage is about average for a media player.

Aires reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 10, 2004

F*cking hell! Go and review RealPlayer Alternative if you love it. But this review is for RealPlayer by Real Networks idiot!

-Lord- reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 9, 2004

If all you want is something to watch *.rm, *.ram etc... with no other use for the program, then this is not for you. Real Player Alternative is a much better choice for that. This one does dump a bunch of crap though, and you have to either uninstall, regedit, or msconfig to get the damn thing to stop loading at boot time. Try to not be so pervasive! That's what makes for system crashes. All these apps trying to take as much resources for themselves, and getting in the way of other things.

Dwarden reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 9, 2004

So far massive stability and speed improvements over 9.x, memory used by program drastically reduced and beating most of same class opponents ... i'm really happy with this one (finally).

jkamenetz reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 9, 2004

I think it is pretty good actually.

phrentec reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 9, 2004

http://forum.doom9.org/s...p?s=&threadid=68245

bsf reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 9, 2004

I don't think Realplayer is the best player out in the internet right now, but calling it spyware or bloatware is just stupid.

First of all, if you think it's too bloated, download the Real Corporate Player thingy.. since it got nothing but the player.. nothing else. And these features in realplayer or realone exist for a reason. I develope streaming media from time to time, and i find these features to be extremely useful. Real Alternative is nice, but i don't think everyone realize that there ARE few features that real alternative doesn't support 100%. Especially in the authentication area, and international language authentication thing..

Grid reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

My review IS a review because I've tried this version as well as others, genius. I only comment of software that I have used. It is still a worthless player. As for the reinstallation, I was referring to older versions, and I didn't bother to even try to uninstall this version because I just formatted my hard drive, right after I made my first review. I do this once a year, at least. I basically installed it for the hell of it. Now, what older versions did was copy their original installer to an obscure folder and even after uninstallation, REINSTALL itself! This is not the first application to do so. Others have done it in order to fix the application, such as Adobe Reader and Windows Media Player. As for my mentioning of GRC, it was simply a notable fact and not just a hateful nobody writing a know-nothing review. I have done my research. No one should simply disregard someone else's review just because that person didn't specifically state that they tried that piece of software. -- Grid --

dr_goodbytes reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

i've been running this for a day now (i found it before it was submmitted here) i was a bit wary of it, but decided that to get support for the new video formats i had to install it (or get real alternative, which i think is barely-legal). I think this is the best version of Realplayer yet, you can quite easily tell it not to re-associate filetypes (and you only need to tell it once) i didn't find any annoying pop-ups or ads. the fact is that real has been listening to the critics and made those changes for your benifit. it's really easy to stop the player from sending information to providers / tech support.
it doesn't install any spyware / adware. it actually looks good. if you have quicktime installed you can play quicktime files through it. it's also my understanding that the latest version of Media Player Classic works with realplayer 10, and i haven't found anything to suggest otherwise. all in all i think it's a terrific player that is everything realplayer should've been in the first place.

razorhasyou reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

This is BIG s***. Use Real Alternative 1.12 RC3 instead.

Ehrihk reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

It looks nice but that's all that's good about it. It has way too many features that are usless. I don't think people want a browser in their media player. It also tries to take all of your files for itself. Go get Real Alternative and use Media Player Classic, now that's a media player!!

BillBraskey reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

Using RealPlayer is like having a large metal rod inserted into your anus. This is the WORST program on the internet. It installs assloads of s*** you do not need and militantly keeps changing it's settings to stay loaded constantly, even when you specify for it do otherwise. RealNetworks should be shut down.

finalcut reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

realplayer LOL

Martyn007 reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

This program is terrible, it is too slow and packed with unnecessary things. Why pay for something like this when you can get an alternative for free that is faster and better looking? If real started over with a fast, sleek and free player then I would opt in for that but for now I am keeping away from Real Player.

joske reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

bloatware.

matt2971 reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

Media player for the masses.... i.e the 90% of people on the internet who are clueless.

Tokar reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

Once you install real alternative, the codecs are installed to play Real Media files in not only Media Player Classic, which comes with Real Alternative, but Windows Media Player as well.

Zulithe reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

Realplayer is a joke. The player looks kinda nice but it performs badly and takes up large amounts of memory. Very unnecessary! I agree, use Real Alternative instead and avoid this bloated JUNKWARE (as I call it)

H8TEIRIS reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

the worst... i hate anything from real

roj reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

I agree with dzjepp. Buggy bloat. Spyware. Banned on my home network. Use Real Alternative instead.

dzjepp reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

http://fileforum.betanew...ail.php3?fid=1054136293 - Download this instead. Real Alternative 1.12 RC3

Darkk reviewed v10.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2004

After installing the RealPlayer 10 Beta on a fully updated Windows 2000 system, Norton Anti-Virus 2002 refuses to shut down on a computer shutdown or restart. I get the error message that the (anti-virus) program is not responding.

Installing RealPlayer is the only change that could have been responsible for this behavior.

Is anyone else seeing this behavior.

scodan reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Jan 1, 2004

The idiotic and endless spyware claims--which are NEVER substantiated--should really stop. It's old. It's tired. Let it die. That said, I hate the way RealOne Player always insists on launching at full volume, no matter how it is shut down. I hate the default options. I love the quality (better than Windoze Media). Orlando, I use Media Player Classic, and it's a neat little freebie, but it ain't the most stable thing in the world. Just a couple minutes ago, it crashed as I tried to play a RAM file at CDUniverse.com. Oh, and kids, the URL for RealOne Enterprise Desktop is http://www.realnetworks....products/red/index.html. You're welcome.

ryanraab reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Nov 13, 2003

New version out 6.0.11.868 Don't know whats new though. This is a very good software I don't recommend media player classic or any of those other ones. Realone can provide you with better support anyways. Also I'm with the other guy for saying it keeps on getting better.

blackpages reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Aug 30, 2003

can't save or record any stream without using camtasia, streambox vcr, etc, even after paying real.

tdean1 reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Aug 23, 2003

Does anyone know where to get the Real Player codecs without installing the realplayer?

Orlando reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Aug 23, 2003

Why use RealOne? "Media Player Classic" is a multimedia player that looks almost exactly like Windows Media Player 6.4 but Media Player Classic can play almost any type of media file including RealOne, Quicktime, MP3, MPG, etc. and even DVD's. You still have to load RealOne and Quicktime just to get their codecs onto your computer, but after that you never have to run the RealOne or Quicktime players. MPC is a VERY small program (no bloatware here). You can download Media Player Classic here...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli

tekken reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Aug 23, 2003

Oh man, dude, To Aires, hey thanks telling us about the Realone Enterprise Desktop. I've been searching for a trimmed down version of Real player for a long time. I know there is Real ALTERNATIVE. but that thing only works for Audio and video is still really choppy. Its like watching a slide show on my PC for some reason.

Aires reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Aug 22, 2003

I like this software. All the crap about spyware and AOLware etc is just that - all crap. Crap crap crap. I'd choose RealOne over Windows Media Player any day. But the reason this has got 4 stars and not 5, is because there's something called 'RealOne Enterprise Desktop' which isn't very well known about. It's very similair to RealOne with one big difference - the Options. If you think RealOne's Options are too OTT (as I do) and you miss the simplicity of Real Player's options, then grab hold of a copy of 'RealOne Enterprise Desktop'. It's extraordinarily streamlined and really reminds me of Real player - *a lot*. But you have to ask yourself - why didn't I know about this before though? Hmm? (Just search for it at RealNetworks).

IanT3cs reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Aug 22, 2003

Oops, missed the stars, should have been minus 5.

vasarnap2000 reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.864 on Aug 22, 2003

I do not understand why even software evaluations have to stoop to using the argument that "America is an evil country and is trying to take us over."

If you do not like the software "Ozieo" that's fine; but do not allow your hatred of the United States of America to get in the way of an honest evaluation.

Aristo reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.853 on Mar 19, 2003

Anyone knows how to stop the occasional popup from RealOne Player?

Perezoso reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.853 on Mar 17, 2003

Oops :D

Orlando reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.853 on Dec 19, 2002

Use "Media Player Classic" to play almost EVERY file type (including Real Media files). About the only file type it won't play is Quicktime Movie files. This program will even play your DVD's. It looks almost exactly like Windows Media Player 6.4 but has many more options. You still have to install RealOne onto your computer just to get the codecs, but you never have to run the RealOne player. "Media Player Classic" is the only player I use. Here's where you can get it...

http://vobsub.edensrising.com/mpc.php

Oh, by the way, it's freeware and is an extremely small download (no bloatware here).

robbit reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.853 on Dec 19, 2002

There is no way I'd use their software ever again!

I originally paid for the software over an year ago, had a look at the services they were offering which was poor (far too american based programming).

I had the services for a month then I cancelled, 8 months later I get an email from Realplayer that they tried to debit my credit card for the european services! WTF! Now they try to take money off you when you haven't even signed up for it and they ignore your emails complaining about it.

So beware of Real they might steal your money if you are not aware of it!

CycloneX reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

I've used the program and it's come along way from associating file types even after uninstalling it(dang icons)...now it dosen't do that anymore.The things you take care of when installing and then you get a popup telling you that there is message,With the basic ? I don't need messages.So off it went and now I'm using Quicktime player on my Windows from Apple computer (it works for Windows too!)

WRFan reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

I give 2 stars. first, because it's easy to eradicate adware by changing the source code of the included html files, second, because realone player is the only player that can play incomplete video files, which is helpful if you download something from p2p or irc and want to watch the videos before the download is finished. virtualdub can do it too, but you can't really use virtualdub to watch movies, it's uncomfortable

ezh reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

BTW what I do not like in it - it don't let me choose the browser engine it uses. :(

Somnambulator reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

the functionality is desent but there are MUCH better appz out there. try winamp running the Bluecave winamp slider plugin (www.bluecave.com) and you'll never use anythig else foir audio. this program eats your resources, time, and screen space alive as it intrudes in every aspect of your OS. uninstall it? it stays. you may not be able to run the program, but it doesnt mean it deleted everything it installed. you gotta use reg cleaners to finish the job. oh and if you must use this pile of garbage, at least load up regedit or tweakui or X-Setup etc to stop it from loading at startup b/c even if you tell it not to startup with windows, it does it anyway. --the most bloated piece of spyware and intrusion ive ever seen, period. (yes, it is worse than Kazaa - if you dont use Kazaa lite, why are you running Kazaa?)

thurston reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

Pretty weak application even for an early beta. It doesn't do anything automatically (like download newsgroup lists, it requires you to type in the name of the newsgroup you want). Also, there is no feedback in the main interface while it's processing posts, it all happens in a log window? Not worth the download, just use XNews.

xxdieseltomxx reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

I HATE REL PLAYER ONE GO BACK TO REGULAR REALL Y PLAYER IT SO MUCH BETTA

ynjhs reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

don't bother with Real. They are getting so bad, its just rediculous.

hammontree reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

Real has gotten so bad that i don't even bother installing it! If a media file i come across is a real i just skip it! It is not worth the hassle!

Shmanky reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

Holy cow am I really giving it a 4/5? Yes it's bloated. Yes it tries to place shortcuts everywhere (if you choose the default install). Yes it pops up adverts trying to get you to buy its premium product. Yes it has lost the trust of its customers. But if we resist the urge to rate Real Player on its marketing and just look at the client, we may see a winner here. The interface is very sleek and user friendly. Creating playlists and adding files is very intuitive. And because it plays my streaming MP3 audio which Windows Media Player 8 doesn't, I don't have to install Winamp. And because it plays my WMA and video files, which Winamp doesn't, I don't have to use Windows Media Player. For marketing, Real gets a failing grade. But for the client itself it gets a four because the client is strangely unresponsive on my rather modern system.

bluelabel reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

$9.95 per month? waaaw anyways its bloated i'll stick with an older version

JEdwardP reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 24, 2002

It's bloated, full of spyware, and a teaser for their $9.95/mo. service, the very idea of which insults an above-average computing intelligence. Whatever's happened to Real Networks is an inexcusable shame; their once-good software now seems to establish a new low with each major release. QCD is my favorite audio player, but I'd also prefer several others to this beast.

keystroke reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.830 on Nov 23, 2002

Nothing new noticed in 6.0.11.830 as compared to 6.0.11.818.. doesn't seem as though there is any extra spy-ware/ad-aware/etc. though :)

sinesolis reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 28, 2002

It has a pretty GUI but that's about it. I kinda like the all in one thing but the fact that you can't choose a "never" option in the message center drives me insane. All in all I don't like it I only have it and will only get the free version to play the occasional .rm and .ram file extensions. which is pretty said that I have to have all this bloat on my system for maybe one or two plays a month.

Zootopia3000 reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 27, 2002

Won't even touch it anymore. Just waaaay too many registry entries with RealPlayer G2 and above. I uninstalled(and manually cleaned out the file/registry garbage left behind) RealOne and went back to RealPlayer 5 a couple-o-days ago.

However, my main reason for gettin' rid of RealOne was that many Real links are now GoldPass. Find no need to keep the "bloated" free player if much of the Real content out there now is $9.95-a-month GoldPass content.

While I was at it with RealOne I also went back to QuickTime 2.12. IMHO, QuickTime is only needed for movie trailers. Heck, many sites now offer Windows Media movie trailers as an alternative.

jrepin reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 27, 2002

This media player is completely terrible. I think I haven't seen any more bloated app then this. And it screws with your system just way too much. I'll continue to use Winamp Classic for audio files and Zoom Player for video.

docco reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 27, 2002

This is one of the most invasive program I've ever seen! it adds itself to pretty much anywhere in the OS, it keeps trying to load itself on Windows startup, its just so annoying!

CyberDoc999 reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 27, 2002

Bad.... evil

xweston reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 27, 2002

This program is terrible.

Shouldnt it be called "RealTwo Player" ?

MMPD reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 26, 2002

Needs a ton of work..... Personnaly I only would use this if you absolutely have to use it...

busta reviewed v2.0 Build 6.0.11.818 on Sep 26, 2002

If you do install it, please don't use it to make MP3s to share on P2P. P2P is already saturated with horrid sounding Xing MP3 encodes from RealOne/Jukebox (and AudioCatalyst).

So-Unreal reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 22, 2002

I use Realone to play .mp3's cause I hate Winamp. Windows Media Player sucks for a playlist. Forget all of the other reviews with 1's. Give this app more then 5 mins of play time.

Klaude reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

ZERO. A weapon of mass destruction lol

grdh20 reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

The lowest rating is 1 star, but I give it a big ZERO stars.

I guess if you like AOL, you will like Real One.

rate reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

It's a shame to see Real Networks software become complete donkey s***. The only reason they are still in business is because of their file format (.rm, .ram, etc..) So the only reason someone might download their donkey s*** software is to play some audio/video that is only available in in Real format. Otherwise their a** would have declared Chapter 11 long ago. Now RealNetworks knows this, and they know that dummies, newbies, and old ladies can't tell the difference between quality software and donkey s*** since there's no big sign on www.real.com stating: 'REAL PLAYER IS DONKEY s***', and they just want to listen/watch their Real Audio/Video, so they will go ahead and download RealOne.
Crap, even www.amazon.com provides Samples of songs only in Real format.

I say Real is obsolete, crapware, bloatware, adware, donkey s***

deemon reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

lameware it is! phehee.. cool spam window it has.. lol

cy_clops reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

Oh.. and one more thing.. EVERYONE hates this program, gives it low scores, yet it's still rating out at 3.7! WHAT is going on here? I know it COULDN'T have gotten that high of ratings early on!

user101 reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

This program pisses me off in more ways than one. First, it puts junk on my hard drive in more places than I have time to look. I can't just install it with a shortcut. I have to install it with 50 gazillion shorcuts, each for a different purpose. Then, I have to keep removing crap from the startup group in my registry. This program keeps placing links there so that it can check for updates or whatever else it wants to check. Removing the link doesn't help because when the program is run, it puts the link right back. And if I wasn't pissed off enough already at this point, the program really insists on taking over every imaginable file that it thinks it can play on my hard drive. Trying to change this isn't easy. Oh, no. That would defeat the concept of good software. I have to dig through menus just so Winamp (2.x NOT 3) can play my mp3's, like I want it to, and keep playing them.

P.S. To the person below me: if you're going to write that a program sucks, try not giving it 5 stars. Just a thought.

SilvergunSuperman reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

This is a ****ing piece of ass-rimming s***!

bobad reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

Seems that companies will resort to all sorts of underhanded schemes to command your desktop! just say NO to this spamware/spyware/bloatware! What's discouraging is that dummies, newbies, and old ladies will run across the ubiquitous RealPlayer icon on the Web, and download this crapware. Real knows this, and has no mercy. It's like a cancer growing on the Web. For this, there is a special place in hell for them.

animespy reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

Aah! Send it back from whence it came!

hkchao reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

I wish I could give this bloat/spyware a ZERO !!!

phrentec reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 21, 2002

Get realbun. install it with the least features as possible. and get this DONT USE IT. thats right. use media player classic which can play realmedia files using the standard windows media 6.4 interface. no this is not a skin. its a real deal full pledged porgram. vobsub.edensrising.com

Banquo reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 20, 2002

Unfortunately 1 is the lowest score I could give it.

Oh sure, if you like bloated, buggy programs that want your personal information and constantly flash ads in your face, while asking you to subscribe to most of the content you find with it anyway, this is the program for you.

tvaccari reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 20, 2002

Bloatware, Spyware ... Junk!

crabbyappleton reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 20, 2002

Can someone give me one reason to download this software?

KAMiKAZOW reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 20, 2002

Bloatware, Spyware,....

golbex reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 20, 2002

Adware now?? Was it always like that?...
Well, I'm giving it a 2 because I have quite a few videos in RM format and making a new player (even if it's bloated) is at least better than the company doing nothing at all.

Practice reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 20, 2002

SPAM

andrey reviewed v2.0 Beta Build 6.0.11.780 on Aug 20, 2002

would have to insert = would not have to insert

CyberDoc999 reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 9, 2002

Stay with version 8
the new one is Bloatware

golbex reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 7, 2002

Here are 5 reasons I'm staying away from this prog:

1) This program uses up more resources than RealPlayer 8.
2) Message Center is an *annoying* feature.
3) If you like to use the Equalizer or Video Controls, you will be nagged to purchase the premium service.
4) Auto-loading of the website in the player is also annoying.
5) 96k is the best bitrate you can record MP3s. UH, MusicMatch, anyone...?

I'm sticking with Real 8 until this program shapes up. It's not totally bad, though. 2 Stars.

damndj reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 6, 2002

I used to be a big fan of RealPlayer. Unfortunately their RealOne player has really turned me off to their product. This has to be the most poorly written piece of software I've used in a long time. Enough so that it made me uninstall it and re-installed an earlier version.

Despite the fact that I've told RealOne to NOT use certain file types, it still demands that the player opens up, complains to me that "This program has made several attempts to take over the file associations" yadda yadda .. It's utter garbage.

Same on you Real Networks.. shame on you..

horst reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 6, 2002

This is without any doubt the most obnoxious single-minded player I've ever seen. It's irritating 'feature' of reconfiguring itself on it's own is enough to avoid it. I haven't evaluated for security because it seems to suppose a wide-open, permanently connected system ... it seemed pointless.

DigitalSin reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 6, 2002

Real software has to be thr worst, most bloated crap on the net. There was a time when it was great, but those times are long gone. Avoid it like the plague.

benben reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 6, 2002

This is a great program however it does have some major problems.
I first downloaded the beta version in September and once finding out i couldn't use the b*stard until i signed up for an account with Real Networks i was pretty p*ssed off. So i signed up anyway, only to find the computer crashed whenever i tried to sign in.
So i had to wait to download the next version. This time the sign-in worked, but only after creating another account (my first account didn't seem to work for some reason. strange). I found realone player icons everywhere, and whenever i started my computer up, it claimed i had a "new message in my messagecenter". I promptly turned realone startup off through msconfig, only to find the b*gger regenerated in the startup menu every time it was disabled!
I also recieved many emails from realone, which i blocked with Outlook XP.
Problems aside, the player on its own is excellent. It is fast, has a great interface, great sound quality and suppotr for many different audio formats, plus the stupid advertising sidebar is gone. I would gladly pay for this program if the few small (but annoying) problems - it would be the best player around!

emperorubby reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 6, 2002

Adwares like this one need to be free. Charging almost 10 bucks is a rip off for a program like this one. Bottom line is, it sucks!

Aristo reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 6, 2002

I really dislike the features such as the message center and other stuffs. What I want is a clean real media player and nothing more. The pic quality might improve a bit (I only use it to watch clips on NBA.com) from the last version (7.x or 8.x, don't remember).

Jaybowee reviewed v6.0.10.505 on Mar 5, 2002

It would be a nice product if Real Networks would not bloat it with ads...and whats this login screen all the time.... when I click on a file I dont need to log in to some server just to play a file....same with Netscape....forget it... I like WMP

Midknight reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Feb 8, 2002

I am sorry to say that I cant say that I like this change from real network its a ok player but this login feature is to much of a bug I have one computer offline and I put realone it and after about 5 times I got stuck becous I culdn not login!!! otherwise it is a good update from real player better than apple's quick time but not as good as media player

deryk reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Feb 8, 2002

3rd patch of the day... hehe... I think we're on a war of stamina here - who gives up first? Let it be AOL!!
These guys are amazing. That's quite some support for a free product - far better than you get for most commercial products!

Nice to have AIM working for a bit, even if it's just a couple of hours.

djdanska reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Feb 8, 2002

I have my aim back! Great!

Xdrian reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Dec 24, 2001

Its an ok program but i agree that to pay 10 bucks a month for service is a waste for this

horhe reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Dec 6, 2001

still has a few minor bugs though...

Gott reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Dec 4, 2001

Checked all preferences and there seems no easy way of getting rid of all the bloody resource eaters and phone home utils this new version of Realplayer loads on boot and the processes that keep running when RealONE is closed (TKBell, RNDial, eventsvc).
But of course there is a way of disabling it:
1. Kill all real processes in the taskmanager (eventsvc, rndial etc.)
2. Got to %program files folder%\%shared files folder%\Real\Update_OB
3. Simply delete or rename this folder (for example "Update_OB.disabled") [If this is not possible there are still running real processes in the background, kill them!]
4. Select "Yes" on warning message that some programms will not longer run (that´s what we want!)

You will loose the following "features": Message Center (RealOne ADD delivery service), Autoupdate, constant phone home.
You will gain a nice looking and rather comfortable app for playing RealMedia and Real streaming content that uses less resources and does far less phonehome!

golbex reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Dec 4, 2001

This is a good program. I just don't like to have to pay to upgrade the equalizer and video controls n' such.

animespy reviewed v6.0.10.446 Beta on Dec 4, 2001

I like it.

tem0 reviewed v8.0 on Aug 19, 2000

In the days of 256mb of ram and 60gb hard drives i didn't think these were big issues anymore. Regardless i still think the video quality on my adsl looks great.

sphiggo reviewed v8.0 on Aug 18, 2000

tem0, are you a RealNetworks crony here to plug their bloated bas**** child? Doing nothing RealPlayer sucks 7 MB. With the "radio" opened up this grows to 20 MB. Playing a stream the b**** blows another 4 MB. It's not completely useless, but surely they could have made Realbas**** more efficient.

TreMetal reviewed v8.0 on Aug 18, 2000

It seems as though EVERYTHING is invisible about this one.

nova897 reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 31, 2000

Never installed it and never will.
Real Player G2 (6.0) is fine for me.
7 sux. 8 i guess does too.
WinME and RPG2 works great.

nova897@hotmail.com

chrisiwe reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 23, 2000

hallo
Alle schreiben hier, es braucht 20 ;B odwer 10 MB RAM ist doch egal? oder haben alle bloß 16 MB RAM und Windows 3.1???
Unterm Windows 2000 ist es egal (ich hab 128 MB RAM + 512 MB Swap zugewisen)
also ein programm nach seinem speicherbedarf zu beurteilen ist doch wohl kindisch

Tridus reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 23, 2000

Ok... lets summarize. Its big. Its ugly. Its bloated. It by default turns on that smartcenter crap.

The sooner this gets replaced by something that doesn't totally suck, the better off the world will be.

Of course they could make it not so bad by making a "lite" version which removes all the garbage and *gasp*, simply plays streams. Of course these days, software that does only one thing is almost unheard of. Lets spread the bloat!

aalaap reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 23, 2000

Buggy, bulky, bloated, ..bah !!!

mmaccana reviewed v7.0 Beta 2 on May 23, 2000

Quite liked it. It's nice to see Real is actually doing a proper Linux standard port - ie, packages rather than dodgy tarballs. GTK or QT would be nice too, but I guess Real like their own interface. It's also a neat tie in with their Realserver / Redhat bundle.

What's bad; I want a version eight. I want to save anything to my hard disk, I want Real, Quicktime and WMA codecs in the one product, I want KDE and GNOME icons within the RPM.
I want the ****er to get into the new millenium. Linux [or Redhat at least] has Truetype fonts. Real should use them.

And I see no reason to support Glibc 2.0. Nobody else does and it holds the product back.

It still seems amazingly obvious that Quicktime seems to have the best video encoder on the market. I wish Apple would keep up with Real.

sphiggo reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 23, 2000

If my original message wasn't clear, I never said that memory wasn't released when RealPlayer was terminated. What I said is that memory is not released when a stream is stopped. And yes I do know what StartCenter is and I never use that piece of s*** snoopware. And I do know that the memory is held in the clip - even so, It's still an annoying waste, because it's going to have to overwrite the whole clip anyway when a new stream is started. Therefore, while it's idle it should free the damn memory.

qwaszx reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 22, 2000

Well im also running it on windows 2000 server and as you said it only uses about 5MB when you first load it. for my test i used the Welcome to RealPlayer clip. when i open that the memory usage goes upto about 10MB, then when i click stop it drops down to about 9MB. the reason its still using more memory is because the clip is still loaded in RAM. however after closing RealPlayer it releases all memory that it was using. If yours isnt relasing memory then maybe you have that useless smartstart thing running in the taskbar. if u have that running then when u close RealPlayer about all your doing is closing the active window. the player itself is still loaded in RAM. They do this because they claim it speeds startup, however i notice almost no difference. one thing i do know about that smart start thing is that after running a packet sniffer on my computer i noticed that every few minutes it connects one of real.com's servers and uploads then downloads somthing.

chinese reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 22, 2000

Oh my god.........Bill Gates please take over this over-taking resources player asap

krazydog reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 22, 2000

I wanted to download this to see if it had any improvements over RealPlayer 5.0 (saving site passwords, low resource usage, clean interface). Well, I took one look at the screenshot, realized that it's just more bloated crap, and saved myself a 14 meg download. What do you expect from a company run my an ex Microsoft general?

hasnabada reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 22, 2000

DI DI D??????? wtf do u mean?? oh btw Realplayer sux :P eheh.. um.. BARAHOONIKA

cman21 reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 22, 2000

First of all, all i can say about real player is that it can EAD (eat a d***) .heh. It takes up too much resources for me, and Media Player is good enough for me. Also, i dont like the channels on the player either. Thats my 2 cents about the player. In my point of view, it SUCKS.. oh, and di di di

oudoulj reviewed v8.0 Beta on May 22, 2000

20Mb! you exaggerate, man! the complete set for the Basic is "only" 13.4Mb :)
Well RealPlayer remains the best one to play the latest streaming RealVideo so we don't have much choice...
WMP 7 does not support Real content if my correct.
RealPlayer tends to get really bulky... like ICQ I guess...