 Has Realplayer Became A Spyware? |
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 Jan 11 2006, 12:58 PM
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#1
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Trap Grand Marshal Member  Group: Members Posts: 1,205 Joined: 25-March 05 Member No.: 4,883  |
I've tried downloading the latest RealPlayer from www.real.com. The latest player, version 10.5, now must be purchased online before being allowed to be downloaded. However it stated that the free version of RealPlayer will become active if you decided to cancel the contract with Real Networks after the 14 day trial period. Hence, you have no choice but to key in your credit card number and personal details before you have access to the download. There are no other ways or alternatives to download RealPlayer for free now.
So I've searched Download.com for an older version of RealPlayer. But I didn't realise that the user of RealPlayer is required to sign in, just like Instant Messenger, to be able to play online media. However, I've tried streaming a video and RealPlayer directed me to the purchase website, preventing me from playing any media. Furthermore, it has full of advertisements and kept prompting me back to the purchase website. It somewhat resembles Kazaa which contains spyware. Does anyone knows of an alternative to RealPlayer streaming function? I only know Real Alternative codecs that plays RealMedia files but it cannot stream online media. I gave up on using the original RealPlayer already. |
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Jan 11 2006, 04:02 PM
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#2
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"Betsuni" Group: Members Posts: 1,023 Joined: 9-April 05 From: Japan Member No.: 5,445 |
Aside from Windows Media Player and iTunes/Quicktime, you might want to try WINAMP as an alternative. I pretty much gave up on using RealPlayer a while back.
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Jan 11 2006, 06:27 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 108 Joined: 24-November 05 From: Switzerland Member No.: 14,836 |
QUOTE(Inspiron @ Jan 11 2006, 02:58 PM) I've tried downloading the latest RealPlayer from www.real.com. The latest player, version 10.5, now must be purchased online before being allowed to be downloaded. However it stated that the free version of RealPlayer will become active if you decided to cancel the contract with Real Networks after the 14 day trial period. Hence, you have no choice but to key in your credit card number and personal details before you have access to the download. There are no other ways or alternatives to download RealPlayer for free now. So I've searched Download.com for an older version of RealPlayer. But I didn't realise that the user of RealPlayer is required to sign in, just like Instant Messenger, to be able to play online media. However, I've tried streaming a video and RealPlayer directed me to the purchase website, preventing me from playing any media. Furthermore, it has full of advertisements and kept prompting me back to the purchase website. It somewhat resembles Kazaa which contains spyware. Does anyone knows of an alternative to RealPlayer streaming function? I only know Real Alternative codecs that plays RealMedia files but it cannot stream online media. I gave up on using the original RealPlayer already.  Yeah, you're so right, both of you. Just the reason why I quit following up Real Player a year or two back. Winamp is quite a treat in that respect, I agree. Now, if you really want to get something closer to the feeling you get with Real Player, you could decide to go downloading Real Alternative at : http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm. It's Open Source to my knowledge, so it's free and they take extra care to get it up-to-date, technically speaking. Cheers |
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Jan 11 2006, 08:44 PM
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#4
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Privileged Member Group: [HOSTED] Posts: 505 Joined: 14-November 05 From: Britannia! Member No.: 14,287 |
QUOTE(Inspiron) So I've searched Download.com for an older version of RealPlayer. But I didn't realise that the user of RealPlayer is required to sign in, just like Instant Messenger, to be able to play online media. However, I've tried streaming a video and RealPlayer directed me to the purchase website, preventing me from playing any media. Furthermore, it has full of advertisements and kept prompting me back to the purchase website. It somewhat resembles Kazaa which contains spyware. QUOTE(ongnoai) Yeah, you're so right, both of you. Just the reason why I quit following up Real Player a year or two back. Same here ongnoai. I quit using RealPlayer about a month after I started using it, because I suspected there was something wrong with the program, and I just didn't like it's style. Now I have evidence to find I was right. They make a free version but don't allow you to use it until the trial is over! That just... For lack of a better word (sorry), RealPlayer sucks. I'm definately gonna take a look at winamp. |
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Jan 11 2006, 09:09 PM
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#5
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Privileged Member Group: [HOSTED] Posts: 505 Joined: 14-November 05 From: Britannia! Member No.: 14,287 |
I just found out that Winamp requires registration to download. The registration requires an email adress, as per usual. And since it is a corporate-based Free Program, I doubt I should trust it either...
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Jan 12 2006, 05:20 AM
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#6
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Trap Grand Marshal Member Group: Members Posts: 1,205 Joined: 25-March 05 Member No.: 4,883 |
The thing is, can Winamp able to stream RealMedia files online?
I know many realmedia codecs alternatives so we can all play realmedia files using other players, by the fact of not using RealPlayer itself. But there isn't any alternatives to streaming online realmedia files that I know of.. Does anyone know of any...? |
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Jan 12 2006, 08:20 AM
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#7
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Incest is a game the whole family can play.  Group: [MODERATOR] Posts: 1,227 Joined: 11-February 05 From: Heaven Member No.: 3,709 |
Well, after some googling, I found a player called Real Alternative.
I tried to find reviews for this product on Download.com but instead found RealPlayer's reviews. Most of them hate RealPlayer and recommend Real Alternative.... |
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Jan 13 2006, 06:38 AM
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#8
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Trap Grand Marshal Member Group: Members Posts: 1,205 Joined: 25-March 05 Member No.: 4,883 |
Real Alternative only provides the RealMedia codec. They will work when you play RealMedias on any other players without the need of RealPlayer.
However, Real Alternative still does not support RSTP streaming of RealMedia as yet. Here's what I've found about RealPlayer... QUOTE Important Notes: - RealPlayer may collect some presonal information. If this concerns you, please read their privacy policy here. - This download may includes adware (and spyware) software. Adware (and spyware) software may record your surfing habits, deliver advertising, collect private information, or modify your system settings. Pay close attention to the End User License Agreement ("EULA") and installation options! We also, recommend you to run Microsoft AntiSpyware or other antispyware software after installation process. This quote taken from http://www.free-codecs.com/download/RealPlayer.htm This site is pretty trustful, and it certainly gives us the impression of RealPlayer.. |
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Jan 13 2006, 06:49 AM
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#9
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The Bogey Princess Group: Members Posts: 639 Joined: 25-April 05 Member No.: 6,138 |
