RealPlayer

The first version of RealPlayer was introduced on April 3, 1995 as "RealAudio Player" and was one of the first media players capable of streaming media over the Internet. Then, version 4.01 of RealPlayer was included as a selectable Internet tool in Windows 98's installation package.{{cite web |url=http://users.telenet.be/mydotcom/howto/scripts/sysadmin/answerfile_w98.htm |title=msbatch.inf - Unattended and Customized Installation of Windows 98 |access-date=February 3, 2010 |archive-date=November 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105045616/http://users.telenet.be/mydotcom/howto/scripts/sysadmin/answerfile_w98.htm |url-status=dead }} Subsequent versions of the software were titled "RealPlayer G2" (version 6) and "RealOne Player" (version 9), while free "Basic" versions as well as paid "Plus" versions, the latter with additional features, have also been offered. For the Windows OS, the RealPlayer version 9 subsumed the features of the separate program, RealJukebox.

On December 4, 2001,{{cite web |title=RealNetworks Launches RealOne |publisher=Streaming Media |url=https://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=64464 |access-date=April 17, 2025}} the result of the merger between RealPlayer and RealJukebox led to the creation of a new brand, RealOne Player.{{cite web |title=RealOne Player |publisher=PCMag UK |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/first-looks/31004/realone-player |access-date=April 17, 2025}} The new name led to RealOne supporting more than 50 video formats.{{cite web |title=RealNetworks RealOne Player Plus review: RealNetworks RealOne Player Plus |publisher=CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/realnetworks-realone-player-plus-review/ |access-date=April 17, 2025}} A second version was released in September 2002.{{cite web |title=RealNetworks releases RealOne update |publisher=ZDNet |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/realnetworks-releases-realone-update/ |access-date=April 17, 2025}}

In July 2008, the RealPlayer Music Store was replaced with the Rhapsody MP3 Store.{{cite web |title=RealPlayer Music Store has closed |publisher=customer.real.com |url=https://customer.real.com/hc/en-us/articles/204039903-RealPlayer-Music-Store-has-closed |access-date=February 20, 2025}}

RealPlayer 11 was released for Microsoft Windows in November 2007 and for Mac OS X in May 2008. RealPlayer 15 was released on November 18, 2011. This version allowed users to transfer video, music, and photos between their computers and mobile devices, share links of videos and photos on sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and download videos from popular sites such as YouTube and Metacafe.

RealPlayer was initially accessed by many users as a plugin to watch streaming video or listen to streaming audio (for example, most of the BBC's websites formerly employed the plugin);{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/help/faq/download_and_install_realplayer.shtml |title=How do I download and install RealPlayer? |publisher=bbc.co.uk |access-date=June 14, 2010 |archive-date=June 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626060106/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/help/faq/download_and_install_realplayer.shtml |url-status=dead }} but in the early 21st century, Adobe Flash and subsequently HTML video became preferred options for this purpose.

In February 2016, RealNetworks released RealPlayer 18, which incorporated the features of the previous year's release of RealTimes, an app that makes multimedia montages from users' photographs and videos, backed up and accessible via cloud storage. The Real.com Blog states that "RealPlayer with RealTimes (aka "RealPlayer" for short) will still include the legacy features, such as Downloader, Converter, and Web Videos. It will also still include our RealTimes features, such as Photos and RealTimes Stories, our automatic video collage feature."{{cite web|url=http://www.real.com/resources/were-bringing-back-realplayer-for-pc/|title=We're Bringing Back RealPlayer for PC|author=RealNetworks, Inc.|work=RealPlayer|date=October 29, 2015|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108133523/http://www.real.com/resources/were-bringing-back-realplayer-for-pc/|url-status=live}} Note that as of 2018, the publisher only provides RealTime for use on a Mac and no longer publishes a media player called RealPlayer for macOS.

As of January 2022, the www.real.com home page offers RealPlayer for Windows, Android, and iOS.

Features of RealPlayer include a video download utility, a web browser, visualizations (graphical animations or "light shows" that appear on the screen when playing music), equalizer and video controls (including Crossfade and Gapless playback in RealPlayer Plus), recording audio, CD ripping, and a media converter which allows converting files to a variety of common audio and video formats.

• Photo and Video Sharing - users can post videos to Facebook and Twitter directly from the software, as well as share directly to friends and family via email or SMS messages.

RealPlayer has used several data formats:

• RealMedia formats:  RealAudio (*.ra, *.rm),  RealVideo (*.rv, *.rm, *.rmvb), RealMedia HD (*.rmhd), RealPix (*.rp), RealText (*.rt), RealMedia Shortcut (*.ram, *.rmm)
• Streaming: RealTime Streaming Protocol (rtsp://), Progressive Networks Streaming Protocols (pna://, pnm://), Microsoft Windows Media Streaming Protocol (mms://),{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}{{cite news |last1=barnes |first1=brooks |title=The Streaming Era Has Finally Arrived |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/18/business/media/streaming-hollywood-revolution.html |access-date=7 January 2020 |work=The new york times |date=November 18, 2019 |archive-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117041941/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/18/business/media/streaming-hollywood-revolution.html |url-status=live }} Real Scalable Multicast (*.sdp), Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (*.smil, *.smi)
• Audio: MP3 (*.mp3, *.mp2, *.mp2, *.m3u), CD Audio (*.cda), WAV (*.wav), AAC/aacPlus v1 (*.aac, *.m4a, *.m4b, *.mp4, *.acp, *.m4p), Apple Lossless, AIFF (*.aif, *.aiff), AU Audio Files (*.au), Panasonic AAC (*.acp)
• Video: DVD (*.vob), Video CD (*.dat), MPEG Video (*.mpg, *.mpeg, *.m2v, *.mpe etc.), AVI (*.avi, *.divx), MJPEG video playback from .avi files, Windows Media (*.wma, *.wmv etc.) (requires Windows Media Player 9/10), QuickTime (*.mov, *.qt) (QuickTime Player must be installed), Adobe Systems Flash (*.swf) (Flash or Shockwave Player must be installed), Flash Video (*.flv).
• Playlists (*.rpl, *.xpl, *.pls, *.m3u)
• Graphics: Bitmap (*.bmp), GIF Images (*.gif), JPEG Images (*.jpeg, *.jpg), PNG (*.png)

{{div col}}

• AT&T A2B (*.a2b, *.mes){{cite web |url=http://www.att.com/attlabs/reputation/timeline/97music.html |title=AT&T A2B Music |publisher=ATT.com |year=1997 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=October 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016230737/http://www.att.com/attlabs/reputation/timeline/97music.html |url-status=dead }}
• Adobe Systems SVG (*.svg){{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/svg |title=Adobe SVG |publisher=Adobe.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=July 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707123459/http://www.adobe.com/svg/ |url-status=live }}
• Audible Audio (*.aa){{cite web |url=http://www.ellen.audible.com/adbl/store/downloadInstructions.jsp?BV_SessionID=%40%40%40%401069502387.1160748801%40%40%40%40&BV_EngineID=ccchaddjdjdmklicefecekjdffidfhk.0&setListeningPref=1&update.x=14&update.y=15 |title=Audible Audio |publisher=Ellen.audible.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314094341/http://www.ellen.audible.com/adbl/store/downloadInstructions.jsp?BV_SessionID=%40%40%40%401069502387.1160748801%40%40%40%40&BV_EngineID=ccchaddjdjdmklicefecekjdffidfhk.0&setListeningPref=1&update.x=14&update.y=15 |archive-date=March 14, 2007 }} [http://www.audible.com/sh Audible software list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802000619/http://www.audible.com/sh |date=August 2, 2010 }} does not include RealPlayer plugin.
• Object Video (*.obv){{cite web |url=http://www.bizwiz.com/bizwizwire/pressrelease/1938/8j847jksxjwfsjwje88.htm |title=DiamondBack Vision Partners With Media 100 To Explore MPEG-4 Internet Streaming Solution For Cleaner(TM) |publisher=Bizwiz.com |date=April 23, 2001 |access-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919041450/http://www.bizwiz.com/bizwizwire/pressrelease/1938/8j847jksxjwfsjwje88.htm |archive-date=September 19, 2009 }}
• Luidia eBeam (*.wbs){{cite web|url=http://www.e-beam.com/products/presenter.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080409181932/http://www.e-beam.com/products/presenter.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |title=eBeam Presenter Download |publisher=E-beam.com |access-date=August 17, 2010}}
• Digital Bitcasting{{cite web|url=http://www.itcom.itd.umich.edu/bitcasting/index.html |title=Digital Bitcasting |publisher=Itcom.itd.umich.edu |date=January 21, 2004 |access-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720091435/http://www.itcom.itd.umich.edu/bitcasting/index.html |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }}
• Envivio (*.mp4)
• EVEN Technologies PSI Video (*.psi, *.fxv){{cite web |url=http://eventechnologies.com/products_psi_web.html |title=Even Technologies - PSI Decoder|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705005450/http://www.eventechnologies.com/products_psi_web.html|archive-date=July 5, 2007|access-date=August 17, 2010}} .
• LearnKey RealCBT (*.lkv){{cite web|url=http://uk.onlineexpert.com/elearning/elearning/realcbt.php |title=LearnKey RealCBT |publisher=Uk.onlineexpert.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207014739/http://uk.onlineexpert.com/elearning/elearning/realcbt.php |archive-date=February 7, 2009 }}
• Liquid Audio (*.la, *.lmsff, .lqt, .lavs, .lar, .la1){{cite web|url=http://feed.proteinos.com/item/1023 |title=RealPlayer supports Liquid Audio |publisher=Feed.proteinos.com |date=May 29, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214064055/http://feed.proteinos.com/item/1023 |archive-date=February 14, 2005 |access-date=August 17, 2010}}
• Netpodium Quickcast Image (*.npi){{cite web|url=http://service.real.com/help/faq/rp7/rpp7gen.html |title=Supported RealPlayer Formats |publisher=Service.real.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206012915/http://service.real.com/help/faq/rp7/rpp7gen.html |archive-date=February 6, 2009 }}{{Failed verification|date=August 2010}}
• LiveUpdate! Streaming MIDI files (*.mid, *.midi, *.rmi)
• Camtasia Video (*.camv){{cite web|url=http://www.techsmith.com/learn/camtasia/current/general/1300.7.asp |title=Camtasia for RealPlayer info |publisher=Techsmith.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208023033/http://www.techsmith.com/learn/camtasia/current/general/1300.7.asp |archive-date=December 8, 2007 }}
• Ogg Vorbis/Theora (*.ogg, *.ogm){{cite web |url=https://helixcommunity.org/projects/xiph/ |title=Xiph OGG for RealPlayer Download |publisher=Helixcommunity.org |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-date=September 24, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924223937/https://www.helixcommunity.org/projects/xiph/ |url-status=dead }}
• RichFX (*.vpg, *.wgs){{cite web |url=http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/News/Featured-News/RealNetworks-Time-to-Shine-Real-Conference-2000-62578.aspx |title=RealNetworks' Time to Shine: Real Conference 2000 |first=José |last=Alvear |date=May 29, 2000 |access-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724005026/http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/News/Featured-News/RealNetworks-Time-to-Shine-Real-Conference-2000-62578.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/RichFX-Plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |title=RichFX Plugin Download|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311104217/http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/RichFX-Plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |archive-date=March 11, 2007}}
• Mode2 CDs{{cite web|url=http://es.geocities.com/dextstuff/mode2cdmaker.html |title=Mode2Real Info and download |publisher=Es.geocities.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027000201/http://es.geocities.com/dextstuff/mode2cdmaker.html |archive-date=October 27, 2009 |access-date=August 17, 2010}}
• MIMIO Broadcast (*.mbc){{cite web|url=http://www.mimio.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?st=pressroom&releaseID=9 |title=Mimio broadCast Info |publisher=Mimio.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013071653/http://mimio.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?st=pressroom&releaseID=9 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=July 17, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/Mimio-boardCast-plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |title=Mimio Plug-In Download |publisher=Softpedia.com |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622074327/http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/Mimio-boardCast-plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |archive-date=June 22, 2009 }}
• BeHere iVideo 360° Movies (*.bhiv){{cite web |url=http://www.onlinemarketingtoday.com/news/articles/internet-programming/internet-programming-article-11782.htm |title=Be Here To Debut Its iVideo Plug-in At Real Conference 2000 |publisher=OnlineMarketingToday.com |date=May 23, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050416213244/http://www.onlinemarketingtoday.com/news/articles/internet-programming/internet-programming-article-11782.htm |archive-date=April 16, 2005 |access-date=August 17, 2010}}
• iPIX 360° Movies (*.ipx){{cite web |url=http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/iPix-Codec-Plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |title=iPix Plug-In Download |publisher=Softpedia.com |date=October 10, 2005 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207215316/http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/iPix-Codec-Plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |url-status=live }}
• ScreenWatch (*.scw){{cite web |url=http://screenwatch.com/pages/download.htm |title=ScreenWatch Plug-In Download |publisher=Screenwatch.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030828235930/http://www.screenwatch.com/pages/download.htm |archive-date=August 28, 2003 }}
• Vivo Video Files (*.viv){{cite web|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FXG/is_n6_v11/ai_20621032 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041030073530/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FXG/is_n6_v11/ai_20621032 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 30, 2004 |title=RealNetworks Acquires Vivo |publisher=Findarticles.com |date=June 2, 2009 |access-date=July 16, 2009 }}
• MJuice Files (*.mjf){{cite web |first=Christopher |last=Jones |url=https://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,34155,00.html |title=RealPlayer to support MJuice |publisher=Wired.com |date=January 4, 2009 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=July 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709015748/http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,34155,00.html |url-status=live }}
• Blue Matter (*.bmt, *.bma){{cite web|url=http://home.real.com/product/help/r1p_v2g/en/MM_Media_Formats.htm |title=RealPlayer Supported Formats (Blue Matter) |publisher=Home.real.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080611210214/http://home.real.com/product/help/r1p_v2g/en/MM_Media_Formats.htm |archive-date = June 11, 2008}}
• OZ.COM fluid3d{{cite web |url=http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/55901 |title=OZ.Com announces fluid3d for RealPlayer |first=Scott |last=Clark |publisher=Internetnews.com |date=December 11, 1998 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929104454/http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/55901 |url-status=live }}
• IBM EMMS (*.emm){{cite web |last=Smith |first=Tony |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/04/12/realnetworks_backs_ibm_digital_music/ |title=RealNetworks backs IBM digital music system |publisher=Theregister.co.uk |date=April 12, 1999 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=February 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210035045/http://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/04/12/realnetworks_backs_ibm_digital_music/ |url-status=live }}
• On2 VP5 (*.vp5){{cite web |url=http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/VP5-plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |title=VP5 plugin for RealPlayer 1.0 download |publisher=Softpedia.com |date=July 25, 2005 |access-date=July 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429193747/http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/VP5-plugin-for-RealPlayer.shtml |archive-date=April 29, 2010 }} [http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html Google closes on On2 acquisition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605164108/http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html |date=June 5, 2010 }}, February 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.vp3.com/on2/pressreleases/release_022102_vp5preview.shtml |title=RealPlayer to support VP5 |publisher=On2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020606141813/http://vp3.com/on2/pressreleases/release_022102_vp5preview.shtml |archive-date=June 6, 2002 |access-date=July 17, 2010 }} [http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html Google closes on On2 acquisition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605164108/http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html |date=June 5, 2010 }}, February 2010.
• On2 VP4 (*.vp4){{cite web |url=http://www.vp3.com/on2/pressreleases/release_012202_vp4realbeta.shtml |publisher=On2 |title=VP4 for RealPlayer is available |date=January 22, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020206030011/http://vp3.com/on2/pressreleases/release_012202_vp4realbeta.shtml |archive-date=February 6, 2002 |access-date=August 17, 2010 }} [http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html Google closes on On2 acquisition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605164108/http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html |date=June 5, 2010 }}, February 2010.
• On2 VP3 (*.vp3){{cite web |url=http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=01/09/06/2058249&mode=thread |title=VP3 for RealPlayer |publisher=Newsforge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020214020746/http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=01%2F09%2F06%2F2058249&mode=thread |archive-date=February 14, 2002 |url-status=dead }} [http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html Google closes on On2 acquisition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605164108/http://investor.google.com/releases/2010/0219.html |date=June 5, 2010 }}, February 2010.
• ImagePower Motion JPEG2000 (*.jp2, *.avi){{cite web|url=http://www.imagepower.com/news/overview/index.html |title=ImagePower's JPEG2000 Technology Compatible with RealPlayer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206224609/http://imagepower.com/news/ |archive-date=December 6, 2003}}
• 3GP Mobile Phone Video Files (3gp){{cite web |url=http://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5305/kw/3gp/p/3%2C2106/r_id/166 |title=Can Realplayer play 3gp files? |access-date=August 17, 2010 |publisher=support.real.com }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• AMR Narrow Band (*.amr)
• AMR Wide Band (*.amr)

{{div col end}}

RealPlayer has a wide variety of plug-ins. Some of the plug-ins are listed at the RealPlayer accessories page, but not all.

;Audio Enhancement

:There are four audio "enhancers" available for the latest version of RealPlayer. DFX, iQfx, Volume Logic, and Sanyo 3D Surround.{{cite web|url=http://www.real.com/accessories/ads/html/s3s.html?lang=en&loc=zz&src=082504_intl_acc |title=Sanyo 3D Surround|archive-date=March 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312144055/http://www.real.com/accessories/ads/html/s3s.html?lang=en&loc=zz&src=082504_intl_acc}} Lake PLS, created by Lake Technologies, works only with RealJukebox, and has limited use. There are some registry tweaks which allow Lake PLS to work with RealPlayer 10. Lake PLS is still available on the RealPlayer website.

;RealPlayer Skin Creators

:RealPlayer has had two skin creator plug-ins: SkinsEditor for RealJukebox -- an easy to use skins creator made by DeYoung software. The second application, RealJukebox Skins Converter, converts Winamp skins into RealPlayer skins.

;Playback Plug-Ins

:Please see section Formats supported by optional plug-ins

:vTuner Plus{{cite web|url=http://www.vtuner.com/|title=vTuner Internet Radio|work=vtuner.com|access-date=September 30, 2006|archive-date=May 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507051105/http://www.vtuner.com/|url-status=live}} is a radio tuner specially created for RealPlayer.

;Visualizations

:

• Annabelle the Sheep
• Cosmic Belt
• Fire
• Audio Analyzer
• Nebula

The available visualizations from the RealNetworks site are: FrequencywurX, FyrewurX, FlamewurX, X Factor, Spectral View, FluxWave, Puddle, Paint Drops, Polka Dots, SticksterZ 1.0, Circle, TomTom On the Road, Real Logo, and Hubble Bubble.[https://web.archive.org/web/20010801151709/http://www.real.com/rjcentral/visualizations/index.html RealJukebox Central: Visualizations] There are some more visualization plug-ins like SurrealFX by RealNetworks, G-Force and WhiteCap by SoundSpectrum and SticksterZ 1.1{{cite web|url=http://xenia.media.mit.edu/~metois/Projects/stickz.htm|title=The SticksterZ|work=mit.edu|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901073004/http://xenia.media.mit.edu/~metois/Projects/stickz.htm|archive-date=September 1, 2006}} by Eric Metois.

;Firefox Browser Download (Firefox Add-on)

:RealPlayer has a browser download add-on for Firefox (currently v1.0) which allows users to download video from a video player window (pop-up menu above top-right side of video player).

;ScrobRealPlayer

:an audioscrobbler plugin that connects RealPlayer with the Last.FM social music network.

==Supported platforms for RealPlayer==

RealPlayer SP includes audio CD burning capabilities, DVR-style playback buffering, multimedia search, Internet radio, a jukebox-style file library, an embedded web browser (using Microsoft Internet Explorer), and the ability to convert and transfer media to a wide range of devices. This includes music players such as iPod and Zune, smartphones such as iPhone and BlackBerry, portable gaming devices such as Sony PSP, and console gaming systems such as Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii. Since version 11, RealPlayer SP has gained Flash Video support, DVD, SVCD, VCD burning (120-minute), and video recording (DRM is supported).

As of 2008, RealPlayer Enterprise is a licensed product for enterprise applications which can be customized and remotely administered by RealPlayer Enterprise Manager.{{cite web|url=http://www.realnetworks.com/products/rpe/index.html |title=RealPlayer Enterprise |publisher=Real Networks |access-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729182844/http://www.realnetworks.com/products/rpe/index.html |archive-date=July 29, 2010 }} The free Realplayer Enterprise Education Edition has been removed.{{cite web|url=http://forms.real.com/rnforms/products/tools/rpedist/index.html |title=Realplayer Enterprise Education Edition download |publisher=Real Networks |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528094819/http://forms.real.com/rnforms/products/tools/rpedist/index.html |archive-date=May 28, 2010 }} Both versions of Realplayer Enterprise are lightweight, ad-free versions of RealPlayer, missing most consumer features and most plug-in support. The RealSched.exe update reminder can be disabled in two steps, and it is not reinstalled upon running the player.

While RealPlayer for macOS had been distributed (for free) in the past, {{as of|lc=y|2018|12}} no macOS version of RealPlayer is available for download from the Real site.{{cite web |url=http://www.real.com/ |title=RealPlayer and RealTimes Official Homepage |publisher=Real.com |date=December 22, 2018 |access-date=December 22, 2018 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922165739/http://www.real.com/ |url-status=live }}

The last stable release {{as of|lc=y|2010|7}} included Real's Helix playback engine for RealAudio and RealVideo, a 10-band equalizer and video adjustment controls, and a full-screen, resizable "theater mode" for video playback, as well as many features found in its Windows counterpart.

Since the release of version 10 on January 7, 2004,{{cite web|url=http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2004/real_macbeta.html |title=RealNetworks announces RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X |publisher=Realnetworks.com |date=June 28, 2004 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622025832/http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2004/real_macbeta.html |archive-date=June 22, 2009 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15540&vid=152394 |title=Release notes from |publisher=Versiontracker |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206010553/http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15540%26vid%3D152394 |archive-date=February 6, 2009 }} RealPlayer had become much more closely integrated with macOS including features such as:

• QuickTime playback support (including full-screen viewing which Apple only introduced to its own basic QuickTime Player in 2007)
• An integrated Web browser based on Apple's WebKit framework, resulting in RealPlayer and Safari sharing cookies.
• Support for Bonjour to share Internet favorites.
• Cocoa user interface.

All available versions of RealPlayer for macOS are 32-bit, thus the program can only run up to macOS Mojave due to 32-bit app support being dropped in Catalina.{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436|title=32-bit app compatibility with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later|work=apple.com|access-date=December 22, 2018|archive-date=December 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222110440/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436|url-status=live}}

RealPlayer for Linux/Unix was developed separately from the Windows and Mac versions. {{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} The client is based on the open-source Helix Player which can be found at the [https://helixcommunity.org/ Helix Community Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144706/https://helix-producer.helixcommunity.org/ |date=July 26, 2011 }}. It supports Windows Media 7/8, RealAudio/Video, MP3 and Ogg Vorbis. The interface depends on the current GTK+ theme.

The Android version of RealPlayer is currently available as a free download from the Google Play Store.{{cite web|url=https://market.android.com/details?id=com.real.RealPlayer|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217143938/https://market.android.com/details?id=com.real.RealPlayer|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 17, 2012|title=RealPlayer® - Android Apps on Google Play|author=RealNetworks, Inc.|work=android.com}} It supports Real Audio, Real Video, MP3, 3GP, AMR, and other media formats.

The Symbian version of RealPlayer allows mobile phones to play Real Audio, Real Video, MP3, 3GP, AMR, and other media formats. It is provided as freeware. In newer Symbian devices it can also be used to stream both audio and video content in the form of MP3 (music) and 3GP (videos).

RealPlayer 1.6.1 (US) or RealPlayer 1.6.0 (worldwide) is available for free for PalmOne-made Palm OS 5 devices, such as the Palm Tungsten or Zire series.{{cite web|url=http://www.real.com/realmobile/palmone.html |title=RealPlayer for palmOne Handhelds |publisher=Real.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722170918/http://www.real.com/realmobile/palmone.html |archive-date=July 22, 2009 }} It is also compatible with RealPlayer Music Store tracks. However, they will neither install nor run on non-PalmOne-made devices like Sony's Clie line of PDAs. Realplayer for Palm OS does not support later Palm smartphones such as the treo 700p, 755p, or Centro, although the treo 600 and 650 are listed as supported devices.

RealJukebox was a media player that allowed users to play and manage their digital music on hard drives, CDs and online. It was first released in May 1999. By late 2001, the functions of RealJukebox, RealPlayer and GoldPass (a subscription webcast service) had been integrated into Real's newly released all-in-one media player, RealOne Player.{{cite web|url=https://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=64464|title=RealNetworks Launches RealOne|date=December 4, 2001|last=Alvear|first=José|work=Streaming Media|publisher=Information Today Inc.|access-date=May 10, 2024|archive-date=May 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520183115/https://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=64464|url-status=live}}

{{Anchor|Criticism}}

Past versions of RealPlayer have been criticized for containing adware and spyware{{cite news |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032500470.html |date=March 25, 2008 |title=Don't Like RealPlayer? You've Got Options |author=Bass, Steve |access-date=November 2, 2017 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328214342/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032500470.html |url-status=live }} such as Comet Cursor.{{cite web |last=Tynan |first=Dan |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/125772/worst_products_ever.html?page=5 |title=The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time |publisher=PCWorld |date= |accessdate=2014-08-27 |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818085443/https://www.pcworld.com/article/125772/worst_products_ever.html?page=5 |url-status=live }} In 1999 security researcher Richard M. Smith dissected some of RealJukebox's network traffic and discovered that it was sending a unique identifier with information about the music titles to which its users were listening.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerbytesman.com/privacy/realjb.htm |title=The RealJukebox Monitoring System |author=Richard M. Smith |work=computerbytesman.com |date=October 31, 1999|access-date=February 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203105348/http://www.computerbytesman.com/privacy/realjb.htm |archive-date=February 3, 2007 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_07/b3668067.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000304134859/http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_07/b3668067.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2000|title=The Privacy War of Richard Smith|author=Amy Borrus|date=February 14, 2000|access-date=February 5, 2007|work=businessweek.com}} RealNetworks issued a patch, and the spyware was removed in version 1.02. Their download page stated RealJukebox included privacy enhancements and supplied the link to their updated privacy policy.{{cite web|url=http://www.realnetworks.com/company/privacy/jukebox/privacyupdate.html |title=RealJukebox Update download page|date=November 28, 1999|publisher=Real Networks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991128142520/http://www.realnetworks.com/company/privacy/jukebox/privacyupdate.html|archive-date=November 28, 1999|access-date=August 17, 2010}}

PC World magazine named RealPlayer (1999 Version) as number 2 in its 2006 list "The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time", writing that RealPlayer "had a disturbing way of making itself a little too much at home on your PC--installing itself as the default media player, taking liberties with your Windows Registry, popping up annoying 'messages' that were really just advertisements, and so on."{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/125772/worst_products_ever.html?page=2|title=The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time|first=Dan|last=Tynan|date=March 26, 2006|access-date=September 5, 2012|publisher=PC World|archive-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329095850/https://www.pcworld.com/article/125772/worst_products_ever.html?page=2|url-status=live}} In 2007, it placed RealPlayer, versions 1996–2004, at number 5 in its list The 20 Most Annoying Tech Products.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcworld.com/article/130638/article.html?page=2 | title = The 20 Most Annoying Tech Products | first = Dan | last = Tynan | date = April 16, 2007 | access-date = February 14, 2016 | publisher = PC World | archive-date = December 13, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161213184306/http://www.pcworld.com/article/130638/article.html?page=2 | url-status = dead }}

US-CERT has issued multiple security advisories reporting defects which allowed remote sites to use RealPlayer to execute attack code.{{cite web |

url=http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2010-0121 |

publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber Security Division |

title=Vulnerability Summary for CVE-2010-0121 (RealNetworks RealPlayer 11.0 through 11.1, RealPlayer SP 1.0 through 1.1.5, Mac RealPlayer 11.0 through 12.0.0.1444, and Linux RealPlayer 11.0.2.1744) |

author=US-CERT |

date=December 14, 2010 |

access-date=October 2, 2014 |

archive-date=October 6, 2014 |

archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006071652/http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2010-0121 |

url-status=live }}{{cite web |

url=http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-3113 |

publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber Security Division |

title=Vulnerability Summary for CVE-2014-3113 (RealNetworks RealPlayer before 17.0.10.8) |

author=US-CERT |

date=July 7, 2014 |

access-date=October 2, 2014 |

archive-date=October 6, 2014 |

archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115010/http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-3113 |

url-status=live }}

Real Alternative is a codec which allows RealMedia files to be played without the installation of the RealPlayer software. In 2010, RealNetworks sued Hilbrand Edskes, a 26-year-old Dutch webmaster, for providing a hyperlink to the Real Alternative codec on his website, alleging that Real Alternative is a reverse engineered codec and therefore illegal.{{cite news |last=De Winter |first=Brenno |title=RealNetworks crushes Dutch webmaster for hyperlink |url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/tech-industry/3299285/realnetworks-crushes-dutch-webmaster-for-hyperlink/ |access-date=August 29, 2011 |newspaper=PC Advisor |publisher=IDG |date=August 25, 2011 |archive-date=May 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502185000/http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/tech-industry/3299285/realnetworks-crushes-dutch-webmaster-for-hyperlink/ |url-status=live }} In November 2011, RealNetworks' case against Edskes was dismissed and RealNetworks was ordered to pay him €48,000 in damages. The case, however, cost Edskes €66,000 in legal fees.{{cite news|last=de Winter|first=Brenno|title=RealNetworks gaat door met rechtszaak om hyperlink|url=http://webwereld.nl/nieuws/108474/realnetworks-gaat-door-met-rechtszaak-om-hyperlink.html|access-date=December 9, 2011|newspaper=WebWerld (Dutch language)|date=November 7, 2011|archive-date=November 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116055148/http://webwereld.nl/nieuws/108474/realnetworks-gaat-door-met-rechtszaak-om-hyperlink.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Collin|first=Branko|title=Internet thugs Realnetworks lose case against Hilbrand Edskes|url=http://www.24oranges.nl/2011/11/06/internet-thugs-realnetworks-lose-case-against-hilbrand-edskes/|access-date=December 9, 2011|newspaper=24Oranges|date=November 6, 2011|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806173705/http://www.24oranges.nl/2011/11/06/internet-thugs-realnetworks-lose-case-against-hilbrand-edskes/|url-status=live}} The case was reopened in 2013, when RealNetworks claimed to possess further proof showing that Edskes was involved in uploading Real Alternative.{{cite news|title=Sitebouwer uploadde toch Real Networks-software|url=https://www.nu.nl/tech/3648341/sitebouwer-uploadde-toch-real-networks-software.html|access-date=March 12, 2021|date=7 December 2013|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214200429/https://www.nu.nl/tech/3648341/sitebouwer-uploadde-toch-real-networks-software.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Conclusies en tussenvonnis RealNetworks tegen Edskes|url=https://bigwobber.nl/2013/12/07/conclusies-en-tussenvonnis-real-networks-tegen-edskes/|access-date=December 14, 2021|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206102826/https://bigwobber.nl/2013/12/07/conclusies-en-tussenvonnis-real-networks-tegen-edskes/|url-status=dead}}

• Comparison of video player software
• RealAudio
• RealVideo
• RealMedia

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://www.real.com/}}

{{Media player (application software)}}

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Category:1995 software

Category:Freeware

Category:Linux media players

Category:Macintosh media players

Category:MacOS media players

Category:Palm OS software

Category:Symbian software

Category:Windows media players

Category:Android (operating system) software

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