With the huge size of many sound clips (250+ Kb not uncommon) and video segments (2+ Mb) as well as the seemingly perpetual congestion of the web, the audio, video, and Flash on-demand streaming made possible by RealPlayer is indeed a blessing for many users. With only Shockwave and VDOLive as close competition (and even these apps pale in comparison to RealPlayer), RealPlayer looks to have the early lead in what will likely become an extremely intense race for market share. While RealPlayer's advantage is partly due to the large number of sites that serve RealAudio and RealVideo content, another important factor results from the massive improvement made to the client in its two years of existence.
The RealPlayer client that combines RealAudio with the new RealVideo and RealFlash technologies is a far cry from the RealAudio player introduced just over two years ago. RealAudio's mainstay has always been on-demand streaming of audio, but recent features like live broadcast capability, improved sound quality for 28.8 Kb (stereo sound) and higher (near-CD quality) 'net connections, improved delivery technology, the real-time on-demand video capabilities of RealVideo, the real-time animation streaming of RealFlash, new commerce features (ad insertion capabilities, for example), and easy publishing tools for adding RealMedia content to your web site have taken the client to new levels. Additional features that have recently been implemented include bandwidth negotiation (for customizing audio quality to your connection speed), multicasting support, pseudo-streaming for small audio files, multimedia synchronization, and Java integration capabilities.
While there will continue to be a freeware version of RealPlayer available on the 'net, a $30 commercial version called RealPlayer Plus has also been released that improves on the freeware client by offering superior streaming video capabilities and PerfectPlay, a feature that makes possible near-CD quality audio and full-motion video even at speeds as low as 28.8 Kbps. RealAudio was the first real-time audio client to offer plug-in support for Netscape in both Windows 3.x and Windows 95 versions. Today, RealPlayer adds to these capabilities with inline web support for audio and video-on-demand content. Both Netscape and Internet Explorer can be set up to automatically play *.ra, *.rm, and *.rpm files -- sound, video, and Flash clips are not only run seamlessly from your browser; they begin playing almost immediately after clicking on the file.
While listening to and viewing RealPlayer files is just great for the majority of us, there will inevitably come a time when some users want to create and serve their own files. Thankfully, Progressive Networks has already developed clients that will create (RealEncoder) and serve (RealNetworks Basic Server) RealPlayer files. The encoder client is freeware and allows you to create and host your own clips utilizing pseudo-streaming capabilities on any type of web server. However, in order to run clips on the web in real-time you'll need to either download the free Basic Server client or purchase the more advanced Basic Server Plus client, which costs $695. (you can also download the server for a free thirty day evaluation). The freeware Basic Server is not eligable for phone support, does not include RealFlash streaming animation, and lacks some of the more sophisticated features of the commercial server release.
Overall, RealPlayer is a class-act app that will appeal to anyone who has ever had to wait an eternity just to listen to a thirty-second audio or video clip. And with the prevalence of RealAudio and RealVideo files on the web, this is one app you'll definitely want to have for your online daily web surfing. There's even a TV Guide-type listing called Timecast that lists all the RealPlayer content currently available on the 'net. While there is still room for improvement in the quality of audio and video streaming technology, RealPlayer shows that you don't need to wait for the arrival of cable modems and ADSL lines in order to fully enjoy real-time true multimedia content on the web.
Pros: Outstanding real-time audio and video on demand; server, encoder, and player programs all available
Cons: RealPlayer clips must be run from a specialized server in order to utilize real-time streaming technology
New: Streaming "RealFlash" animation support, improved audio/video, commerce features, publishing tools, more
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Version Reviewed: 5.0 Beta 1
Date of Review: 10/7/97 |
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