NET TOOB --
NET TOOB is the Real Deal when it comes to viewing digital videos over the 'net. Although NET TOOB specializes in MPEG and MPEG-1 files, QuickTime for Windows (MOV), Video for Windows (AVI), and FLC/FLI videos can also be viewed so long as you first grab the necessary (and free) drivers off the NET TOOB Info
Page. NET TOOB also supports playback of WAV, MIDI, and SND sound bytes as well
as QuickTime VR models. NET TOOB is perhaps the first digital audio/video viewer of its kind -- nothing else on the 'net allows for playback of so many file types and without the need for additional hardware. NET TOOB automatically sets itself up as a web browser helper application or as a plug-in module (with v3.0) in order to enable automatic video playback from Netscape, Internet Explorer, Spry AirMosaic, and a few additional browsers. Features in NET TOOB are pleasingly abundant: adjustable video window sizes
(1/8, 1/4 or even full screen playback), small files (thanks to MPEG-1 compression),
video compression ratio averages of 200 to 1 and audio compression ratio averages
of 15 to 1, MPEG-1 playback at 15 frames per second, and playback of synchronized and interleaved audio/video. There is even a video screen saver that you can use to play your favorite videos. Unfortunately, you can only play one video at a time -- i.e. currently,
there is no video slideshow capability with NET TOOB. The quality of both audio and video delayed playback (non-streaming) is amazing. Even more impressive, the folks at Duplexx Software (creators of NET TOOB) have now completed an update to v3.0, called NET TOOB Stream, that supports real time audio and video playback...over the 'net!
This newest release of NET TOOB takes the app in a new direction (and with the new name - NET TOOB Stream). With the new version you can play all current digital standards on your PC including MPEG-1, Video for Windows (AVI), and QuickTime for Windows (MOV) as downloaded media, and varied frame-rate MPEG-1 on-demand media without server software. NET TOOB Stream even gives you the option of full screen video playback for MOV and AVI video files, but don't expect quality or speed to be anywhere near adequate with a slower 'net connection. While these new features do bring NET TOOB Stream several steps closer towards becoming a super deluxe real-time audio/video player, there are still noticeable delays when playing files while they are being downloaded. However, the 3.0 release and its impressive collection of new features are quite a dramatic improvement over the 2.x and earlier releases. Version 3.0 still has a few kinks to be worked out, but at only $19.95, NET TOOB Stream is one of the easiest recommendations to make for a winsock app, and when real time audio and video streaming capabilities are perfected there's no doubt that NET TOOB will be a five-star app.
Pros: Excellent multimedia viewer, audio and video at high frame rates; many file types supported
Cons: Lacks real time A/V support, needs multimedia slideshow capability
New: 32-bit release, on-demand real time streaming playback, frame rate control, full screen video, more
Multimedia Xplorer --
Multimedia Xplorer is an exciting new one-of-a-kind, all-in-one 32-bit multimedia viewer. Whereas in the past you would need a separate application in order to view each type of image, sound, movie, icon, etc. that you download from the web or receive from a friend, now all you need is Multimedia Xplorer. The client provides an easy to use click 'n' view interface with support for a wide range of image (JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP, WMF, EMF, ICO, and PCX), video (AVI, MPEG, MOV), sound (WAV, MID, RMI, AIFF, AU, SND, MP2), and cursor (CUR and animated cursors, ANI) formats. The Xplorer can additionally extract icons for you from ICO, ICL, DLL and EXE files. There's a built-in file manager for quickly locating multimedia files, and if you need a little more help than the file manager offers, you can also put the client's Multimedia Detective to use. It searches through your hard drive and folders for multimedia and image files and then displays the results for you. Accessing any file from the detective is one simple mouse click away. Multimedia Xplorer also offers a whole lot more than just viewing capabilities. A Logo Changer option allows you to change the default startup and shutdown logos for Windows 95/NT. The unique QuickPicker and Destinations features allow you to save your most often used folders for quick access. Additional features include a File Filter (for showing only files of a certain type), batch conversion capabilities, drag 'n' drop support from the Windows Explorer, a built-in slide show editor, manual or automatic slide show capabilities, and the ability to set any image as your desktop wallpaper.
At only $20, this is one application that you'll definitely want to try out and, more than likely, continue to use on a regular basis. However, there are a couple of features currently absent from the client that would make Multimedia Xplorer even better. First, a plug-in version would help distance the Xplorer from its closest competition, Thumbs Plus, and would also make the app an invaluable partner to your favorite web browser. Perhaps even more importantly, it would allow you to get rid of some excess applications by consolidating your collection of plug-ins. Also, an integrated screen capture client for bringing desktop images and movies into the Xplorer would be extremely useful. Overall, with support for more multimedia types than Thumbs Plus and a less expensive price tag ($20 compared to $50), Multimedia Xplorer is unquestionably the best application currently available for handling nearly every single media type encountered on the web. You heard it here first -- this may well be the multimedia answer to Quick View Plus!
Pros: Excellent multimedia viewer; support for images, sounds, movies, and a whole lot more
Cons: Lacks web plug-in capabilities and an integrated screen capture client
New: Video speed control, repeat button, batch conversion capabilities, extract all icons command, more
StreamWorks -- Xing offers amazing
technology with its combined real-time audio and video player. ISDN users
and direct 'net connectors will rejoice at the ability to check out continual
A/V signals from StreamWorks servers, but 28.8 Kb and 14.4 Kb users will likely find the
waters quite a bit rougher. In fact, at 14.4 Kb, real-time video is actually closer
to a still image than a movie, and audio, while decent, is nowhere near the quality heard on the radio. 28.8 Kb users will fare better with few delays and audio quality nearly on the
level of RealAudio and TrueSpeech. More than ten different servers are available for use with
the current version of StreamWorks and the possible choices of signal range from REM to
Garth Brooks audio feeds and from NBC video feeds to rock and classical radio stations. Most feeds are available in a variety of formats in order to meet the
different needs of users (14.4, 28.8, and ISDN). This is an app on the cutting
edge of technology and will only get better in the future. It should be extremely
interesting to watch as StreamWorks evolves.
Pros: Real-time audio and video on demand, tons of cool feeds available
Cons: Can be dreadfully slow for 14.4 Kb users, audio quality could be better
New: Native 32-bit version, improved performance, Direct Draw video acceleration support
VDOLive Player and Plugin -- The VDOLive client is similar in many ways to Xing's StreamWorks client. Both offer real-time audio and video playback over the 'net with only a minimal amount of deterioration in quality, but only VDOLive offers seamless integration with your Netscape or Internet Explorer browser and inline support for real-time audio and video. Platforms currently supported include Windows 3.x, 95, NT with standalone, Netscape plug-in, and IE ActiveX Control versions all available for download. Even over 14.4 Kb lines VDOLive performs admirably and with only an occasionally dropped frame. Given the impressive playback at these low speeds as well as the superb audio quality, ISDN users and direct 'net connectors will be even more impressed with the performance of VDOLive. Unfortunately, because VDOLive is just emerging as a viable client, native VDO files are few and far between. VDOnet's Armchair Connection offers a few files but is still quite limited. Beta testing for additional VDOLive servers has just started and will hopefully increase the number of available VDO files in the near future. Again, like StreamWorks, this is an app on the cutting edge of technology and will only get better in the future. It will be extremely interesting to watch as both VDOLive and StreamWorks evolve and compete.
Pros: Real-time audio and video on demand, solid performance even with slow 'net
connections
Cons: Can still be quite slow for 14.4 Kb users, audio quality could be better
New: Improved performance, story book mode, increased video size, more
Enhanced CU-SeeMe --
Enhanced CU-SeeMe (also known simply as CU-SeeMe) is the commercial release of the freeware standard CU-SeeMe client released from Cornell University. White Pine Software has taken the original release and added some solid features to it, including an appealing interface, full-color videoconferencing (24-bit true color and 4-bit greyscale), real-time audio and chat capabilities (using the G.723 standard), compliance with the H.323 videoconferencing standards when using White Pine's MeetingPoint conference server, Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) video codec for high quality video (over ISDN or higher connections), ActiveMovie and Video for Windows support, multicast capabilities (for talking with multiple users at the same time without the use of a reflector site), a parental control system, directory services, integrated phone book with graphical contact cards, and white board communications capabilities for multiuser conferencing. You can also participate in 'Live over the Internet' conferences, broadcasts, or chat conferences with Enhanced CU-SeeMe. Enhanced CU-SeeMe works well as a web browser helper application, automatically launching itself directly from web pages whenever needed. Additional features include advanced security and compression, Caller ID, easy installation, a site manager pre-configured with several reflector sites, and selectable audio compression algorithms.
Enhanced CU-SeeMe is available for only $69 with a demonstration release on the 'net whose only shortcoming is that it will only work for thirty minutes before needing to be restarted. Unfortunately, as with the standard client, Enhanced CU-SeeMe is a luxury that many dial-up connectors will have to pass up -- attempting to connect at any rate less than 28.8 Kbps will get you nowhere fast, or even slow -- in fact, only audio telephony (no video) is recommended for users with 14.4 Kbps and lower connections. While the current reality for many users is less than amazing, for those with fast connections Enhanced CU-SeeMe definitely delivers when it comes to high-quality color videoconferencing. And when used with the Connectrix black and white or color VideoCam (about $99 and $199 respectively), Enhanced CU-SeeMe is an inexpensive and efficient tool for sending and receiving video feeds. The low cost of this high-tech combo has many users racing to put themselves on the 'net in full-video glory. It is gratifying to see so many users, especially corporate users, wildly interested in all that the 'net has to offer, but it remains a disappointment that most users have to be left out of the fun. Slow transfer rates make this application interesting, if not entirely useful for most users. But for those with speed to spare, Enhanced CU-SeeMe is bound to be a must-have video app.
Pros: 24-bit true color and 4-bit greyscale videoconferencing over the 'net, send and receive video
Cons: For many users, data transfer is too slow for continual use; 30 minute limit in demo release
New: H.323 videoconferencing compliance, audio/video enhancements, manually dial IP addresses, more
QuickTime for Windows --
Here is an app that has been absent from The CWSApps List for too long. No other application on the 'net currently allows you to view a QuickTime file (*.MOV) without first having the drivers included in this client. QuickTime files can combine audio and video content, they offer relatively high quality, and they are readily available on the 'net. For these reasons, downloading QuickTime for Windows is a quick and easy decision for most 'netizens. In addition, Apple has recently released plug-in versions of the player that work with versions 3.0 and higher of both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer. The plug-in version allows users to watch inline QuickTime files from within your favorite web browser. The QuickTime plug-in includes QuickTime VR components and sports cool new features like scaled movies (for playback of movies at different sizes, caching of movies, and QuickTime VR Hot Spots (like web hotlinks but the links are contained within QTVR movies). For a sample of some of the many QuickTime movies available check Apple's QuickTime Cool Content repository. There is also a QuickTime FAQ available to help new users get acquainted with the QuickTime world and a QuickTime WebMasters' Guide for helping web developers create sites with embedded QuickTime movies.
Pros: Supports audio and video content, currently the only driver that plays MOV files
Cons: NET TOOB offers more features, MOV files often lack the quality and size of MPEG files
New: 32-bit version released, calibration for audio and video synchronization, more
New for Plug-in: Expanded browser support, QTVR Hot Spots, scaled movies, cached movies, more
VMPEG Lite --
While VMPEG Lite currently doesn't include as many display
options as MPEGPlay (its competition), it is by far the faster MPEG viewer. VMPEG Lite is like
MPEGPlay in many ways, including having similar layouts and features, as well as supporting
WinG. VMPEG, however, incorporates video and audio (under the
MPEG-2 spec) support. The Lite version is limited to 60 seconds of audio
playback (and Video CD playback) but allows normal video files of unlimited size. One of VMPEG's features that immediately stands out is its Performance Statistics option for the
most recent MPEG file. This option will report time elapsed in seconds,
the number of dropped/skipped frames, and the frame per second rate.
Overall, VMPEG Lite and MPEGPlay are very similar products in layout and features,
but VMPEG takes the prize for being much faster when it comes to playing MPEGs.
For a solid selection of MPEG clips to check out with the VMPEG Lite client, check
out The MPEG Movie Archive.
Pros: Very quick viewer; supports WinG; Performance Statistics option; features audio, too
Cons: The Lite version has a 60 second audio/Video CD limit
New: Video CD support, 'high speed' option, improved overall speed
QuickTime VR for Windows --
QuickTime VR enhances the original QuickTime movie player for Windows by giving users access to interactive 3D videos. In effect, QuickTime VR makes possible navigable movies -- you can look up and down, turn around, zoom in and zoom out, click and drag, and much more, all from within the QuickTime interface. QuickTime VR adds functionality to the original player on two dimensions -- first it allows for scenes, or virtual reality spaces, which are non-interactive 3-Dimensional movies that give added depth to scenes like panoramic mountain-top vistas and architectural blueprints. QuickTime VR also adds the capability for objects, which are interactive videos that allow you to examine, move, pick up, and make use of objects like books, art, and much more. For some QuickTime VR samples, be sure to check out Apple's
extensive QuickTime VR site.
Pros: Adds virtual reality 3D capabilities to the QuickTime player
Cons: Only plays QuickTime movies and only works with the QuickTime player
New: Now works with QuickTime plug-in to deliver inline QTVR panorama movies
MPEGPlay --
MPEGPlay is an extremely easy to use MPEG viewer. Recent
versions have added support for the Microsoft WinG library in order to
increase speed. Features in this client include extensive on-line help
(including an MPEGPlay FAQ and an introduction to the MPEG standard), looping,
stretch to window, and 10 dithering options ranging from mono (16 colors) to
full color (16+ million colors). Also, MPEGPlay integrates well with
Web Browsers as an external viewer for MPEG movies. There is one included
MPEG file (Rocket.MPG) with MPEGPlay. The unregistered version will not play
any MPEGs larger than one megabyte -- an effective impetus for buying the
$25 registered version.
Pros: Supports WinG, extensive help documentation, easily configurable, nice features
Cons: Not as quick as some MPEG viewers, unregistered version has a one meg file limit
New: This is the initial review for MPEGPlay
Video for Windows --
Video for Windows is a driver that allows you to view AVI standard video files with
your Windows Media Player. Although Windows 95 comes with AVI support built in, Windows 3.x
users will likely find Video for Windows to be a welcome addition. AVI files are not quite as
abundant on the 'net as are MPEG and QuickTime movies; this is in part due to QuickTime's
long-standing popularity and the playback quality and small size of MPEG files. As a result of these
factors, there are not many internet sites with large selections of AVI files; however,
Hollywood Online is one site that does have
an extensive video
clip collection of the latest movies in both Video for Windows and QuickTime formats.
Like MOV videos (QuickTime for Windows), AVI movies can combine audio and video content, they offer relatively high quality, and they are also occasionally found on the 'net. For these reasons,
downloading Video for Windows is another quick and easy decision for most Windows 3.x 'netizens;
again, Windows 95 users already have the ability to play AVI files.
Pros: Supports audio and video content, currently the only driver that plays AVI files
Cons: NET TOOB offers more features, AVI files lack the quality and
small size of MPEG-1 files
New: This is the initial review for Video for Windows
Cornell's CU-SeeMe --
Cornell's CU-SeeMe is a one- or two-way videoconferencing tool originally
created for the Macintosh but later made available for Windows (16-bit and 32-bit versions). It features
4-bit grayscale video at 160 by 120 pixels as well as full support for audio. Cornell's CU-SeeMe comes pre-configured with several sites for connecting to in order to receive video and check out the possibilities for videoconferencing over the 'net. Unfortunately, for SLIP and dial-up connections (modem users at 28.8 Kbps and lower), the current reality is anything less than amazing. Very slow transfer rates make this application interesting, if not entirely useful. A faster connection (a direct connection
to the Internet, for example) would make Cornell's CU-SeeMe much more interesting and useful. This version of CU-SeeMe is actually the precursor to White Pine Software's Enhanced CU-SeeMe client, which adds full-color video support and additional enhancements to the original Cornell CU-SeeMe client.
Pros: Black and white videoconferencing over the 'net, sites can send and receive video
Cons: For many users, data transfer will be too slow for normal use; made obsolete by Enhanced CU-SeeMe
New: Improved audio support, chat windows, QuickCam support, more bug fixes
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