Tech: RealPlayer vs. other media

Subject: Real Player vs. other media
From: Kim C
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 10:01 AM

I have had Real Player (the free version, of course!) on my computer for quite some time, and I can listen to radio stations from all over the world right here at my desk. I also have Windows Media, which I use sometimes but Real Player is my default. I recently downloaded Music Match but it doesn't seem to want to play well with the others - it wants to be the default, I don't want it to be the default, and now my Real Player keeps giving me "illegal operation" messages and I have to reboot to get it going again. I'm thinking I'll just trash Music Match.

Any thoughts?

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 10:05 AM

I have a similar problem. After I downloaded WinAmp, I can no longer click on a midi file and hear it. I have to download the file, then listen to it. Anybody know what's happening here, or what I can do to remedy it?

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Clifton53
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 10:24 AM

I've downloaded RA several times and can use it for some stuff but I can't get Mudcat Bloody Radio!!!! So I keep dumping it. I have a 133 processor and maybe that's not enough? Could use some help.

Clifton

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 10:30 AM

I downloaded MusicMatch and installed it with no problem. It asks during the installation process if you want to use it with different sound files. You can say "no."

Try this:
Open MusicMatch
Click on Options, then Settings
In the General tab, Click on the little boxes by the types of files to open with MusicMatch to take the check marks out of them (I don't see RealAudio in there. It's possible you'll have to re-install RealPlayer if the steps above don't solve the problem.)

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Kim C
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 11:04 AM

Okay. I'm going to play with it some and see what happens.

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 11:28 AM

Note that MM tries to reclaim the files after you change the settings. I dumped RealJukeBox because it got too grabby, and took everything over every time I opened it.

Kim - this may work better if you just have to fix the problem with RealAudio.

Open RealPlayer
Click on View, then Preferences
Select the Upgrade tab
Down near the bottom, You'll see "Media Types"
Check the little box by "Always play RealNetworks' Media with RealPlayer."
Note: I don't know whether you have to click on the "Re-associate" button, but it's possible.

Clifton, I don't know, but would suspect you're right about your processor.
Mary, I have no idea. It could be that WinAmp can't open the file from its location on the web - it also could be that your browser settings changed. Maybe someone who has WinAmp can help.

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: IvanB
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 11:40 AM

Jeri's right in terms of MusicMatch. One thing I've found out about it is that, if you accept the 'Express' installation (the default), MM doesn't open the file type selection screen. If you select 'Custom' installation, it does, and that's the only thing you're allowed to customize. So I recommend the 'Custom' choice for any MM installation. However, as Jeri also says, you can make the selections after installation.

The real problem with these types of programs is that they change either file associations or browser settings, often without any notice to you. Then, it can be a real headache trying to restore settings and still get the different programs to coexist.

Clifton53, I've got a Pentium450 system with 128MB of RAM, and I still can't get Mudcat radio as a live stream. I am able to play the archived copies though, and I can get many other radio stations just fine. Never had these problems until RA version 8 though. Go figure...

Mary, you might want to check your browser settings. If you use Internet Explorer, click on 'Tools,' 'Internet Options,' then 'Advanced.' Scroll down to the 'Multimedia' section and make sure the 'Play Sounds' selection is checked. If this isn't the problem, check the file association. WinAmp may have made some change that needs correcting. To do this, open Windows Explorer, click on View, then Folder Options. Click the File Types tab. You'll have a box listing all registered file types and giving the program used to open that type. Highlight MID files and check to see what program is listed for opening MIDI files. If it isn't the one you want, simply remove MID files from the list (thre's a button to do that) and close. Then find a MIDI file on your disk and double-click on it. You'll get the dialog box to choose a program for opening this type of file. If your program of choice isn't listed, click on Other and browse to the executable for your preferred program. Click on the executable and the new association will be registered. Hope this solves your problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Kim C
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 02:14 PM

Silly me. I thought computers were supposed to make life EASIER!!!! ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Tinker
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 03:34 PM

No matter when I try Real Player it tells me there is no file. The help page says this is a MAC problem, but I don't have a MAC. I can't wait to get the kiddles to bed tonite so I can print out some of these suggestions and see if I can get it to work.... Thanks from a dinosaur in computor land.

Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: MMario
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 03:48 PM

KimC - computers are to give me job security....*grin*

Subject: RE: BS: Real Player vs. other media
From: Kim C
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 04:32 PM

Funny, MMario, that's just what our tech said to me a few weeks ago.............