# Using RealPlayer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 4, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071 "2016-09-04T23:47:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/1 "2016-09-04T23:47:52Z")
I have just downloaded RealPlayer. I have approximately 500 songs I had downloaded via iMesh, and the titles are all stored in my computer, on Windows Media…is it possible to transfer them to RealPlayer? (They typically have a file name ending in .wma). ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/2 "2016-09-05T00:45:21Z")
.wma is a proprietary windows audio format. Real Player, along with any media player software that runs on windows I can think of, will play them. Just [add them to the RealPlayer library](https://customer.real.com/hc/en-gb/articles/204039543-Importing-music-and-video-files-into-RealPlayer-Library) so it knows where to find them. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/3 "2016-09-05T00:55:14Z")
People still use RealPlayer? I thought that went out along with MySpace and AltaVista. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/4 "2016-09-05T03:45:44Z")
This really got cut short. An “application error” box (“ffprobe.exe”) box started appearing on my screen, with the message “Click to close the application” and “0x000007b”); I clicked, but the box just kept reappearing; with the sound effect for “critical stop.” It persisted even after I had the computer shut off for three hours; I eventually had to uninstall RealPlayer. Even Task Manager wouldn’t remove it. It’s still on the screen, but fortunately I was able to tuck it off to the bottom where I can hardly see it. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/5 "2016-09-05T04:57:43Z")
I vaguely remember having issues with an earlier version of RealPlayer under Win98. 😕 I think that put me off it. I don’t know what to think about the newer edition, given your story. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/6 "2016-09-05T05:19:13Z")
Right click on your clock, which is usually found in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. Click “Task Manager.” In Task Manager, click the “Startup” tab. This shows a list of processed that start when your computer starts. One of those processes might be ffprobe.exe or RealPlayer or something. You can right-click and disable it. You can also look for it under the “Services” tab and disable it there as well. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/7 "2016-09-05T05:39:00Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > People still use RealPlayer? I thought that went out along with MySpace and AltaVista. I have it, and use it frequently. It’s very handy for downloading videos from some websites. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/8 "2016-09-05T16:14:50Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Right click on your clock, which is usually found in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. Click “Task Manager.” > > In Task Manager, click the “Startup” tab. This shows a list of processed that start when your computer starts. > > One of those processes might be ffprobe.exe or RealPlayer or something. You can right-click and disable it. > > You can also look for it under the “Services” tab and disable it there as well. Thanks anyway. When I started the computer up just a little while ago, at one point the screen was blank, and a box appeared briefly; I got a glimpse of a message “Deleting 1 item.” The _nuisance_ box has not reappeared. I guess I may keep my fingers crossed, but since I had to uninstall RealPlayer it’s not likely it will come back. I tried that program so I could maybe play the stuff I had downloaded via the now-defunct iMesh. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/9 "2016-09-05T16:49:05Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > I tried that program so I could maybe play the stuff I had downloaded via the now-defunct iMesh. ☹ If they’re standard, DRM-free .wma files, there should be plenty of players/apps that will play them. If they have DRM, it becomes trickier. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/10 "2016-09-05T20:20:50Z")
How do I find out whether or not they have DRM? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/11 "2016-09-05T21:16:47Z")
What have you used to try to play them? (And what operating system?) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/12 "2016-09-05T21:23:33Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > People still use RealPlayer? I thought that went out along with MySpace and AltaVista. In glancing at the header I was sure this was a reply to a 15 year old zombiepost. It’s stunning it’s still around. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/13 "2016-09-05T21:30:52Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > This really got cut short. An “application error” box (“ffprobe.exe”) box started appearing on my screen, with the message “Click to close the application” and “0x000007b”); I clicked, but the box just kept reappearing; with the sound effect for “critical stop.” It persisted even after I had the computer shut off for three hours; I eventually had to uninstall RealPlayer. Even Task Manager wouldn’t remove it. It’s still on the screen, but fortunately I was able to tuck it off to the bottom where I can hardly see it. iMesh was a music sharing service that was shut down about five years ago. It was like Napster, although towards the end of its life, it had a licensing deal with the RIAA. ffprobe.exe is streaming media analyzer that is apparently part of the RealAudio software. Here is a thread from RealAudio support, last April, also complaining about crashes with ffprobe.exe. [https://customer.real.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/210627147-ffprobe-exe-Runtime-Error-every-20-seconds-with-latest-Realtimes-Player](https://customer.real.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/210627147-ffprobe-exe-Runtime-Error-every-20-seconds-with-latest-Realtimes-Player) It’s a short thread - here’s the response from Real Customer Support: > [@RealAudio Support](#): > > It sounds like one of the files being imported into your RealPlayer Library is corrupted, thus causing the error. > > Our development team is looking into a resolution for this problem. In the meantime, as a short-term solution you can turn off Watched Folders in your RealPlayer Preferences: > > 1. Open RealPlayer, click the logo in the upper left and select Preferences. The Preferences box opens. > 2. In the Category pane, click Library & Device Sharing. > 3. To remove a folder from the watch list, highlight it and click the Remove Folder button. NOTE: In RealTimes and RealPlayer Cloud, removing a folder from the watch list will also remove any media that is in that folder from your PC Library. My suggestion: Forget about RealAudio and use the built in Windows Media Player, if you have an older computer, or Groove, if you’ve got a Win10 pc. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/14 "2016-09-05T21:44:24Z")
I still have a problem. When I try to play some music on Media Player I get a message about needing a license. There the matter stands. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/15 "2016-09-05T22:37:54Z")
Googling **iMesh DRM** turns up some sites that may be helpful (or may not–I haven’t checked). ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/16 "2016-09-05T22:45:32Z")
> [@astro](#): > > In glancing at the header I was sure this was a reply to a 15 year old zombiepost. It’s stunning it’s still around. Myself as well. RealPlayer is a product that reminds me of long, defunct programs like Napster and Netscape. I’ll be damned. Anything QuickTime can’t read, I’ll usually resort to VLC. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/17 "2016-09-06T21:30:58Z")
> [@astro](#): > > In glancing at the header I was sure this was a reply to a 15 year old zombiepost. It’s stunning it’s still around. > [@cmyk](#): > > Myself as well. RealPlayer is a product that reminds me of long, defunct programs like Napster and Netscape. I’ll be damned. > > Anything QuickTime can’t read, I’ll usually resort to VLC. And I find it stunning that apparently so few people know that it’s still around, given that (as I said earlier) it’s so convenient for downloading videos. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/18 "2016-09-06T23:17:56Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Myself as well. RealPlayer is a product that reminds me of long, defunct programs like Napster and Netscape. I’ll be damned. > > Anything QuickTime can’t read, I’ll usually resort to VLC. QuickTime sounds every bit as archaic as RealPlayer to me. Forget MySpace and AltaVista, that’s some Ask Jeeves, Geocities shit there. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/19 "2016-09-07T00:03:54Z")
Quicktime’s only recommended for Mac OS, as Apple doesn’t patch or support it on Windows any longer, and there’s known exploits out there. VLC plays all the media files I come across and VideoDownloadHelper is a Firefox plugin that easily grabs stuff from pages. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071/20 "2016-09-07T02:58:24Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > And I find it stunning that apparently so few people know that it’s still around, given that (as I said earlier) it’s so convenient for downloading videos. Why would you want to download videos when everything’s on Youtube? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-realplayer/765071.md?page=2)