What's a good WMV viewer?

[Lincoln 6 Echo]

I have VLC 0.8.1, but it's having problems playing some, I guess newer, WMV videos. I'm going to try out VLC 0.8.4

I'd prefer to stay away from the actual Windows Media Player... or do you recommend WMP?

 

[Lacero]

You'll need Flip4Mac. There is no trial or shareware version for it available, but it'll play up to Windows Media 8 or 9 (?). It won't play the latest WMV codec.

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

 

[mad jew]

You could also try MPlayer although it's dropped the ball in the last year or so and I find that it's not as universally compatible as VLC. Still might be worth a try though, because it's free.

 

[Eric5h5]

I'd prefer to stay away from the actual Windows Media Player... or do you recommend WMP?

I don't think anyone would recommend it, but unfortunately it's the only choice for the newest codec. If VLC won't play it, MPlayer won't either.

--Eric

 

[smitty078]

Actually if you are looking to play windows media 10 files, you're only option is to use a PC. Same goes for windows media 9 DRM'd files. This is true even if you are using the latest official Windows Media Player for mac. Best bet is called Flip4Mac and it is a codec that plays all windows media files up to windows media 9 (which is all that the official player will play) in quicktime. Flip4Mac is what I've had the most success with.

 

[mad jew]

I don't think anyone would recommend it, but unfortunately it's the only choice for the newest codec.

I didn't think WMP played the newest WMVs either though, as smitty078 says. Nevertheless, I recommend trying WMP all the same.

 

[aquajet]

Another vote for Flip4Mac...it works well and keeps things consistent, being able to play WMVs within Quicktime.

 

[obeygiant]

dude.

i have the latest windows media player installed on my mac, and
i'd say 85% of all wmv's i encounter dont play. Its fricking retared.
so ANYTHING is better than WMP.

 

[Nermal]

You'll need Flip4Mac. There is no trial or shareware version for it available

Yes there is. It'll play the first half of the video.

 

[mkrishnan]

i have the latest windows media player installed on my mac, and
i'd say 85% of all wmv's i encounter dont play. Its fricking retared.
so ANYTHING is better than WMP.

Mmmm...I think either you're only going to specific sites that use WMP10 codecs, or something is set up wrong. WMP works pretty well for me. There are occasionally videos that won't play, but it's the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Kobushi]

Yes there is. It'll play the first half of the video.

Yup, I just got it few days ago.

Although, I still can't get streaming (wmv?) files to play. For instance, comedy central and NBC want nothing to do with my mac.

 

[zen.state]

You could also try MPlayer although it's dropped the ball in the last year or so and I find that it's not as universally compatible as VLC. Still might be worth a try though, because it's free.

I totally disagree with you. mPlayer has been amazing for me and it trumps VLC in many ways. The main reason I love it would be how well it plays off of CD-R/DVD-R. mPlayer also scrubs MUCH better through video. I find that both players are about equal when it comes to the vastness of how much they play.

VLC is very elegant and well designed but mPlayer is a beast that never lets me down or wishing for better options.

Not many use the version I do so maybe you should try it: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/27163

 

[FadeToBlack]

Microsoft REALLY needs to update WMP for Mac. I was just thinking about that a minute ago before I read this thread.

 

[kretzy]

Microsoft REALLY needs to update WMP for Mac. I was just thinking about that a minute ago before I read this thread.

I couldn't agree more...it's still stuck in the dark ages of WMP 7. Regardless of that, WMP is just a horrible player all round (even the proper windows version). As many others have said, if VLC won't play it, then chances are nothing else will.

 

[FadeToBlack]

I couldn't agree more...it's still stuck in the dark ages of WMP 7. Regardless of that, WMP is just a horrible player all round (even the proper windows version). As many others have said, if VLC won't play it, then chances are nothing else will.

Yeah, I actually deleted WMP a week or so ago in hopes that I could just use VLC for WMV files. That didn't happen. I re-installed WMP yesterday.

I guess I'll just have to put up with it until Microsoft releases a new version.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

I use Flip4Mac's WMV Player for WMV. It works perfectly on all the WMVs I've tried. Of course, to truly be able to view all the media out there I need the MSMPEGv1 and v2 codecs (which I have - someone kind made Mac OS X-compatible QuickTime components for these, unfortunately they are Stuffit-compressed) and the awful RealPlayer for Mac OS X.

 

[obeygiant]

Mmmm...I think either you're only going to specific sites that use WMP10 codecs, or something is set up wrong. WMP works pretty well for me. There are occasionally videos that won't play, but it's the exception rather than the rule.

okay, i go everywhere, and they dont play. and not just pr0n sites thank you.

heres what i get

then i click yes and i get a blank windows media player just playing audio.

http://www.devilducky.com/media/38849/
http://www.devilducky.com/media/9267/

try it.

 

[Nermal]

Works fine with Flip.

 

[obeygiant]

Works fine with Flip.

within safari?
or do you open up quicktime
cuz i have flip installed and it still wont play

ok i ve restarted safari and it works, but the real issue here in that WMP sucks.

 

[mkrishnan]

try it.

I just tried the first one, but I get an inline WMP box in the webpage, and a clip from Family Guy plays in it. Which is supposed to be the desired effect, right? I don't get any error messages. Sorry...

But anyway, Flip4mac sounds really nice, since you can get most media down to using just one client (QT). I hope it works for you...one of these days, I'm meaning to check it out.