RealPlayer SP aims to ease transfer of Web videos to portable devices

(Credit: Real Networks)

Real Networks has unveiled the twelfth iteration of its RealPlayer media playback software.

Dubbed "RealPlayer SP," the new RealPlayer includes version 11's capability to grab Flash-based videos from any Web browser (albeit with the usual caveat: the streams can't be copy-protected, which rules out most Hollywood movies and TV shows on sites such as Hulu). The "SP" designation in the name stands for "social and portable." The big upgrade is the capability to easily transcode and transfer those videos to a wide array of portable devices, including many BlackBerry phones, the Zune, and--via iTunes--the iPod and iPhone. It also offers the capability to easily share online video links via social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as via e-mail.

We were able to get a brief early look at the SP beta. The software made it easy to download several Flash videos from YouTube. It was also simple to choose the preset for converting and transferring the videos to a format compatible with a Palm Pre that we borrowed from a co-worker. However, once we transferred the files to the Pre, we weren't able to play them back. However, an earlier demo from a Real Networks representative successfully transferred videos to a Pre, a BlackBerry Bold, and--via a transfer to iTunes--the iPod Touch, so we're assuming we encountered an isolated glitch.

Aside from the Pre playback bug, there were other frustrations. Many of the videos we wanted to save--a "Star Trek" episode on YouTube, anything on Hulu, and even a CNET TV video--were all copy-protected, and thus not able to be saved. And the process is time-consuming: downloading was pretty fast, as was USB transfer to portable devices--but the transcoding process was rather poky for videos longer than a minute or two in length. (To be fair, though, slow transcoding time is pretty much endemic to file conversion software.)

The RealPlayer SP beta is available now at Download.com. The Basic version of the software will be free, while the premium Plus version--which offers H.264 video conversion, DVD playback, and DVD burning--will cost $40. It will compete with rival offerings such as Nero Move It, Format Factory, and DoubleTwist (some of which also offer social media hooks). Since the basic version is free, it's at least worth a download to try it out if you have a desire to take your Web videos on the road (so long as they're not copy-protected).

Related coverage:
RealPlayer 11: A new way to handle online video (December 13, 2007)

[tw1975]

According to the screenshot, this software only works for iPod/iPhone, Sidekick & Blackberry? So I guess my LG Env Touch is out of the question then... looks like I'll stick with Any Video Converter! LOL

For long i had been waiting n praying for a good, reliable convertor from a biggie, and Real answered that by launching it. Wanted to let you know that Real player/convertor will convert videos from the internet such as youtube-in FLV format into MPEG4(MP4) playable in all-most all mobiles that play videos including lg Env Touch. Just select - "cell phone " option (don't go by the above screenshot it's not shown here). It Works, i am enjoying it.

[J. Blow]

Does anyone care about this company anymore? Is there a reason to care?

[BCF1968]

Obviously YOU care otherwise you wouldn't have taken the time to not only read the article but to comment on it.

[BCF1968]

I'm not sure why not being able to download protetected videos would be a legit complaint. That's like a bank robber complaining that banks have too much security. Well yeah.

[c-n-e-t]

I'm just shocked as hell that Real is still around.

Makes me feel are the folks who have commented her for real. Man I have been using Real player for about a year n half, i love it like no other, it's the best, most organised off all media players. I can't find words honestly, those who like to find out need to use it. I am so greatful to this company.

[rainloving]

It's known that there are various video converters in current market. It's a good news as well as a bad news. The good news is that it provides users more oppornity to choose between different converters and decide what they need most. While the bad news is that most users are puzzled and allured by such an amount of video converters. For some suppliers or professionals,in order to meet the need of users,they should recommend them the best realiable ones and offer best service. As far as I am concerned,I often use Pavtube Video Converter.I've tried various trial version of some other ones before and I prefer Pavtube Video Converter at last.In terms of its features,it can convert files between all popular video/audio formats such as AVI, WMV, MPEG, MPG, MP4, MOV, DV, H.264, 3GP, MP3, AAC, WMA, AC3, and so on, which are supported by iPod, Zune, iPhone, Apple TV, PSP, Creative Zen, Pocket PC, Mobile Phone, Xbox 360, PDA, etc.There're some software can be tried or download online freely and some are needed to pay.Sometimes I use trial version,but most of the time,I prefer to buy some cheap ones.Frankly speaking,it is more realiable and safe to buy them in case of some viruses or spywares. In short,when choosing a software,whether charged or free,we should consider four aspects:realibility,economy,quality and service.

[rainloving]

It's known that there are various video converters in current market. It's a good news as well as a bad news. The good news is that it provides users more oppornity to choose between different converters and decide what they need most. While the bad news is that most users are puzzled and allured by such an amount of video converters. For some suppliers or professionals,in order to meet the need of users,they should recommend them the best realiable ones and offer best service. As far as I am concerned,I often use Pavtube Video Converter.I've tried various trial version of some other ones before and I prefer Pavtube Video Converter at last.In terms of its features,it can convert files between all popular video/audio formats such as AVI, WMV, MPEG, MPG, MP4, MOV, DV, H.264, 3GP, MP3, AAC, WMA, AC3, and so on, which are supported by iPod, Zune, iPhone, Apple TV, PSP, Creative Zen, Pocket PC, Mobile Phone, Xbox 360, PDA, etc.There're some software can be tried or download online freely and some are needed to pay.Sometimes I use trial version,but most of the time,I prefer to buy some cheap ones.Frankly speaking,it is more realiable and safe to buy them in case of some viruses or spywares. In short,when choosing a software,whether charged or free,we should consider four aspects:realibility,economy,quality and service.

[rainloving]

It's known that there are various video converters in current market. It's a good news as well as a bad news. The good news is that it provides users more oppornity to choose between different converters and decide what they need most. While the bad news is that most users are puzzled and allured by such an amount of video converters. For some suppliers or professionals,in order to meet the need of users,they should recommend them the best realiable ones and offer best service. As far as I am concerned,I often use Pavtube Video Converter.I've tried various trial version of some other ones before and I prefer Pavtube Video Converter at last.In terms of its features,it can convert files between all popular video/audio formats such as AVI, WMV, MPEG, MPG, MP4, MOV, DV, H.264, 3GP, MP3, AAC, WMA, AC3, and so on, which are supported by iPod, Zune, iPhone, Apple TV, PSP, Creative Zen, Pocket PC, Mobile Phone, Xbox 360, PDA, etc.There're some software can be tried or download online freely and some are needed to pay.Sometimes I use trial version,but most of the time,I prefer to buy some cheap ones.Frankly speaking,it is more realiable and safe to buy them in case of some viruses or spywares. In short,when choosing a software,whether charged or free,we should consider four aspects:realibility,economy,quality and service.