player

RealPlayer SP for Mac is a free media player that comes close to mimicking the features and interface of its Windows cousin. While many users can get by with the bevy of other excellent free media players available for the Mac, RealPlayer SP does offer some nice extras in an integrated interface, such as the ability to download streaming video through a companion app (the RealPlayer Downloader) and modify it for specific outputs or devices with another companion app (the RealPlayer Converter). If you also install the RealPlayer Download Agent, the RealPlayer Downloader will automatically detect when you're streaming … Read more

Adobe's Shockwave Player is a free program that displays multimedia content created with Adobe Director. Shockwave Player is installed on hundreds of millions of computers worldwide. With it, you can display advanced Web content such as video and games, presentations, advertising, and interactive materials. This free plug-in is compatible with most major Web browsers.

We downloaded and installed Shockwave Player. The installation wizard included an optional download of an unrelated program, but we declined it, and Shockwave Player installed normally. This simple plug-in is self-contained and requires no settings or options, though you can see if it's been … Read more

Once you get past its nightmare of an installation process, KMPlayer's sheer power and flexibility are impressive. It includes a vast array of video- and audio-capturing options, as well as skins, a plethora of playback controls and tweaks, and broad DVD support.

When installing KMPlayer, be sure to keep your eyes peeled, as the process is less than straightforward. It presents a number of different jargon-filled installation options ("Extender Plus External Codec?"), an offer for a bundled Ask.com toolbar, and inexplicably another offer for a "Clean Water Action Reminder." It's also worth noting … Read more

It appears that ditching Adobe System' Flash Player wasn't as easy as Microsoft thought earlier this year.

Because screenshots from WinUnleaked show the browser plug-in working even in the Metro version of IE10 where Microsoft had earlier said plug-ins would be barred.

Microsoft and Adobe declined to comment for this story. But a source familiar with the plans said IE10 will build in a version of Flash Player optimized for Windows 8 matters such as touch-screen interfaces, power consumption, and security.

The reason, the source said: browsers just aren't ready yet to ditch Flash, so Microsoft will give … Read more

DVDs or on-demand movies? Some pundits would have you believe it's one or the other, but you can walk the line and enjoy both. All you need is a Blu-ray player that has apps.

Like this one: While supplies last, Quick Ship Electronics has the refurbished Sony BDP-BX58 Blu-ray player for $64.99 shipped. It's without question the most loaded set-top box I've seen at this price.

How loaded? Well, it's a Blu-ray player for starters. It supports regular and 3D discs, the latter kind of fun if you know where to score 3D movies to watch at home.… Read more

Our new friends at Western Digital are hooking up the CNET audience for a limited time only! The Western Digital TV Live helps you get the most out of your couch time with a range of streaming services for hit shows, movies, and music. Set up your favorites like Netflix, Vudu, and Hulu Plus, and start watching!

WD TV Live sets itself apart for the competition of Wi-Fi-enabled streaming devices because it is also a media player that supports an array of file types. It allows users to stream virtually any file format like USB drives, network drives, computers, cameras, … Read more

Netflix began rolling out a new fandangled video player for PCs today. Besides beefing up the playback with added options, information, and video accessibility, the video service also redesigned the control bar to be more user-friendly.

There are a handful of notable new features to the video playback. First, the control bar has different options that include access to subtitles, previews of the next episode, and previews to the whole season (if users are watching a TV show). If users click on the previews to the whole season, a box will pop-up that lets them watch previews from within the … Read more

After rocking the eardrums of countless listeners on the Web and iOS, fan-favorite music-streaming app Turntable.fm has made its way onto the Android platform.

So far, Turntable.fm for Android appears very much like its iOS counterpart, with its hypnotic, head-bobbing avatars, slick buttons, and familiar interface. It makes it easy to listen to tunes in one room while simultaneously browsing through other rooms. And of course, it also lets you share rooms via Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail. Different from the iOS version, though, the Android app lets you log in with Twitter. Also, the Lame/Awesome buttons are … Read more

Gone are the days of twisting your radio dial back and forth in the hope of finding something that you want to listen to; the Internet has made it possible to listen to music of every genre from all over the world with just a few clicks. Radio Player Live is a Google Chrome extension that makes this process about as easy as it gets. If you like sampling music from all over the globe, it's a great addition to your browser.

Like most Chrome extensions, Radio Player Live installs without any hassle, appearing as an icon to the … Read more