RealPlayer G2 beta2 - Frequently Asked Questions

RealPlayer 5.0 System Requirements click here

Which RealPlayer is right for me?
Features RealPlayer Plus RealPlayer
Play all RealAudio and RealVideo content yes yes
Quantum leap in audio and video quality yes yes
Hi-fi audio quality with graphic EQ yes
Picture quality controls like your TV yes
One-button scanning for live broadcasts yes
Record selected content for playback yes
CD-ROM, manual and phone support yes
One click access to great content yes yes
Easy to download and install yes yes
Price $29.99 with
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RealPlayer G2 beta
Frequently Asked Questions

Upgrading and Installing

  1. What are the system requirements for RealPlayer G2 beta release?
  2. Currently, RealPlayer G2 beta is only available for Windows 95 and Windows NT. For those operating systems, minimum system requirements are as follows:

    While those are the minimum requirements, a better audio and video experience will result if the system meets or exceeds the following recommendation:

  3. Why is the installation giving the error message, "RealPlayer error: Could not find file?"
  4. If your system has a zip program which creates folders instead of files during decompression, then this error message will occur during the installation of RealPlayer G2 beta. The workaround is to temporarily disable the conflicting zip program then install the Player.

    For some zip programs, ZipMagic for example, disabling the program is easily done by right clicking on the icon in the system tray and choosing close. Check your zip program's help file to determine how it can be disabled. Once you have disabled the program, install the Player then restart the zip program.

  5. Does RealPlayer G2 beta release automatically overwrite my RealPlayer 5.0?
  6. RealPlayer G2 beta will not overwrite or uninstall your RealPlayer 5.0. You can have both versions of the Player concurrently installed on your machine. However, you cannot run both versions of the Player at the same time. Running both versions will cause errors.

  7. When does RealPlayer G2 beta expire?
  8. RealNetworks intentionally sets an expiration date in both the beta installation program and RealPlayer G2 beta executable file. All our beta and beta programs expire so that our customers remember to move to the newer beta or final releases of the Player.

    The G2 RealPlayer beta is set to expire on December 11, 1998. If your system date is set incorrectly, the Player may expire on a different date. At least one new version of the RealPlayer G2 beta will be available for download before the beta expires. There are two upgrade paths. You can upgrade by opening the Player, clicking Help, then Check for Upgrade. If your Player has already expired, check our download page.  www.real.com/products/player/index.html

    General Questions

    1. How do I prevent RealPlayer G2 beta from loading on start up?
    2. RealPlayer G2 loads on start up because we have placed a shortcut in the system tray to provide easy access to the Player and allow automatic updating of the Channel headlines. There are two means of removing the Player from the system tray.

      One method is to right mouse click on the RealPlayer G2 icon in the corner of the Windows task bar. From the menu that appears, choose Close & Disable. Choose "Yes" when a dialog box warns you that the Player will no longer be resident on the system.

      The second method is to open the Player, click on Options then Preferences. In the window that appears, click on the General tab and uncheck the "Allow RealPlayer to run in system tray" option. Click OK to save the change.

    3. What types of media will RealPlayer G2 play?
    4. RealPlayer G2 natively supports RealAudio, RealVideo, and RealFlash. The Player can also stream other datatypes if the appropriate renderer plugins are installed. Renderer plugins are downloaded and installed via the auto-upgrade process. Accessing content begins the process.

      Currently, there are renderers available for RealText, RealPix, Vivo, WAV, AVI, and Midi datatypes. To determine which plugins are installed in your RealPlayer G2, click Options, Preferences, then the Upgrade tab. Scroll through the RealPlayer components list to see which formats your RealPlayer can access.

    5. Is it possible to decrease the amount of resources the RealPlayer G2 beta uses?
    6. The RealPlayer G2 can be system intensive depending on the type and bandwidth of the file being played. Video files and high bandwidth file use more resources than low bandwidth audio files. If you are experiencing high resource usage, lower the system usage setting within the Preferences.
      1. Open the Player
      2. Click Options then Preferences
      3. Click the Performance tab
      4. Move the slider bar closer to Lowest CPU usage
      5. Click OK to save the change

      Try playing files with the slider at various CPU usage settings.

      Browser Configuration

      In most cases, the RealPlayer G2 beta installation will correctly configure browser MIME types to open the player and begin playback. The instructions below should be used if clicking on a RealMedia link in a Web page does not open the RealPlayer G2.

    7.  

      How do I configure Internet Explorer 3.0x to work with RealPlayer G2 beta?

      To manually configure your Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0x to automatically launch RealPlayer G2 beta for Windows:

      1. Open Internet Explorer after installing the RealPlayer G2 beta.
      2. From the View menu, select Options.
      3. In the Options dialog box, click the Programs tab.
      4. On the Programs tab, click the File Types button. This opens the File Types window.
      5. Select the New Type button. This opens the New Types window.
      6. Complete the following information:
      7. Description of Type: RealMedia File
        Content Type (MIME): application/vnd.rn-realmedia
        Default extension for content type: .rm
        8.
      8. Click the New button. This opens the New Action window. Complete the following information:
      9. Actions: Open
        Application used to perform action:
        Browse to the RealPlayer (default is c:\program files\real\realplayer\realplay.exe)
        10.
      10. Click the OK button on each window to accept the changes.

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    8. Description of Type: RealAudio File
      Content Type (MIME): audio/vnd.rn-realaudio
      Default extension for content type: .ram
      9.
    9. Description of Type: RealVideo File
      Content Type (MIME): video/vnd.rn-realvideo
      Default extension for content type: .rv
      10.
    10. Description of Type: RealAudio File
      Content Type (MIME): audio/x-pn-realaudio
      Default extension for content type: .ram
      11.

      How do I configure Internet Explorer 4.0x to work with RealPlayer G2 beta?

      To manually configure your Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0x to automatically launch RealPlayer G2 beta for Windows, do the following:

      1. Right click on My Computer
      2. Choose Explore
      3. In the Windows Explorer, click View then Options
      4. Click the File Types tab
      5. Scroll to see if RealMedia File is in the list. If yes, then double click on it to open the edit dialog box. If no, then click the New button.
      6. In the dialog box, enter the following information:
      7. Description of Type RealMedia File
        Content Type (MIME) audio/x-pn-realaudio
        Default Extension for Content Type .ram
        8.
      8. Click the Edit button, enter the following information in the Action dialog box:
      9. Action open
        Application used to perform action browse to the location of realplay.exe (default is C:\program files\real\realplayer\realplay.exe)
        10.
      10. Click OK

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    11. Description of Type: RealAudio File
      Content Type (MIME): audio/vnd.rn-realaudio
      Default extension for content type: .ram
      12.
    12. Description of Type: RealVideo File
      Content Type (MIME): video/vnd.rn-realvideo
      Default extension for content type: .rv
      13.
    13. Description of Type: RealAudio File
      Content Type (MIME): audio/x-pn-realaudio
      Default extension for content type: .ram
      14.

      How do I manually configure Netscape 3.0x to work with RealPlayer G2 beta?

      To manually configure Netscape Navigator 3.0x to automatically launch the RealPlayer G2 beta for Windows:

      1. Start Netscape Navigator after installing the RealPlayer G2 beta.
      2. Select General Preferences from the Options menu.
      3. In the Preferences dialog box, select the Helpers tab.
      4. Click the Create New Type button. A dialog box opens.
      5. Enter the following information in the appropriate box:
      6. Description: RealPlay
        MIME Type: audio
        MIME SubType: vnd.rn-realaudio
        File Extensions: ra, ram
        7.
      7. Click the Launch Application button and find the directory in which the RealPlayer was installed (default is c:\program files\real\realplayer) and select REALPLAY.EXE as the application to launch.

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    14. Description: RealPlay
      MIME Type: video
      MIME SubType: vnd.rn-realvideo
      File Extensions: rv
      15.
    15. Description: RealPlay
      MIME Type: application
      MIME SubType: vnd.rn-realmedia
      File Extensions: rm
      16.
    16. Description: RealPlay
      MIME Type: audio
      MIME SubType: x-pn-realaudio
      File Extensions: ra, ram
      17.

      How do I manually configure Netscape 4.0x to work with RealPlayer G2 beta?

      1. Open Navigator 4.0x
      2. Click Edit and choose Preferences
      3. Click Applications
      4. Scroll to see if the RealPlay File type is listed
        If the file type is there, highlight it and click the Edit button
        If the file type is not there, click the New Type button
      5. Enter the following information in the appropriate fields:
      6. Description of Type RealPlay File
        Extension .ra, .rm, .ram
        MIME Type audio/x-pn-realaudio
        7.
      7. For the Application: browse to the realplay.exe (default is C:\program files\real\realplayer\realplay.exe)
      8. Click OK

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    17. Description of Type RealPlay File
      Extension .ra
      MIME Type audio/vnd.rn-realaudio
      18.
    18. Description of Type RealPlay File
      Extension .rv
      MIME Type video/vnd.rn-realvideo
      19.
    19. Description of Type RealPlay File
      Extension .ram
      MIME Type audio/x-pn-realaudio
      20.

      How do I configure the AOL 3.0 web browser to work with the RealPlayer G2 beta?

      The AOL 3.0 browser is a customized version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. RealPlayer G2 beta for Windows 95 is compatible with the Windows 95 version of the AOL 3.0 browser that is a 32-bit application. There are other versions of the AOL 3.0 browser for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 that are 16-bit applications.

      If you are having problems using the RealPlayer G2 beta for Windows 95 with your AOL 3.0 web browser, you should verify that you have the 32-bit version of the browser.

      To verify that you are using the 32-bit version of the AOL browser:

      1. Reinstall the RealPlayer G2 beta by double-clicking the executable file. You can download the latest version of RealPlayer by opening the Player and clicking the Check for Upgrade option in the Help menu.
      2. During the installation, the installation program searches your hard drive for web browsers on your system. If the following browsers were found on your system dialog box does not display the AOL browser, then you have the 16-bit version of the browser.

      You will need to obtain the 32-bit version of the AOL 3.0 browser for Windows 95. If you are an AOL member, you can download the Windows 95 version of the AOL 3.0 browser for free from AOL. Sign on to AOL, select your Keyword icon, and when the dialog box appears type the word upgrade. The screen for the AOL 3.0 browser appears and explains the steps to upgrade.

      During installation, the RealPlayer G2 beta should automatically configure your browser for helper applications.

      To manually configure your AOL 3.0 web browser to work with the RealPlayer G2 beta:

      1. Launch AOL 3.0 after installing the RealPlayer G2.
      2. Click the Globe icon on the Menu Bar.
      3. Click the Prefs button.
      4. Click the Programs button.
      5. Click the File Types.
      6. Select RealAudio File in the Registered file types list. Note: If a RealAudio file entry does not exist, you need to add one. Refer to the instructions below for adding a new File Type.
      7. Click the Edit... button and verify that the Action is open.
      8. Click the Edit... button and verify that the path name in the application used to perform action: field is correct. If it is not, browse to where the RealPlayer is located on your computer and click the OK button.

      To add a new File Type:

      1. If a RealAudio entry does not exist in the File Types:
      2. Click New Type.
      3. Enter the following information in the appropriate box:
      4. Description: RealPlayer File
        Associated Extensions: .rm
        Content Type (MIME): application/vnd.rn-realmedia
        5.
      5. Click the New... button.
      6. Type open in the Action: field.
      7. Type C:\program files\real\realplayer\realplay.exe (path name) in the Application used to perform action: field. Note: If you have installed the RealPlayer into a different directory you will need to put this path name in the Application used to perform action: field or browse and select the path to the realplay.exe application.

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    20. Description: RealPlayer File
      Associated Extensions: .ram
      Content Type (MIME): audio/vnd.rn-realaudio
      21.
    21. Description: RealPlayer File
      Associated Extensions: .rv
      Content Type (MIME): video/vnd.rn-realvideo
      22.
    22. Description: RealPlayer File
      Associated Extensions: .ram
      Content Type (MIME): audio/x-pn-realaudio
      23.

      You should now be ready to test your RealPlayer. In order to use RealPlayer through AOL, you must be connected to the Internet.

      To test the RealPlayer:

      1. Launch your AOL 3.0 browser.
      2. Once you have logged in, click the Globe icon to launch your web browser.
      3. In the Address field at the top of the browser, enter the following URL: http://www.real.com/products/realvideo/demo/index.html to view the RealVideo Demo web site.
      4. Click a RealVideo hyperlink to launch your RealPlayer.
      5. For more RealAudio and RealVideo clips, please visit Timecast: Your RealMedia Guide. It is located at http://www.timecast.com

      Note: You may not be able to access web pages listed on the Sites menu of the RealPlayer G2 beta. You may want to add the following sites to your Favorites menu.

      Real Home Page: http://www.real.com

      Timecast: Your RealMedia Guide: http://www.timecast.com

      AudioNet Home Page: http://www.audionet.com

      PlusZone: http://pluszone.real.com

      How do I configure Prodigy Internet's Netscape Browser 3.0 to work with RealPlayer G2 beta?

      Prodigy now has a new Internet Service called Prodigy Internet. Prodigy Internet provides its users with a custom version of the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser for Windows 95. RealPlayer G2 beta for Windows 95 is compatible with this version of the Prodigy Internet Browser, however, some manual configuration is required. In addition to manually configuring the browser, you must set the RealPlayer HTTP Proxy to the same port that the Prodigy browser uses, Port 8080.

      To configure the Prodigy Internet Netscape Browser to work with RealPlayer G2 beta:

      1. From Prodigy Internet, start Netscape Navigator.
      2. Select General Preferences from the Options menu.
      3. In the Preferences window, click the Helpers tab.
      4. Click the Create New Type button. A dialog box opens.
      5. Enter the following information in the appropriate box:
      6. Description: RealPlayer
        MIME Type: application
        MIME SubType: vnd.rn-realmedia
        File Extensions: rm
      7. Click the Launch Application button and find the directory in which the RealPlayer was installed (default is c:\program files\real\player) and select REALPLAY.EXE as the application to launch.

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    23. Description: RealPlayer
      MIME Type: audio
      MIME SubType: vnd.rn-realaudio
      File Extensions: ram
    24. Description: RealPlayer
      MIME Type: video
      MIME SubType: vnd.rn-realvideo
      File Extensions: rv
    25. Description: RealPlayer
      MIME Type: audio
      MIME SubType: x-pn-realaudio
      File Extensions: ram

      26. To configure RealPlayer to use an HTTP Proxy on Port 8080:

      1. Open RealPlayer.
      2. Under the View menu, click Preferences.
      3. In the Preferences window, click the Proxy tab.
      4. Click the Use Proxy box.
      5. Verify that the RealPlayer Proxy is set to Port 1090.
      6. In the HTTP Proxy box, enter Prodigy Internet
      7. In the Port box, enter 8080.
      8. Click the Ok button.

      How do I configure Opera 3.0 to work with RealPlayer G2 beta?

      The RealPlayer G2 beta standalone Player is compatible with the Opera 3.0 browser. However, Opera 3.0 does not recognize the RealPlayer Plugin or RealFlash content. This affects those sites where the content is only offered in embedded or Java accessed Player format. The Plugin recognition problem is corrected in Opera 3.1.

      In order to automatically launch the Player and begin playback when a RealAudio or RealVideo link is clicked, the browser needs to be manually configured. Use the following instructions to configure Opera 3.0.

      1. Open Opera 3.0
      2. Click on the Preferences menu option (press ctrl+F11 if the menu is not visible)
      3. From the Preferences menu, choose Associate
      4. In the Associate dialog box, click the New button
      5. Enter application/vnd.rn-realmedia in the Type dialog box
      6. Click OK
      7. Enter .rm in the Extensions field
      8. Click the Show with Registered Application radio button
      9. Click OK

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    26. Type: audio/vnd.rn-realaudio
      Extensions: ra, ram
      27.
    27. Type: video/vnd.rn-realvideo
      Extensions: rv
      28.
    28. Type: audio/x-pn-realaudio
      Extensions: ra, rm, ram
      29.

      How do I configure Opera 3.1 to work with RealPlayer G2 beta?

      The RealPlayer G2 beta is compatible with the Opera 3.1 browser. However, Opera 3.1 does not yet recognize RealFlash content.

      In order to automatically launch the Player and begin playback when a RealAudio or RealVideo link is clicked, the browser needs to be manually configured. Use the following instructions to configure Opera 3.1.

      1. Use the Windows Find, Files or Folders option to locate Npra32.dll
      2. Copy Npra32.dll to the C:\Opera\Plugins folder
      3. Open Opera 3.1
      4. Click on the Preferences menu option (press ctrl+F11 if the menu is not visible)
      5. From the Preferences menu, choose Associate
      6. In the Associate dialog box, click the New button
      7. Enter application/vnd.rn-realmedia in the Type dialog box
      8. Click OK
      9. Enter .rm in the Extensions field
      10. Click the Show with Registered Application radio button
      11. Click OK

      Repeat the steps above for each of the file types whose information is listed below.

    29. Type: audio/vnd.rn-realaudio
      Extensions: ra, ram
      30.
    30. Type: video/vnd.rn-realvideo
      Extensions: rv
      31.
    31. Type: audio/x-pn-realaudio
      Extensions: ra, rm, ram
      32.

      Once the browser is configured to recognize the standalone Player, you will need to configure it to recognize the plugin.

      1. In Opera, click on the Preferences menu option (press ctrl+F11 if the menu is not visible)
      2. From the Preferences menu, choose Associate
      3. In the Associate dialog box, click the New button
      4. Enter audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin in the Type dialog box
      5. Click OK
      6. Enter .rpm in the Extensions field
      7. Click the Show with Registered Application radio button
      8. Click the Find Plugin button
      9. A message should appear saying that Opera has found a plugin for this type. Click OK
      10. Click OK for each of the messages, then close the dialog box