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Telestream Takes Over Windows Media for Mac

Telestream Takes Over Windows Media for Mac

by , 1:15 PM EST, January 11th, 2006

Telestream has been contracted by Microsoft to provide Windows Media content support for the Mac through its Flip4Mac QuickTime plug-in, replacing Windows Media Player. Flip4Mac adds the appropriate codecs to QuickTime to let Mac users view or listen to Windows Media video content without requiring the Microsoft's Windows Media Player application. Telestream is offering Flip4Mac for free, reduced from its original US$10 price. Flip4Mac is available for download at the Flip4Mac Web site, and at the Microsoft Web site.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:madgunde Posts: 66 Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Subject: Sweet @ss!

Best news I've heard since Apple announced the MacBook!

Close Name:dr_turgeon Posts: 26 Joined: 24 May 2002
Subject: Yup

This is a good thing!

Close Name:Wings Posts: 89 Joined: 30 Mar 2004
Subject: This codec crashes Quicktime 7.0.4

I dunno why this press release is still going strong, cause at least as of yesterday the new version they have available for download (vers 2.0) cause QT to abort when you close a player window that is or has played a wmv file. It also causes QT to issue an error if you try to export a wmv file (in QT Pro). They have a notice on their forums that they are aware of the problem and are working on a fix. I wish they would hurry, but until it's finished I wouldn't recommend installing it. I must say though, that the quality of video that vers 2.0 has, compared to vers 1.0, is like night & day. (MacOS 10.4.4, QT 7.0.4)

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Microsoft link is dead (404)

The link to the download on the Microsoft site gives a 404 (not found). Perhaps they pulled it in response to the QT 7.0.4 problems Wings mentioned?

Close Name:dr_turgeon Posts: 26 Joined: 24 May 2002
Subject: Shucks

I really liked the way wmv was just another video format for QuickTime. I even previewed in the Finder's column view!

Well MS has their hands on it now...


[PS, It was $10 to import wmv — convert it to better format. Now it is $29 for wmvImport ]

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Dead link

Nope, the link is the article is just wrong (it has a period at the end of the URL). Here's the right link:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/flip4mac.mspx

Close Name:Guest
Subject: WMP 10??

So, is MS going to let them and support for WMP10 so Mac users can actually use DRMd content such as videos and music?? Otherwise I don't really care.

Close Name:jimothy Posts: 612 Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Subject: re: WMP 10

Quote
Guest wrote:
So, is MS going to let them and support for WMP10 so Mac users can actually use DRMd content such as videos and music?? Otherwise I don't really care.

Rumor has it, only when Apple capitulates and licenses FairPlay. "You won't license FairPlay? Fine! We won't produce WMP 10!"

Close Name:loki Posts: 37 Joined: 22 Dec 2004
Subject: Good riddance WMP!!!

Quote
jimothy wrote:
Quote
Guest wrote:
So, is MS going to let them and support for WMP10 so Mac users can actually use DRMd content such as videos and music?? Otherwise I don't really care.

Rumor has it, only when Apple capitulates and licenses FairPlay. "You won't license FairPlay? Fine! We won't produce WMP 10!"


Hopefully that will merely lead to another revolt against WMP and more QT production!
Aren't M$ shooting themselves in the foot with this anyway? Since some of the industries most advanced video editing software is OS X based, wouldn't they be better off promoting their format on that platform?
Maybe M$ will next contract Connectix to produce a better version of Windows that runs on Mactel machines.

Close Name:fartheststar Posts: 222 Joined: 04 Jan 2004
Subject: good riddance is right!

Just threw out my Windows Media player.
Now all works great under quicktime (updated EVERYTHING except quicktime (still at 7.0.3), will wait for the bug fix for flip for mac until I update to 7.0.4

Yeah!

Close Name:Mav Posts: 1320 Joined: 17 Oct 2003
Subject:

Can somebody tell me why I'd have to agree to Telestream having a right to AUDIT the use of a freakin' WMV player/plug-in at my doorstep?

Sure, they'll never do it, or couldn't do it, but sneaking that in a EULA is highly sketchy, IMHO. Or...wait just a sec. How on earth can they know where the heck to audit me if, say, I get the program from a different website? Add in their new Microsoft connection and...

Brrr. Count me out. I'll make do with WMP for the time being. Far as I know, it doesn't phone home when I use it.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: EULA Flip4Mac

Hello:
You're right our EULA will be changed in v2.0.2 coming soon.
Sorry for the oversight.

Barb D
Flip4Mac

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