Quicktime Alternative & Real Alternative

I wonder how many people are aware that there alternatives to Apple‘s QuickTime software and RealNetworks RealPlayer. Seriously if you don?t want to pollute your computer with their bloatware is there an alternative?

The answer is yes. QuickTime Alternative and Real Alternative are the answer.

QuickTime Alternative will allow you to play QuickTime files without having to install the official QuickTime Player.

All QuickTime formats (.mov .qt .3gp etc.) are supported, including streaming content and QuickTime content that is embedded in webpages.

Some advantages compared to QuickTime player:

• Quick and easy install

• It’s easy to make an unattended installation

• No background processes

• Use a player of your own choice

• Low on resources

• Smaller size

Real Alternative will allow you to play RealMedia files without having to install RealPlayer.

All RealMedia formats (.ra .rm .rmvb .ram .rpm .rv .rp .rt .rnx .smi .smil etc.) are supported, including streaming content and RealMedia content that is embedded in webpages.

Some advantages compared to RealPlayer:

• Quick and easy install

• It’s easy to make an unattended installation

• Proper uninstallation

• No background processes

• Use a player of your own choice

• Low on resources

• No advertising, no registration forms, nothing annoying

Limitations:

.smi and .smil files only play the first part of a clip. This is only a problem when the clip consists of multiple parts. These files are not very common. These files do play correctly when embedded in a browser.

The RealMedia DirectShow splitter does not work with streaming content. You must use the included Media Player Classic to play streaming content.

Update - Warning

This inforamtion is somewhat old now, both RealAlternative and QuicktimeAlternative are no longer updated, this most likly means they are incompatible with Windows now and pose a security risk if you keep using them.