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Windows Media Components for Apple’s QuickTime by Flip4Mac distributed free by Microsoft
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 07:30 PM EST

Telestream today announced an agreement by which Microsoft will now distribute Windows Media Components for QuickTime. Powered by Telestream’s Flip4MacTM technology, the Windows Media components enable Mac OS X users to play Windows Media video and audio directly within the familiar QuickTime Player. The components are now available as a free-of-charge download from Microsoft’s website at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/flip4mac.mspx

“Consumers and content professionals are demanding great ways to view Windows Media content on the Macintosh using the platform and tools they know,” said Kevin Unangst, director of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft in the press release. “The Windows Media Components for QuickTime, powered by Telestream’s Flip4MacTM technology provide this important capability and live up to Telestream’s reputation for outstanding media solutions.”

”Microsoft’s decision to offer Flip4Mac technology as a Windows Media playback option is a tribute to the benefits of our QuickTime-based solution for Mac users,” said Dan Castles, CEO of Telestream in the release. “It underscores Microsoft’s confidence in Telestream and our Flip4Mac brand. In just one year’s time, Flip4Mac has achieved tremendous success and acceptance by both Apple enthusiasts and partners. We’re delighted that the broader Mac community will gain easier access to an enhanced Windows Media playback experience on the Mac as well as exposure to our additional Windows Media tools for the Mac.”

With the proliferation of Windows Media content on the Internet today, the potential community of Macintosh users wanting to play that content is expanding. This includes the consumer who wants to view streaming news, movie trailers and home movies, the casual weekend videographer, and the serious video professional.

The Windows Media Components for QuickTime add Windows Media playback support to the QuickTime Player and Safari web browser. Once installed, it allows Mac users to view Windows Media video and audio content from within their existing QuickTime applications. It also provides the first solution for full playback of high definition Windows Media on a Mac. Other Flip4Mac Windows Media components provide the ability to import for editing and export Windows Media from within QuickTime-based applications.

The free-of-charge Windows Media Component for QuickTime is also available for download at http://www.flip4mac.com

NOTE: Flip4Mac Windows Media Components v2.0.1 for QuickTime v7.0.4 users is now available here.

MacDailyNews Take: We've used Flip4Mac for awhile now. It works as advertised.

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Jan 11, 06 - 07:42 pm Comment from: BulbVivid

Might want to wait to install:

http://www.flip4mac.com/fusetalk/forum/categories.aspx?catid=29&flcache=2798680

Good stuff though when working correctly.

Jan 11, 06 - 07:46 pm Comment from: iroiro

Yup crashes quicktime 7.0.4 /safari after trying to close a window after playing video.

Jan 11, 06 - 07:50 pm Comment from: Bill Gates

Microsoft sucks!!!
I should know: I own it!

Jan 11, 06 - 07:51 pm Comment from: Muntz

this can't be a good thing if MS is into it. will it make video content providers consider skipping using Quicktime as their standard if they can just do it in WMV and not have to worry about Mac users since they'll be taken care of with this technology?

too bad they didn't stay independent, but good for flip4mac, they deserve the backing, since this is a well made product from what i can tell

Jan 11, 06 - 08:12 pm Comment from: Peter

I've never understood why Microsoft didn't do this themselves. I mean, why bother writing your own "Windows Media Player" when QuickTime has a perfectly good one. Just write the WMP QuickTime codec and suddenly everything works in whatever application you're in.

Heck, if it's a "Branding" issue, put up the Windows Media logo for a quarter of a second at the beginning and end of everything you're playing. Problem solved.

Jan 11, 06 - 08:47 pm Comment from: Jay

Is there any freeware app that you can use to convert WMV files to MPEG, QT, or AVI?

Jan 11, 06 - 08:48 pm Comment from: Tera Patricks

Crashes Safari with QT 7.0.4. Crashes Firefox when trying to quit.

Not ready for primetime player.

Tera Patricks
Mac360

Jan 11, 06 - 09:04 pm Comment from: Joe

This sucks completely. Although it plays wmv files, after playing the video encoded as wmv it will crash Safari as well as QuickTime Player...
At their support page they tell you to repair permissions on your disk. Funny thing is, I have been upgrading every Mac OS X system since Jaguar, had tons of apps installed, never used my install disc to repair permissions and never had any problem. After a fresh install of Tiger in a new system, no apps whatsoever besides what came with the Tiger install disc, I install Flip4Mac software and it crashes both Safari and QuickTime Player!
But worse than that is what Muntz correctly points out: this makes content providers even more lazy. QuickTime is way superior than the wmv crap codec. Unfortunately if you got to see something and it's only availabe in wmv, either you install the crappy Windows Media Player or you go with that Flip4Mac. Fortunately it comes with an uninstaller...

Jan 11, 06 - 09:13 pm Comment from: R

Without thinking, installed. Hasn't worked yet.

Viva la Apple!

Jan 11, 06 - 09:22 pm Comment from: nekogami13

Straight from flip4mac's site:

QuickTime v7.0.4 users, please wait for version 2.0.1 which will be available here shortly.

They offer it free straight from their site also.

Jan 11, 06 - 09:33 pm Comment from: MacDude

The reason Microsoft didn't provide a QT plug-in was because making Mac users install the buggy and snitching WMP on a Mac was so much better.

The last time I installed WMP it totally disgusted me with the zillions of files it was installing all over my precious.

Then it didn't work.

This is most unfortunate that M$ is now hosting Flip4Mac (bought it?), it obviously means something very sinister is going on.

Of course now M$ will get all sorts of marketing information and other data as all our Quicktime components are compromised by shoddy M$ code.

Jan 11, 06 - 09:39 pm Comment from: MacDude

Is there any freeware app that you can use to convert WMV files to MPEG, QT, or AVI?

Try this, least you know it comes from a Mac user.

http://homepage.mac.com/major4/

Jan 11, 06 - 09:41 pm Comment from: MacDude

You can also use Snapz Pro X to record the screen and sound into QT, but it's not free.

Jan 11, 06 - 10:19 pm Comment from: Kenny

I've never could get flip4mac to work. I don't think quicktime can play wmv's period. Incidentally, does anyone else find vlc a much smoother player than quicktime? On my machine quicktime is very stuttery and jerky.

Jan 11, 06 - 10:40 pm Comment from: effwerd

"Heck, if it's a "Branding" issue, put up the Windows Media logo for a quarter of a second at the beginning and end of everything you're playing. Problem solved."

Shut up!

Jan 11, 06 - 11:19 pm Comment from: billysmom

i've had flip4mac long before m$ offered it. it always worked fine, without any problems at all.

Jan 11, 06 - 11:45 pm Comment from: MacFedUp

I am sooooo fed up with Microsoft's Windows CRAP!! When will they just DIE!!!!!!

Jan 11, 06 - 11:47 pm Comment from: Marc

I've been using the flip4mac thing for about 6 weeks and have had no problems at all. It plays great. The only thing I am mildly annoyed about is the fact that I paid for it and now it is free. While 8 or 10 dollars is not that big a deal for something that is well put together, the fact that I just paid for it does piss me off a bit just on general principals. Again, can't stress enough that the 1.0.2 version works just great for me on my new PB 1.5 and on my Quicksilver 933.

Jan 11, 06 - 11:50 pm Comment from: xiita

First, if somebody did any stuff in wmv format instead QUICKTIME, why sould I play it if they don't take me as a concideration. Easy I just skeep it.
As I'm refuse to instal any thing on my iMAC G5 20" that cames from m$, I already fix this problem.
Try it, works for me and can work for many users.
http://www.videolan.org/

Jan 12, 06 - 01:22 am Comment from: wede1

Hey, cool off.
The reason for the problem is most likely the fact that MS and Flip4Mac's poeple weren't aware of the 7.0.4 update.
Give them a little slack.
Not everything in life is as fast as your connection speed.
Cautious Optimism.
And when does Apple ever let folks know about their intents ahead of time?
Sheesh.
And as an aside, it works great with 10.3.9 with QT 7.0.3.

having a little common sense is vital.
as in the MDN Magic word

Jan 12, 06 - 03:59 am Comment from: mattyg

brought it last month, yesterday had a nice email telling me what had changed and a nice $20 coupon which got me a free upgrade to the import version athnkyou smile just need to wait for the next .1 update for the quicktime issue and we'll be well away, hopefully it'll work with all of my wmv files this time (just so i can convert them mwahahhaha)

anyone have any luck with asf files?

Jan 12, 06 - 04:30 am Comment from: billyboy

crashes more times than a Turkish taxi driver... LOL

Jan 12, 06 - 04:52 am Comment from: Dave H

So, just a quick question. Does this add WMP DRM capability to the Mac or not?

Jan 12, 06 - 06:42 am Comment from: Since_IIci

Windows Media via QuickTime Player?

Like eating SPAM (potted-meat) at Peter Luger...

Jan 12, 06 - 08:54 am Comment from: jackspratt

Dave H: hahahaha. oh that was a good one. made my morning.

no, it doesn't...and who would want M$'s crapular DRM on the Mac anyway?

Jan 12, 06 - 09:05 am Comment from: Dave H

jackspratt

Believe it or not, that was a serious question. I'm just trying to work out what the point of the product is. As it stands, I can't see any reason why anyone would want to install it.

Jan 12, 06 - 12:28 pm Comment from: RS

To MDN
Awhile is two words: a while.

Jan 12, 06 - 01:29 pm Comment from: pog

Does this mean that WMA files will play in iTunes now?

Jan 12, 06 - 02:24 pm Comment from: F4M

Version 2.0.1 is out now. Enjoy.

Jan 12, 06 - 06:16 pm Comment from: Wil

Worked fine for me. Took a while for Safari to recognize WMF however.

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