Member Avatar for MidiMagic

I had the Yahoo Real Player until Yahoo discontinued it. The player continued to work, but was not updated.

The problem is that the computer it was installed on died. The replacement computer has XP on it, but not Real Player.

I tried to get a new version of Real Player, ontly to have it blocked by my antivirus software as spyware. I googled this, and found that the current Real Player does use spyware. The software will not install with the spyware removed.

I tyried Real Alternative. It says the install files are corrupted.

I need this (or a way to convert the files) because I was a member of Garageband before it ended. We exchanged Real Player music and video files of each other's works as rewards of doing reviews. I have hundreds of these files.

I now have no way to play these files.

How can I play Real Player files without Real Player?

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Dani AI

Generated

A few practical ways to restore access to those old RealMedia files without installing the original RealPlayer. described having hundreds of files and community replies pointed to a modern player as a quick fix; that is often the fastest route. When antivirus or installer-bundled extras trigger warnings, prefer official, signed installers or a portable/ZIP build (no bundled toolbars). Verify the installer’s digital signature in File Properties, compare checksums when the vendor provides them, and scan the installer with a multi-engine scanner before executing. Portable builds avoid installers entirely and are easier to inspect.

When playback alone isn’t enough, converting the files to modern formats is a reliable fallback. Determine the container/codec first (file extensions like .rm/.ra/.ram/.rmvb give hints; tools such as MediaInfo will show codecs). A portable ffmpeg is a solid converter; examples:

ffmpeg -i "input.ra" -vn -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 2 "output.mp3"

ffmpeg -i "input.rm" -c:v libx264 -preset medium -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 160k "output.mp4"

Batch conversion from a Windows command prompt (single-line) can be done with:

for %f in (*.rm) do ffmpeg -i "%f" -c:v libx264 -c:a aac "%~nf.mp4"

(in a .bat file use %%f instead of %f).

Troubleshooting and cautions: .ram files are often plain-text pointers—open them in Notepad to find the actual URL. Files that are DRM-protected or corrupted may refuse conversion; verify file size and test a few files before mass-processing. For legacy XP machines, some modern builds may not run—either move files to a newer machine, use a Live USB/VM, or run an XP-compatible portable build. Back up originals before any batch work. This complements the thread’s play-first suggestions from and while giving a safe conversion workflow and practical checks to avoid installer/adware pitfalls.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

I believe that VLC Media Player will play Real Player Files.

commented: I think you are correct. +12
Member Avatar for RobertHDD

VLC can play all movie formats

Member Avatar for MidiMagic

VLC is also blocked as spyware.

Why does every media player download have spyware?

Edited by MidiMagic
Member Avatar for RobertHDD

I never heard that VLC is spyware hm just to check im gonna run a spyware scan

Member Avatar for RobertHDD

Thanks for telling me that! my vlc is going to be uninstalled

Member Avatar for RobertHDD

Well U hav run into spyware ill give you a clean vlc link that the player doesn't contain Malware or Spyware: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html this doesn't contain Spyware and just click and it will download

Member Avatar for MidiMagic

It works. Problem solved.

I used to have this player on one of my work computers, but I just had the icon, no name.

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