
Though RealNetworks saw initial success in the streaming media market, other file formats that did not require RealPlayer became standard Microsoft relentlessly pushed its own proprietary Windows Media Audio format, the mp3 file format is now often used for audio streaming, and Apple's proprietary QuickTime. In September 1997, the company renamed RealNetworks and focused on pushing its proprietary RealAudio and later, RealVideo file formats hard before and during the first dot-com bubble, requiring users to install the RealPlayer media player. RealHistoryįormed in 1995 as Progressive Networks, with the original goal of becoming a web based distribution channel for politically progressive content, the Seattle based company was one of the early pioneers of online streaming media. Check out these cross-platform RealMedia alternatives instead.

Don't give up and install the invasive and irritating RealPlayer just for that one. But RealNetworks keeps its RealVideo and RealAudio codecs locked down, and VLC won't handle them. It's an essential application for Windows, Mac and Linux users.

VLC media player can play pretty much any video format a user throws at it.
