I think that our disconnect, in terms of ground beef, is that you prefer 97% lean, and I don't care if it's 50% lean.
I think the "disconnect" was a bit more basic, Between discussions regarding AVI, WMV, YouTube, multiple platforms/operating systems, and wondering about playback across the various platforms, systems, and media types, I simply jumped to the conclusion that your top priority was to find a free, open source, cross-platform media player. That was why I was surprised by your lack of interest in the VLC media player which is probably the closest thing to a "universal" media player framework that is available for almost any platform-OS combination out there. For example, if you want to know if your WMV, AVI, or even an older FLV file would play in VLC on my system, your grandfather's system, or even on your cousin's system, you could simply open it in the VLC player on your system. If it plays there, then it should play in the VLC player for any other operating system.
While the Flip4Mac player is not, strictly speaking, "a one-trick pony," it is by no means a universal player nor is it available for as many operating systems. The primary problem here is the evolution of multimedia and multimedia players. Two decades ago, the idea was to use a generic file container with data encoded for specific uses. One codec was best suited for the sending of postage stamp sized email attachments. Another was best suited for use with digital cameras. Others were designed for camcorders and video editing. And still others for use on the internet. Today, however, the emphasis is on the use a single, highly scalable AV codec combination that can be used for all of these purposes. As a result, many multimedia players have become more specialized and the use of these older, so-called "legacy" codecs, declined and became less widely supported.
AVI and WMV is one example of such an evolutionary process. While Microsoft originally developed AVI as an open source container using many open (and later proprietary) codecs, about a dozen years ago it changed direction in favor of a more modern multimedia container/codec family better suited to multiple home and commercial uses—your WMV content. As you may, or may not know, Apple is now undergoing a similar modernization program—the switch from classic QT to QT X based primarily on the use of the MPEG-4 AVC media standard used for everything from video phone calls to 4K video recordings and the streaming of such files on home networks and across the internet. As a result, users who have collected and still use such legacy formats, as well as, other modern file types and codecs, tend to gravitate to such universal "one-player-plays-all" applications rather than separate, specialized media players.
You are so familiar with all of the products, that you can experiment to find the best combination, whereas if it's free and I can teach my grandfather how to install and use it, then that is more than I could hope for.
Which is why I figured it would be easier to install a single player that plays almost any file that might be sent him almost anyone on almost any system. (Excluding files using proprietary content, of course,)
From your previous threads, I read that you think users should try multiple products so they can compare and contrast. I agree wholeheartedly, but I lack the knowledge to do that effectively.
The players mentioned were installed over time based on recommendations from forum users. Most are simply used to compare playback capabilities. I use QT 7 as my primary Apple OS/IOS content player and VLC for virtually everything except Apple proprietary codec content. In a similar manner, I use HandBrake as my primary content transcoder because it will handle almost any non-proprietary form of input content (same built-in codec framework as VLC) and outputs standard MP4 and M4V files (or MKV if desired). And, since VLC and HandBrake come in both Windows and Mac versions, they are the apps I recommend most frequently for cross-platform use
I'm not even sure that I care about using an ad-supported download manager or not, because I don't know the risk/reward factors. In my eyes, the fact that Telestream denotes that fact on their website, tells me that they care about full disclosure, which makes me trust them. That's the logic that I use.
You may change your mind if you ever end up with an application installed on your system other than the one you thought you were downloading and actually wanted to install. In this case, experience will be the best teacher. I am just cautioning you to be careful based on a couple of bad experiences I had.
I also found the 3.2.0.16 free version on Deakin and Malavida. These non-Mac-inspected websites are Greek to me.
And the free Flip Player download on the Flip4Mac Product web page is v3.2.1.2 if you want a newer version from a "trusted" source which you may have already asked about as seen below:
If you are willing, Jon, I have no problem whatsoever in you picking whatever combination that you think will suit my meager wants. My only care, is that it is free (because my grandfather would throw a fit if I paid a nickel for anything. When I visit him in NYC, he has me drive around and around and around, until a free space on the street is available. It's like a ritual for him.
If you don't have the time or don't want the responsibility of choosing stuff for me, I will understand...But I guarantee that your choice(s) will be better than anything that I would ever choose, simply because you have far more knowledge about the products.
I hate to sound like a recorded commercial. VLC is my recommendation. If you search these forums, you should find that it is the most often recommended Mac alternative media player. Not only for general use but specifically for Windows generated multimedia. One advantage you might also consider at this point is the fact that you can download a copy for your system and give it a try to see if it is suitable for your grandfather. It can be used as a basic player but has built-in features that might be of use later—even to you. The codec framework is built into the player, so there is no need to "augment" either your XP or grandfather's OS X systems. If you think it appropriate for your grandfather when you visit him in NYC, you may be better prepared to install the Mac version on his system and teach him how to use it. The makers of the app are non-profit and the app is free, but you can make a donation towards future program development if you wish to do so. Here are the URLs:
VLC media player for Windows
VLC media player for Mac OS X
I will find a video < 20MB and send it to you...
The video that I'm sending you has snippets of movies that are between 30 and 70 years old, so you will notice major cropping issues.
Still waiting. Did you locate my email?
I have been looking for a free cropping tool for the last month, but I have come up empty. Any suggestion in that area would be greatly appreciated.
Not really. Graphic, photo, and movie editing apps come pre-installed on Mac systems so most Mac users purchase third-party enhanced apps if they want something better.
