The Internet Hotel
Get Real!
A Review of RealPlayer Plus
by Ron Enderland
The internet experience, as you know, is more than just browsing websites. Thanks to nifty tools like IRC chatrooms, web telephone technology, interactive java scripts and so forth, the internet provides a variety of entertaining diversions to the casual surfer (as well as numerous tools for the businessman).
A favorite technological advancement amongst the masses is RealAudio, which provides streams of decent-quality audio at speeds as low as 14,400 kbps. A more recent development is RealVideo, which makes similar claims as its predecessor, i.e. actual live streaming video at sub-ISDN speeds.
Progressive Networks offers a free player at their website that will access both the streaming audio and video. It will plug in with Netscape 2.0 or higher, as well as Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher. It is one of the better and more useful plug-ins out there. However, if you feel like splurging a bit, you can drop $29.95 on RealPlayer Plus.
RP+ is a sweet little program that provides you with a push-button interface so that you can access audio and video all over the web with a simple point-and-click procedure. Once you install the program, you are prompted to visit the RealAudio website, where you assign audio and video destinations to your buttons. Then, it’s just a matter of starting RP+, clicking on your choice, and enjoying.
The biggest problem with this concept lies in the internet itself. Frequent dropouts occur, each time identified as "Net Congestion." This was the case, even with a clean connection with a 33.6 modem. However, if you choose to surf the net at 5:00 AM on a Saturday morning, as I often do, then you’ll be rewarded with a much more uninterrupted experience. This confirms that the problem lies beyond the scope of the product itself. The audio and video come in surprisingly well. Movies straight off the web make for a delightful experience in browsing.
The program itself works slick, with quick access to feeds, as well as near-hassle-free button customizations made through the website process (accessible through the menu bar on RP+).
Is it worth spending 30 bucks for a product that gives you easier access to the same services that you can obtain through a free download? Well, when you throw in the promise of free upgrades, as well as premium sounds and movies available only to subscribers, this reviewer says "sure!" Give it a shot.
Internet Hotel Scorecard
| Product: | RealPlayer Plus |
| Company: | Progressive Networks |
| Cost: | $29.95 |
System Requirements:
IBM:
Windows 95/NT,
Pentium CPU,
28,800 or faster modem,
16 MB RAM,
2 MB hard disk space,
256 color video card,
16 bit sound card,
Internet connection.
Macintosh:
Power PC,
640x480 256-color display,
28,800 or faster modem,
16 MB RAM,
2 MB hard disk space,
Internet connection.
Breakdown:
Ease of Use 4
Quality 5
Concept 5
Interface 4
Overall Score:
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