Tag Archives: QuickTime

Flip4Mac Windows Media Plug-in Updated

Posted on by

Flip4Mac - QuickTime Plug-InFlip4Mac – the QuickTime plug-in that allows you to play (free) and export (fee) Windows Media files within QuickTime Player plus the Safari, Firefox, and Chrome web browsers – has been updated to version 2.4.1.4. The new version adds a progress indicator while waiting for streams to buffer in web browsers.

In addition, the update corrects a number of issues, including:

  • Fixed numerous problems in the Web browser plug-in that prevented streaming and playback of various sites and other problems with clicking and scrolling while in the plug-in.
  • Fixed a warning dialog issue with DRM protected content.
  • Fixed numerous problems in the Web browser plug-in that prevented streaming/playback of various sites plus other problems with clicking and scrolling.
  • Added support for Windows Media scripting (32-bit mode only).

Note: Microsoft officially terminated its own Windows Media Player for Mac years ago, and now simply provides a link to download the Flip4Mac Free Player. The plug-in supports more Windows Media formats than Microsoft’s own player ever did.

Flip4Mac WMV 2.4.1.4 requires Mac OS X version 10.5 (Leopard) or later as well as QuickTime 7.2.1 or later. The plug-in is Universal (Intel and PPC) and is 64-bit clean for Snow Leopard and Lion users.

Snow Leopard ships early

Posted on by

snowleopardboxApple today announced that its newest version of Mac OS X – 10.6 Snow Leopard will start appearing on doorsteps and in stores this Friday, August 28. This beats Apple’s original ship date of “sometime in September.”

More of a refinement of 10.5 Leopard than a re-do, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard touts much tighter code, more 64-bit processing capabilities, improved multi-processor support, and improved graphics processing. The refinements result in a much smaller footprint on your hard drive, according to Apple, up to 6-7 gigabytes of less space.

The new operating system also brings a new version of QuickTime plus support for Microsoft Exchange 2007.

QuickTime X boasts a new streamlined player with “a clean, uncluttered interface with controls that fade out when they’re not needed.” It professes smoother playback. QuickTime Player can now capture audio or video using a Mac’s built-in camera and microphone. Basic editing tools allow you to cut video to a desired length, and send it to iTunes for syncing to an iPhone, iPod, and Apple TV. It also has enhanced streaming capabilities.

For Mac users in the corporate world, you can now sync Apple Mail, Address Book, and iCal with Exchange services such as email, calendar invitations, and Global Addresses – if your company is running Microsoft Exchange 2007. While it doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles of full Outlook environment – e.g., public folders, this greatly streamlines getting Macs on the corporate grid.

The best news of Snow Leopard is its price for previous Leopard owners – $29.00 – $10.00 if you purchased your Mac after June 8 via Apple’s Up-to-Date program. Users of 10.4 Tiger can buy the Mac Box Set for $169.00 which not only includes Snow Leopard, but the latest iLife ’09 and iWork ’09.

The one downside, Snow Leopard is Intel Mac only. So 10.5 Leopard was the end of the line for owners of PowerPC (PPC) Macs.

Apple releases QuickTime 7.6

Posted on by

Apple posted the latest version of QuickTime – version 7.6. The update applies a number of security patches and performance enhancements, including.

  • Improved compatibility with iChat and Photo Booth
  • Increased playback reliability of Motion JPEG media
  • Improved single-pass H.264 encoding quality (QuickTime Pro)
  • Improved AAC encoding fidelity (QuickTime Pro)
  • More consistent exporting of audio tracks from MPEG video files (QuickTime Pro)

Note: There are separate versions for Tiger (10.4.10 and above), and Leopard (10.5.x) systems. Support for Panther (10.3) has been terminated.