How can you play Windows Media Player files on a Mac?

My Dad with his new imac wants to view some files on the Borders books website that say they require Win Media Player (WMP). He tried downloading WMP for Mac but it wouldn't install. Probably user error and I'll check it out this Thursday but here is another question.

Is there a player that isn't WMP that I can install on his iMac that can play WMP files??

Thanks!

Hi Mike T

this may help you

http://www.macupdate.com/search.php?arch=all&keywords=windows+media+player&os=macosx

The Flip4Mac plug-in plays Windows Media files through QuickTime. It's available at verstiontracker.com and macupdate.com, as well as on Microsoft's site.

Microsoft no longer supports Media Player on the Mac, and hasn't for a long time.

If a Windows Media Player file won't play through Flip4Mac, it's probably because the file is copyright protected with Microsoft's Windows-only DRM.

VLC might work. try searching it on google. i plays pretty much every file type.

Here is another vote for Flip4Mac

you should download vlc player anyway because quicktime can only play a few formats, vlc can play virtually any format, even windows media files.

Download VLC... probably the best all round support for many different video formats on MAC.

You still need Flip4Mac. As far as I am aware, VLC can't play streaming media inside the browser.

VLC!!! that is all you need.

VLC isn't without it's issues though. When I try to seek within a WMV video I often get a (non-fatal) error message that I have to click through. The playing video also gets VERY distorted/corrupted for 3-4 seconds before it straightens out (my guess is until it hits a new key-frame).

Still, it's much, much better than MS Media Player on the Mac. That thing runs so slow you'd think Microsoft intentionally crippled it . . .

MikeT said:

My Dad with his new imac wants to view some files on the Borders books website that say they require Win Media Player (WMP). He tried downloading WMP for Mac but it wouldn't install. Probably user error and I'll check it out this Thursday but here is another question.

Is there a player that isn't WMP that I can install on his iMac that can play WMP files??

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I'd recommend downloading VLC media player for mac.... its the best there is in my opinion.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html

Everyone seems to be jumping on VLC here, but to my knowledge, VLC is not going to solve the original problem, because it cannot play anything in a browser window, as slashjunior said.

The program you're looking for is Flip4Mac to allow Quicktime (including its associated browser plugin) to play WMV files. Download Perian too, while you're at it, just for good measure.

use vlc or microsoft media player for mac.

Any player that can play ram files on Mac and no, I don't want Real Player! Hate it!
Thanks!