I was wandering the web and came across some content that was presented in Real format, which Firefox didn’t seem to support. One problem was that I didn’t have any version of the Real Player installed. The other problem was that I didn’t particularly want to install the Real Player if I could help it, but I especially didn’t want to install the Real One player. I do have a copy of Real Player Basic version 8, but it isn’t currently installed on my system. You can also find it available for download if you don’t already have a copy.
So that’s one problem solved. The other problem is getting embedded Real media to work in Firefox. I tried installing the Real Player, and it installed okay, but didn’t work with Firefox. Off to Google I went. The first page I read had a link to another page with more detail. It turned out that this one was the winner.
During the installation, the Real setup process puts a file named nppl3260.dll in the temporary install folder (the folder is named ~rnsetup, and exists in your temporary directory). The problem is that this file may or may not be installed during setup, and let’s be honest – I didn’t really want the player installed anyway. But the temporary folder is created during setup and then removed. The solution? Start the setup process, then check the temporary files while setup is still running. Sure enough, the file in question was there, just waiting for me to grab it.
I did, copied it to the plugins folder under my Firefox installation, and what do you know? It came right up. Use about:plugins in your Firefox address bar to check the installation of plugins. The Real plugin popped right up – I didn’t even need to restart. I did need to refresh the about:plugins page, however, as I had run it prior to adding the dll to the appropriate folder.
These instructions are for Windows – specifically Windows XP – so the instructions you’ll need to follow on your own installation may vary somewhat.
Comments
32 responses to “Real Player in Firefox”
Thanks! I hate real player’s installation. They think I’m interested in all their junk. Just wanted to play the files. Great Job!
I was also having the same problem with being unable to play real media files in firefox inspite of having the real plugin 10.5 installed for firefox … there is a help page from mozilla regarding the problem which says the best solution is to use internet explorer because some sites use non standard codes to embed files that only i-explorer can read … i just use i-explorer now when i have to play real media files online … it works fine for me
Hi Lex –
You should check out oldversion.com, specifically the section devoted to Real Player.
I can’t guarantee that they’ll have what you need, but there are plenty of versions of software (including Real One Player 1.0 and 2.0).
Years ago, I made a music CD using “Real One Player” and managed to get every song I loved on just one CD.
Unfortunately, when my computer died, it took the “Real One Player” with it. Now my beloved CD is considered to be “a blank CD” (or something) by my friends’ computers (“Real Player” won’t recognize it).
Is there anyone who will send me this old software free of charge? I guess I should keep the “Real One Player” software on the CD, itself? Thanking you in advance, Lex
That worked fantastic – thanks!
The problem with that is it defeats the purpose of using Real inside Firefox.
Why not just use Real Alternative, the free (and spyware-free) Real-media player?
I am guessing that everyone found the solution but just in case here are a couple of links which should help you out.
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Embedded & Streaming Quicktime, Real, WMP Guide for Windows Users of Firefox.
There is a section on Missing Plugin Alert and they also provide a REPLACEMENT nppl3260.dll which adds ra, ram and rm support
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Foxytunes Extension
This is one of the best extensions I have come across. It allows you to control your favorite media player without leaving the browser. The controls are positioned on the status bar or one of the toolbars. It works on Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
I tried the orignal steps in the article and… it doesn’t work. Firefox still asks me to install the plug-in, although the plug-in appears in the plug-in list.
The embedded realmedia content work fine in internet explorer.
However, here’s a little background. I switched to Real Alternative after realplayer gave a real pain in the arse for not working for years!! I tried everything on my machine and just could not play realplayer files (whether streaming or downloaded ones). RealPlayer would crash. In the end i switched to real alternative for which I can play all downloaded ones and most streaming ones. Occasionally, I come across some streaming file that just does not play. I did some testings and noticed that it’s the files that have the ram file extension. If you look into this ram file, you can get a link to an rm file and if you copy this link into real alternative, it still won’t play.. although, if you download it and then play it from your hard disk, it plays fine.
Anyway… the real problem now is playing streaming real media files in firefox… it won’t work. 🙁
Hope Mozilla or real alternative or anyone else comes up with some fix very soon.
Great .. simply GReAT .. i could not believe this worked. Thanks a lot guys . hats off …
RAj