Flip4Mac - the Intel version

reviewed by Ted Bade

Flip4Mac is a must-have solution for anyone who enjoys a variety of multimedia files either from the Web, through Email or any other means. It gives your Macintosh the ability to play and even manipulate almost every type of media file that uses Windows Media formats.

This article is a followup for the complete review I wrote on this product that is available in the April 2006 edition of macCompanion. Everything I said in that article holds true. Telestream recently released a ÒUniversalÓ version of this product, and I just had to try it on my Intel MacMini.

As far as I can tell, Flip4Mac works just as well on an Intel Mac as it did on the PowerPC. You can still watch all the WMV files you get from your PC friends as well as those you find on the Internet.

As with the previous version, use of Flip4Mac is totally transparent to the user. After it is installed, you handle playing WMA or WMV files just as if they were QT files. You single double-click on them and QuickTime opens and plans them. If you click a web page containing a media file, it plays in a window that is controlled with your standard (or Pro) QuickTime controls.

You can get Flip4Mac in a variety of packages, each with more and more features. First, let me point out that the distribution methods of Flip4Mac have changed a little. You need to download the free version from Microsoft. You can click on a link at the Flip4Mac site and it will redirect you to the download area at the Microsoft site. As before, you download the whole package and can add features by paying for a code that turns them on (This was very similar to how QuickTime Pro works.).

So what does each version include? Here is what you get with each version. For a complete comparison chart visit the following URL: http://www.flip4mac.com/wmv_compare.htm

Free - Downloaded by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx or through a link on the Flip4Mac site. This version provides the basic features necessary to watch and/or listen to WindowÕs Media files. The page at the Microsoft site lists the various formats the free player can handle.

WMV Player Pro - Buy from Telestream for $29 USD. (You can buy and download this and all the pay versions by visiting http://www.flip4mac.com/wmv.htm)

This version adds the ability to import WindowÕs Media files and convert them to QuickTime files. Once converted you can edit them with any QuickTime tools you own. It also lets you move WindowÕs Media files to your iPod (although not those containing MicrosoftÕs DRM). It can also let you convert WindowÕs Media based movies from a digital camera to QuickTime, which you can then edit.

WMV Studio - Purchase for $49. This version adds the ability to export QuickTime media files to WindowÕs Media version 9 format using setting files that have been pre-configured by Telestream. Once you import the files you can edit them with any QuickTime tools you own (including Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express HD, QuickTime Pro, iMovie, Sorenson Media Squeeze 4.1, Discreet Cleaner 6, Compressor 2). When you complete your work you can leave it as a QuickTime file or save it as a WindowÕs Media file. The preset setting files are very useful and will satisfy most amateur needs.

WMV Studio Pro - Purchase for $99. This version includes the ability to import and export Windows Medial files and adds the ability for you to manipulate the conversion setting files. This ability would be valuable for someone doing some serious editing and who needs to output files in Windows Media formats.

WMV Studio Pro HD - Purchase for $179. This version adds the ability to work with Widows Media files that are in HD format. This is the complete tool set and would be useful to anyone into serious video editing. It also includes functions for working with Pro audio,

The above discussions deal mainly with video files, but I should note that the same abilities exist for audio files in each of these versions.

Although Flip4Mac is pretty transparent, sometimes things go wrong. If Flip4Mac encounters a problem when trying to work with a media file on a web page, it will pop up and tell you that it cannot work with a particular file and give you the ability to choose to turn Flip4MacÕs function off so you can try using the standard Microsoft version. I have found in the few cases that this has happened, that the Standard version doesnÕt work either. And turning them back on means a short trip to the System Preferences Control panel.

You should definitely add Flip4Mac to your Macintosh. If only to be able to transparently handle the majority of movies that you will come across. I also highly recommend all of the pay for versions. Evaluate their features and decide which you will really use. I think most people will be satisfied with the Player Pro version although anyone who needs to output in Windows Media format should consider one of the more expensive versions. Flip4Mac gives you the ability to play all sorts of Windows Media files transparently moving them to your QuickTime player. It is an excellent program and a must have for all Macintosh owners!