This page gives details of the Propriety players that are available for playing clips that Windows Media Player will not play. However the easiest option is to install the K-Lite Mega Pack. This page was originally written some time ago so some of the links may have changed but if you search on the players web sites the free download options can still be found.
Media Players This information is for those running Microsoft Windows XP or similar. Details of the download of the Divx codex, the Real and the Apple Player are shown. For intermediate and advanced Windows users who would like to play all the clips using just one player please click here.
Windows media player will play most of the clips on this site. Files which play with sound only, or a picture and sound, in Microsoft’s media player may be required the latest divx codex downloadable from http://www.divx.com/play/download If you can play this clip you already have a version of the divx codex installed Sample Divx Clip. This is a popular codex which cannot be downloaded automatically by Microsoft's Media Player. Once the divx codex is installed these files can be viewed normally using Microsoft’s player, you do not need to use the divx player. There are regular updates to the divx codex so its a good idea to download the latest version at least once a year.
Those with the .rm file extension require RealPlayer, a free copy may be downloaded from http://www.real.com . If you can play this clip you already have the Real Player installed Real Player Clip.
To get the Real player go to www.real.com and search for the free download option which should look like graphic to the right. Avoid the "14 days free trial links" as this is for the pay for version.
When installing the player use the custom install deselecting all the video types as otherwise RealPlayer will play the video types normally played by the Microsoft Media Player. If you fail to do this the file types that Windows media player plays can be adjusted afterwards by selecting the tools menu on Windows Media Player and selecting the option option. Click on the file types tab and select the file types you wish the Windows Media Player to play.
Those files with the .mov extension require the QuickTime Player available free from Apple. http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download If you can play this clip you already have the QuickTime player installed Apple QuickTime Clip. NB You may need to right click the link and select the "Save Target As" option before the clip will play.
The graphic below shows three video clips files in thumb nail view. The file on the left in the graphic requires the Real player, the middle clip plays in the standard windows player well the one on the right requires the Apple QuickTime player.
If any other files do not run open Windows Media Player select the menu option Tools and then options. Under the 'Player' tab of options tick the box 'Download codec's automatically'. Then when connected to the internet try to open the clip. The windows media player should then download the correct codex in most cases.
Mac Users There are Mac version media players available for most if not all the clips on the DVD's.