RealPlayer provides audio playback and video presentations. It runs automatically when you select an audio or video file in JDS’s Web Browser or on your local system in Nautilus. RealPlayer can also be found on the Launch menu. With the RealPlayer plug-in, you can watch streaming video and listen to audio from Internet radio stations and news organizations.
The JDS version of RealPlayer is the one provided for Linux by Real Networks, without official support. However, the company has provided a support forum for Linux and has an open source project called HelixCommunity (http://helixcommunity.org). The JDS version is RealPlayer 8, but the Helix project provides a G2 Player compatable with RealVideo 10. Sun works with RealNetworks and the Helix community on development of the Helix Player and their streaming G2 Video Server.
Figure 10-5 shows a screenshot of the Fox News web site, which offers considerable video content. When you select a story from the web site for the first time, you have the option to choose a viewing format. The choices include RealPlayer and Windows Media Player. RealPlayer does not support the format used by Microsoft Windows Media Player. By choosing RealPlayer, you can receive the video stream and watch the broadcast.
In Figure 10-6, we captured a frame of one broadcast while in play. The RealPlayer application renders the screen with high-quality resolution and provides audio of similar quality.
Sun is collaborating with RealNetworks to develop open source tools and products that allow content providers to develop the most advanced online content, without being locked in to Microsoft products. High-Defintion Television (HDTV) is likely to be offered over open source server software developed by the Helix Community. This is made possible with the support of Sun and RealNetworks, combined with Sun server hardware.