I have some files i want to watch that are in .rmvb format (RealMedia format) which are a pain, mainly because I hate realplayer and loath it as software becuase all it does is install crap, spyware and nonstop advertisements via itself to your pc.

Basically what Im after is a converter to convert it from .rmvb to a more common format for divx or Winamp etc without having to touch realplayer or anything to do with real media!

If anyone has a solution to this from past experiences or just from being a bit too good at finding decent free converters then please please help!

Regards,
Greasy

I play .rmvb files with VLC or Media Player Classic in the latter case you'll need a codec pack as well. And yes, I hate Real Player, too. Haven't installed it for years.

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War does not determine who is right - only who is left. - Bertrand Russell

Ok ill give VLC a go first, cheers!

yeah, I use a codec with windows media player classic.. much easier than that stupid program O;

Which codecs you guys using with WMC?

Try to install Real Alternative, it will install all needed codecs with Media Player Classic.

real alternative for realplayer files and quick alternative for quicktime files.
After you install those 2 codec packs and vlc, you can play everything there is.

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M.A.S.K. , is the mighty power that can save the day

Nope. VLC have it's own codecs built in, it doesn't use any external codecs installed into system, so if you want to play some Real Player's files in VLC, you don't have to install Real Alternative.

well vlc just played it badly with no sound, never looked for codecs with that, ill grab the ones for wmc and see how it goes!

This is the one I'm currently using:

http://www.xpcodecpack.com/

I really recommend it because it really installs only the most useful codecs and not lots of crap that is difficult to uninstall (like e.g. the K-Lite pack)... Even the site and the installer look nice and professional which means that somebody put in a bit of thought and effort into this project.

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War does not determine who is right - only who is left. - Bertrand Russell

Also in first post was something about converters. So, I recommend you "SUPER ©", really good converting stuff. I'm using it to convert videos into 3gp, but it also can convert in another formats. You can download it from there: http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html . It's hard to find download link on this site, but keep trying clicking everything with "download" in it's name, after few page redirections you will get an exe file .