Flip4Mac plays and edits WMV files in QuickTime

Laurie reported on Flip4Mac WMV back in April, but since it's such a handy app and it's having another go around the news channels, I figured it was worth a refresher here: Flip4Mac WMV is a series of media tools that allow you to play and/or edit Windows Media files (including high definition) in QuickTime and QuickTime-based apps. There are four tools in the set, and prices start at $10 for the basic player, while the tools to edit Windows Media files in QuickTime or other apps like Final Cut Pro start at $99.

Macworld has a review of the player and some of the options it offers, such as how to handle WMV files embedded in a web page, and the fact that you can jog (frame-by-frame) through WMV files using QuickTime's controls – even on movies embedded in a site. It's a pretty nice overview, and I'll echo one of their recommendations: definitely download and try this out before buying, as the player can act a little funny in browsers other than Safari. Also: I'm not sure if DRM'd Windows Media files will work. My first guess is no, since I didn't see anything specific on the site boasting it, but I've been wrong before.

On OS X compatibility, Flip4Mac's site states their apps are fully Tiger, QuickTime 7 and Compressor 2 friendly. The one catch I wish they could get around, however, is Windows Media 10 format support. Right now, Flip4Mac WMV can only handle versions 7, 8 and 9 of Windows Media files. Oh well, when it comes to supporting crummy Microsoft media formats I guess you can't have it all.