RealNetworks buys VideoLAN

[Ron B]

Wonder how this is going to affect the "open source" aspect of the VLC player? Never have been much of a fan of Real players.

It was announced on April 1, kind of hoping it was an April Fools gag.

[lordsmurf]

Well there goes another great tool.

[Gavino]

Since there has been no corresponding announcement from RealNetworks, I think we can safely assume this is an April Fools hoax.

[guns1inger]

If you read back through the history of Real support in VLC, including the statement in the VideoLAN wiki, then carefully read the news item posted on 1 April, it is pretty clear that this is a) a joke, and b) they don't think a whole lot of Real Networks and their products.

[AlanHK]

VideoLAN acquired by RealNetworks
2010-04-01

VideoLAN is proud to announce that it has been acquired by RealNetworks, the world's premiere provider of Internet media delivery tools. RealNetworks will be working with VideoLAN over the next few months to leverage the powerful Real toolset to improve VLC media player and other VideoLAN software. Accordingly, with the introduction of Real's superior solutions, we will be dropping all other encoders from the streaming component of VLC media player. Additionally, to better serve our customers, we will be introducing a new VLC media player Pro application, with cutting edge streaming capabilities and the ability to play back and edit all Real video and audio formats. This new application will be available for the low low price of $30/€30. We hope you enjoy the new VLC media player!

"we will be dropping all other encoders from the streaming component of VLC media player" !!

And as Open Source, it's impossible for a company to "acquire" it anyway.


So yes, a joke.

[MOVIEGEEK]

with the introduction of Real's superior solutions

Good one.

It sounds like the makers of VLC dislike Real as much as I do.

[Gavino]

Confirming what we suspected, I see the original announcement on www.videolan.org has now been updated with the message "April Fools' !"

[SatStorm]

You scared me for a moment...

[Ron B]

Good one, they got me.
I think VLC is the best player out there.