How to play RMVB Files

What is an RMVB file and what do I do with it? I downloaded what I thought was a video, but my computer says it doesn't recognize RMVB as a valid file format.

RMVB is a RealMedia Variable Bitrate file. This is one of the newer formats from Real for publishing video files, which is quickly becoming a popular format for Anime and Asian movie titles because of smaller file sizes and lower bitrates with exceptional quality compared to DivX, which has long been the standard for trading videos online. There are two options for playing back the file.

Downloading RealPlayer is the easiest way to play RMVB files. Real will encourage you to upgrade to their SuperPass product, but you aren't required to. The second option is to use Real Alternative which plays back RealMedia files outside of RealPlayer.

Video Ninja Tip: If you want something that will play RMVB files and burn them to DVD, sign up for a free SuperPass trial. You get RealPlayer Plus as part of the trial package and you can always cancel before the end of the trial.

After installing either of these apps, you still need to associate the RMVB file type with the player because it isn't recognized by default. Right-click the file and choose Open from the right-click menu. Choose Select the program from a list and click OK.

Choose RealPlayer or Real Alternative and leave the box checked next to Always use the selected program to open this kind of file.

When you click on any RMVB file, it should automatically launch RealPlayer to playback the file.

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More things you should know about RMVB

How to Convert RMVB files

How to Burn RMVB files to DVD

Join 2 or more RMVB files

Put RMVB files on your iPod