Portable Devices

Harmony Technology
RealPlayer is the first free software to implement Real Networks' Harmony technology. Harmony allows RealPlayer to be compatible with hundreds of devices across several platforms, including the proprietary iPod. With Harmony, you can finally free yourself from Apple's not-so-stable iTunes. RealPlayer will even give you an option to become your default iPod software (if you select this option, you are free to make iTunes as default if you prefer to do so again).

Setting up an iPod or a Portable Device
Being that 75% of portable MP3 players are iPods, let us show you how to add the device to Real Player and what you can do with it. First make sure you have RealPlayer with Harmony Technology. You can do that by going to Tools > Check For Updates. This will check the version of RP you already have, and offer to upgrade to the latest version if available (Note: We recommend that you opt-out of any free add-on services that might be offered to you during the upgrade process, including the Weather Toolbar).  If you already have Harmony or once you complete the update, go to Tools > Add a New Device where you can add iPod by clicking Install Device.

You can confirm that iPod is enabled by going to the Tools > Preferences > Devices (as pictured below). 

Managing iPod or Portable Device with RealPlayer
Click on Burn/Transfer tab and select your portable device from the drop-down menu (as shown below). You can use the left column to view the library on your computer and move files from your PC to the device. If you want to synchronize your libraries, simply click the Synchronize Device button below the left column.

Burn CDs

CD Burning Overview
While you're pondering about why would millions of people pay $20 to $50 for CD burning software when Real Networks is giving it away for free, we're just going to take it as is. While the basic Real Player is somewhat limited to CD burning options, it offers more than enough to put together a great CD.

CD Burn using 1 - 2 - 3 Process
Its extremely easy to use RP for CD burning. Just go to Burn/Transfer tab at the top and select CD Burner. You will see 3 steps that will guide you through the whole process beginning with selecting a CD type, to adding tracks, to selecting your options (options shown below).

Copy to CD Burner Process
If you're ready for a quicker way to make CDs, you can simply select multiple tracks in your library by holding Shift or Ctrl buttons on your keyboard, then right click, select Copy To > CD Burner as shown in two illustrations below. This will send your selections to the CD burner where you can complete the process by burning the final CD.