[Colin Dunstan]

Originally Posted by BobR

I'm using BetaPlayer. I can create PPC versions of DVDs with DVD Studio, but don't know how to prepare/watch those online movies, or even how to tell if it's possible.

Bob, just a side note: Try PocketDivXEncoder. It is free and does a great job when converting movies for Pocket PCs. EDIT: Just saw that you were referring to it further down in your post. I leave it here as my personal recommendation for everyone who is interested in converting his videos for PPC devices.

Cust service for those online pay movie download sites say you can't do it, but they may not be aware, or want to be aware, of what's available via BetaPlayer and add-on codecs, and software to encode for PPC screens and memory card sizes.

I think the only solution would be to use a service that offers Windows Media files with DRM, which is supported by the latest Windows Media Player Mobile. MSN is going to be offering a video download service for mobile devices soon. They’ve already signed up several cable companies like FOX Sports, CNBC, MSNBC, and Food Network, and a one year subscription will cost around $20.

The online sites appear to use the Helix DRM, which also sounds like a codec, and real player files. But it sounds like that codec is available, e.g. at http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1054136293/1.

I don't know if there is any player that supports Real Video files encoded with Helix for Pocket PC. I have heard rumors, Bob like the ones you saw at Helixcommunity, that a player is in the works but not available for public yet.

Can I use that Real Player Alternative with BetaPlayer?

BetaPlayer doesn't support the Real format. You won't be able to use it. BetaPlayer does support streaming of divx/xvid movies, but I don't think there are many legal services that offer the download of such.