Why do so many people dislike Windows Media Player 9?

[stevewm]

I don't like the WMP interface.....

All I want is a simple app to play mp3s and manage a single playlist, and one that loads in just seconds. I don't need a big music "library" app.

Winamp will often load in just a second or less my machine. It has a simple and clean interface. Has the "J-key" feature (load a playlist up and hit J on your KB )

If I want to play video's or other type of media that Winamp can't play I use MediaPlayer v6.4 (get to it by running mplayer2.exe via the Run command on your start menu.) WMP 6.4 uses the same codecs WMP7, 8, or 9 does. And can therefore play all the audio and video formats that 7, 8 or 9 do.

 

[Noid]

I still use MediaPlayer 6.4 also
(mplayer2.exe)
(even on Wk2 SP3)

I refuse to use anything else (cuz of all the unnessary crap)

I rarely get any media formats using the new codecs, so until that gets to be the norm, I'll still use this

 

[TheVrolok]

With no uninstall function is there a way to manually remove and thus rid oneself of DRM ?

 

[Dedpuhl]

WMP 9 works great for all my vids...

 

[Bovinicus]

I rarely get any media formats using the new codecs, so until that gets to be the norm, I'll still use this

Once this happens you can just go download the Nimo Codec pack. It is an excellent codec pack, and has some codecs that improve upon the Windows codec. I like the fact that it comes with the DiVX Pro codec.

 

[Adrian Tung]

Originally posted by: Stealth1024
I have done audio quality comparisons between Windows Media Player, Winamp, MusicMatch Jukebox, and a reference program Cool Edit Pro. Only MusicMatch sounds close to Cool Edit Pro. After listening to clips on each in short sequence, you quickly realize just how bad Windows Media Player sounds. The hf is rolled off and low end is "boomy". I suppose if you're playing grainy MP3's on those cheap little speakers you have with a 16 bit sound card you could care less but even with some Klipsch ProMedia's and an integrated sound card along with some 256 ripped 16 bit CD's you'll notice a HUGE difference in my opinion.

Are you sure you don't have SRS or some weird equalizer setting turned on?


atwl

 

[Noid]

Thanks Bovinicus

I'm looking into that now.

 

[Stealth1024]

<BLOCKQUOTE>Quote

<HR>
<I>Originally posted by: <B>Stealth1024</B></I>
I have done audio quality comparisons between Windows Media Player, Winamp, MusicMatch Jukebox, and a reference program Cool Edit Pro. Only MusicMatch sounds close to Cool Edit Pro. After listening to clips on each in short sequence, you quickly realize just how bad Windows Media Player sounds. The hf is rolled off and low end is "boomy". I suppose if you're playing grainy MP3's on those cheap little speakers you have with a 16 bit sound card you could care less but even with some Klipsch ProMedia's and an integrated sound card along with some 256 ripped 16 bit CD's you'll notice a HUGE difference in my opinion.
<HR>
</BLOCKQUOTE>


"Are you sure you don't have SRS or some weird equalizer setting turned on?"

- Negative on that, all EQ was disabled on all products tested and on Windows Media Player SRS and all other such toys were disabled. The quality differences, or lack thereof on Windows Media Player, was present on WMD 9 (the latest), as well as the previous version.

 

[NicColt]

The problem with wmp9 and the reason why some in the know don't like it, is not what it is now it's what it has the ability to do that peeves off allot of people.

Let me explain, WMP9's ultimate goal is to control content with DRM, may it be MPEG, any AVI, MP3 or whatever third party codec you have installed. WMP9 was release with hardly none of it's ability to control content, in other words the full power of it's DRM capabilities are presently disabled. The goal is to mass distribute it and then slowly enable it's DRM features. Here's an example of that power, once WMP9 installed and if I have an AIW Radeon and if I were to record a TV show from my capture card on my computer burn that to a cd-r it would not let me view it on another computer even though I never used WMP9. With WMP9 installed it would only allow me to view what I recorded on the computer I originally recorded it on. This functionability was disabled prior to it's final beta. Even though you may not use it, it has the ability to interfere with other third party programs and codecs and forcing it's DRM capabilities on those software and codecs. The core WMP9 files will work at the OS level to implement it's DRM on any codec.

Meaning that if you were to record your own intellectual work in MP3 format with third party programs on your own computer, the OS would automatically assign Digital Rights to that content and you would not be able to distribute that content without also distributing a license for it. WMP9 has the ability to do this. Allot of people think that WMP9 is just a player but it's actually a package that contains the player and the DRM software and once installed you can't remove it, the core files will remain installed.

WMP9 does play content very well at the moment, that's not at question. But I will not support nor install any software that has the ability to infringe on my personal rights by modifying third party programs to enable DRM on my own personal content on my own personal computer. You may wish to do so but that's your right.

 

[Noid]

Jeeeze ... I had no idea

Thanks NicColt

... Why do I feel like 'big brother' is looking over my shoulder...

Cuz I'm ... para Noid

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: NicColt
The problem with wmp9 and the reason why some in the know don't like it, is not what it is now it's what it has the ability to do that peeves off allot of people.

Let me explain, WMP9's ultimate goal is to control content with DRM, may it be MPEG, any AVI, MP3 or whatever third party codec you have installed. WMP9 was release with hardly none of it's ability to control content, in other words the full power of it's DRM capabilities are presently disabled. The goal is to mass distribute it and then slowly enable it's DRM features. Here's an example of that power, once WMP9 installed and if I have an AIW Radeon and if I were to record a TV show from my capture card on my computer burn that to a cd-r it would not let me view it on another computer even though I never used WMP9. With WMP9 installed it would only allow me to view what I recorded on the computer I originally recorded it on. This functionability was disabled prior to it's final beta. Even though you may not use it, it has the ability to interfere with other third party programs and codecs and forcing it's DRM capabilities on those software and codecs. The core WMP9 files will work at the OS level to implement it's DRM on any codec.

Meaning that if you were to record your own intellectual work in MP3 format with third party programs on your own computer, the OS would automatically assign Digital Rights to that content and you would not be able to distribute that content without also distributing a license for it. WMP9 has the ability to do this. Allot of people think that WMP9 is just a player but it's actually a package that contains the player and the DRM software and once installed you can't remove it, the core files will remain installed.

WMP9 does play content very well at the moment, that's not at question. But I will not support nor install any software that has the ability to infringe on my personal rights by modifying third party programs to enable DRM on my own personal content on my own personal computer. You may wish to do so but that's your right.

Yikes! I tend to follow news on DRM stuff (CBDTPA, TCPA, Palladium), but didn't know about that. And to think I actually, before reading that, preferred WMP9 over Winamp3 (the former loads faster, has a better interface). I was in the area of thought that WMP9 is owned by MS, but Winamp is owned by AOL, so they were both equally evil; now I guess I'm going to have to reformat and use the lesser evil...AOL's Winamp. :Q

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: Bovinicus

I rarely get any media formats using the new codecs, so until that gets to be the norm, I'll still use this

Once this happens you can just go download the Nimo Codec pack. It is an excellent codec pack, and has some codecs that improve upon the Windows codec. I like the fact that it comes with the DiVX Pro codec.

Chances are you only need a few codecs

top 3

Divx
Xvid
AC3

 

[Stealth1024]

I record my own works from piano and often make CD's which I latter rip back to the harddrive for later listening pleasure, ironically I really hate it when Media Player complains I am violating some law.... ITS MY PROPERTY YOU INFERIOR COLLECTION OF MICROSOFT ORIGINATING CODE, I SHOULD DECOMPILE YOU AND DELETE THE ETHICAL SUBROUTINES! err wait Microsoft never had a problem taking someone else's work, lol.

Seriosly, this really makes me mad. For instance if I burn a CD and do not pay big bucks to have the music industry equip it with copy protection, I will not be able to play it in many car or other MP3 players. This is nothing more than an industry bid to control *who makes* the music, not who listens.

 

[CTho9305]

It is bloated. Media Player 6.4 does EVERYTHING I need except the occasional wmv which they didn't create 6.4 codecs for. 6.4 takes less screen space, has better control options, and loads instantly.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I just don't like the interface. I'm so familiar and comfortable with Winamp2 for mp3s. I've always hated WMP7-9 for videos because I can't use space bar to pause, etc. Anyway so then I switched to an "upgraded" WMP6.4-ish program that I can't remember the name, and nowadays I use Zoomplayer because it's simply awesome and does exactly what I want it to.

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: Sid59

Originally posted by: Bovinicus

I rarely get any media formats using the new codecs, so until that gets to be the norm, I'll still use this

Once this happens you can just go download the Nimo Codec pack. It is an excellent codec pack, and has some codecs that improve upon the Windows codec. I like the fact that it comes with the DiVX Pro codec.

Chances are you only need a few codecs

top 3

Divx
Xvid
AC3

It's very easy to do a custom installation of Nimo. I also had to install the Windows Media Audio codec to play the audio on certain DiVX files I got on Kazaa. In the file information, the sound format was called Windows Media Audio v2.

 

[rnmcd]

So can Windows Media Player be completely removed...and is version 6.4 still avialable?

 

[Slogun]

I removed it no problem, went back to 8.0.

I just didn't like the way it looked or the way the controls wee set up.

 

[jakobkraft]

Let me understand this:

I never use WMP 9, I'm just one of those dopes who gets every update there is from MS believing it's the safest thing to do. I manage all my music with MusicMatch Jukebox, have done so for years, but with WMP 9 installed, are you saying that if I burned a music CD, just mp3s from my library in MMJB, I would not be able to listen to this CD in another MP3 player?

 

[masterxfob]

Originally posted by: Davegod75
Why do so many people dislike Windows Media Player 9?


because it's made by microsoft and everyone loves to hate the big bad company....

for crying out loud...i'm sick of people bashing microsoft. WMP9 is a decent product, and so is winxp/2k.

no need to bash a company because they've made billions of dollars as a result of other people liking their products also and therefore buying them.

ehh, what's up your ass? if some poor fool is going to hate on MS for making billions on the software they put out, whether trash or gold, they shouldn't be using it. however, many of the fools hating on MS actually use MS products and give excuses on why they have to use it, be it gaming, real world use, or compatibility. if it weren't for MS, we'd probably still be playing pong.

and yes, i hate WMP9, but i happen to love W2K

 

[bundler]

ok, so now that i have this crappy program on my 'puter, i take it that it will mess with any homemade recordings i do, right? so if i turn my cd collection into mp3's (which i did), i can't make a cd from them, right? at least one that will work in my car, right? i haven't put that hard drive back into my 'puter, and won't, now, but if this is true, how can i get rid of this program?

 

[NapalmKing]

I like and used Media Player until version 6.4. It was simple, quick, and got the job done. One look into other versions forced me to change my video playback to MicroDVD and music to WinAmp (which I used since forever).

 

[Booter]

wmp 9 is really good and wmp9 + 6.2 or 6.4 is all you need really.

 

[silent tone]

Originally posted by: NicColt
The problem with wmp9 and the reason why some in the know don't like it, is not what it is now it's what it has the ability to do that peeves off allot of people.

Nice to have someone in the know enlighten us all.

Let me explain, WMP9's ultimate goal is to control content with DRM, may it be MPEG, any AVI, MP3 or whatever third party codec you have installed. WMP9 was release with hardly none of it's ability to control content, in other words the full power of it's DRM capabilities are presently disabled. The goal is to mass distribute it and then slowly enable it's DRM features. Here's an example of that power, once WMP9 installed and if I have an AIW Radeon and if I were to record a TV show from my capture card on my computer burn that to a cd-r it would not let me view it on another computer even though I never used WMP9. With WMP9 installed it would only allow me to view what I recorded on the computer I originally recorded it on. This functionability was disabled prior to it's final beta. Even though you may not use it, it has the ability to interfere with other third party programs and codecs and forcing it's DRM capabilities on those software and codecs. The core WMP9 files will work at the OS level to implement it's DRM on any codec.

I've read the EULA but it doesn't say anything about hijacking any codecs and encrypting the formats you mention. To do that would break compatibility with a LOT of hardware and software(really poor business move). I don't even think hardware encoders like the AIW use VCM or DMO interfaces, so how would their output be encrypted? The only forced downloads that the EULA specifies are the software revocation lists. And those only prohibit manipulating secure content in compromised or circumventing software. So how is this functionality going to be activated? I just haven't read any evidence of what you claim. If you could give us a timeframe that this scheme will come alive, or how it will achieve these goals, or the new EULA that it would require; I would be interested to see it.