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Best Media player

Discussion in 'Software Apps' started by ddot, Jun 25, 2007.

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  1. matt2971 Newcomer, in training Posts: 32

    I use Media Player Classic for 99% of my videos.

    http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli

    Unless you want to install loads of codecs, use the latest ffdshow beta. This will play almost any video format you throw at it.

    http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=173941

    Additionally, install Real Alternative and Quicktime Alternative so that you can play Real Media and QT files. If you have to.

    I'd avoid codec packs like k-lite. They just add unnecessary bloat to the amount of software you have, and can thus cause conflicts unless you know what you're doing. Why not just install MPC and ffdshow instead?

    I do also have VLC installed

    http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

    I don't find the interface as user-friendly as MPC, but it will also play just about anything you throw at it, because it actually has the codecs built-in. Additionally, if you have a corrupt or partial file (for instance, a half-downloaded file), then VLC is the best candidate for playing it.

    Music is a different matter as I need 18 permanent playlists for each genre of music open and accessible in one click. So I use Foobar2000:

    http://www.foobar2000.org/

    All the software above is - of course - free. If it's not free it's not worth buying.

    /flame

    Of course, if you're more more interested in what looks pretty than in technical ability and stability, you could always go for WMP, Winamp, Real Player or other commercial rubbish.

    /flame

    /me chuckles
    matt2971, Jul 1, 2007
    #21

  2. SNGX1275 TS Special Forces Posts: 11,893   +117

    I'd agree with you on the WMP or Real Player. But not the Winamp. My install of winamp is purely functional, none of that eye candy bloat bs. Look at my above screenshot, you can't tell me thats focusing on pretty over performance.

    Foobar2000 not only looks HORRIBLE but it's layout is so f'ing bad that you think you are using a program from Windows 3.1
    SNGX1275, Jul 1, 2007
    #22

  3. ddot Newcomer, in training

    I have tried both and found that winamp is prone to crashes. VLC is nice but seems a little ugly(if it work it works though). Thanks everyone
    ddot, Jul 2, 2007
    #23

  4. SNGX1275 TS Special Forces Posts: 11,893   +117

    I've never had winamp 5 crash, ever.
    SNGX1275, Jul 2, 2007
    #24

  5. matav TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 174

    KM Player, supports many formats. Even real media.
    matav, Jul 4, 2007
    #25

  6. Char_X Newcomer, in training Posts: 209

    I use Light Allow for half a year and I'm sure it is the best player for me.
    Char_X, Jul 4, 2007
    #26
     

  7. ravisunny2 TS Ambassador Posts: 2,032   +8

    Real Player isn't that bad. I use it.

    At one time BBC was recommending it (that how I came to learn of it).
    ravisunny2, Jul 4, 2007
    #27

  8. matav TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 174

    try zoom player
    n the new Real Player 11
    matav, Jul 11, 2007
    #28

  9. LNCPapa TS Special Forces Posts: 3,949   +120

    foobar 2000 looks however you want it to look - you just need to learn how to configure it (which can be pretty tough).

    Here's my current foobar
    LNCPapa, Jul 11, 2007
    #29

  10. emde Newcomer, in training Posts: 32

    Maybe mplayer + mpui for video. It plays everything (realmedia, divx, mpeg, flashvideo, mp4, 3gp, qt) and it use codecs stored in separate directory. No need to install anything like k-lite pack.
    emde, Jul 14, 2007
    #30

  11. SNGX1275 TS Special Forces Posts: 11,893   +117

    I have somewhat changed my mind. With each successive version of Winamp 5 it has gotten worse and worse. By that I mean more bloated and full of features 98% of us do not need.

    I am like a packrat with software installs, and I happened to be going back through my old software and came across "winamp50superprealphaleetness2_full_noaod.exe". I don't remember where I originally got this from, but it is legit. I've been using that for quite some time now and I'm perfectly happy with it. It is Winamp 5 at its absolute purest. It plays Video and Audio and that is basically it. It is all the greatness of Winamp 2 but with the ability to play video.

    Here is a screenshot of the About screen.
    [IMG]
    SNGX1275, Jun 13, 2008
    #31

  12. jtickner1 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 663

    When I scroll the page SNGX that picture looks like it's moving, I thought you'd uploaded a video or something.. Like one of those holo' Tazo's

    Anyway, I use WMP 11 for all my music needs. I like its layout and I like having a more 'library' type of feel to my music. Movies I generally play in WMP but for some reason DVDs wont work, says there is a region error with my video card drivers :S So DVD playback is done so in WMP Classic.

    When I was experimenting with Ubuntu I came across Amarok and I loved it. It's a great audio player and I'd use it on Windows if possible.

    I've seen Winamp been brought up a fair bit in here. Maybe I'll give that a go.
    jtickner1, Jun 14, 2008
    #32

  13. SNGX1275 TS Special Forces Posts: 11,893   +117

    It is a moving image, like a mini video in their about screen, I screen capped it with that image, but I doubt it would have been any better any any other time.
    SNGX1275, Jun 14, 2008
    #33

  14. jtickner1 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 663

    Winamp failed to convince me to change to it over WMP 11. I swear every other thing I clicked on would open its browser trying to get to buy the 'pro' version.

    Still I pray for the day Amarok comes to XP.
    jtickner1, Jun 15, 2008
    #34

  15. Tedster Techspot old timer..... Posts: 10,047   +11

    VLC player is free and open source - give a try. media player is too bloated.
    Tedster, Jun 15, 2008
    #35
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