Windows media player sucks but what else is there?

TAVD · 23rd July 2005

What's a good pc audio player for cd and mp3 files. Something that doesn't suck tone or take over my computer. Does it exist?

hmurchison · 23rd July 2005

iTunes

www.apple.com/iTunes

alphajerk · 23rd July 2005

what are you talking about dude? get some better DAC's on your PC... it isnt the player thats sucking the tone unless you are running all those EQ's and FX things they put on it.

btw, they ALL try to take over your machine.

dbluefield · 23rd July 2005

http://www.quinnware.com/ free

thumbsup

dbluefield · 23rd July 2005

my skin....

TAVD · 23rd July 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbluefield

http://www.quinnware.com/ free

thumbsup

Thanks, I already found that on download.com and there's a huge improvement over media player.

theblue1 · 23rd July 2005

Of major players, Winamp Lite is the smallest. Winamp has some decided interface quirks -- but unlike WMP and MusicMatch, among others, it doesn't have a built-in, un publicized bass boost (presumably added for 'competitive' reasons).

A more troubling problem for me has been playing proprietary formats like Real media and Quicktime.

Although I FINALLY got a Quicktime installation that worked and hasn't cause me problems (after trying to use it on 6 different computers under 4 different Windows versions, this is the first time I've had a functioning trouble-free QT install).

The RealPlayer hasn't produced the stability issues that QT did (no other software has -- and stayed on my machine) -- but it's notorious spyware, trying to send lists of your hard drive based media files back to Real HQ, etc, etc.

ANYWAY, there are free alternatives to the QT player and Realplayer called "Quicktime Alternative" and "Real Alternative."

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/...lternative.htm

I haven't used the QT alternative (although I will on other machines) but the Real Alternative is FAR superior to the RP in terms of getting up onto your machine quickly with a small load and then removing itself completely when it goes.

I wish they made a "MusicMatch Alternative" that I could use with MusicMatch's On Demand subscription service. The MusicMatch "jukebox" is one incredibly bloated, buggy piece of software at this point. It's got great features, to be sure. But when I start my machine, the RAM use footprint is less than 120 MB (I run a lean machine)... after running and 'shutting down' MMJB, there are at least two extra processes running and the RAM footprint is up to 160-190 MB!!! Even if you stop those processes, the RAM cannot be 'collected' again without logging off or better rebooting.

Coffee, I need cofee...

hammerfall · 24th July 2005

I was on a quest like yours a while back, foobar2000 is the best player I've ever used. It's extremely light on resources, loads huge playlists fast, does not alter audio in any way, and there's a plugin (the main ones are here, but there are plenty more) for just about anything you need to do.

It's pretty fugly straight out of the box, but I found this installer that sets up the graphical aspects really nice, I think it looks better than iTunes. Here's a screenshot.

Oh, best part is it absolutely does not take over your computer.

And I also recommend the Real Alternative & QT Alternative.

cultureofgreed · 24th July 2005

www.winamp.com

23rd July 2005	#1
TAVD Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,389 Thread Starter	Windows media player sucks but what else is there? What's a good pc audio player for cd and mp3 files. Something that doesn't suck tone or take over my computer. Does it exist?

23rd July 2005	#3
alphajerk There is only one Joined: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,260	what are you talking about dude? get some better DAC's on your PC... it isnt the player thats sucking the tone unless you are running all those EQ's and FX things they put on it. btw, they ALL try to take over your machine. __________________ "i must invent my own systems or else be enslaved by other men's'" william blake __________________________ email: barrett [at] alphajerk [dot] com

23rd July 2005	#5
dbluefield Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Marietta GA Posts: 166	my skin.... Attached Thumbnails

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Windows Media Player issue	Soundguy7	Music computers	2	18th July 2006 09:52 AM
Windows Media Player crashed! What else is out there for general playback?!	Jay Kahrs	Music computers	21	23rd May 2006 09:36 PM
Sluggish WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER	Gradation	Music computers	11	3rd November 2005 12:09 PM
Winamp/Windows Media Player Question	IGWright	Music computers	2	2nd November 2005 11:04 PM
Windows Media Player	IGWright	Music computers	1	23rd May 2005 12:28 AM

23rd July 2005	#2
hmurchison Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 577	iTunes www.apple.com/iTunes

23rd July 2005	#7
theblue1 Gear Guru Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 15,095	Of major players, Winamp Lite is the smallest. Winamp has some decided interface quirks -- but unlike WMP and MusicMatch, among others, it doesn't have a built-in, un publicized bass boost (presumably added for 'competitive' reasons). A more troubling problem for me has been playing proprietary formats like Real media and Quicktime. Although I FINALLY got a Quicktime installation that worked and hasn't cause me problems (after trying to use it on 6 different computers under 4 different Windows versions, this is the first time I've had a functioning trouble-free QT install). The RealPlayer hasn't produced the stability issues that QT did (no other software has -- and stayed on my machine) -- but it's notorious spyware, trying to send lists of your hard drive based media files back to Real HQ, etc, etc. ANYWAY, there are free alternatives to the QT player and Realplayer called "Quicktime Alternative" and "Real Alternative." http://www.free-codecs.com/download/...lternative.htm I haven't used the QT alternative (although I will on other machines) but the Real Alternative is FAR superior to the RP in terms of getting up onto your machine quickly with a small load and then removing itself completely when it goes. I wish they made a "MusicMatch Alternative" that I could use with MusicMatch's On Demand subscription service. The MusicMatch "jukebox" is one incredibly bloated, buggy piece of software at this point. It's got great features, to be sure. But when I start my machine, the RAM use footprint is less than 120 MB (I run a lean machine)... after running and 'shutting down' MMJB, there are at least two extra processes running and the RAM footprint is up to 160-190 MB!!! Even if you stop those processes, the RAM cannot be 'collected' again without logging off or better rebooting. Coffee, I need cofee...

24th July 2005	#8
hammerfall Gear Head Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 57	I was on a quest like yours a while back, foobar2000 is the best player I've ever used. It's extremely light on resources, loads huge playlists fast, does not alter audio in any way, and there's a plugin (the main ones are here, but there are plenty more) for just about anything you need to do. It's pretty fugly straight out of the box, but I found this installer that sets up the graphical aspects really nice, I think it looks better than iTunes. Here's a screenshot. Oh, best part is it absolutely does not take over your computer. And I also recommend the Real Alternative & QT Alternative.

24th July 2005	#9
cultureofgreed Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Interzone Posts: 292	www.winamp.com