I have had reason more than anyone I know to be pulling out hair over
sound problems and player problems. When you're living on a budget it
seems everyone wants a piece of your little pie. So I have found ways,
and always look for ways around all problems..
The best player I have
found is Windows media Classic. Then there is
Winamp.
Then there is Windows Media Player up to version 9. After that version I
have lost interest so far as WinXP is concerned. Windows 7 has a Media
Centre which is very good, but you can opt to use Window Media Player
Classic if you prefer more direct control, or for a difference.
I guess there are
those who have their own motives or 'interest' for stuffing around with the Media
Player Classic and it is getting that you have to be careful which
'version' you get hold of. I am a bit fussy so maybe the other versions
won't bother you. They bother me.
Make sure you save ALL
your Installation Files on a DVD. (Applications that is) You'd be amazed
how "legitimate viruses" find their way to wrecking your set-up and
your software collection that is saved on a hard drive.
With Media Player
Classic there is only one reliable source of Codecs that give me peace
of mind. Download the
K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 6.4.0
and forget anything else and your player will play all but Real Audio
files that I rarely deal with.
BUT be careful as
you install K-Lite. It includes a version of the Windows Media player
CLASSIC that is a "later version allegedly designed as
a 'Classic Home Cinema' version." ..??? Well I am
sticking to the original which I just refresh a copy from my backup disk
now and then. The Classic player doesn't require "installation". You
just drop it in the programs folder on your operating system drive. It
works in Win 7 as good as Win XP.
I never install the
apple player recommended for *.mov files. I avoid *.mov files and the apple
player on Windows. It stuffs up everything on WinXP. Players like Apple and even
Winamp, if you are not cautious, will change your settings and
preferences without warning... and even by 'sleight
of hand'.
