Jump to content

Windows Media Player: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m screenshots updated
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Software |
{{Infobox Software |
name = Windows Media Player |
name = Windows Media Player |
screenshot = [[Image:Windows Media Player 10.jpg|250px]] |
screenshot = [[Image:WMP11xp.jpg|250px]] |
caption = Windows Media Player 10 for Windows XP |
caption = Windows Media Player 11 Beta for Windows XP |
developer = [[Microsoft]] |
developer = [[Microsoft]] |
latest_release_version = 10 <!-- If you update this, don't forget to update [[Comparison of media players]]--> |
latest_release_version = 10 <!-- If you update this, don't forget to update [[Comparison of media players]]--> |
Line 46: Line 46:
==Windows Media Player 11==
==Windows Media Player 11==
{{future software}}
{{future software}}
[[Image:WMP11.jpg|right|thumb]]
[[Image:WMP.PNG|right|thumb|Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP]]
'''Windows Media Player 11''', codenamed Polaris, features many changes. The Media Library is now presented without the category trees which were prominent in the earlier versions. Rather, on selecting the category in the left pane, the contents will appear on the right, in a graphical manner with thumbnails - a stark departure from textual presentation of information.
'''Windows Media Player 11''', codenamed Polaris, features many changes. The Media Library is now presented without the category trees which were prominent in the earlier versions. Rather, on selecting the category in the left pane, the contents will appear on the right, in a graphical manner with thumbnails - a stark departure from textual presentation of information.


Line 64: Line 64:
Microsoft has confirmed that a public beta of Windows Media Player 11 will be released for Windows XP on May 17, 2006 on its web site. The beta was distributed to the press a few days earlier for review purposes. In addition, a leaked version of WMP 11 appeared on the Internet on May 12, 2006, although it is unclear whether the leaked version is the same build that will be released to the general public on May 17. The final release of Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP is targeted for late June 2006. Windows Media Player 11 will also be included in Microsoft's upcoming [[Windows Vista]] operating system when it is released in late 2006 (for businesses) or early 2007 (for consumers); the Vista version will include some features not found in the XP version, though Microsoft has not said what those features will be. However, as a result of a European antitrust ruling, Microsoft will also be required to produce "Windows Vista N" editions which do not include Windows Media Player for the European Union market. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4754462.stm]
Microsoft has confirmed that a public beta of Windows Media Player 11 will be released for Windows XP on May 17, 2006 on its web site. The beta was distributed to the press a few days earlier for review purposes. In addition, a leaked version of WMP 11 appeared on the Internet on May 12, 2006, although it is unclear whether the leaked version is the same build that will be released to the general public on May 17. The final release of Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP is targeted for late June 2006. Windows Media Player 11 will also be included in Microsoft's upcoming [[Windows Vista]] operating system when it is released in late 2006 (for businesses) or early 2007 (for consumers); the Vista version will include some features not found in the XP version, though Microsoft has not said what those features will be. However, as a result of a European antitrust ruling, Microsoft will also be required to produce "Windows Vista N" editions which do not include Windows Media Player for the European Union market. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4754462.stm]


[[Image:WMP11xp.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP]]
[[Image:WMPL>PNG|thumb|right|200px|WMP 11 Beta for Windows XP in Artist view]]
[[Image:Windows Media Player.PNG|thumb|right|200px|Windows Media Player 6.4 pre-installed on Windows 98]]
[[Image:Windows Media Player.PNG|thumb|right|200px|Windows Media Player 6.4 pre-installed on Windows 98]]
[[Image:Morgandrivevid.gif|thumb|right|200px|A standard skin of Windows Media Player]]
[[Image:Morgandrivevid.gif|thumb|right|200px|A standard skin of Windows Media Player]]

Revision as of 10:41, 17 May 2006

Windows Media Player
Developer(s)Microsoft
Stable release
Preview release
11 Public Beta / May 17 2006
Operating systemCross-platform
TypeMedia player
LicenseProprietary
Websitemicrosoft.com/ windows/ windowsmedia/

Windows Media Player is a proprietary software digital media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices. Editions of Windows Media Player were also released for the Apple Macintosh and Solaris operating systems, but have since been discontinued.

In addition to being a media player, Windows Media Player includes the ability to rip music from, and copy music to compact discs, synchronize content with a digital audio player (MP3 player) or other mobile devices, and let users purchase or rent music from a number of online music stores.

Windows Media Player replaced an earlier piece of software simply called Media Player, adding features beyond simple video or audio playback.

The default file formats are WMV (Windows Media Video & Audio), WMA (Windows Media Audio), and ASF (Advanced Streaming Format), and supports its own playlists files called WPL (Windows Playlist).

Non-Windows versions

Microsoft has also released versions of Windows Media Player for other operating systems including Pocket PC / Windows Mobile, Mac OS, Mac OS X, and Solaris. Of these, only the Pocket PC / Windows Mobile edition continues to be actively developed and supported by Microsoft.

Pocket PC / Smartphone

Windows Media Player for Pocket PC was first announced on January 6 2000[1], and has been revised on a schedule roughly similar to that of the Windows version. Currently known as "Media Player 10 Mobile", this edition (released in October 2004) closely resembles the capabilities of the Windows version of WMP 10, including playlist capabilities, a media library, album art, WMA Lossless playback, support for DRM-protected media, video playback at 640x480 with stereo sound, and the same Energy Blue interface aesthetics also seen in recent versions of Windows XP Media Center Edition. It also supports synchronization with the desktop version of WMP 10, and additionally supports synchronizing and transcoding of recorded television shows from Media Center. Media Player 10 Mobile is not available as a download from Microsoft; distribution is done solely through OEM partners, and is typically included on devices based on Windows Mobile.

Mac OS X

Windows Media Player for Mac OS X
Windows Media Player for Mac OS X

Version 9 was the final version of Windows Media Player to be released for Mac OS X before development was cancelled by Microsoft. WMP for Mac OS X received widespread criticism from Mac users due to poor performance and features.

File:Am wmp for mac.png
Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X

Developed by the Windows Media team at Microsoft instead of the Macintosh Business Unit and released in 2003, on release the application lacked many basic features that were found in other media players such as Apple's iTunes and QuickTime Player. It also lacked support for many media formats that version 9 of the Windows counterpart supported on release 10 months earlier.

The Mac version supported only Windows Media encoded media (up to version 9) enclosed in the ASF format, lacking support for all other formats such as MP4, MPEG, and Microsoft's own AVI format. On the user interface front, it did not prevent screensavers from running during playback, it did not support file drag-and-drop, nor did it support playlists. While Windows Media Player 9 had added support for some files that use the WMV9 codec (also known as the WMV3 codec), in other aspects it was seen as having degraded in features from previous versions.

On January 12, 2006 Microsoft announced it had ceased development of Windows Media Player for Mac[1]. Microsoft now distributes a third-party plugin called WMV Player which allows some forms of Windows Media to be played within Apple's QuickTime player (and other QuickTime-aware applications).[2].

Windows Media Player 11

Template:Future software

File:WMP.PNG
Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP

Windows Media Player 11, codenamed Polaris, features many changes. The Media Library is now presented without the category trees which were prominent in the earlier versions. Rather, on selecting the category in the left pane, the contents will appear on the right, in a graphical manner with thumbnails - a stark departure from textual presentation of information.

Other features include:

  • Stacking - Stacking allows graphical viewing of how many albums you have in a specific category of music. The more items you see in a stack (category), the larger the pile.
  • Word Wheel - Searches and displays results as characters are being entered, without waiting for Enter key to be hit. . Results are refined based on further characters that are typed.
  • CD Burning - CD Burning now shows a graphical bar showing how much space will be used on the disc.
  • URGE - The new music store from Microsoft and MTV networks is integrated with the player.
  • Global Status - Global status shows a broad overview of what the player is doing. The information presented include status information regarding buffering, ripping, burning and synchronization.
  • Improved synchronization features for loading songs onto PlaysForSure-compatible MP3 players.

Microsoft has confirmed that a public beta of Windows Media Player 11 will be released for Windows XP on May 17, 2006 on its web site. The beta was distributed to the press a few days earlier for review purposes. In addition, a leaked version of WMP 11 appeared on the Internet on May 12, 2006, although it is unclear whether the leaked version is the same build that will be released to the general public on May 17. The final release of Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP is targeted for late June 2006. Windows Media Player 11 will also be included in Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista operating system when it is released in late 2006 (for businesses) or early 2007 (for consumers); the Vista version will include some features not found in the XP version, though Microsoft has not said what those features will be. However, as a result of a European antitrust ruling, Microsoft will also be required to produce "Windows Vista N" editions which do not include Windows Media Player for the European Union market. [3]

[[Image:WMPL>PNG|thumb|right|200px|WMP 11 Beta for Windows XP in Artist view]]

File:Windows Media Player.PNG
Windows Media Player 6.4 pre-installed on Windows 98
File:Morgandrivevid.gif
A standard skin of Windows Media Player
File:Windows Media Player-Skin.gif
One of the many skins for Windows Media Player 10, Quick Silver
File:Wmp11beta.jpg
Beta version of Windows Media Player 11 running on Windows Vista

Release history

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

  • August 10 Windows Media Player 9 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 bundled with the OS on its release
  • October Windows Media Player 10 for Windows XP bundled with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, which is released on 10/12/2004. Windows Media Player 10 Mobile for Pocket PC and SmartPhone. Included in Windows Mobile 5.0

2006

European Commission case

In March 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft €497 million and ordered the company to provide a version of Windows without Windows Media Player, claiming Microsoft "broke European Union competition law by leveraging its near monopoly in the market for PC operating systems onto the markets for work group server operating systems and for media players". The company has made available a compliant version of its flagship operating system under the negotiated name "Windows XP N," though the product has not been very successful. [4]

See also

  1. ^ "Microsoft Unveils Windows Media Player for Palm-Size and Pocket PCs". Microsoft PressPass. Microsoft. January 6 2000. Retrieved 2006-05-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Windows_Media_Player&oldid=53662788"