Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player is a computer program to play audio and video files. Windows Media Player is version 12.0 for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows Mobile available (up to Version 9 for Mac OS X)

2.1 Media Player
2.2 Windows Media Player 6
2.3 Windows Media Player 7
2.4 Windows Media Player 8
2.5 Windows Media Player 9
2.6 Windows Media Player 10
2.7 Windows Media Player 11
2.8 Revision history 2.8.1 for Windows
2.8.2 for Windows Mobile
2.8.3 for Mac OS
2.8.4 for Unix

Functions

In addition to the playback function is the possibility of burning Audio CDs as well as the general copying unprotected discs (see also Digital Rights Management). Furthermore, an administrative function of the media archives, a synchronization function for portable devices such as MP3 players or PDAs, Internet Radio receiver ( up to version 10), and an interface to the legal purchase of music and videos from different suppliers, such as z. , T - Home Vision, available.

Audio File Formats

To copy music to your computer using the Windows Media Player to a Microsoft -house WMA in different quality levels (constant bit rate 48-192 kbit / s VBR 40-75 kbit / s up to 240-355 kbit / s, WMA Lossless, available with version 11: WMA 10 Pro), since version 10, it is also possible to copy with the help of a built Fraunhofer encoder in the platform-independent mp3, but only in four quality levels (128, 192, 256, 320 kbit / s ) and without support variable bit rates.

When copying CD's, it is possible to supplement the tag information of the title automatically by means of an Internet database. Title and artist information is available so no input by the user.

Rechargeable codecs

By downloading additional codecs it is possible to play back previously unsupported formats; Furthermore, there is the possibility of upgrading by purchasing a DVD codecs, the playback option for DVDs. In operating system versions "Windows Vista Home Premium " and "Windows Vista Ultimate" DVD codec for Windows Media Player is included as standard and need not be purchased separately. In "Windows Vista Home Basic " and "Windows Vista Business ", an external codec to be installed or to be upgraded to a DVD unplayable version.

Other Features

Since version 9, the function "mini player mode " is integrated, thereby minimizing the player completely in the Windows taskbar, and the controls are also available. In addition, an internal function for music CDs is integrated since version 7. These CDs can be played on a regular CD player. The player, it is also possible to display the music called visualization - graphical screen output, the change in the rhythm of the audio signal.

The playlists of Windows Media Player are stored in the format WPL (Windows Media playlists), which is based on XML and can be edited with XML or text editors.

Playback speed

From the built- in Windows 7 Version 12.0 audio and video files in three different speeds can be played without changing pitch ( slow, normal, fast).

Competition problems

The media player that ships with Microsoft Windows. This type of distribution has been disapproved by the competition protectors of the European Union constitute use of Microsoft's quasi- monopoly in the operating system market. In response to the demand for decoupling the Media Player from the operating system is Microsoft Windows versions without media player, such as Windows XP Home Edition N, Windows Vista Home Basic N, Windows Vista Business N or Windows 7 Home Edition N.

A complete uninstall of the media player is not possible, since the program is deeply integrated into the system.

History

Media Player

It started with the development of the program Media Player that was included in older versions of Windows. In addition, it was also to Windows XP in the C :/ Windows/System32/mplay32.exe-Ort. It is hard to compare with today's versions of Windows Media Player and also has significantly fewer features.

Windows Media Player 6

The version 6.01 was the first version of Windows Media Player and was published on 25 June 1998. It is the successor of the media player and provides little new. Version 6.4 followed on 22 November 1999.

Windows Media Player 7

The published on 16 May 2000 and for Windows ME on September 14, 2000 Windows Media Player 7 supports burning audio CDs for the first time. This is, however, only with the help of the integrated plug-in manufacturer Adaptec. Also integrates an internet radio for the first time with Windows Media Player 7. The interface has been revised. Moreover, it can also save playlists since this version. Version 7.1 was a minor update that was released on 16 May 2001, provides a new encoding of Windows Media Audio 8 and was minimally improved.

Windows Media Player 8

The Windows Media Player 8 was released on 25 October 2001 and was visually hardly revised. But he offers some new features. For example, it can burn CDs without any plug-ins. Full screen mode now has some new features. It includes a toolbar that hides itself after a few seconds. Also, the MP3 format is now better supported.

Windows Media Player 9

Published on January 27, 2003 Revision 9 of Windows Media Player, Microsoft also called 9 Series, offers little new features compared to version 8. It was slightly revised the user interface. It is also the audio compression rate are improved by 20% and the video compression rate of 50 percent. The new feature Video Smoothing improves the playback quality of streamed video at low bit rate. With the new Windows Media Voice technology, the sound quality of Internet radio has been improved. The greatest disadvantage of the 9 series seems to be that no mp3 conversion of volumes in the basic version is possible ( eg copy CDs).

Windows Media Player 10

The Windows Media Player 10 was published on 12 October 2004. He was only available as an update for Windows XP, older versions supported only Version 9 The biggest innovations lie at the redesigned interface. So can now change especially shapes and size better. The Windows Media Player 10 now offers more compatibility with portable audio players. The new Auto Sync allows you to synchronize with supported devices. They are automatically recognized. It is now possible for the first time to copy music CDs into MP3 format.

Windows Media Player 11

On 30 October 2006, the final German -language version of Windows Media Player 11 you appeared since then has been free from the Microsoft website to download. Previously published the only German -language beta version on 12 May 2006 and a second beta version on 1 September 2006, but only in English.

The Windows Media Player 11 is the first media player, which came out immediately to start as a 64- bit version; the predecessor WMP 10 x64 version was implemented only with the appearance of Windows XP Professional x64.

The installation routines of the Windows Media Player versions 10 and 11 review the existing Windows license by means of a WGA check on their legality.