Media Player 9 is definitely a more mature and feature rich product than previous versions of Microsoft's famous media application. In particular it shines in terms of audio and video playback quality, something that Jeff Harris - Group Program manager for Windows Media Player is keen to point out: "It was our number one priority to improve the users playback experience...."
While Windows Media Player 9 visually has an improved look and better media-management skills it does have one let down - It won't let you make audio tracks in the MP3 audio file format, unless you pay for a third-party plug-in! Whilst this will definitely not break the bank at around US $9.95 for the plug-in. It would have been handy for many folks who still enjoy enjoy the MP3 audio format, to have included it for free! A link on the Windows Media Player 9 "Options" panel brings you to a Web page offering various vendors MP3 plug-ins that are currently for sale.
Having said that, MP3 audio is a 10 year old format and there ARE better audio file formats to record your favourite CD tracks onto your computer - namely Microsoft's NEW Windows Media Audio 9 (WMA) file format. Microsoft would rather their own audio format was used to create your digital music content! (By the way they have done the same with Video too... now they are pushing the new Windows Media Video 9 (WMV) file format, instead of the older AVI or the direct competitor to Windows Media Video 9 - the new MPEG-4 file format.)
The MP3 niggle aside, I still think that it makes good sense to upgrade to Windows Media Player 9, particularly if you own Windows XP. The most attractive goodies in the new Windows Media Player 9 are reserved for Microsoft's flagship desktop operating system. The technical guys at Redmond explain this is because Windows Media Player 9 is a core component of the XP operating system and is designed to work with other core media components of XP. (Older operating systems like Windows 98 and Windows 2000, just don't have the digital media capabilities for Windows Media Player 9 to exploit.)
Windows Media Player 9 - Codec's
If you do own Windows 98, Windows ME or Windows 2000 then Windows Media Player 9 is sill worth the upgrade for the new media management capabilities alone. Combine this with the new and improved 9 series file formats (WMA & WMV) that give you the potential for better sound and video quality and I think these two reasons alone warrant the upgrade to your system. Be warned though it is around a 10 Mb to 13 Mb download depending on your operating system!
Windows Media Player 9's codec's are explained below. However, it is worth noting that if you like your current version of the Windows Media Player, but wish to listen to music and watch videos created in the new Windows Media Series 9 file formats. You can simply download the Codec's from the Main Windows Update Website. The package is about 900 Kb installs without a PC re-boot. You will then be able to access all the great new Windows Media content being created on the web right now!
I have just mentioned the new file formats that Windows Media Player 9 uses by default, and will explain them in more depth in a moment. However another technology associated with digital content are "Codec's". For those unfamiliar with the term "codec", it is essentially a way to "compress" the data so it can be stored then then "uncompressed" when you come to listen (or view) the data. For example in the case of movies created using digital camcorders. The footage is usually stored on a MiniDV tape and then put onto a computer for editing. Well for every second of your home video it would require 25Mb of disk space!!! And it is the same for when you record a CD onto your computer, without codec's you would need very large hard drives... So that's why we use codec's.
ALL media players use codec's, and each company uses their own proprietary Codec technology to create their media players default, and preferred, audio file format.
For example the Real One player from Real Networks uses the "Real Codec" within the media player. This is used to create digital files from the contents of your CD in the current series 8 Real Audio (RA) file format. (It also contains the codec's for creating WAV and MP3 audio files too, although again to get CD quality MP3 audio files you have to pay for a plug-in.)
Windows Media Player 9 - Audio File Format
Windows Media Player 9 is part of a family of products that Microsoft call Windows Media Series 9. The new player uses the new series 9 Windows Media Audio file format .WMA to record your CD's to the computer. But when creating files on your hard drive using the Windows Media 9 Audio Codec, there are THREE choices depending on the quality of WMV file you wish to create.
These are:
Windows Media Audio - At it's best data rate this option will take up around 86Mb of Hard Drive per CD
Windows Media Audio (Variable Bit Rate) - At it's best data rate this option will take up around 155 Mb per CD
Windows Media Audio Lossless - At it's best data rate rate this option will take up around 411 Mb per CD.
So which do you choose?
I largely miss the first option and use the second, the Windows Media Audio (Variable Bit Rate). This makes a great library of tracks from my CD collection and then gives excellent quality playback on my XP machine using the Windows Media Player 9.
The last option is really for the true "audiophile" - someone who really appreciates a good recording. This option is good enough to archive your entire CD collection in as it compresses with NO loss of quality. However, for most folks you are really not going to hear a great difference between option 2 and 3, and you also do not want to use up all that valuable extra disk space...
There is also a series 9 codec for Voice eg Radio broadcasts and Advertising. Series 9 also brings us the worlds FIRST codec for creating digital surround sound on the web! Neither of these codec's can be used to record audio within Windows Media Player 9. But of course the new media player can be used to listen to audio content created using these new audio codec's! Something no other player can do at the moment!
Windows Media Player 9 - Video File Format
Although you can not create content in the Windows Media Video (WMV) file format from within Windows Media Player 9, much of the content in the WMV file format will start to be created using the series 9 codec. Because this codec is part of the new media player, you are up and running the moment you open the video on your PC (or even Pocket PC.)
Like the WMV file format, there are also several options available when encoding video into the WMV file format. Microsoft realise that not all situations are going to use video playback in the same way. Therefore they allow for the video to be "compressed in slightly" different ways to obtain better results for video that is played on a PC, video that is watched directly over the internet and many other different situations. These video codec's are: Windows Media Video 9, Windows Media 9 Professional and Windows Media 9 Screen.
As a consumer, when you watch video in these different ways Windows Media Player 9 understands how the video was "compressed" and so will "decompress" the data very efficiently to deliver your entertainment on the screen. One such program that you can use to create video content yourself is Windows Movie Maker 2 for XP. It to has the 9 series audio and video codec's built in and will take care of all the codec decisions for you based on the type of content you want to crate. For example creating a video for a CD will be handled differently to creating a small video clip to be streamed from the internet.
Windows Media Player 9 - Media Management
Many of the new features in Windows Media Player 9 are designed to make organizing, managing (now called "smart management"), and playing your libraries of CD tracks, downloaded music, and videos easier. Auto Play lists, which work off your songs' ID3 tags to create lists of music, let you easily switch up your tunes depending on your mood. For example, you can create play lists of tracks that you generally listen to at night, put together the best songs for a road trip, play tracks you only listen to at night by female artists or literally anything else you want.. Windows Media Player 9 lets you rate songs on a 1 to 5 star scale, so you can create automatic play lists made of your favourite tunes. The program even remembers which songs you play often and which you hardly play at all, and it automatically organizes your library based on those preferences! A very neat and useful feature.
If you find you can not seem to keep tabs on all your tracks, then Windows Media Player 9 makes it easier to manage libraries of CD songs, downloaded music, and videos. For example, when you delete a media file from the library, you can choose to have it removed from your hard drive at the same time. You can also rename batches of tracks ripped from "Unknown Album" by "Unknown Artist", using information (called "Meta Data") automatically grabbed from a special information website on the the Internet.
And if you tend to be overly meticulous about tagging your files, you will definitely appreciate the advanced tag editor, which lets you view and edit more than 35 fields of info, so you can add photos, videos, and even synchronized lyrics. We've already seen players that offer a composer tag, telling you who wrote the piece (good for classical-music fans), but Microsoft even offers a conductor tag, letting you know who conducted the orchestra - a great bonus for classical music fans).
If you use an older OS, you'll enjoy the Smart Jukebox features, but the big guns--such as the advanced tag editor, the ability to add lyrics to a file and synchronize them with a playing song, Video CD playback, auto play lists, volume levelling, and cross-fading--are available in only the XP version. Still, you will love how much easier it is to organize music files with version 9, and I think that the ability to synchronize playback with the lyrics is an excellent idea, even if it does threaten to turn every party into a karaoke night!
Windows Media Player 9 - Conclusion
Windows Media Player 9 loads more quickly than its predecessors, especially for streaming media using a new technology called fast start. I like to play my videos full screen and so the ability to access the controls panel from full screen is a welcome choice, something that is lacking in the Real One player! From the Media Guide tab, you can check out entertainment and news video clips, some of which are encoded especially for Windows Media Player 9 codec's. The new option to put the player into mini mode and have it sit on your task bar is a brilliant feature in my opinion.
Another cool new feature I tried out was the "Rename and Re-Group" feature. Basically I had a load of WMA files on my PC. After I ran Windows Media Player 9 I switched on the this feature and it then searched my PC and found the files then grouped by artist and album - Fantastic.... This saved be a couple of hours at least!
Windows media Player 9 is not perfect BUT it does offer great features, is ahead of the other major players from Real Networks and Apple, and demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to digital media on its XP operating system. Remember too, you can always download just the 9 series codec's if you want to keep your current player for now!
http://www.updatexp.com/windows_media_player_9.html
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Choosing a NextBase Portable DVD Player
Features of Portable Players
Different portable DVD players come with a discrete set of features that you need to consider carefully, before you purchase one. The screen size, the weight of the player, widescreen options, disc formats supported and audio/video outputs are important aspects that any discerning buyer should look at.
Screen Size and Weight
When you buy a portable DVD player, it is important that it is light enough for you to carry around. Weight is dependant on the size of the player, its screen and its batteries. Look for weight specifications on the side of the box but do hold the player itself: 300 grams doesn’t really mean that much to anyone unless they are an avid chef! A large screen model although being an attractive proposition because of enhanced image size and quality, will be heavier. The dimensions and weight of the player are important, if you have to sit with the unit on your lap.
Video quality
Make sure that your portable DVD player incorporates progressive scan technology and, if you intend to watch films, has a widescreen format. Since many of us use these players as either spares or as a player for an additional room at home, you may also want to check that your player is compatible with your television or home entertainment system. The player must have the requisite outputs including perhaps S-video output, which provides high video quality and optical out for surround sound audio via your own surround sound processor.
The different disc formats the player will support also matters a great deal. Take a good hard look at the DVD regions in your current film collection. If you intend to play music, many of the latest portable DVD players play all major disc formats: CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and MP3s, as well as home burned CDs.
Pricing
Most portable DVD players are now reasonably priced, reflecting intense competition in the marketplace. Most also offer superior video quality and are built to function equally well if stationary or on a moving train, plane or car.
The prices of portable DVD players vary according to the screen size, manufacturer, model, and the features they possess. At the time of writing, an excellent portable player can be acquired for under £115. A model which sports a seven-inch colour LCD screen as well as MP3, CD-R, and CD-RW capabilities, will be available for around £105. Alternately, a 7" slimline model which plays DVDs, CDs, and MP3s, and includes complete cabling, built-in stereo speakers, and a cigarette lighter adapter will cost about £110. Prices are ever changing, reflecting continuous advances in technology.
NextBase Portable DVD Players
NextBase DVD players are made by Merconnet and are now one of the better known portable DVD player brands. One of their claims to fame is the production of the world’s first tablet type DVD player. They also offer a range of conventional models to address most budgets.
Among the most popular models from NextBase is a flat, lightweight offering with a 7-inch widescreen format TFT display, which is fully portable. The player is flat, and can be easily attached to a car seat headrest so that children seated in the back can watch a movie during the drive. It supports all of these formats: DVD/ VCD/ CD/ HDCD/ CD-R/ CD-RW/ MP3/ and WMA.
Conclusion
The portable DVD player offers hours of uninterrupted portable entertainment and helps take the tedium out of a long journey. Players are available in a range of models, and at affordable prices. As the technology continues to advance and more manufacturers enter the market, models are being differentiated from one another by the inclusion of ever more features. Some of these will be of use to you and some will simply be white elephants. Most importantly, stick to the basics: make sure that any player supports the formats present in your music or video collection; that the balance between screen size and overall weight is right for you and that if you want to connect it to equipment at home, the right outputs are present.
About the Author
Jason Flowers is Managing Director of 3 Wise Monkeys
With e-tailers like 3wisemonkeys.co.uk you get the best of both worlds with a guide to buying portable DVD players. As well as producing quick guides such as the one above to improve your on-line shopping experience, we are always happy to respond to your queries and to give detailed buying advice over the phone with no pressure to purchase.
Different portable DVD players come with a discrete set of features that you need to consider carefully, before you purchase one. The screen size, the weight of the player, widescreen options, disc formats supported and audio/video outputs are important aspects that any discerning buyer should look at.
Screen Size and Weight
When you buy a portable DVD player, it is important that it is light enough for you to carry around. Weight is dependant on the size of the player, its screen and its batteries. Look for weight specifications on the side of the box but do hold the player itself: 300 grams doesn’t really mean that much to anyone unless they are an avid chef! A large screen model although being an attractive proposition because of enhanced image size and quality, will be heavier. The dimensions and weight of the player are important, if you have to sit with the unit on your lap.
Video quality
Make sure that your portable DVD player incorporates progressive scan technology and, if you intend to watch films, has a widescreen format. Since many of us use these players as either spares or as a player for an additional room at home, you may also want to check that your player is compatible with your television or home entertainment system. The player must have the requisite outputs including perhaps S-video output, which provides high video quality and optical out for surround sound audio via your own surround sound processor.
The different disc formats the player will support also matters a great deal. Take a good hard look at the DVD regions in your current film collection. If you intend to play music, many of the latest portable DVD players play all major disc formats: CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and MP3s, as well as home burned CDs.
Pricing
Most portable DVD players are now reasonably priced, reflecting intense competition in the marketplace. Most also offer superior video quality and are built to function equally well if stationary or on a moving train, plane or car.
The prices of portable DVD players vary according to the screen size, manufacturer, model, and the features they possess. At the time of writing, an excellent portable player can be acquired for under £115. A model which sports a seven-inch colour LCD screen as well as MP3, CD-R, and CD-RW capabilities, will be available for around £105. Alternately, a 7" slimline model which plays DVDs, CDs, and MP3s, and includes complete cabling, built-in stereo speakers, and a cigarette lighter adapter will cost about £110. Prices are ever changing, reflecting continuous advances in technology.
NextBase Portable DVD Players
NextBase DVD players are made by Merconnet and are now one of the better known portable DVD player brands. One of their claims to fame is the production of the world’s first tablet type DVD player. They also offer a range of conventional models to address most budgets.
Among the most popular models from NextBase is a flat, lightweight offering with a 7-inch widescreen format TFT display, which is fully portable. The player is flat, and can be easily attached to a car seat headrest so that children seated in the back can watch a movie during the drive. It supports all of these formats: DVD/ VCD/ CD/ HDCD/ CD-R/ CD-RW/ MP3/ and WMA.
Conclusion
The portable DVD player offers hours of uninterrupted portable entertainment and helps take the tedium out of a long journey. Players are available in a range of models, and at affordable prices. As the technology continues to advance and more manufacturers enter the market, models are being differentiated from one another by the inclusion of ever more features. Some of these will be of use to you and some will simply be white elephants. Most importantly, stick to the basics: make sure that any player supports the formats present in your music or video collection; that the balance between screen size and overall weight is right for you and that if you want to connect it to equipment at home, the right outputs are present.
About the Author
Jason Flowers is Managing Director of 3 Wise Monkeys
With e-tailers like 3wisemonkeys.co.uk you get the best of both worlds with a guide to buying portable DVD players. As well as producing quick guides such as the one above to improve your on-line shopping experience, we are always happy to respond to your queries and to give detailed buying advice over the phone with no pressure to purchase.
Things to consider before you buy an Mp3 player
Portable mp3 player has changed the way people use and listen to music. Because of new technological innovations both in software and hardware has kept this field fresh and exciting and a bit confusing for any first time purchaser.
Today there are many portable mp3 players available in the market and it might seem difficult to choose the right mp3 player for you. So you need to gather some information about the mp3 players available and their price range and then compare their features and decide which one shall suit you the best. This is because if you are a music lover you would always wish to have an in built FM tuner or if you love to play games then you would ask for something else. There are different accessories and lots of add-ons available.
The major criteria for mp3 player comparison would include its music store download system, its capacity in gigabytes, music storage in hours, music formats supported, video formats supported, image formats supported, built-in FM tuner, built in microphone, accessories included, other third party accessories available, navigation, dimensions, weight and price.
Open and closed systems
The primary factor that differentiates between players is that whether they form a part of a closed download music store system or an open one. Closed systems have all elements such as online music store, PC music store, portable software and portable player that are fully integrated to work together. An example of closed system company is the Apple ipod that operates iTunes.
Open system provides you a selection of music stores and portable players from different companies and because they share the same music file format you can easily mix and match players and services. Microsoft’s windows media audio is the largest such open system.
It is also important that the terms “closed system” and “open system” describe the online music store to software to portable player relationship and the copy protection their respective formats use. You can download and play mp3 files from other kinds of internet websites such as band websites and pod casters. You can also import music from your personal CD’s to your computer and then transfer the songs to your portable player in your preferred format of mp3.
For further information, visit our recommended website freedownloadmp3song.info
About the Author
Olivia Andrews, writer of freedownloadmp3song.info is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels and mobile phones.
Today there are many portable mp3 players available in the market and it might seem difficult to choose the right mp3 player for you. So you need to gather some information about the mp3 players available and their price range and then compare their features and decide which one shall suit you the best. This is because if you are a music lover you would always wish to have an in built FM tuner or if you love to play games then you would ask for something else. There are different accessories and lots of add-ons available.
The major criteria for mp3 player comparison would include its music store download system, its capacity in gigabytes, music storage in hours, music formats supported, video formats supported, image formats supported, built-in FM tuner, built in microphone, accessories included, other third party accessories available, navigation, dimensions, weight and price.
Open and closed systems
The primary factor that differentiates between players is that whether they form a part of a closed download music store system or an open one. Closed systems have all elements such as online music store, PC music store, portable software and portable player that are fully integrated to work together. An example of closed system company is the Apple ipod that operates iTunes.
Open system provides you a selection of music stores and portable players from different companies and because they share the same music file format you can easily mix and match players and services. Microsoft’s windows media audio is the largest such open system.
It is also important that the terms “closed system” and “open system” describe the online music store to software to portable player relationship and the copy protection their respective formats use. You can download and play mp3 files from other kinds of internet websites such as band websites and pod casters. You can also import music from your personal CD’s to your computer and then transfer the songs to your portable player in your preferred format of mp3.
For further information, visit our recommended website freedownloadmp3song.info
About the Author
Olivia Andrews, writer of freedownloadmp3song.info is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels and mobile phones.
Types of MP3 Players
MP3 players are the most lovable source of entertainment in today's life. There are already lots of MP3 players are available in the market and many consumer don't understand what to look for before buying a good MP3 Player.
Mainly there are three types of MP3 players available in the market Hard drive based, Micro hard drive based and Flash based.
Hard Drive based MP3 Player
As it name, Hard Drive Based MP3 players are having a large capacity of hard drive. These types of MP3 players are generally heavier and larger than other players and these players consists large capacity of storage which is approximately 10 GB or 2,900 MP3 files and can be more. These players consists rechargeable batteries and which can not be replaced. As Hard Drive Based MP3 players can store large number of MP3 files, most consumers prefer to buy it.
Micro Hard Drive based MP3 Player
Micro Hard Drive based MP3 players are small than Hard Drive in size and storage capacity. These types of MP3 players can easily store 1500-1700 MP3 files, or it can save files up to 6GB. Micro Hard Drive players consists rechargeable batteries, which can not be replaced. Due to its lightweight and compact size these players are more popular than hard drive based mp3 players amongst the consumers.
Flash based MP3 Player
Flash Based MP3 players are the most small size MP3 players that come with a moderate capacity which can store 10 to 570 songs or can be store the file from 32 MB to 2GB. These players do not contain any moving parts or not any skip function. Due to its lack of functionality it allows minimal battery usage. These players did not contains any rechargeable batteries as other Hard and Micro Drive based players, battery of these players are mostly replaceable or disposable. Larger part of MP3 community are not interested in these players.
For more information about Music visit http://www.4freemp3song.com
About the Author
Larry John is a freelance journalist writing about Car Insurance, Baby Names, Online Games, Music, Used Cars. He has written many informative articles and e-books on these topics.
Mainly there are three types of MP3 players available in the market Hard drive based, Micro hard drive based and Flash based.
Hard Drive based MP3 Player
As it name, Hard Drive Based MP3 players are having a large capacity of hard drive. These types of MP3 players are generally heavier and larger than other players and these players consists large capacity of storage which is approximately 10 GB or 2,900 MP3 files and can be more. These players consists rechargeable batteries and which can not be replaced. As Hard Drive Based MP3 players can store large number of MP3 files, most consumers prefer to buy it.
Micro Hard Drive based MP3 Player
Micro Hard Drive based MP3 players are small than Hard Drive in size and storage capacity. These types of MP3 players can easily store 1500-1700 MP3 files, or it can save files up to 6GB. Micro Hard Drive players consists rechargeable batteries, which can not be replaced. Due to its lightweight and compact size these players are more popular than hard drive based mp3 players amongst the consumers.
Flash based MP3 Player
Flash Based MP3 players are the most small size MP3 players that come with a moderate capacity which can store 10 to 570 songs or can be store the file from 32 MB to 2GB. These players do not contain any moving parts or not any skip function. Due to its lack of functionality it allows minimal battery usage. These players did not contains any rechargeable batteries as other Hard and Micro Drive based players, battery of these players are mostly replaceable or disposable. Larger part of MP3 community are not interested in these players.
For more information about Music visit http://www.4freemp3song.com
About the Author
Larry John is a freelance journalist writing about Car Insurance, Baby Names, Online Games, Music, Used Cars. He has written many informative articles and e-books on these topics.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)