Windows Media Player 11 Beta to be released Wednesday

#1 ~*McoreD*~ on 15 May 2006 - 12:21

That's great news to have official build.
Here is our neowin thread about WMP11:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...#entry587509727

#2 Johnston on 15 May 2006 - 12:26

same build as leaked one i wonder?

#3 Jase on 15 May 2006 - 12:26

sounds good, but isnt the release date ment to be on the 17th?

#4 medion on 15 May 2006 - 12:29

what about the one, which was released on softpedia, few days ago? I use that one, and its nice!

Last edited by medion on 15 May 2006 - 12:39

#5 Ogden2k on 15 May 2006 - 12:30

Where can I download it?

(1 reply) #6 Bamsebjørn on 15 May 2006 - 12:36

I've installed the leaked version today, and it blew me away. This is the first Windows Media Player version that I actually like!
In fact, it convinced me to buy a Creative Jukebox Xtra instead of an iPod.

#6.1 thenay on 15 May 2006 - 12:44

Yup, thats how I felt about this version as well.
This is actually the first WMP version I liked

#7 mircleman on 15 May 2006 - 12:36

already got it it's awesome read digg under software for a link

(1 reply) #8 lardiop on 15 May 2006 - 12:50

It'll be interesting to see if the leaked build is the same as the beta release...

#8.1 Vomer on 15 May 2006 - 14:28

ya same here...wonder if this beta will have any new additions too?

#9 Master Shake on 15 May 2006 - 12:57

I agree that wmp11 is very nice. Good job Microsoft!

#10 mircleman on 15 May 2006 - 13:00

what amazes me is this no link or pm policy what if i pm someone with a link i get warned first off id ask how a mod would know whats being typed in a pm and lastly. we all know few employees of neowin have gotten software before official release and no they were not beta testers after all its on softpedia and I havent seen m.s. tell them take it down yet.

#11 Skoogie on 15 May 2006 - 13:08

im waiting for the offical beta to see whether is it the same build as the leaked one. i hope its a different build though.

(1 reply) #12 serlex on 15 May 2006 - 13:23

to me its crap!

#12.1 ClintEastman on 15 May 2006 - 13:41

Preytell, Why?

#13 gam_EZ on 15 May 2006 - 13:48

How do you access the online music streams?

#14 m-head on 15 May 2006 - 13:51

No one know if it's the same build or not yet?

#15 the_ubernated on 15 May 2006 - 13:52

One thing you have to wonder about, though, is why URGE was enabled on the same day the supposed "leaked" version for XP came out -- it makes you wonder whether this was really a leak, or just a publicity stunt. Because, at the end of the day, if they wanted to do some "testing" of URGE, they could simply have allowed only certain accounts etc...but no, they pretty much opened shop entirely; and we know it was that day, since it wasn't previously available on WMP 11 for any of the interim builds of Vista....Just my musings

(1 reply) #16 Express on 15 May 2006 - 13:52

I liked URGE very much.
Good quality music, easy to navigate around, well designed site and well integrated with WMP 11.

Last edited by Express on 15 May 2006 - 13:59

#16.1 BeLGaRaTh on 15 May 2006 - 23:28

How do you access Urge? Cant find anything in WMP11

and website says available 17th

#17 Orange on 15 May 2006 - 14:08

Lmao microsoft. leaked owns!

#18 thornz0 on 15 May 2006 - 15:12

looks nice. wish i didnt have to use itunes (i hate it) for my nano

(2 replies) #19 Ogden2k on 15 May 2006 - 15:18

How do I change the black color?

#19.1 Daedalus on 15 May 2006 - 15:22

Select: "View > Enhancements > Color Chooser" in the menu.

#19.2 MrCobra on 16 May 2006 - 02:59

And any color that it is changed to looks nasty.

#20 *John* on 15 May 2006 - 15:46

OMFG!!!! WMP11 OWNS!!!!

I hope MS realise, by making cool things like this for XP, its lessening the chance of me buying Vista

#21 zixyon on 15 May 2006 - 15:52

isnt the beta allready out ?????????
http://www.softpedia.com//progDownload/Mic...nload_locations

(2 replies) #22 P1R4T3 on 15 May 2006 - 16:01

Superb. Simply superb.
Its pretty, its cool, its sexy, it so Fn' great.

#22.1 *John* on 15 May 2006 - 16:22

How did YOU pass WGA??? (Joke based on your username

)

#22.2 P1R4T3 on 15 May 2006 - 16:52

I just ran the setup. No crack, no WGA bypassing, no restart. I have a GENUINE XP (sorry to disappoint you).

(1 reply) #23 ozgeek on 15 May 2006 - 17:16

Is this for Windows XP?

#23.1 Johnston on 15 May 2006 - 17:49

yea, it comes pre-installed in vista

#24 Beastage on 15 May 2006 - 18:03

Hmm URGE is live btw

#25 MtDewCodeRedFreak on 15 May 2006 - 18:07

WHere can I get it?

#26 Scutley on 15 May 2006 - 18:08

I found this site if you can't get your WGA working. I couldn't for some reason, even though I had the official Windows XP that I got with my computer.

Heres the link:

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootlist/258.htm#4

#27 PureLegend on 15 May 2006 - 18:33

Sweet!

Going to wait for the final, though

#28 Mad_Griffith on 15 May 2006 - 18:38

I've been trying WMP11 for some days now, and it convinced me to uninstall Winamp.

(4 replies) #29 diabulos on 15 May 2006 - 18:41

Not to shout that I downloaded the leaked version (sofpedia) but it does not install in server 2003, it requires XP, which makes it hard for developers who may use 2003 as a stable test platform, to test and work with it...sad.

#29.1 Nexus- on 15 May 2006 - 19:14

since when was xp an unstable test platform?

In fact you should still have media player 9 on your server 2003 box because 10 does not install without "unsupported" tricks. Meaning microsoft never intended you to have 10 or 11 on s2003. Meaning you should _not_ be using it as a workstation

#29.2 cardg on 15 May 2006 - 20:15

My brazilian-portuguese Windows2003 installed WMP10 thru Windows Update normaly. Already used the installer in other installation and everything gone normal... so... in my country's version everything runs fine on 2003

EDIT: and Win2003 is the only thing that works that ms launched on the past 15 years. If you are a developer, you MUST use something solid... not a confuse system made for your grandmother understand.

#29.3 diabulos on 15 May 2006 - 20:31

cardg, do you mean that WMP11 worked on your install of 2003?

#29.4 cardg on 15 May 2006 - 22:34

No, i mean WMP10. Didn't get the 11 yet...

(1 reply) #30 nexus291 on 15 May 2006 - 19:09

well....after using winamp for whole life, finally it's time to switch to WMP11, too good for my taste

PS : Plz MS , add a minimize to tray option

#30.1 PGHammer on 16 May 2006 - 05:28

No minimize to tray, but there is a toolbar to control a minimized WMP (originally came with 9, and continues with 11). Also, MP 11 uses *less memory* and *fewer system resources* than either 9 or 10. Amusingly, MP 11 uses less RAM than mIRC (and that's with SRS active). I've been throwing content that would normally *choke* MP 9 or 10 at MP 11, and it just keeps right on rolling. Old codecs, *strange* codecs, streams (both audio and video), local content, didn't matter. It just keeps right on going like that infamous bunny. And I normally use Winamp (or even Creative MediaSource) for Windows Media content. MP11 may actually get me to switch.

#31 StargazerUK on 15 May 2006 - 19:10

OK I read whats from the news.com the link.

Wednesday, Microsoft will launch the beta version of Windows Media Player 11 for XP (WMP 11)Wednesday, Microsoft will launch the beta version of Windows Media Player 11 for XP (WMP 11)

Seems like its been written with the wrong date then it was then corrected so it looks like as its been posted arround the web wednesday is when we can get our hands on the legal beta.

Last edited by StargazerUK on 15 May 2006 - 19:22

(1 reply) #32 RADicaLMMS on 15 May 2006 - 19:21

I can only imagine the excitement of WMP fans (if there are such people), but I personally don't see the need to switch from Winamp.

#32.1 PGHammer on 16 May 2006 - 05:36

And which version of Winamp are you running, sir? There is *always* room for improvement...in *everything*. That is why they constantly come out with new versions (even of Winamp). I normally run Winamp (or even Creative MediaSorce) for Windows Media content; however, MP 11 may actually win me back (I haven't been a default MP user since WMP 9). MP 11 uses less RAM, fewer resources, and is more stable than any version of Windows Media Player in a while (it even uses less RAM than mIRC, which is saying quite a bit). Though I normally use Winamp, it looks like (if they don't screw up), I'm coming back to Windows Media Player, and specifically to MP 11.

#33 niktheguru on 15 May 2006 - 19:22

The official beta release is more than likely to be an updated version to the leaked build.

(2 replies) #34 diabulos on 15 May 2006 - 20:24

XP is unstable under many situations, and blue screens are normal (we maintain several 1000s computers here in the UK government, about 500 with xp and even under very controlled environments, as soon as you install more than a couple of programs or begin to run mildly memory intensive software, it goes as slow as slush) If you are developing for server based applications, 2003 is a good choice, and we end up running it both as a test server and a workstation. Half the websites for the UK government are done that way. So there.

#34.1 Nexus- on 16 May 2006 - 00:33

Quote - diabulos said @ #29.3

XP is unstable under many situations, and blue screens are normal (we maintain several 1000s computers here in the UK government, about 500 with xp and even under very controlled environments, as soon as you install more than a couple of programs or begin to run mildly memory intensive software, it goes as slow as slush) If you are developing for server based applications, 2003 is a good choice, and we end up running it both as a test server and a workstation. Half the websites for the UK government are done that way. So there.

Whoa bluescreeens normal? I havent had a blue screen on an xp machine in years probably well since service pack 1. Let me tell you something. You are doing something wrong to your machine if you get bluescreens all the time. Get a knowlegeable friend to help you fix your computer because you need it!

If your developing applications you do not need media player 11, just the codecs which can be installed on any system without any workaround tricks. Microsoft supports that kind of behaviour.

#34.2 MrCobra on 16 May 2006 - 03:02

Most likely those problems are because of poor quality hardware. I've never had an issue with XP other than getting slow over time.

(1 reply) #35 lexp on 15 May 2006 - 20:35

WMP11 is consuming ~15% of processor time (Dothan 1.4Ghz) w/o visualization plugins.

Winamp 5.21 is consuming ~0.03% of processor time (1 sec per hour).

WMP is ~500 times slower than Winamp in decoding MP3 stream.

Bravo, Microsoft.

#35.1 Donovann on 15 May 2006 - 20:52

Wow, I've installed the leaked version and I must say it is far better than any media player I've ever used (that includes Winamp, Quintessential, Real Player, Quicktime, etc) Looks like MS knows good taste when it comes to their new sleek design.

Quote - lexp said @ #34

WMP11 is consuming ~15% of processor time (Dothan 1.4Ghz) w/o visualization plugins.

Winamp 5.21 is consuming ~0.03% of processor time (1 sec per hour).

WMP is ~500 times slower than Winamp in decoding MP3 stream.

Bravo, Microsoft.

It's not like that on every system. Also I noticed that WMP11 starts up far faster (almost instantly) compared to the 10-20 second load for winamp. Though I've seen it load in a few seconds on a Vista test machine.

#36 cardg on 15 May 2006 - 20:39

So... when and on wich page the beta will be officaly launched?

(3 replies) #37 EduardValencia on 15 May 2006 - 21:22

lol lexp,i wonder if u use magnifying glasses to know where are the buttons on THAT winamp,i see WMP much easier to use,with far better sound quality,and with WMP 11 it gets better,let it die man,winamp is a bloated old dinosaur

#37.1 cardg on 15 May 2006 - 22:39

The visualisations on WMP are terrible, and about sound quality... i dont't know about you soundcard, but make a real comparation between the 2 programs and you will see that winamp is incontestably far away from WMP on decoding MP3 files.
You may even say that winamp misses integration with the O.S. and with video streams, but there is no point on your actual arguments (Or no arguments on your actual point)

EDIT: and about the small buttons... try using something actual as winamp 5.2... or any winamp5 with MMD3... if you don't like the (no longer so) small buttons, you can pick REAL skins (since WMP skins aren't so real since they limit the software to use the "skin mode" wich is not complete) that will change only the graphics and than you can use a good core system with the appearence you want.

Unless you really need to watch videos among your mp3 (my case since i use Desktop Sidebar 1.12 with turned on visualizations) there is no good point in using a program wich has a already very benchmarked slow decoder, a hard partially still XML/HTML based graphical interface, and ugly visualizations...

Unless your machine is a dinossaur, of course.

Last edited by cardg on 15 May 2006 - 22:46

#37.2 Foo Fighter on 16 May 2006 - 13:44

Oh please...WinAmp is dead. AOL ruined it, and the market doesn't need it anymore. Remember, WinAmp was created in a time when listenting to music on your PC was a "new thing". Stop using dated media software (do you still use PointCast as well?) and join the rest of us here in 2006 by migrating to iTunes, or WMP11.

#37.3 rIaHc3 on 16 May 2006 - 15:46

Oh please...WinAmp is dead. AOL ruined it, and the market doesn't need it anymore. Remember, WinAmp was created in a time when listenting to music on your PC was a "new thing". Stop using dated media software (do you still use PointCast as well?) and join the rest of us here in 2006 by migrating to iTunes, or WMP11.

Im sorry but you my friend are very stupid and ignorant. Please PLEASE use that thing in your head called a brain before posting.

Winamp is much more frequently updated than iTunes and WMP. WMP11 is not new. Its been in Vista and furthermore its still a beta. Winamp supports almost all codecs where WMP fails and is quick and small.

and iTunes? Thats iCrap. DONT join the rest of us here in 2006 because you just jump on the good old fashion bandwagon. Someone sets a trend, your the groupie thats first in line. Congrads to you....

#38 Dragular on 15 May 2006 - 21:39

So I guess this wont work with iPod? ****.

(1 reply) #39 Flae_qui on 16 May 2006 - 03:54

well i had it installed for like 10 mins... after have it lag out my PC on launch, then F up the file listing by not updating the folder i renamed... all 50 of them. nope waiting for the final on this one.

#39.1 PGHammer on 16 May 2006 - 05:44

I had no such issues. In fact, I've been running MP11 non-stop since the first post-install reboot (non-stop because it's *never crashed*). In fact, I've been running mostly as a background app (and so far, it's the first media player I can run without issues as a background app playing *video*; I can't say that about Winamp, which is my default video player). I've been feeding it local content (both audio and video) as well as streaming content (again, both audio and video), and it hasn't quibbled *once*. A lot more than I could say about MP 10 (or Winamp, for that matter). No launch lag, and it just plain continues to run no matter what I throw at it filewise. (And it plays back streams that *have* choked MP 10 and Winamp that were encoded with WMP 9's codecs.)

(1 reply) #40 plastikaa on 16 May 2006 - 07:01

Maybes im an idiot... but i cant figure out how to move files around like you could on the onld wmp... i just get the no action symbol when I try.... at the moment for an album i have two songs in one album then the rest shwing as a different but the same album... i want to drag one onto the other like i could on the old one so I can merge them... any help anyone?

#40.1 nquinnathome1 on 16 May 2006 - 08:15

Have you checked that all your files contain the same data on the album? For example, you will get separate copies of the same album if some of the files contain one release date and other files, another. Make sure general details like those are all the same.

#41 kupang on 16 May 2006 - 08:34

hey guys !!... the software is still in Beta stage..
so there's still room to improvise the overall experience and usage..

i'm sure MS will at the same time open up feedback channel for WMP11..
like what they do have with IE7 Beta 2..
so u all guys can dump all yur words there..

#42 ~*McoreD*~ on 16 May 2006 - 10:12

Serious bugs/issues MS has to fix in WMP11:

Artwork doesn't save properly
http://microsoftuse.temp.powweb.com/mcored...-save-dodgy.wmv

Replaces custom Folder.jpg
http://microsoftuse.temp.powweb.com/mcored...-aggressive.wmv

"Rearrange music in rip music folder" in WMP11 vs "Keep iTunes music folder organized"
http://microsoftuse.temp.powweb.com/mcored...brary-buggy.avi
http://microsoftuse.temp.powweb.com/mcored...ibrary-best.avi

#43 eilegz on 16 May 2006 - 14:14

Well i really dont like wmp since version 7 it becomes so bloated, its a memory hog, also i dislike the way that the library works it creates a lot of pictures inside albums folder leaving it with full stuff that i dont want or need. I think that microsoft should improve wmp6 giving it a playlist and plugins and thats all what i really need.

Anwyays i got version 10 here and it does take more time to load than winamp and eat more memory, i really hope that this new version its lighter and less bloated.

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