Winamp 5.0 Release Candidate 8
Posted by Tech_8356 on 20 November 2003 - 19:57 · 38 comments & 2861 views
Nullsoft Winamp is a fast, flexible, high-fidelity media player for Windows. Winamp supports playback of many audio (MP3, OGG, AAC, WAV, MOD, XM, S3M, IT, MIDI, etc) and video types (AVI,ASF,MPEG,NSV), custom appearances called skins (supporting both classic Winamp 1.x/2.x skins and Winamp 3 freeform skins), audio visualization and audio effect plug-ins (including two industry dominating visualization plug-ins), an advanced media library, Internet radio and TV support, CD ripping, and CD burning.

Note: This is a beta release of the next-generation Winamp and it may contain bugs. Use at your own risk. IMHO, the Winamp betas and RC's have been very stable.

Changes in Current Version:
  • Modern skin updates
  • Fixed config menu radiobuttons turning off when clicked again
  • Fixed unreadable selected list item text color in 2 gamma groups
  • Fixed theme list using slightly different colors than ml lists
  • Fixed taskbar move syscommand bringing up wa2 main window
  • Updated avs, faster evallib. makes eval heavy presets superfaster
  • Made cd ripping unlock drive and cleanup on exit in middle of rip
  • Updated hotkeys to be tabable
  • Fixed crash when subtitles but no video
  • Updated to newer NSIS
  • Updated to latest AOD (complete with good uninstall support)

    Download: Download Winamp 5.0 RC 8 Full
    Download: Download Winamp 5.0 RC8 Lite
    News source: BetaNews

    What you can expect if you participate?

    When the pre-release Windows XP SP2 Beta becomes available in a few weeks, we'll notify you by email. It is your choice whether to
    participate. The beta software will be available either via download or if you elect, Microsoft will mail a CD containing Service
    Pack 2 beta to you. If you choose to participate, Microsoft asks that you install the beta software once it is received. We would
    like to hear from you regarding your overall experience with the beta software. If you encounter any issues or problems please feel
    free to file a problem report. You will also have the opportunity to communicate with other beta participants if you so choose. You
    will receive limited support through Microsoft's private newsgroups.

    To accept this invitation please visit BetaPlace at and then follow the below instructions:
    1. Sign In with your Passport ID
    2. Click 'Windows XP-SP2'
    3. Click 'Yes, I Would Like to Participate!'
    4. Fill out the questionnaire and click 'Submit'

    After you have accepted your invitation, please verify your contact information by following these steps:
    1. Select the 'Modify Your Info'option on the blue toolbar
    2. Select 'Modify Your Address Info'
    3. Click the 'Change' button to make any modifications to your contact information

    Thank you in advance. We appreciate your willingness to consider participating in the Windows XP SP2 Beta software program!

    The Windows Development Team


    • There are 38 additional comments
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    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by Apollo on 20 Nov 2003 - 20:01
    kicking the llamas ass will continue strong
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by MikeCoz on 20 Nov 2003 - 20:04
    i used to be a windows media player user until winamp 5 beta 1 came out. It's def. different from any other version. if you havent used the new winamp yet try it out quick. it's awesome!
    (1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by radixvir on 20 Nov 2003 - 20:06
    i couldnt get it to download anyone have a mirror?
    Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by mipra on 21 Nov 2003 - 02:01
    It has been fixed now....u should be able to download it
    (1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by SidVicious on 20 Nov 2003 - 20:10
    Winamp 5 is the best.
    Quote this comment #4.1 Posted by mipra on 21 Nov 2003 - 02:00
    Compared to what? Itunes?
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by Jstphish on 20 Nov 2003 - 20:25
    I used to use winamp 1.x, 2.x and then 5 until iTunes came out. One of the only things keeping me from using winamp 5 is the fact that it doesn't read/display .m4a (iTunes AAC) files correctly even with plug-ins. Another would be that it doesn't read iTunes .xml library files. I really don't want to have to re-rate my 1,500 songs in Winamp 5.

    Last edited by 11680 on 20 Nov 2003 - 20:52
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by KIOTI on 20 Nov 2003 - 20:38
    TechDaily.ws has a link, here is the page: http://www.techdaily.ws/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1821&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by 1NSAN3 on 20 Nov 2003 - 21:32
    it's awesome. Media library is improved and some kicka$$ new features as well
    (4 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by acrophile on 20 Nov 2003 - 21:44
    keyboard media buttons still don't work... sigh.... at least they got ALT-E for playlist working...
    Quote this comment #8.1 Posted by quietbritishjim on 20 Nov 2003 - 21:51
    Try using the new global hotkey plugin (it's on by default, and it makes an item in preferences). It lets you set media keys to actions, and even shift+media keys etc to other stuff. Works great on my logitech media keyboard!
    Quote this comment #8.2 Posted by Waradder on 20 Nov 2003 - 22:01
    I was just about to mention the hotkey plugin. After configuring it, it works great. I have a MS natural multimedia keyboard too. It even works while minimized. Plus you can configure any key you want for play, next track etc...

    That track popup feature is awesome by the way.
    Quote this comment #8.3 Posted by acrophile on 20 Nov 2003 - 23:08
    that's the keyboard I have too... and I have global hotkey enabled... but I can't set any of the functions to the media keys...

    Last edited by 3653 on 20 Nov 2003 - 23:19
    Quote this comment #8.4 Posted by Waradder on 21 Nov 2003 - 05:53
    In the hotkey prefs, you have to pick the action you want. Then below that press the button you want in the hotkey space. Click add and that should be it. By default nothing worked for me until I set it up myself.
    (3 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by zeflash on 20 Nov 2003 - 21:50
    I wish they would enable again the drag& moving the video window clicking on the video itself, not only the title bar
    I really miss that.

    Other than that, well it looks cool. Although tt seems much slower to start up than 2.0
    Quote this comment #9.1 Posted by Tech_8356 on 20 Nov 2003 - 22:08
    at least it's better than WA3!!
    Quote this comment #9.2 Posted by semifamous on 20 Nov 2003 - 23:45
    Turn on EasyMove.

    Click in Winamp and press CTRL+E

    Then you can move the window by clicking anywhere.
    Quote this comment #9.3 Posted by zeflash on 21 Nov 2003 - 11:30
    I did that. It's not working for the video window.
    Did you actually tested that? which version of winamp5 are you using?
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #10 Posted by sodapop on 20 Nov 2003 - 22:10
    I use to not like wa5 but now think it rocks. I have replaced wa2x with 5.
    (1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #11 Posted by [f] on 20 Nov 2003 - 23:08
    very very cool, the best gets better and better.
    Quote this comment #11.1 Posted by mipra on 21 Nov 2003 - 02:02
    They seem to improve so much recently
    (1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #12 Posted by gflores on 20 Nov 2003 - 23:29
    Winamp 5 continues Winamp's greatness.
    Quote this comment #12.1 Posted by mipra on 21 Nov 2003 - 02:02
    I'm just wondering..anybody has compared the sound quality of Winamp and Windows Media Player?
    (1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #13 Posted by wa22guy on 20 Nov 2003 - 23:38
    Still no ID3v2.4 support!!! LAME!!!
    Quote this comment #13.1 Posted by divertom15 on 21 Nov 2003 - 03:44
    add it to the wishlist on the winamp forums they got like a winamp 5 wishlist somewere on there (saw it) just make a post requesting that functionality
    (4 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #14 Posted by Opio on 21 Nov 2003 - 01:50
    I've been using this since yesterday and I'm just noticing now that it's using anyhere between 10 and 60% of my CPU. What gives...
    Quote this comment #14.1 Posted by bangbang023 on 21 Nov 2003 - 03:07
    something is wrong on your end then, I'm using it and in taskmanager 00 cpu usage and only 4mb of mem being used.
    Quote this comment #14.2 Posted by V_F on 21 Nov 2003 - 03:39
    yeah same as bangbang023, however GDI always been above 1,000 been same since Winamp3
    Quote this comment #14.3 Posted by divertom15 on 21 Nov 2003 - 03:43
    yep seems to be a problem on your end im getting 00 cpu playing some Queens of the stoneage with modern skin here its about 6mb mem usage
    Quote this comment #14.4 Posted by DaNIsH on 21 Nov 2003 - 05:53
    Seems to be munching more memory since the last beta I tried (beta 2 I think).
    Minimised its at 1.6-1.8mb, beta 2 was 744k-1.2mb.
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #15 Posted by mipra on 21 Nov 2003 - 02:01
    Waw..thanks for the update
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #16 Posted by GSDragoon on 21 Nov 2003 - 05:05
    Global HotKeys!!!
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #17 Posted by Smufie on 21 Nov 2003 - 05:31
    Mirrors: http://www.windowsmax.nl/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3637
    (1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #18 Posted by nic on 21 Nov 2003 - 05:56
    Winamp rocks! And it was due for a face lift. The nullsoft team need to pat themselves on the back for this one. Best music player for windows *period*.
    Quote this comment #18.1 Posted by stezo2k on 21 Nov 2003 - 09:03
    well said there mate i'm with you there
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #19 Posted by Sushubh on 21 Nov 2003 - 14:20
    global hotkeys are fun. just cant think of any that are free currently.
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #20 Posted by mrhicks on 21 Nov 2003 - 19:58
    Since beta 2 when I start Winamp the GUI Windows doesn't come, but on the task bar a button is there representing Winamp. I can right-click on it and say Minimize then Restore, but it doesn't show up. If I right-click on it then select move I can move the application window with the mouse, but the window is only about few pixels by a few pixels. I have to stop then restart the application several times before the GUI interface is finally presented. Has anyone else notice this? Once the program is up correctly it is great! I see this behavior on two different machines ( at work and home ).
    Quote this comment Reply to this comment #21 Posted by Mr. Black on 21 Nov 2003 - 20:14
    I must say they have come leaps & bounds with 5 - it combines the best of 2 and 3 -- and can use 2 and 3 skins & plugins - EXCELLENT!
    Good mem usage & CPU, too. Not too little, not too much.
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