Windows Media Player 11

[Preppy Veteran]

I hope they add a minimize to tray option, cos i use Objectbar, & WMP10 taskbar doesn't work on it

No, this will never ever be a feature in Windows Media Player. It is against the shell user interface guidelines.

I wrote a PowerToy that adds a System Tray icon for WMP, but: honestly, there will never ever be an official "Minimize to Tray" option. The official shell stance on this is pretty much that "this is a notification area, not a place to be cluttered about". :(

[pixelpixel]

Holy smoke Batman! :|

softpedia -> build 11.0.53558.4826 + 9 things to Be Seen at the Adult Fair. :rofl:

Now that is one wierd site. Im glad neowin is not going that way. :no:

[jwjw1]

I've run into a few sites....that in order to view the media file..requires media player 9 or above..and 11 wasn't recognized....LOL

[JustGeorge]

No, this will never ever be a feature in Windows Media Player. It is against the shell user interface guidelines.

I wrote a PowerToy that adds a System Tray icon for WMP, but: honestly, there will never ever be an official "Minimize to Tray" option. The official shell stance on this is pretty much that "this is a notification area, not a place to be cluttered about". :(

Can you tell us if the user will be allowed to change the grey background in the final?

[gogosama]

i havent used windows media player for so long haha

[.Neo]

Did anyone notice how there's absolutely no visual difference whatsoever between the active and non-active window states?

While WMP 11 is a huge improvement over version 10, iTunes' interface feels much more intuitive and less complex to me.

[REM2000]

It doesn't look bad, but i am still a bigger user of iTunes.

[GregRC]

i actually like it... my itunes has been messing up. so i stoped using it, and this is great, i love how it shows the albums and all that jazz.

[none_needed]

Did anyone notice how there's absolutely no visual difference whatsoever between the active and non-active window states? WMP 11's main window stays 100% the same.

yeah. better since i hate the ghey non active windows border for apps like a media plater or any desktop app except for windows folder and things like that.

edit: er, i mean grey not ghey, and player not plater. sorry im drunk.

Edited May 14, 2006 by Skoogie

[libertas83]

Media Management

For those having problems with WMP changing their tagging, cover art, or messing things up when importing, make sure you turn off automatic tagging options. Go into "more options" and look under library settings. There you will find a section called "Automatic media information updates for files" and change the setting sin there to match how you want WMP to behave. Personally, I prefer to use a dedicated tagging program to set the tags for all my songs and get cover art and then just use WMP to find and play my music.

Codec Support

WMP uses directshow to playback all music and video. This means that if you are having flakely problems with playing files, your directshow codecs are probably conflicting with each other. This is most common with codec packs, so I would stay away from them.

WMP is very extensible, just do a little research and you should be able to get most formats supported. The only thing I haven't got working in WMP is protected m4p songs from iTunes. All we need to get that working is for someone to get a developer to create a plugin like the one for winamp. WMP just needs more developers to create good quality plugins. There is no reason why we shouldn't have good iTunes support or podcasting. WMP has the ability to add that in, just need someone talented to do it.

[mancode20]

Each time you update stuff in your library, do you have to always save it as a playlist or does it auto-save? Cause I'm wanting to close the player, but I'm afraid all the changes I had to make won't be there when I re-open it.

[Julius Caro]

Did anyone notice how there's absolutely no visual difference whatsoever between the active and non-active window states?

While WMP 11 is a huge improvement over version 10, iTunes' interface feels much more intuitive and less complex to me.

WMP11 has a very clean interface. I agree it can be more intuitive, but they're on the right track, IMO. There are certain things that took me a while to "assimilate", or even got me exploring the thing for quite a while. Those are the things they have to improve!

[Martyn]

I think WMP 11 has a very nice interface, I was very impressed by it as it is very pretty. However, for the management of music I still think iTunes comes out on top by a long way. So I will be sticking with iTunes :)!

[Carlos11]

My version of The good, the bad, the ugly attached. :)

Nice review! :D

When I read about "Aggressively replaces my high quality 600x600 Folder.jpg files with a 200x200 Folder.jpg hidden system file" you almost killed me!! :crazy:

I checked my covers and WMP11 didn't change my high resolution covers (most of them 500x500) with a 200x200... :yes:

[Julius Caro]

Nice review! :D

When I read about "Aggressively replaces my high quality 600x600 Folder.jpg files with a 200x200 Folder.jpg hidden system file" you almost killed me!! :crazy:

I checked my covers and WMP11 didn't change my high resolution covers (most of them 500x500) with a 200x200... :yes:

I think it hasnt touch mine either, because I was expecting it to add some missing folder.jpg files and it hasnt :(

[Koolslacker]

I just installed it and I like it.

[Copernic Reporter]

Is there a way to place WMP11 in the system tray rather than having it in the start bar ?

Yes it is and is free:

Window Minimizer 1.2

http://uu0jc.kiev.ua/software/wmin.html

:)

[ienhz]

Does anyone know if the release on the 17th is going to be the same version or will it be newer?

[JustGeorge]

I going to say newer but I have no basis other than what was mentioned in this thread.

[Dark Ride]

Yes it is and is free:

Window Minimizer 1.2

http://uu0jc.kiev.ua/software/wmin.html

:)

Thank you (Y) Works !

[mancode20]

How do you add individual songs to the library? I don't see an option for that. Some of my albums are missing tracks, because the stupid find album info doesn't always work. It's a pain in the butt. Is there anyway to use CDDB or another service?

[ienhz]

it looks better but i'll stick to foobar for albums and windows media for just the individual songs or playing a few songs quickly.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

i actually REALLY like WMP11.. bye bye Winamp, im coming back WMP11!

[jadkins555]

I am very interested in trying Urge, but putting credit card information into a leaked program doesn't sound that tempting.

[AaronMT]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and ask if there is a way to make WMP11 more Luna like and less Aero like in XP?