Windows Media Player - Any need for it?

[tmh]

For some reason, all of a sudden WMP stopped playing sound with videos or playing any music files at all. Other players play the same files fine. Made no dif if they were DV-AVI, or DVD compliant mpeg, wav or mp3. I couldn't find the problem so I uninstalled WMP (at least I THINK I did, it's no longer on the desktop or in the programs listing).

Now, I'm thinking of downloading a "fresh" version so I'm sure it's installed properly. However, I 'm wondering if I need it or if there's a better set of players I'd be better off with instead. I have the Midia Center version of XP, which I haven't done anything with learning wise and I don't know if it makes sense to have WMP installed just to interface with Media Center some time when I learn what it does.

I already have Power DVD, Quicktime (never use) and Magix Media center (came with Magix Edit Pro 2004 video editing program) Any other recommendations? Thanks

[isogonic]

i use zoomplayer standard, works great for mp3, avi etc. i dont think the standard version supports dvds, but you have powerdvd for that.

http://www.inmatrix.com/files/zoomplayer_download.shtml

[ZippyP.]

Media player classic for me, free.

[redwudz]

VLC Media Player. VLC will play DVDs and most anything you can throw at it. It has it's own codecs also. I also like the pay version of Zoom Player for all it's options. I've disabled WMP so it doesn't pop up continually and never looked back.

[danzeb]

I rarely use Windows Media Player and if it wasn't on my computer that would be fine. Although VLC doesn't look very impressive it is a great player and will handle most file types. Zoom is good and so is BSplayer. The most advanced player and my favorite is KMplayer. It has many more features then the average user needs so the simpler players are fine for most users.

[tmh]

Thanks, I'll check into a few of those.

Do any of them allow me to "grab" a snapshot out of the video? That would be a nice feature for me.

Many of the more advanced features may be more than I have any use for rightnow i would think, but mightbe fun to screw around with.

[tmh]

hmmm........Maybe I have a bigger problem! I just installed media player classic, tried a mpeg2 file - no audio heard! Tried it in PowerDVD, Magix Player - still no audio! My MP3 files also make no sound (They LOOK like they're playing, but I hear nothing).

I have a TV card (WINTV 2000) and I get both video AND audio watching TV so I know my speakers are working. I checked all the volume controls and none are muted.

Any ideas? I know it could be something simple, but I have no idea.

[ZippyP.]

Check your file(s) with Gspot and see if you need to install a codec.

[Doramius]

STILL, make sure your cables are all connected properly internally & externally. Your speakers may be fine and your TV card may be connected fine into an audio card (if you're using one), but there may be a short in the audio coming from other sources or there may be a problem with your audio card.

If it's just a software issue, uninstalling your audio from the device manager may help, regardless if it's onboard or a separate card.

[danzeb]

Thanks, I'll check into a few of those.

Do any of them allow me to "grab" a snapshot out of the video? That would be a nice feature for me.

Kmplayer can capture video snapshots.

[Ai Haibara]

Media Player Classic can save snapshots, too. ^_^

tmh: Did the audio on the MPEG2 files play before you installed MPC?

[tmh]

I uninstalled the audio card as someone recommended, then when Windows reinstalled it all the media players work fine again! Thanks to all who made suggestions. This is a great site!

I'll screw around with some of the players to see how they're different.

Thanks again.

[Krispy Kritter]

For all of you guys that don't use WMP, how do you get streaming video to work? I currently use WMP and MPC. I still have WMP only for streaming video. MPC works good with downloaded files, but won't stream avi/mpg files, and doesn't work with streaming content, at least I can't get it to work.