MS Media Player 10 - Beta Overview
I downloaded the Windows Media Player 10 Beta, and here's a little description of it:
Version tested: Windows Media Player 10 Technical Beta - 10.00.00.3473 - 12MB Disk Space, around 15,000K Mem.
OS: Windows XP Home Service Pack 1 Build 2600
Installation
Painless as with most MS products. Automatically creates a system restore point.
Privacy Options
Enhanced Playback Experience
- Retrieve media information from the internet for CDs and DVDs (option checked by default)
- Update my music files by retrieving additional media information from the internet (not checked)
- Acquire licenses automatically for protected content (not checked)
Enhanced Content Provider Services
- Send unique Player ID to content providers (not checked by default)
Customer Experience Improvement Program
- I want to help MS software and services even better by sending Player usage data to MS (not checked by default)
History
- Save file and URL history in the Player
The Help function has an extended section on Privacy options.
Privacy Statement
Has links to the general Privacy statement and the Privacy statement for enhanced media experience.
File Types
wma, wmv, asf, dvr-ms (MS Recorded TV Show), DVD, CD, mp3, avi, wav, mpeg, midi, aiff, au
More Options
- Add a shortcut to the desktop.
- Add a shortcut to the Quick Launch bar (default).
Upon first opening of the player:
SCREENSHOT, with the Color Chooser option
Top menu:
The Menu is located on top instead of on the left. Menu items:
Now Playing, Quick Acces Panel, Library, Rip, Burn, Sync, Guide, Online Stores.
Now Playing: Same as in previou versions. Visualisations seem to be the same as well.
Quick Acces Panel: Quick access to your CD drive(s); your music sorted by artist, album, genre; playlists; radio stations.
Library to create and manage your playlists: Takes a long time for the player to scan and import all your music...
Rip
Burn: has an option to copy protect music :D
Sync: To synchronize to portable device
Guide: The WindowsMedia.com guide
The player also comes with an option to use Parental Controls.
Online Stores: MP10 comes with two "built-in" online stores: CinemaNow for movies, and Napster for music.
Napster needs no introduction, and here's a link to CinemaNow (looks nifty with options to stream, download, or download-to-buy movies - even better than NetFlix: you don't have to get up to get your mail anymore).
On playing:
Graphic Equalizer: 31Hz to 16KHz. Pretty powerful option.
Media Link for E-Mail: Allows you to send someone an email with the link to the media you're playing (doesn't work on local files, of course).
Play Speed Settings: Allows you to set the speed of your media (from 0 to 2.5 the speed... interesting).
Quiet Mode: Difference between loud and soft sound - Medium or Little.
SRS WOW Effects: The SRS TruBass and WOW Effects from previous versions.
Video Settings: Hue, Brightness, Saturation, Contrast.
Color Chooser: Make any color the color of the player... neat!
Crossfading and Auto Volume Leveling
All by all, the new Media Player looks and feels stable (although it's still only a beta), and adds a few interesting features to the player.