I need help here. Why not use WMPlayer

I use Windows Media Player. What is wrong with the player? What is better and why?
I don't seem to have problems watching anything or burning. If their is a better (free) one I would like to know how it is better so I can make a choice. If it helps I watch a lot of DVD movies, a few things from email and a back up now and again. Yes I have been all over Google and many forums but I always end up here for final thoughts. To save time. Just because its part of Windows 7 does not answer my question.

I have never liked wmp xp or w7. I use free GOM player as my windows default and use JetAudio just to listen to my mp3 library. It is maybe no better sound on earth on pc better than jet audio- even its free player. I have the paid add on pack for jet tho. Jet can also be windows default player but even from its early days- I can never figure out how to keep new files from bumping my play list or adding its self to my play list. If it just played files and then be gone I would use only it. It plays video too and can rip edit audio and minor edits or conversions with video. I tweak the settings- seems to do what it cares to tho. I am happy with it just playing my mp3's or ripping mp3's. It can even make crappy desk top speakers sound good..

Before I got into jet I use to like xmplay for my mp3's- winamp 2.9 was not bad either and winamp 2.9 can be a windows default player- But I more liked xmplay or jet for playing mp3's. I am not sure xmplay or winamp 2.9 works with w7 tho- I used both with xp or long ago. winamp 3 on up had more probs. Winamp 2.9 also had net tv channels you could watch.

JET XMplay maybe even gom can use winamp add ons and dsp's etc. I need no dsp for jet it has its own stuff built in- I have used many players- none are better music players than jet imo. Oh ya- jet also has a built in net browser and lots of other features in the free version- It just plays or rips my mp3's tho.

I normally use free virtual dub or free any video converter for anything video I need to edit or convert. I normally use jetaudio if converting a music cd to mp3's. GOM can do lots of stuff too. I normally just use it to play any videos I have or come across on the net.

Oh ya for web streaming videos and download while watching movies from say freemoviesaddict.com I use the divx7 web player- you can get the link from fma site it has a link to a newer player also but it freezes. The version 7 works a lot better or for me no probs any way.. I also prefer the divx7 version I use if you goto divx site and down load its web player its a package with a lot of extra junk and trial junk I never use. This version is just the web player.. The older but faster version is the divx7 web player..>

Free Movies Addict - Frequently Asked Questions

I do not like or let any of my players library all my media on my system- not even photo gallery- that stuff holds in memory and can put a hit on your system- My main focus with my pc is gaming and making in game videos- so I need nothing eating up performance in the back ground.. Jet and my mp3's is my only library. I search my other media folders for screens or videos when I need to. I normally do not use thumb nails either. They too can eat up memory. Performance performance performance for me.

W7 is pretty stupid about codecs tho- codecs I never had probs with in xp give w7 rather me fits. W7 is better at lots of things but it is way more quirky than xp ever was in all the years I used it..

Its tons of players that can be windows default and drop wmp- vlc for one and many many others- google media players as widows default player- and or check out download.com media players. You can see ratings and reviews etc..

Hope it helps ya some- see ya..

Windows Media Player make an excelent "quality jump" in the Windows 7, and is a very solid and good player. I use it with Shark007 Codecs, and don´t have any issue (only a little config with this or that codec), and don´t see the necessity to install another program to do this.

I've stuck with Media Player Classic for video, been using it for years. It is lightweight, no install and it will handle any video format I have thrown at it, DVDs included.
For music I use WinAMP, only because it has excellent iPod support without actually using iTunes.
It may seem odd to use two different media players, one for audio one for video, but keep in mind Media Player Classic doesn't require an install, so it really isn't a program that takes up space. Marry it with the Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP) and you're golden.

Thanks for all your replies. I'm going to be looking into what the heck is a codex.

Windows Media Center displays very nicely - but it is a pain to operate.

I think I got it. Different players use different codec codes and that is why they play in different ways. When I download a different player I'm downloading a different codec codes. Do I have that correct?