New
#41
Hi all
Two BIG problem with Windows Media player.
1) Can't play FLAC - at least not with a lot of "tweaking". -- I am not a fan of hideously "compressed" mp3 files - nasty artifacts etc. FLAC although compressed is a LOSSLESS compresstion (rather like a digital camera RAW file - highly compressed - but LOSSLESS - the image program like photojob converts this into your printable and viewable picture).
2) Database organisation for media files is HORRIBLE.
I tend to use Winamp for playing and ripping CD's to FLAC (still old fashioned enoughto have CD's - I don't like compressed downloaded music - especially when its riddled with DRM so you have problems on where you play it.
The winamp ripper makes decent playlists - which I keep in a link to a mySQL database -- note not the actual file but just the link. This means I can have multimedia stored on ANY disk / portable device etc etc.
Every so often I just run a perl script to update the MySQL db with any playlists I've moved, deleted - updated.
MediaMonkey is another good one - I have tried it and its fine but I don't need several different players.
The latest VLC is great for Video -- HD content will certainly appear in beta before long - but why in any case would I be bothered with HD on a computer -- for that quality movie what's wrong with a nice large Plasma TV with a good drink in your hand.
Cheers
jimbo