Windows Media Player 12 Sucks Eggs

yes, 'Shark' was one of MANY different codex tried. Yes I know all the bells and whistles that WP12 touts in its bloatware of options.

I use Media Player to play VIDEOS, not music, not photos, not DVD's, nor as a back scratcher.

The interface is still horrible. It does NOT adjust the color or brightness of ANY video unless it is a wmv, (the worst video compression software out there,) nor does it even allow full screen viewing without the d@m# player controls overlaying the video, instead of taking a small area under the window out of the way. I thought I was watching Ted Turner Cable tv with all that overlay. Sure, after so many SECONDS, (well into the video,) it eventually goes away, unless I move the mouse and the d@m# thing pops in the way again... can't even fast forward without it in the way. Then if I want the equalizer or video adjustments, it again goes OVER the video. Sad, just truly sad.

On a side note, Itunes will of course NEVER go any of my or my customers computers, as it is spamware, records all you download, steals CPU even when not being used, and plug in a ipod from a different set up PC and it wipes it... so I only use WinAmp for Ipod music - as I can edit, upload, download, etc from any ipod... WP12 is basically the same in that respect of recording all I do and sending it up the net, checking and reporting if I didn't purchase music officially, etc... but at least WP can have a lot of that optionally turned off. (but they had that since version 8 I believe..)
Of course that only relates to music, not to videos, as with WP12, Microsoft has chosen to expand on music and retard themselves on video.

Like so many have posted, as well as myself. Why not just allow us to CHOOSE the version of media player we wish to use? It is NOT built into explorer, so it CAN be run if they didn't block it from installing earlier versions.

I've often wondered if one can just edit the version number in the registry to an earlier version and fool it into allowing a WORKING version of media player for video viewing to install...

skysober said:

yes, 'Shark' was one of MANY different codex tried. Yes I know all the bells and whistles that WP12 touts in its bloatware of options.

I use Media Player to play VIDEOS, not music, not photos, not DVD's, nor as a back scratcher.

The interface is still horrible. It does NOT adjust the color or brightness of ANY video unless it is a wmv, (the worst video compression software out there,) nor does it even allow full screen viewing without the d@m# player controls overlaying the video, instead of taking a small area under the window out of the way. I thought I was watching Ted Turner Cable tv with all that overlay. Sure, after so many SECONDS, (well into the video,) it eventually goes away, unless I move the mouse and the d@m# thing pops in the way again... can't even fast forward without it in the way. Then if I want the equalizer or video adjustments, it again goes OVER the video. Sad, just truly sad.

On a side note, Itunes will of course NEVER go any of my or my customers computers, as it is spamware, records all you download, steals CPU even when not being used, and plug in a ipod from a different set up PC and it wipes it... so I only use WinAmp for Ipod music - as I can edit, upload, download, etc from any ipod... WP12 is basically the same in that respect of recording all I do and sending it up the net, checking and reporting if I didn't purchase music officially, etc... but at least WP can have a lot of that optionally turned off. (but they had that since version 8 I believe..)
Of course that only relates to music, not to videos, as with WP12, Microsoft has chosen to expand on music and retard themselves on video.

Like so many have posted, as well as myself. Why not just allow us to CHOOSE the version of media player we wish to use? It is NOT built into explorer, so it CAN be run if they didn't block it from installing earlier versions.

I've often wondered if one can just edit the version number in the registry to an earlier version and fool it into allowing a WORKING version of media player for video viewing to install...

do you happen to be part of the EU?

WMP12 with shark007's codecs is the best media player ever. I love the beautiful UI and rich feature-set.

VLC is not really a good player, i've used to use it before....had some issues with playback etc. It's interface irks me too.
I use WMC, cuz open source is the shizzle. I use WMC for mkvs mostly. Everything else is WMP 12. WMP 11 doesn't even compare, i'm not sure why people prefer it. It was horrible.
BUt yes, you can choose any player you want to use clearly. Some posters are posting incorrect assumptions though.

Yes, Shark codex are 'nice' and the main advantage of it is where it does not conflict or crash like k-lite,etc...

but it does NOT run all of the videos. Just the MAIN most common ones. I still have to take a lot into XP and convert them to Divx and then copy that converted back into Win7. I have a bit over 12,000 videos.

But even with Shark, WP12 still does NOT adjust video color saturation or contrasts, as well as places that in the way of the video itself...

(and no I am not in the EU...)



But I DO endorse and enjoy Windows 7 AFTER I did all the patches and registry edits to remove libraries, fix the quick launch, etc... so it works like I am accustomed to. Yes, sometimes getting used to a new 'interface/GUI" is okay, but sometimes it is not, as in the case of WP12. :)

Arc said:

pezzonovante said:

WMP12 with shark007's codecs is the best media player ever. I love the beautiful UI and rich feature-set.

Try to play a "dual audio" video with WMP12.

It is an impossible dream to think every file ever concocted by a human can be played without some SIMPLE (singleclick) adjustment. For your dual audio avi files, go to the AVI TAB of the settings interface and choose to use Haali's splitter. Now one track will play and you can choose which audio track you prefer though the white tray icon.

I provide the tools, you just need to make the adjustment.

smarteyeball said:

jberenyi said:

So in essence it still sucks eggs

...but it doesn't. I help up at a least a dozen different eggs in front of WMP - not a single one of them was sucked...

Look it's nearly Easter!
Have you seen the new (non)size of Cadbury Kraft Creme eggs.
Those rip-off companies sure have knocked the essence out of them!

Player 12 isn't that bad after you get used to it. Bloody annoyed after forking out for Win 7 Ultimate - still can't play Blu-ray without coughing up loads more cash!