WMP12 Library View Problem, Looking for a Tweak

[TalahRama]

In WMP12 my music library view defaults to "Tile Mode" when there's still tons of space remaining for more artist blocks. It only stays in true "Icon View" when there's 24 artists or less in my library. The second I add a 25th, it goes stupid and into the drop down "Tile Mode". The thing that bothers me so much is if you do the math, at my resolution (1920x1080) 65 artist blocks should fit in the library view before this forced change occurs.

My question is, is there a way to force it into staying in "Icon View"? Maybe some registry file I have to alter and change the 24 into a 65? It's really a problem too, cause I have all this real estate in my WMP library that isnt being used. Instead I have to scroll down to get to each artist, it really breaks up the navigation. Hey Microsoft, how is that more convenient?

Here's an image link showing you what I mean, in case my words don't do the problem justice. Any tweak guides or work arounds would be GREATLY appreciated!

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp105/TalahRama/WMP12Blows.jpg?t=1291526620

 

[TalahRama]

Come on guys, none among you are familiar enough with the WMP registry entries to know how to go about this or if it's even possible?

 

[Jacee]

Have you clicked on the "view" icon to set it how you want it?
Also, press the ALT button to get the menu to show ... File, Edit, View, etc

 

[TalahRama]

Yeah I've tried all the different view modes, but after I add that 25 artist to my library is forces all the views into an alphabetized version of themselves. I'm simply trying to figure out if there is a way to make the transition to drop down alphabetized not occur at all, or at least not happen till I fill the "Empty space" (as shown in the picture link) with artists.

 

[Jacee]

I haven't explored WMP enough to know if you can do that

 

[Jacee]

There might be something in the "organizing" ... see Using Media Player 12 Features Guide - wallpaper free download, video tutorial - Windows 7 Tips

 

[TalahRama]

There's some decent tips in there, but still not what I'm looking for. Thanks for the link though, Jacee. : )

 

[Gornot]

If you remove alphabetic sorting, WMP will mostly likely fail to work properly anymore. It's as easy as that. The fact that I never heard any "tweak" for this reassures my statement.

 

[TalahRama]

I dont completely mind the alphabetical sorting Garnot, I just dont understand why the media player forces it into drop down alphabetical mode when I clearly have TONS of space left for artist blocks. After the 65 that would fit in my library, it would makes complete sense for the player to switch to that, but im just bewildered as to why it does it so early.

 

[kagusuchi]

That's the "group header" segmentation that has been bothering quite a number of users of WMP 12 for a while. You should search the "Windows Media Player Plus!" (from BM-productions) plugin for this tweak. There will be an option to disable the group header function.

 

[Gornot]

I dont completely mind the alphabetical sorting Garnot, I just dont understand why the media player forces it into drop down alphabetical mode when I clearly have TONS of space left for artist blocks. After the 65 that would fit in my library, it would makes complete sense for the player to switch to that, but im just bewildered as to why it does it so early.

I honestly can't say. Though this behavior doesn't bother me at all, as I have enough music to fill in that space, hehe.

A workaround could be that you switch to Genre view on the left hand side, then add music from the library to the active playlist by drag&drop (or any other method you want to use).

WMP12 has its ups and downs. I have been using it for a long time aftr getting Win7, but ultimately switched to foobar.

 

[TalahRama]

I tried the BM Productions header thing in plus Kagusuchi, and it did what I wanted. It kinda crams all my album art together when I'm on an artists page, but it's 95% how I wanted it. Thanks a lot, awesome plugin. Anyone having the same issue as I did would be well served to get it. Here's a link to the newest version.

http://bmproductions.fixnum.org/

Thanks again for the help guys, and Kagusuchi for the awesome plugin. : )

 

[kagusuchi]

You're welcome. This annoyance has bugged me for a very long time and I found this solution only quite recently, so when I saw your problem I knew had to do something to help. All in all, WMP 12 would have been a pretty decent player if not for these minor flaws.

 

[Gornot]

I tried the BM Productions header thing in plus Kagusuchi, and it did what I wanted. It kinda crams all my album art together when I'm on an artists page, but it's 95% how I wanted it. Thanks a lot, awesome plugin. Anyone having the same issue as I did would be well served to get it. Here's a link to the newest version.

http://bmproductions.fixnum.org/dow...kynet.be/tim.debaets/software/WMPPlus-1.1.exe

Thanks again for the help guys, and Kagusuchi for the awesome plugin. : )

Could you please just correct the link to the download page instead of a direct download? This is against the rules.

WMP in fact IS a decent player, always has been, it's just a matter of accepting changes from previous versions

 

[TalahRama]

Fixed it Gornot. One other thing though everyone, the download installs by default to your x86 programs files. So if you use 64 bit wmp12 change the path otherwise the fix will only last till you close the media player. Something I noticed upon installing it, so dont think the plugin is busted, just make sure if you have a 64 bit OS that you change the install path.

 

[Gornot]

Thanks for the tip