I looked at using the Windows Media Player as my current Media Player. I think the v9 beta is pretty cool.

Unfortunately most of my media files are encoded in the MPC file format. I looked at creating a directshow filter for mpc so that I could play my files. It turns out that although it is possible to get the actual audio to play using the directx architecture in windows media player - it is impossible for me to provide tag information (track number / title / artist /genre / album cover etc) to the windows media player and therefore the windows media library will not work. This to me is a very important function of a media player as I suspect that media libraries in the home will become more distributed using upnp (and I think MS's may be the first).

Does it not seem anti-competitive of Microsoft to not allow a media format other than there own blessed WMA format and MP3 to participate as first class citizens in the player. Most of the other players provide an sdk for input plugins. Windows Media Player will no doubt, in coming years, be installed on nearly every PC on the planet and WMA the 'pushed/blessed' codec in this application. This will mean that it will be harder for codecs such as MPC and Ogg Vorbis to compete.

What do other people think?

Windows Media Player SUCKS!!!
Well that's MY opinion.

Get a REAL, GOOD media player. I use Zoom Player since it has TONS of features, it's easy to use, very customizable, and simply great. There are other very good "alternatives" to WMP.
So in short, if you want a good media player, don't use an M$ one, since naturally, it will suck.

edit: Many media players don't support MPC for example, it's not a very known format. When there will be a DirectShow filter for MPC, things will be great... (edit: i didn't know one existed, is there a DS filter??) A good DS filter for AAC by Nic should come some time as well. For Ogg, a great one exists.

Microsoft, yeah well they can do whatever they want, they don't have to support any other format that's not theirs if they don't want to..
For audio only, i use Winamp, since it can play practically ANYTHING with the use of input plugins, and oh man are there PLENTY.

I am aware that other media players exist. I have used quite a few and whether I think Media Player is any good or not is unimportant - that is not my point.

My point is that Microsoft clearly has a distribution channel for their Media Player and in coming years it will be installed on most desktops. The current architecture of this player does not allow the full use of codecs such as Ogg Vorbis and MPC but encourages the use of WMA. This is not good for the up and coming codecs.

Porkchop. They can do whatever they want. Clearly not including support for other codecs is good for them, since many people will not become easily aware to their existance, and will use either MP3 or WMA. I say, TOUGH... Yeah it's bad for competition and all. Yeah i know how this makes you feel, i hate that too, but, whatever.
I CHOOSE to use better media players, and better codecs, because i know better. Those who don't, well, don't.
It's that simple.

SK1 - Yeah it's bad for competition and all.

I thought there were laws to deal with this. Isn't this the same as the Internet Explorer / Netscape deal? I see Europe is not too happy with Media Players inclusion in the operating system.

Having investigated I just felt it was something worth mentioning to the audio crowd. Sure there position in the industry means they can do what they want but thats unless someone complains loudly.

If you want formats like Ogg Vorbis and MPC to prosper (ie get hardware support etc) you should be aware of this. It is important. Not everyone has the wherewithal or knowledge to change media players ...

Tell ya what...on my system WMP v9 was causing all sorts of problems (especially with DirectCD). I couldn't DCD format an RW that other machines could read, yet they would read fine locally (DRM anyone?). Ended up uninstalling it....trashed the whole system...corrupted the registry (under W2k)...had to reinstall OS and all apps.

Xenno

OK,
Sorry about the MS bashing. My advice is that you should stick to winamp & real player if you can. I know it it AOL/TW, but it at least supports diversity. It is what I use at work.

Question:
If we don't support alternitive like Winamp and Real, how can we expect others to support alternitives like OGG and MPC?