PC MP3 player recommendations

Post by **buksida** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:08 pm

I've tried a number of MP3 software players for the PC but am still looking for the all round best solution. Here are my thoughts on what I've used:

Windows Media Player - Too slow and clunky and always insists on taking over the entire computer, internet connection and constantly trying to update itself.

Musicmatch Jukebox - This was my original system and favourite until they kept bringing out newer versions that started doing what the above does.

Media Monkey - Great for organizing, tagging and renaming batch MP3's but not so good on the playing of them.

iTunes - A nice all round player but it insists on installing Quicktime which insists on taking over the machine.

Winamp - Probably the most simple and easy to use player but its quite limited in functionallity.

Sonique - This little player has great visual effects but again comes up short if you have a large collection.

Real Player - Only really any use for one format and again is an internet connection hog.

In my view an audio media player should do just that, play the music. The additional functions of ripping and CDDB lookup are handy but should be optional, there is no need for the thing to take over your computer and internet connection.

What do you use and why?

Post by **Wanderlust** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:47 pm

iTunes rules! But then again I am a Mac-head so what do I know; on the Mac Quick Time isn't at all intrusive. I guess the best solution is to design your own in your spare time....

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:57 pm

I must admit i use itunes and find it really good. I have never been prompted to use quick time and normally use winamp to view the odd video.
I have a mac in England but use a Toshiba laptop over here. I have a 60gb ipod with about 4500 songs on it which are stored an an external hard drive to free up the laptops HD.

Post by **tuktukmike** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:59 pm

I tried Media player also and found it usless.

I now use Nero, its as good as you can get.

Also i bought and installed a new soundcard so i could put my vinyl on to disc.

This system is also really good. Audigy 2.

Think Lev knows and could explain more about this system.

Mike.

Post by **Guess** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:08 pm

The list of options I have tried are the same as Buksida's.

I use Music Match for playing music but as been said already it is constantly being upgraded and many features are included in paid for version that are not available. The cost is low and I think it is a lifetime licence.

ITunes for converting from CD but occasinally for playing also. Seems to be the most gredy on resources. I believe it was developed oriiginally for a Mac so would explian why it works well wit a Mac but not an MS platform.

I Use MP3tag (freeware) for tagging.

I use Power DVD for video stuff.

Nero is also a very good all rounder and good for burning and back ups.

Post by **dr dave soul monsta** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:29 am

Roxio, does every thing exept boil an egg and brew up doesnt take over the pc but is very tempremental and is a massive program so it does slow the pc down on start up

Post by **buksida** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:06 pm

I'll have to try the Nero and Roxio players.

Wouldnt mind giving iTunes a crack if I could run it without Quicktime.

Mike, Audigy2 is the soundcard, its a pretty good one but you need a decent amp and speaker system to really benefit from it.

For video I use the K-lite codec pack which plays absolutely any format so no need to install Realplayer, Quicktime, Power DVD etc etc.

Post by **tuktukmike** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:43 pm

Buksida.

Not really need an amp as i only bought this soundcard to copy records to CD.

Mike.

Post by **machersjohn** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:56 pm

I have no idea what you guys are talking about it is to techie for me. I am looking for a wireless system to play from my computer to wireless speakers so that i can play for my bbq's ,nice and low and pre recorded on my computer.

Post by **buksida** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:53 pm

machersjohn wrote:I have no idea what you guys are talking about it is to techie for me. I am looking for a wireless system to play from my computer to wireless speakers so that i can play for my bbq's ,nice and low and pre recorded on my computer.

I guess you'll need a wireless audio output device, speakers and software. Once installed it should work automatically.

Maybe easier to buy some longer cables though

Post by **buksida** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:11 pm

Gonna revive this one as a year later my music collection is still a huge mess spread over three hard disks, it needs sorting and fast.

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:42 am

I have 270gb's of compressed mp3's on an external hard drive. What I want to listen to I put into I tunes which links with my ipod this works really well with little or no effort. I suppose it depends what you want and how much music you have to play with?

Post by **The understudy** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:10 am

Hmmm Mp3 Player on your computer Ey!
My Best expirience I had so far was with Apple itunes. It was by far the pleasnt player I have on my Computer since a few Millenia. I tried Real Player and found it pretty unpleasant I have to tirez roxio just as Dr. Drave as suggested how good it was!

Post by **buksida** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:36 pm

Does Itunes physically change the name of files and folders on your hard disk and reorder the file structure ?

Have seen what it has done to others collections

Post by **STEVE G** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:32 pm

Itâ€™s possible that I didnâ€™t really know what I was doing, but I bought my partner an ipod last year and I couldnâ€™t get most of the mp3 files on my computer to transfer in itunes. It seemed like it knew that some files were â€œstolenâ€