Next-Gen Windows Media Player Leaks to the Web
Tuesday, September 3, 2002 by LiLmEgZ97 | Discussion: WinCustomize News
A beta version of Windows Media Player 9 leaked out onto Internet sites Friday, providing an early glimpse at Microsoft's upcoming Windows Media 9 Series platform. Although the leaked build -- numbered 2601 -- appears to be from late January, its new features showcase Redmond's digital media plans.
Version 9 appears almost identical to its predecessor on the outside, but adds DVD copying, improved encoders and better plug-in management. Cross-fade and normalization plug-ins have been included as standard offering in the new Windows Media Player.
The biggest changes come with a new focus on audio and video subscription services. A "Services" button has been added to the menu bar, which leads to a page with options for removing a service and selecting a default - although neither are currently functional. The feature suggests Windows Media Player will integrate with online services such as Pressplay and MusicNet, allowing users to easily download music directly to their libraries.
Besides listing subscriptions, the Media Library now supports Microsoft's new XML-based Windows Media Metadata and "Smart Playlists." This metadata can be used to view and sort music and video by a variety of different categories, along with creating rule-based playlists. The search tool has received more prominent placement in the Media Library, and now supports advanced rule-based searches.
To facilitate editing of Windows Media Metadata, Microsoft has included a new tool called Advanced Edit. For each song or video, users can input a massive amount of details such as mood, beats per minute, Web sites, multiple comments, pictures and even synchronized lyrics.
While in the past it has kept away from the issue, Microsoft has included support for file sharing from within the Windows Media Player 9 beta. A "Send to Friend" option allows users to send a song or video to others on MSN or Windows Messenger with a simple click of the mouse. Such a feature could spark immense controversy, as Microsoft may be one of the few companies with pockets big enough to fend off the Recording Industry Association of America.
For home users, a big addition to Windows Media Player 9 is the ability to copy DVD movies to disk. It is unclear whether version 9 will also be able to create DVD movies, however in early January Microsoft licensed DVD recording technology from Sonic and has begun pushing Windows Media-enabled DVD players with hardware partners.
What features make it into the final release of the next-generation Windows Media Player will not be known until a public beta of Windows Media 9 Series launches on September 4 in Los Angeles.
Version 9 appears almost identical to its predecessor on the outside, but adds DVD copying, improved encoders and better plug-in management. Cross-fade and normalization plug-ins have been included as standard offering in the new Windows Media Player.
The biggest changes come with a new focus on audio and video subscription services. A "Services" button has been added to the menu bar, which leads to a page with options for removing a service and selecting a default - although neither are currently functional. The feature suggests Windows Media Player will integrate with online services such as Pressplay and MusicNet, allowing users to easily download music directly to their libraries.
Besides listing subscriptions, the Media Library now supports Microsoft's new XML-based Windows Media Metadata and "Smart Playlists." This metadata can be used to view and sort music and video by a variety of different categories, along with creating rule-based playlists. The search tool has received more prominent placement in the Media Library, and now supports advanced rule-based searches.
To facilitate editing of Windows Media Metadata, Microsoft has included a new tool called Advanced Edit. For each song or video, users can input a massive amount of details such as mood, beats per minute, Web sites, multiple comments, pictures and even synchronized lyrics.
While in the past it has kept away from the issue, Microsoft has included support for file sharing from within the Windows Media Player 9 beta. A "Send to Friend" option allows users to send a song or video to others on MSN or Windows Messenger with a simple click of the mouse. Such a feature could spark immense controversy, as Microsoft may be one of the few companies with pockets big enough to fend off the Recording Industry Association of America.
For home users, a big addition to Windows Media Player 9 is the ability to copy DVD movies to disk. It is unclear whether version 9 will also be able to create DVD movies, however in early January Microsoft licensed DVD recording technology from Sonic and has begun pushing Windows Media-enabled DVD players with hardware partners.
What features make it into the final release of the next-generation Windows Media Player will not be known until a public beta of Windows Media 9 Series launches on September 4 in Los Angeles.
Teikoshen
Reply #2 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 12:35 PM
Reply #2 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 12:35 PM
hmm i installed it.. didn't like it 
i'm an Anime fan, it couldn't play properly most of my old anime, anyidea how to remove it and revert back to WMP7? 
i'm an Anime fan, it couldn't play properly most of my old anime, anyidea how to remove it and revert back to WMP7? 
darhorn
Reply #3 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 5:20 PM
Reply #3 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 5:20 PM
you can try running setup_wmp.exe /Uninstall from the command line and then reinstalling ver 7.... havent tried it though
The Wired
Reply #4 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 5:32 PM
Reply #4 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 5:32 PM
If all is well the public beta will be out tomorrow.
The Wired
Reply #5 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 5:42 PM
Reply #5 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 5:42 PM
Here is a link http://www.windowsmedia.com/9series it wont be up until the 4th!
Aquamonkey
Reply #6 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 9:36 PM
Reply #6 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 9:36 PM
I've been running with 2773 for a while, big improvement over 7, but not much when compare to 8 (MPXP)
bmetelsky
Reply #7 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 12:34 AM
Reply #7 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 12:34 AM
When did we start posting about "leaked" beta's on this site?
Teikoshen
Reply #9 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 5:12 AM
Reply #9 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 5:12 AM
didn't work
there seems to be a problem with the seeking bar. it doesn't work correctly
there seems to be a problem with the seeking bar. it doesn't work correctly
DTMatthews
Reply #10 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 7:19 PM
Reply #10 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 7:19 PM
Please don't download this beta, I had to run a repair on windows to get rid of it. If you get this file you will find it does interesting things like, you can no longer use System Restore in XP....be warned. >
The Wired
Reply #11 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 9:18 PM
Reply #11 Wednesday, September 4, 2002 9:18 PM
What do you mean? System Restore won't work at all or it won't restore WMP8? I knew I should have said this before, but if you install the beta and you don't like it or something doesnt work your kinda stuck with it unless you reformat your HD that is. Just be warend people betas can be fun to play with but some can be nasty!
LiLmEgZ97
Reply #12 Thursday, September 5, 2002 12:15 AM
Reply #12 Thursday, September 5, 2002 12:15 AM
DTMatthews, that is just your personal experience with the new Windows Media Player Betas, not anyone else's. But we will consider your advice, thank you!
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Reply #1 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 9:00 AM
In any case, I really am liking this player, nice improvements (if you like the new interface) this has been my player of choice since ver 7 mostly due to the media library, which now includes searching capability
Darrin