In a recent review of Real Media Player, I outlined the features, pros, cons, and final word on that program and today I am here to do the same for Windows Media Player

The Features:

Video- This media player, unlike the Real Media player, enables you to watch all kinds of clips, from MPEG's to AVI's and so on. Just about the only kind of clip you can't watch on this media player is a Real Media clip. Other than that, you are good to go.

Audio- Being the traditionalist that I am, I see no need to use Windows Media Player as your default MP3 player, but if you so choose, it is very easy to do.

Streaming Video- This is the newest craze in the computer world it seems and for those of you who aren't familiar with this concept, let me explain it briefly. Streaming video is simply a video clip that you do not download, but play it "live" so to speak. I believe this player to be superior to others with respect to streaming abilities. The buffer rate is lower and better than that of the Real Media Player, and in all cases, I recommend this player for streaming clips.

Screen Size- You can make the screen size as big or small as you like. The only problem, although this is a universal problem when increasing screen size, is that the pixels will stretch and become distorted. Even though you can make the screen full size, I still recomend using the default size of the clip for better clarity.

The Upsides:

1) The streaming capabilities
2) Screen size adjustment
3) No annoying advertisements (curse the sponsors of Real Player!!!![see review for more])
4) It's FREE!!!!
5) This player will play more than one kind of video clip

The Not-as-Good

1) Many clips, streaming and otherwise, are Real Media clips and therefore you cannot play them on this player
2) You are probably slowly helping Microsoft take over the world...(sorry, personal vendetta ;)
3)The aforementioned pixel spreading and ensuing clarity loss

Weeeee!!!! That's fantastic Justin, but I need to know whether or not to download it and what to use it for:

Do not use this player for music, first of all, but DO download it for video purposes, and use it in all cases possible. What I mean by that is simply use Windows Media Player for every video clip except the Real Media clips. The buffering rate is favorable for both broadband and dial-up connections.

That's all I have for you. Now go out there and start watching....




Recommended: Yes