winamp

[Die*wrek*show]

Winamp seems big, complicated and threatening to me. I really love gabest, it only takes like one second to load and play a mp3. Does winamp use its own plug-ins to decode media like video lan or does it go to a filter chain like gabest? I dont want to install this if its gonna interfere with other stuff so I'm tring to figure out how it works. I guess what I'm trying to say, is besides the unique interface, what am I missing out on?

[ProfDrMorph]

To decode audio-only files WinAmp uses it's own plug-ins. But for audio/video combinations ( like playing .avi through a plug-in ) WA uses DirectShow like nearly every other player.
So, no, WA will not interfere with any other software because it doesn't install any filters that other software can access.

In case you want an alternative to WinAmp you may try foobar2000 (http://www.foobar2000.org). It can't play video files ( I uses Media Player Classic for that ) but it's audio playback features are very good! And it neither does look "big" nor "threatening". If you don't install all plug-ins ( like CD burning or encoding features ) it won't be complicated either. ;)

[Die*wrek*show]

that foobar link was great!

[Neo Neko]

Yes foobar is what I use. Fits on a floppy. Runs like a dream. Nullsoft should rue the day they lost PP.

[rmatei]

Foobar is sweet. I've been having various problems with Winamp, so I switched.

The playback engine is extremely solid. No more skips, perfect gapless playback for all formats, supports ogg and mpc wonderfully, supports audiophile features like replaygain, etc. All it needs now is a sweeter interface, and maybe some kind of database.

[Gaia]

Originally posted by rmatei
Foobar is sweet. I've been having various problems with Winamp, so I switched.

The playback engine is extremely solid. No more skips, perfect gapless playback for all formats, supports ogg and mpc wonderfully, supports audiophile features like replaygain, etc. All it needs now is a sweeter interface, and maybe some kind of database.

There is already database. Very basic idea of foobar is simple and light interface and most of the foobar users like it alot. I don't think you will never see "sweeter" offical one. If you need skins there are other alternatives too like Coolplayer, Quintessential Player, Zinf Audio Player... lots of others.

You can get skins for foobar via plugin if you really need but they just mess up and causes problems. By the way foobar interface is just .dll so you can code your own if you like. There is already atleast one alternative inteface but it's still in early alpha stage.

[defeatist]

Originally posted by rmatei
All it needs now is a sweeter interface, and maybe some kind of database.

Peruse the Preferences. There are a great many things one can modify. Title formatting is very flexible and easy to customize. I "coded" my own interface. For examples of what can be done, google 'foobar2000 formatting'. Hint: http://pelit.koillismaa.fi/fb2k/

I hope you enjoy this player much as I do!