In the past, you needed to download and configure a separate media player for each type of multimedia content you wanted to play. This process wasted valuable time and system resources. The new Microsoft Windows Media Player solves this problem by enabling you to play different types of streaming multimedia content and local multimedia files from one easy-to-use application. Now, you can play all the popular multimedia formats and even develop your own filters to support other types of multimedia content.
The following illustration shows Media Player playing video content from MSNBC.
You can use Windows Media Player to play popular multimedia formats and even develop your own filters to support other types of multimedia content. The following sections describe Media Player features.
Note If you choose not to install Windows Media Player with your browser package, you can use the Automatic Install feature of Internet Explorer to install this component when you need it.
Windows Media Player can play most multimedia file formats, including the following:
Also, this version of Media Player upgrades existing Media Player and Microsoft ActiveMovie™ content.
Playlists provide quick access to your favorite content. Content authors can create entire shows that combine multiple pieces of media content using playlists and play them as a single program or continuous loop. Media Player can rapidly switch between the different multimedia streams without pausing between clips. The media can exist on different servers and can include different media types.
You can select video image sizes of 50%, 100%, 200%, and full screen, or resize the image to any percentage you want, depending on your preference for size and image quality.
You can preload the Favorites menu with pointers to preferred content and add your own favorite Web site links.
When you attempt to play a new piece of media content, Media Player checks to see whether the required audio or video codec is installed. If the codec is not installed, Media Player automatically downloads the codec without user intervention.
Media Player enables you to play streams of speech-quality audio that range from 2.4 kilobits per second (Kbps) to full-screen, full-motion video at 8 megabits per second (Mbps).
Media Player can adjust the audio and video streams based on the capabilities of your computer. It chooses between one of two video streams depending on the available bandwidth. When the lower bit-rate stream cannot continue, Media Player requests that the server transmit only key frames. If the available bandwidth is insufficient to run video, Media Player stops the video stream but continues to play audio. Then, as network bandwidth conditions improve, the video stream is automatically restarted and optimized for your continued viewing.
Media Player provides space that you can use to display branding or advertising messages. Content authors can tailor the advertisements to specific users based on their preferences or other criteria. The advertisements can appear as a video stream or be displayed beside the main window.
Because Media Player is based on Microsoft DirectShow™ architecture, developers can write filters that extend the functionality to support additional multimedia file types and content formats.
Additional information about Windows Media Player is available from the Microsoft Windows Media Player Web site.
