Jason Dunn
06-23-2003, 11:03 AM
I tapped into my contacts at Microsoft to get some direct answers to some questions I had about the new Windows Media Player 9 for the Pocket PC, because as a digital media geek myself, this was one of the most exciting enhancements for what I do with my Pocket PC. Here's the Q&A that resulted! I should note that these answers went through the "Microsoft PR Machine", so the answers are closer to marketing responses than real comments by a single person, but heck, I think you'll still find them interesting. :wink: <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ipaq2215review-snap031.gif" /> <br /><br /><b><i>Q: What would you say are the primary enhancements that users will notice right off the bat when they start up the program?</i></b><br /><br />A: "Right off the bat, youll notice Windows Media v9 support, "Photo Story Support and improved video playback performance."<!><br /><br /><b><i>Q: Video playback performance was obviously a major goal with this release - what are the practical limits of what this player can handle in terms of bit rate?</i></b><br /><br />A: "Users will notice the Faster and More Flexible Playback in Windows Media Player right off the bat.<br /><br /> New performance improvements With significant improvements in performance, the Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC now enables the playback of nearly any content from the web. Enjoy content played back directly from the Web over either a wired or WiFi connection.<br /> Apply your own ring tones For Pocket PC Phone Edition devices, you can create and apply your own custom WMA ring tones.<br /> Better volume control System volume and Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC volume controls are now separate. This means you can control the level of your media playback experience while retaining system volume levels for alarms or phone rings.<br /> Easily transfer music and video direct support in Windows Media Player 9 Series on the desktop lets you chose your playlists and easily transfer them to your Pocket PC.<br /> Automatic discovery of supported media content - Automatic discovery of media means that Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC automatically scans Pocket PC main memory and storage cards for all supported digital media types including WMA, WMV, and MP3.<br /> Control playback functions with hardware buttons - Using button mapping, you can easily assign hardware buttons on their Pocket PC 2003 to do common Media Player tasks. Assign standard functions such as Play, Pause, Stop or Fast Forward to a hardware button on the Pocket PC, or even map a button to toggle off the screen to help preserve battery life while continuing to listen to music.<br /> Easier to connect Improved networking support for new IPv6 protocols for enhanced Web streaming, providing consumers with a seamless browsing and media playback experience.<br /> Custom Skins - Change the look at feel of your Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC with skins that you can download and apply. Choose a look that matches your personality! <br /> New and improved look The new Player has a great new brushed metallic look with the addition of a new Mute button."<br /><br /><b><i>Q: Have there been any improvements in audio file handling, both from a bit rate and file compatibility standpoint?</i></b><br /><br />A: "Absolutely! Weve improved Multiple bit-rate (MBR) support to improve user experience with automatic sensing and selection of the bit rate that is best suited for the device and connection. <br /><br /><b><i>Q: It looks like the play list support hasn't changed much. Will this be improved in the future?</i></b><br /><br />A: "Were actively working on improving numerous features and functionality of the player for future releases."<br /><br /><b><i>Q: Will this play video and audio files created with the Pocket PC profiles in the 9 Series Encoder? (Given the 48 kHZ audio preset)</i></b><br /><br />A: "The Windows Media 9 Series Encoder shipped with a profile for Pocket PC that had an invalid audio frequency preset. This can easily be changed in the Encoder profile. <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;813693">More information is available on the Microsoft web.</a>"<br /><br /><b><i>Q: Any other features you think are worth mentioning? What's your personal favourite new feature?</i></b><br /><br />A: "My top 3 favorite new experiences with Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC and Plus! Digital Media Edition:<br /><br /> New support for Plus! Photo Story - Easily create and share fun, engaging photo stories with your digital photos using Plus! Photo Story. Take them with you and play them back on your Pocket PC 2003 with Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC.<br /> Play your home movies on your PPC With Windows Movie Maker 2, a feature of Windows XP, you can easily edit your home movies and save them using built in Pocket PC profiles. Easily transfer and play them back on your Pocket PC wherever you go.<br /><br /><b><i>Q: Does this new player benefit in any specific ways from the move to a new core OS base (CE .Net 4.2)?</i></b><br /><br />A: "As the Windows CE team continues to make improvements to the overall system performance, the Windows Media Player takes advantage of these improvements."<br /><br /><b><i>Q: Anything else exciting about this new release?</i></b><br /><br />A: "Microsoft is offering a $10 rebate on the Plus! Digital Media Edition its an amazing addition for just about ten dollars after rebate-- The Top three new experiences you can now do with Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC and Plus! Digital Media Edition:<br /><br /> New support for Plus! Photo Story - Easily create and share fun, engaging photo stories with your digital photos using Plus! Photo Story. Take them with you and play them back on your Pocket PC 2003 with Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC.<br /> Play your home movies on your PPC With Windows Movie Maker 2, a feature of Windows XP, you can easily edit your home movies and save them using built in Pocket PC profiles. Easily transfer and play them back on your Pocket PC wherever you go.<br /> Synchronize your digital media with Plus! Sync & Go - Synchronize content from the Internet from top content providers such as MSNBC, USA Today, NPR, Comedy Central and others so you can watch or listen when you have the time. Also, keep your favourite music and video playlists always up-to-date by synchronizing with your personal media library on the PC."