CorePlayer: The New TCPMP

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://coreplayer.corecodec.org/' target='_blank'>http://coreplayer.corecodec.org/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20061018-coreplayer.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/">TCPMP</a> has a new look, a new name, and new functionality. <a href="http://coreplayer.corecodec.org/">CorePlayer</a>, as it is now known, supports more codecs than ever before. Unfortunately, it lacks AVRCP support, though we can probably expect this to be fixed in a future update. It's worth noting that unlike previous TCPMP releases which were free, CorePlayer costs $24.99, but that goes toward supporting the efforts of the developer in producing this great application. If you're interested in purchasing it, visit our <a href="http://www.mobihand.com/pocketpcthoughts/product.asp?id=8905">affiliate software store</a>.<br /><br /><b>UPDATE:</b> Want to save $5 off the price? Use the coupon code <b>ppcthoughts</b> when buying the software at MobiHand.

[bkerrins]

Wow. If it makes my HW6945 screen that big, I'd be loving life!

[griph]

It would be nice if there was a Trial version.

[BetaBoy]

Hey all.... Just wanna thank Jason and the rest of the crew at PPCT... I will get Jason a discount coupon for the PPCT community.

A few notes on CorePlayer 1.0

- We found a bug right before the release that prevented us releasing it with the 'options' menu. So rather then delay the launch we opted to just omit it for now. So we will push the new build to our Core Account holders on Thursday/Friday.

- Palm users suffer the most with this as it is not easy to 'just' remove teh options menu. So the Palm version is delayed till Thursday/Friday.

So right now we have PocketPC/Windows Mobile released.... in about an hour we will have Smartphone all will be featured on http://mobihand.com for the short terma dn by next week our in house ecommerce will be in place to purchase it from our in house store.

Speaking of later today we will move in and launch the v1.0 of www.CorePlayer.com

[BetaBoy]

It would be nice if there was a Trial version.
The trial version will be available in a few weeks (we are targeting Dec 4th) as we are also timing its launch with BetaPlayer 1.0.

[Eugenia]

I personally need AVRCP support in addition to A2DP, but most importantly, I need "gapless playback". Without it, it's impossible to listen properly to live albums or albums like "The Dark Side of the Moon". Also, the ability to turn off the screen AND lock the hardware buttons when do so is much needed.

Other than that, it seems like a very good app.

[BetaBoy]

CorePlayer Mobile for Windows Smartphone now released:
http://mobihand.com/product.asp?id=8935

[azhiker]

I think I read over at Aximsite that the product would launch at $19.95. But the Mobihand has it as $24.95. That's pretty steep for a product that was free up to this point!

Any chance the discount is real? And if so, how do I qualify?

[cab124]

How does an app like this compare to Conduits PocketPlayer?

I recently purchased PocketPlayer 3.0, but I am alittle disappointed in it because it locks up any time I try to view a WMV file. Also, I have found the interface to be a little unintuitive. For instance, the first time I wanted to create my own playlist, it took me a while to figure out how to do it. The way I expected it to work (go to Playlists and select New Playlist) was not to be found.

[isajoo]

$25...little steep... free to $9.95 would have been cool...does it really perform better than the old one...other than new look and more codec support...is there big performance improvements. still love the old one...never had any major problems with it. maybe skin supports could be a benifit.

[Jason Patterson]

I recently purchased PocketPlayer 3.0, but I am alittle disappointed in it because it locks up any time I try to view a WMV file. Also, I have found the interface to be a little unintuitive. For instance, the first time I wanted to create my own playlist, it took me a while to figure out how to do it. The way I expected it to work (go to Playlists and select New Playlist) was not to be found.
Cab124, (not to hijack this thread talking about another product) please email [email protected] to receive an early copy of Pocket Player 3.01 - it fixes all nown bugs in the software including several video and stability problems. That's a great suggestion for the Playlists screen. Expect to see it in 3.01 as well. For now, you can always use Menu > Current Track > Add to playlist > New Playlist.

[applejosh]

I think I read over at Aximsite that the product would launch at $19.95. But the Mobihand has it as $24.95. That's pretty steep for a product that was free up to this point!

Any chance the discount is real? And if so, how do I qualify?

The first post was updated with a discount code for Mobihand. (From what I've been reading, the Mobihand thing seems like it was kind of a backup/fix for a Handango issue.)

[Jason Lee]

darn.. not that i mind paying for good software but now i am going to have to evaluate the competition... :( I used it before because it was good and free. Not that i will have to pay for it i will have to make sure it the the best program for my money... :roll: More work ahead...

[Covert]

Now we're going to need someone else to step up and make a free, quality player.

[applejosh]

Now we're going to need someone else to step up and make a free, quality player.

My understanding is that there will be a "free" version of beta player. And I'm pretty sure that TCPMP won't expire now that a commercial version is out.

[SailingNut]

I just paid for, downloaded and installed CorePlayer. I have a couple issues. There are no help files and I can't find wher yu can assign buttons for speciofic functions such as volume controls and next/previous selection etc. The key function I NEED is the ability to turn off the display when listening to music to save power.

Any help on this out there?

UPDATE: Want to save $5 off the price? Use the coupon code ppcthoughts when buying the software at MobiHand. :(

*** long quote edited down by moderator JD***

[Jason Lee]

I just paid for, downloaded and installed CorePlayer. I have a couple issues. There are no help files and I can't find wher yu can assign buttons for speciofic functions such as volume controls and next/previous selection etc. The key function I NEED is the ability to turn off the display when listening to music to save power.

Any help on this out there?

:(

The developer said that the options menu was disabled in the initial release because of a problem. (very odd solution to a problem) It should be fixed soon.

[Mick]

I consider the lack of AVRCP support to be a show-stopper, particularly as the free version TCPMP 0.72RC1 does have AVRCP support.
It's hard to justify paying for an "upgrade" that loses what for me is required functionality.
Mick

[Jason Dunn]

I've updated the original post with a coupon - it would have been ideal to get that coupon code when we first posted, but unfortunately that didn't happen.

[Covert]

And I'm pretty sure that TCPMP won't expire now that a commercial version is out.
It's sorely in need of an update though; I can't live without the WM5 softkey support now.

[rkopper]

I just paid for, downloaded and installed CorePlayer. I have a couple issues. There are no help files and I can't find wher yu can assign buttons for speciofic functions such as volume controls and next/previous selection etc. The key function I NEED is the ability to turn off the display when listening to music to save power.

Any help on this out there?

UPDATE: Want to save $5 off the price? Use the coupon code ppcthoughts when buying the software at MobiHand. :(

*** long quote edited down by moderator JD***

You could use MortSaver to shut off the screen to save the battery life. Available http://www.sto-helit.de/modules/edito/content.php?id=36...

[hamishmacdonald]

I paid for it just 'cause I figured I owed the developers for saving me from countless crap in-flight movies.

[BetaBoy]

I paid for it just 'cause I figured I owed the developers for saving me from countless crap in-flight movies.
;-)... thx

BTW... an update for the Options menu issue... we are shooting for a Friday update for all platforms, plus the release of Palm.

[RogueSpear]

Great, one of the best freeware titles available for PPC/WM has gone $.

:cry:

[azhiker]

Great, one of the best freeware titles available for PPC/WM has gone $.

:cry:

While I agree it was once freeware, that does not mean it was free to develop and continue to update. It cost somebody time and effort. And I do not object to paying for it. It is only a challenge when it is a jump from free to $25. And it seems only available through Mobihand not Handango where I have a discount coming to me.

Now that is costs, perhaps Handango will carry it?! :?

[RogueSpear]

I am a software developer myself and I don't consider my time spent programming to be worthless, believe me. I would also certainly prefer to get more donations from people or more from Google AdSense. I know it is up to each individual developer and each developer has their own set of circumstances.

I don't mean to insult or otherwise berate the developers here, I'm just sort of expressing my own disappointment out loud.

[Cybrid]

Having used TCPMP for the longest time with such joy...I cannot in good conscience consider begrudging the developer the right to earn a living from his hard work.
Cheers to you.

[buckyg]

Yes, I have always thought that Betaplayer/TCPMP was worth paying for, I just never did. It has also saved me many hours of boredom while flying, catching up on stuff I never had a chance to watch, etc. So I did not begrudge the $ for Coreplayer. That's just IMHO, I certainly understand where other people are coming from in the "free vs. $" discussions.

BetaBoy, you and the CC folks are doing great. Thanks!

[khigeli]

Yes, I have always thought that Betaplayer/TCPMP was worth paying for, I just never did. It has also saved me many hours of boredom while flying, catching up on stuff I never had a chance to watch, etc. So I did not begrudge the $ for Coreplayer.

I agree. I have used/enjoyed TCPMP for a long time, so I also don't mind paying my dues. Good software needs to be supported and the best way to do that is with your pocket book !

[haesslich]

I didn't get the coupon. Bah! That's the price of being an early adopter, I fear. Still, I'm looking at this as an investment in the future - especially if they improve CoreAVC and CoreAAC so I can properly encode videos with them for viewing without stuttering and major issues.

[isajoo]

please dont take this the wrong way...but this was before a free program and i understand that they want to get paid...but if the freeware version is sooo great... do i really have to upgrade... i could just donate few bucks for the great app. now...if this was released about 6-8 months ago...i would have jumped on the opportunity...but since then many video podcasts have improved their divx/xvid format, which play great/smooth on tcpmp. so, although there are more codec supports and few more features... i will stick to the free version and rather send a donation. tcpmp is still a free app and is one of the best ones out there. i would think 4 out of 5 ppc users have it on their today screen. correct me if i am wrong.

[haesslich]

please dont take this the wrong way...but this was before a free program and i understand that they want to get paid...but if the freeware version is sooo great... do i really have to upgrade... i could just donate few bucks for the great app. now...if this was released about 6-8 months ago...i would have jumped on the opportunity...but since then many video podcasts have improved their divx/xvid format, which play great/smooth on tcpmp. so, although there are more codec supports and few more features... i will stick to the free version and rather send a donation. tcpmp is still a free app and is one of the best ones out there. i would think 4 out of 5 ppc users have it on their today screen. correct me if i am wrong.

Wait six weeks for BetaPlayer - which will be the freeware version, and the new TCPMP. The main reason CorePlayer costs is because they've got licensed codecs in there which you can't legally get for PocketPlayer (AAC support, and an improved h.264 codec).

[Menneisyys]

I consider the lack of AVRCP support to be a show-stopper, particularly as the free version TCPMP 0.72RC1 does have AVRCP support.
It's hard to justify paying for an "upgrade" that loses what for me is required functionality.
Mick

I'm pretty sure it'll (at least the AVRCP under pre-WM5 OS'es) be fixed in the next few days. After all, he code has already been written for TCPMP.

(AVRCP suppor for WM5 is another question. Not even PocketPlayer does support it - without some manual hacking described in my AVRCP-related articles.)

[Menneisyys]

please dont take this the wrong way...but this was before a free program and i understand that they want to get paid...but if the freeware version is sooo great... do i really have to upgrade... i could just donate few bucks for the great app. now...if this was released about 6-8 months ago...i would have jumped on the opportunity...but since then many video podcasts have improved their divx/xvid format, which play great/smooth on tcpmp. so, although there are more codec supports and few more features... i will stick to the free version and rather send a donation. tcpmp is still a free app and is one of the best ones out there. i would think 4 out of 5 ppc users have it on their today screen. correct me if i am wrong.

Same here. I'm not a big video watcher and if I do watch videos, then, I do it on the 15" UXGA FlexView screen of my Thinkpad, which is a real wonder, quality wise. It also offers all the DVD goodies (selectable subtitles without the need for "hacking" them into subtitle files - I mostly watch Finnish- or in-Finnish-subtitled movies, which not necessarily have subtitle files, unlike with more common languages) not present in any PPC viewer (at least with the current SRT situation outlined above).

Hwerver, I will buy CorePlayer if it'll be as good as iPlay, music playing-wise (WM5 AVRCP and a decent reverb DSP are a must).

[Menneisyys]

Great, one of the best freeware titles available for PPC/WM has gone $.

:cry:

It WILL have a freeware, slightly (some (rare) video codecs removed) dumbed-down free version. You (mostly) only pay for commercial codecs, which isn't the fault of the devs of CorePlayer but the respective companies taht do demand money for their codecs.

[DaleReeck]

I tried the coupon code for the Smartphone version but no love for Smartphone users :D

[Dyvim]

I tried the coupon code for the Smartphone version but no love for Smartphone users :D

Buy it through the SPT Affiliate Store and use the code SPT20 to get 20% off. This works for all software titles not just CorePlayer. :D

http://software.smartphonethoughts.com/

[Jason Lee]

aaahh, paying for the codecs... that makes more sense. do any other players even have these codecs? If there are no other players that do that would save me from trialing all of them. :)

I cannot in good concious spend money on anything without looking at all available options.

but i'm sure this will be the best product. ;)

[DaleReeck]

While I think $25 is a bit rough for PDA software, consider this. I have a Motorola Q SmartPhone. Using the built in Windows Media Player, wmv's play adequately though a bit rough sometimes. MP4's (which were encoded using iPod parameters like 768k max throughput etc) played horribly - really jerky and unusable.

Using the new CorePlayer, both wmv and MP4 files played great, very smooth. In fact, MP4's seemed a tad smoother though both had very good playback performance.

So, like the old saying goes, I guess you really do get what you pay for.

[DerekTheGeek]

So if I understand correctly, there will be two versions of The Core Player?

1. The Core Player ($24) - Includes some codecs not included in free version.

2. Beta Player (Free) - Some codecs missing that are present in Core Player.

Is this assessment correct?

I don't mind at all paying for "The Core Player". It’s been released and improved for so long that I will have got my moneys worth. What I do wish was different, is a different way to pay the developers. Handango is a rip off and takes, last time I checked, 40% of your payment. I sure wish more developers used PayPal or some other method where I could get the money directly to them.

[jlp]

...
Also, the ability to turn off the screen AND lock the hardware buttons when do so is much needed.

....

mmm problem with locking the hardware buttons is that you can't use the side scroller to control the volume anymore :evil:.

Now I use PHM Tools' screensaver and it locks the hardware pad and side scroller, only the enter keys work (center of pad and scoller).

[dhpss]

I posted an article entitled: "Is CorePlayer still in Beta?" HERE! (http://solsie.com/?p=1122)

[egandt]

Um, what about a change log, I do not mind buying it as I use the free version every day for 2 hours while riding the train, but I'd like to know what's new and whats not. Is there soft subtitle support?, is the Xceleration for the ATI and INTEL video chips present. How well does it work in VGA mode, what is the frame rate playing back 640x480 using there ffmpeg replacement codec, is it faster than teh current beta, or just nicer lokking ... Very many questions no answers, not even on the forums not the way to convince people to spend there money.


ERIC

PS. Never buy software without a change log and list of erata!

[runbuh]

Does anyone know of a player for the WM5 platform that supports the TrueSpeech codec? WMP 10 on Windows comes with built-in support for the codec, but WMP 10 Mobile does not. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated...

[haesslich]

Um, what about a change log, I do not mind buying it as I use the free version every day for 2 hours while riding the train, but I'd like to know what's new and whats not. Is there soft subtitle support?, is the Xceleration for the ATI and INTEL video chips present. How well does it work in VGA mode, what is the frame rate playing back 640x480 using there ffmpeg replacement codec, is it faster than teh current beta, or just nicer lokking ... Very many questions no answers, not even on the forums not the way to convince people to spend there money.


ERIC

PS. Never buy software without a change log and list of erata!

Considering this is a new program, coded from the ground up... there isn't going to be much of a changelog YET. If you read the site, yo'ull know that the 2700g acceleration is there, that ATI isn't and has never been there, and it works fine for me in VGA with smooth response with Xvid, and decent in h.264 - I've always found framerates with players will more often be constrained by the framerate of the original source file rather than the player itself, unless we're talking something like h.264 with FFMPEG. And by beta, do you mean the Tech Demo or TCPMP? Its performance is pretty much identical to the Tech Demo at the moment. Plus, most of what you asked is NOT the type of thing you'll find in a changelog.

By the way, it helps if you actually write your posts in English. ;)

[Menneisyys]

This interesting thread link (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=8103) has just been posted to my BrightHand review of CorePlayer. Recommended!

[Menneisyys]

So if I understand correctly, there will be two versions of The Core Player?

1. The Core Player ($24) - Includes some codecs not included in free version.

2. Beta Player (Free) - Some codecs missing that are present in Core Player.

Is this assessment correct?

I don't mind at all paying for "The Core Player". It’s been released and improved for so long that I will have got my moneys worth. What I do wish was different, is a different way to pay the developers. Handango is a rip off and takes, last time I checked, 40% of your payment. I sure wish more developers used PayPal or some other method where I could get the money directly to them.

As far as I know (I haven't read the CorePlayer forums), this is the case. That is, if you don't need the (rare / copyrighted) video codecs, just wait for the free version.

I'm afraid most of the $25 ($20 with the forum rebates) goes directly of the (C) holders of these codecs. That is, everyone seems to be shouting at the CorePlayer developers for producing an "expensive" player, while they hardly see any of that money (and have always worked for free on TCPMP / the ongoing BetaPlayer).

[Menneisyys]

I posted an article entitled: "Is CorePlayer still in Beta?" HERE! (http://solsie.com/?p=1122)

Hey everybody, this article is indeed worth checking out (albeit it doesn't list the lack of AVRCP as a problem - again, it seems to completely lack AVRCP even under WM2003SE, where TCPMP still had it - and it's only in version 1.5 that they will swicth to the the device / CPU ID-based registration, not in the current version).

[q-live]

has anyone tried this on the 6700 or treo 700w yet

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I paid for it just 'cause I figured I owed the developers for saving me from countless crap in-flight movies.
I'll second that! Once this program made the transition from PocketMVP to BetaPlayer, it became the most indispensible application on my PocketPC. For DivX video playback, it just couldn't be beat.

[jkcofield]

I'm using it on a 700w now. Works great, but I need the "Options" menu to automagically associate it with .wav files so I can listen to my Unity based voicemails from my inbox.

:wink:

Regards,

JKC

[dhpss]

I posted solutions for "Open with.." Here: http://solsie.com/?p=1137

[q-live]

does it work with the stereo bluetooth head sets and how good does it play mpeg 4 format????????

[dhpss]

If you have A2DP and it works with your device then CorePlayer also works but not AVCRP (no control, volume, next prev)

[dhpss]

Actually, the current version CorePlayer can not open any .asx (Playlist) that are previously created.

Message: Error File Not Found \CF (or \SD)

Read more in the new article entitled: "Let’s Make CorePlayer the Best-Ever Player!"
Here! (http://solsie.com/?p=1151)

[haesslich]

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=139866

Did you post that here too, for inclusion into the Wiki?

[dhpss]

Thanks, I will!

[maikii]

$25...little steep... free to $9.95 would have been cool...does it really perform better than the old one...other than new look and more codec support...is there big performance improvements. still love the old one...never had any major problems with it. maybe skin supports could be a benifit.

I'm glad they are coming out with a trial version, as that wasn't clear initially.

They are also coming out with, at about the same time, a freeware version, called Betaplayer (which was the name of TCPMP before it was renamed).

My suggestion would be (which I intend to do)--no matter how curious one might be now, wait until the free Betaplayer and the trial version of the commercial player come out, download and try both. Then you can decide if you think the commercial version is worth paying that much for, whether the freeware version suits your needs, whether you would prefer to stick with TCPMP .72RC (last version of TCPMP), or some other media player entirely.

Better to be able to try something out before buying, than to purchase it sight (and sound) unseen.

As far as the $24.95 price. I think the intention is to sell it for $19.95. The $24.95 "list price" is a marketing gimmick, so they can say buy it now to get the great discounted price of $19.95! :lol: The discount comes in the form of "coupons"--for instance you can buy it through the PPCThoughts store for $19.95.

Of course, if they don't get as many sales as they'd like at that price, they will most likely adjust the price lower to increase the sales volume. So, who knows what the price will setlle on later on?

In any case, it makes sense not to rush, but rather wait to try the trial and freeware versions, before making a decision.

[buckyg]

1.01 is out for WM! Was looking around on Mobihand for something else, checked out of curiousity. Haven't seen mention of the WM release yet on Corecodec. It says 1.01 on Mobihand but About says 1.02. I did have to enter my Core Number (serial #)again.

Settings are there! Nice having File Associations, MicroDrive &amp; Equalizer settings. :way to go:

No real chance to play much with it more than that, yet.

[Phillip Dyson]

I was all for buying CorePlayer until I read about the "phone home" licensing scheme. It seems like a hassle waiting to happen. Not to mention a hidden cost for those not using an unlimited data plan.

I searched the CorePlayer website but couldn't find any mention of this scheme in on the product page or knowledge base.

Does anyone know if there is any official information on the way it works?

[haesslich]

I was all for buying CorePlayer until I read about the "phone home" licensing scheme. It seems like a hassle waiting to happen. Not to mention a hidden cost for those not using an unlimited data plan.

I searched the CorePlayer website but couldn't find any mention of this scheme in on the product page or knowledge base.

Does anyone know if there is any official information on the way it works?

No further word on 'phone home' functionality, although it has been EXPLICITLY stated that it's not in the current builds of CorePlayer. The CoreServices account is supposed to let you get upgrades or even customized builds of the player... eventually. Check the Community there for any other info.

[q-live]

how good is this software????? how much have they improved it????

[jlp]

$25...little steep... free to $9.95 would have been cool...does it really perform better than the old one...other than new look and more codec support...is there big performance improvements. still love the old one...never had any major problems with it. maybe skin supports could be a benifit.

I'm glad they are coming out with a trial version, as that wasn't clear initially.

They are also coming out with, at about the same time, a freeware version, called Betaplayer (which was the name of TCPMP before it was renamed).

....
(emphasis added for easier reading)
Where is the trial version? And the freeware version? No words in 3 months now

[q-live]

is this still the best right now for pocket pcs or has something better come along thats better?????

[Nurhisham Hussein]

As far as I'm concerned, this still is the best.