Further Details on WMP 10 from Paul Thurrott

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.winnetmag.com/windowspaulthurrott/Article/ArticleID/42839/windowspaulthurrott_42839.html' target='_blank'>http://www.winnetmag.com/windowspaulthurrott/Article/ArticleID/42839/windowspaulthurrott_42839.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Originally scheduled to be a minor upgrade to Windows Media Player 9 Series, Crescent has grown in scope. Now dubbed Windows Media Player 10, the software is a major release that addresses three major concerns. First is a refinement of the user interface to make it more streamlined and refined. The taskbar has been moved to a top-mounted row of clearly labeled, task-based navigation bar buttons ("Now Playing," "Library," "Rip," "Burn," "Sync," and "Guide"). Media information, like media name, artist name, and bit rate, has been moved from its hard-to-see location in the previous version to a more prominent location in the player's UI. And menus are off by default, giving the player a more streamlined look; more advanced users can still access all of the functionality of the player, however, by mousing over the menu area and enabling the menus on the fly"</i><br /><br />Paul Thurrott has an excellent article highlighting some of the new features in WMP 10 - worth a read!

[James Fee]

I'm not going to download it (My system doesn't need another reason to crash), but I do like the GUI changes. WMP9 was confusing, but this all changes with 10. The tabs on the top would seem to simplify the process. Also being able to choose a store to download is a brilliant idea.

[ale_ers]

I am also interested in the stability. I don't want to put it on my media center edition, but I may put it on my laptop. All the music on there is a copy of what I have on my MCE anyway. But since I use my laptop for work (and the occasional song while working) I just want to make sure it will not crash anything.

If it messes with the media I have on that PC so be it...just don't mess with e mail, internet connection, VPN or the like.

Hmmm I wonder when I will finally breakdown and give it a try.

[Ed Hansberry]

I noticed system requirements are XP Home and XP Pro. I guess that means no for XP MCE and XP Tablet for now.

Not real excited about messing up my MCE either. If I had to "tear down" the entertainment center again if WMP10 blew up on my PC, I woulnd't be a real happy camper.

[James Fee]

Hmmm I wonder when I will finally breakdown and give it a try.
Addictions are tough to beat. :lol:

[Mojo Jojo]

Wow. Times have changed.

It used to be (as I recall things) that Beta used to mean loosely that the app was near feature complete, some what stable, and the catastrophic bugs were taking out. Sure there might be some knick nack quirks here or there or odd behaviors due to different hardware levels, but a lot of people I have been talking to fear these newer betas like the plague.

With the thought of having to rebuild windows because of a bad app... that is just a little discomforting. Has the mindset really changed? I know it is slightly off topic sounding but I can't find anyone at my office who is even interested in trying the new media player out, not because of lack of interest but of fear.

Anyone try it out yet?

[mar2k]

Is this based on WMP 9 codec or is there a new WMP 10 codec?