Microsoft Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5146
Windows Media Player 11 is the all-in-one media player developed by Microsoft to provide users with the ability to view multimedia content, both from the Internet and from their hard drive. You can use Microsoft® Windows Media® Player 11 to play and organize digital media files on your computer and on the Internet. In addition, you can use the Player to play, rip, and burn CDs; play DVDs and VCDs; allows you to view MPEG and various other types of video content, as well as audio clips: synchronize your music, videos, and your favorite recorded TV shows to portable devices, such as portable digital audio players, Pocket PCs, and Portable Media Centers.
Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP offers you unmatched choice and flexibility for your digital media. You can easily manage your libraries of digital music, photos, and video on your computer; explore a new world of music through the integrated URGE music service; and connect with mobile devices so you can have your digital media collection wherever you want it. Windows Media Player 11 is designed to work with all versions of Windows XP with Service Pack 2, including Windows XP Home Edition N and Windows XP Professional N.
Some of the unique features of Media Player 11 (for Windows Vista) are a deeply integrated music library for both online and offline content, a new and improved interface, the ability to connect to additional hardware easily, and integrated, easy-to-use tools for following the process of any task (downloading music, burning CDs, synching music, or streaming video, just to name a few). Media Player 11 has a new integrated feel, too—one that makes online, network, and offline content indistinguishable.
Many of the improvements are due to the redesigned interface, which includes simplified trees, helpful shortcuts on the menus and menu bars, and an advanced and improved media library. There are now Back and Forward buttons, giving Media Player a web-browser feel; a lightning-fast WordWheel search tool for getting through the library; and Xbox 360 support.
Reliability, ease of use, and hardware support:
Windows Media Player 11 is by far the most reliable, easy to use, and complete music experience available. In my time with it, I found it to be extremely dependable. It's fast too, and it reminded me of expensive Internet jukeboxes normally found only in nightclubs and bars. As with those high-end players, the line between what's actually on the jukebox and what comes from the Internet is nearly indistinguishable. Media Player 11, in my opinion, is the best jukebox I've ever experienced.