Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X

[MacRumors]

Microsoft quietly released Windows Media Player 9 (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/software/macintosh/osx/default.aspx) for Mac OS X today.

Introducing Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X. Sporting a new brushed steel skin for Apple's newest operating system, this new version of our player opens the world of Windows Media 9 content to Macintosh users, enabling them to access the best audio and video on the Web. New plug-in support added for Internet Explorer, Netscape and Safari enables playback of Windows Media files right from the browser.

Hints at this release appeared in September (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/09/20030905122603.shtml) on Microsoft's site.

Windows Media Player 9 represents the most advanced version of Microsoft's audio/video codec and has been unavailable on the Macintosh platform until now. WMP9 media is being positioned by Microsoft against the MPEG4 video codec.

[Le Big Mac]

That's interesting. And good.

[m.r.m.]

what can wmp do that quicktime can´t?

[Fitzcaraldo]

Finally I can watch my National team on a Mac... :) :D

[arn]

Originally posted by m.r.m.
what can wmp do that quicktime can´t?

play wmp files.

arn

[mister880]

Quicktime Rocks on the Mac.. But my Windows XP version of quicktime is slow and buggy.. Hopefully Media Player will be decent on this side.. The past few versions have been decent!

Apple's quicktime is 100% rock solid on the mac!

[DreaminDirector]

blah.... Quicktime forever...

[XnavxeMiyyep]

Argh! Windows Media sucks @ss. Unfortunately, I will have to download it to play Windows Media files, which the quality also sucks @ss.

[bcsimac]

I am on the WM-Talk list and got an email earlier about this being out. I downloaded it right away. I know I will need it only for Windows Media files which are popular in the Christian Radio circles......QuickTime is hardly available on the Christian Radio or Christian content sites unfortunately.

[nagromme]

Enough of this iTunes/AAC nonsense. Finally I can have my music DRM controlled by Microsoft!!!

(So... does this mean we can now play protected WMA music or not?)

[pgwalsh]

Originally posted by arn
play wmp files.

arn ha ha ha That was a good chuckle.

That has been a problem for some sites. I really don't like the whole idea of having 3 different media players to play music or video off the web. WMP, Real, and quicktime. Can't they all just get along.

[reckless_0001]

This is awesome!!! Now we can access all the video content the Windows users can.

For all the pessimists... remember this just made the Mac a whole lot more versitile.


EDIT: I love that I can use it in Safari now!!

[Fitzcaraldo]

Still can't watch my National team on a Mac.

This net TV requires Windows Media Player 9...

“application/x-oleobject” content included No such Mime plugin? :(

[pivo6]

There are still a few radio stations that i listen to that are in this format. I downloaded it, and it seems to work. No small feat for Microsoft.

[mainstreetmark]

I know someone has provided an Ogg-Vorbis plugin for iTunes, allowing iTunes to "grow beyond it's original programming". I wouldn't be totally opposed to somehow making a WMA pluggin for iTunes, even if it means running Windows Media windowlessly in the background. Same with Real. I don't like having a bunch of different media apps, each with their own skin that makes it look all futuristicy.

There are, in fact, several other media types I'm waiting for, such as Short files.

[X86BSD]

Don't hold your breath. Ogg is dead except for geeks living in their mom's basement.

Seriously, nice idea, and im sure it was technically better then <insert format you hate here> but it's dead. I seriously doubt you will ever see get adopted en masse.

[matthew24]

Nice to see that MS does take the Mac seriously. Now downloading at 2K/sec. (512/ADSL!)

[mustang_dvs]

If there's anything that Quicktime Player can't play (including .asx and .wmv), I usually find that Video LAN Client (VLC) can play it -- usually much better than WiMP. It's free, it's open source and it's small.

http://www.videolan.org/

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/14738

[Admin Note: VLC does not play WMP 9 files]

[mainstreetmark]

Originally posted by X86BSD
Don't hold your breath. Ogg is dead except for geeks living in their mom's basement.

Seriously, nice idea, and im sure it was technically better then <insert format you hate here> but it's dead. I seriously doubt you will ever see get adopted en masse.

My argument is not for "Ogg = Better", but rather for "More Format I Hate Plugins", to reduce the need to look at Real Player and the like.

[Malic]

Originally posted by mustang_dvs
If there's anything that Quicktime Player can't play (including .asx and .wmv), I usually find that Video LAN Client (VLC) can play it -- usually much better than WiMP. It's free, it's open source and it's small.

http://www.videolan.org/

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/14738

VLC can't do WMP 9 format files, which is why this is a cool thing.

For all Microsoft haters, remember, now you can listen to Amazon music samples WITHOUT resorting to RealPlayer!

Yes, I'd rather contaminate my Mac with a little bit of Microsoft software than ANY Real software.

[Malic]

Don't hold your breath. Ogg is dead except for geeks living in their mom's basement.

Seriously, nice idea, and im sure it was technically better then <insert format you hate here> but it's dead. I seriously doubt you will ever see get adopted en masse.

Don't say that! I want FLAC for iTunes. Badly.

[Mosco]

Originally posted by mustang_dvs
If there's anything that Quicktime Player can't play (including .asx and .wmv), I usually find that Video LAN Client (VLC) can play it -- usually much better than WiMP. It's free, it's open source and it's small.

http://www.videolan.org/

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/14738

I am pretty sure it can't play wmp 9 files though.

Overall it looks pretty much the same as the old version except for the brushed metal.

Anyone know if this supports 5.1 wmp 9 files? i am guessing no.

[mainstreetmark]

Originally posted by Malic
Don't say that! I want FLAC for iTunes. Badly.

Must be one of those days. I'll just make a plain, un-misinterpret-able statement:


I want to see plugins for all audio formats in iTunes.

[eallison]

According to the ReadMe (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/software/Macintosh/osx/readme.aspx#playingprotected) there should be some support for DRM'd files

[gothamac]

First you must un-install ALL earlier version of the program,


To Uninstall Windows Media Player 7 for Mac or Windows Media Player 6.3 for Mac

To uninstall previous versions of the Player:
1. Drag the Windows Media Player folder to the Trash.
2. Double-click the System folder, double-click the Preferences folder, and then drag the Windows Media Player Prefs file to the Trash.
3. Double-click the System folder, double-click the Extensions folder, and then drag the following files, if present, to the Trash:
? Acelp.net Decoder 05.0 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 06.5 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 08.5 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 16.0 kbps
? Mpeg Layer-3 Audio
? MPG4
? VivoActive G723 Decoder
4. On the Special menu, click Empty Trash, and then click OK.
5. On the Special menu, click Restart.


Wow. forget that

[McToast]

I have a ********* of WMP files in which I can view the video but not the audio because it uses ACELP.NET audio codecs. I couldn't wait for WMP 9 to come out becuase I though when it did I could play back these videos WITH SOUND but guess what? WMP for Mac STILL does not play back the sound in these clips!!!!! ARGHH, I still get the error message "This file may not play correctly because it was compressed by using a codec that is no supported"

WMP for Windows plays these files perfectly with both sound and video.

I'M SO PISSED!

[Sailfish]

No WMP for me yet, I hardly find a use for it or any Microsoft product.

Lucky me. : )

[lilscoy]

Anyone try watching the Terminator 2 dvd, Disc 2 High-Def? Does this mean it'll be compatible with Macs now?

[rdowns]

Originally posted by pgwalsh
ha ha ha That was a good chuckle.

That has been a problem for some sites. I really don't like the whole idea of having 3 different media players to play music or video off the web. WMP, Real, and quicktime. Can't they all just get along.

Tell me about it. Hired a company to produce a video for my companies web site and I insisted on all 3 player compatibility. The developer was not going to include Quicktime.

[blueBomber]

t2 doesn't work, it uses interactual player to play the video, and WMP9 to process. Since interactual isn't on the mac... no high def on the mac. Unless somebody knows of a way to play it without the interactual software

[Photorun]

I downloaded and installed it hoping it'd be an improvement over whatever was the last version I had. My god... IT'S WORSE!!! Some artists I like have videos sadly only available in WMP format. Before they'd vaguely get through with just huge artifacts and crappy sound... now they time-out or buffer or the video freezes and the audio continues!! What the crap?!?! This is in fact a downgrade. The quality still sux as much, just now things don't play all the way through.

Another example of why Windoze and anything Microsuck does simply just blows!

[primalman]

Originally posted by gothamac
First you must un-install ALL earlier version of the program,


To Uninstall Windows Media Player 7 for Mac or Windows Media Player 6.3 for Mac

To uninstall previous versions of the Player:
1. Drag the Windows Media Player folder to the Trash.
2. Double-click the System folder, double-click the Preferences folder, and then drag the Windows Media Player Prefs file to the Trash.
3. Double-click the System folder, double-click the Extensions folder, and then drag the following files, if present, to the Trash:
? Acelp.net Decoder 05.0 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 06.5 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 08.5 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 16.0 kbps
? Mpeg Layer-3 Audio
? MPG4
? VivoActive G723 Decoder
4. On the Special menu, click Empty Trash, and then click OK.
5. On the Special menu, click Restart.


Wow. forget that

What's funny is that these are instructions for OS 9, while the new software is for OS X. DO they even realize this.

Stupidity runs rampant.

:p

[centauratlas]

Originally posted by primalman
What's funny is that these are instructions for OS 9, while the new software is for OS X. DO they even realize this.

Stupidity runs rampant.

:p

I was wondering about that. It is unbelievable.

[McToast]

Okay I got the Plug in to work, just had to restart Safari but I STILL don't have audio for videos encoded with ACELP.NET audio codecs.

[BWhaler]

Is anyone having problem installing this?

I downloaded the bin file, but it won't install.

[whfsdude]

Time for some good old tv :-)

http://tv.seattlewireless.net/

But really I hate to say it WMP is better than real IMHO now :)

[billyboy]

This release of WMP 9 is an advantage for mac users ie choice and access to material on the internet is wider now. But as long as mpeg development keeps moving forward and stays accessible to Mac and PC, and technically keeps ahead of WMP, people providing their video content on the net will opt for mpeg, and the omni presence of WMP9 becomes irrelevant.




28 minutes to download WMP9 at 3.7kb on a 512kb broadband connection? That´s really encourageing and user friendly.:confused:

[silvergunuk]

If it means I can watch low quality porn downloaded from various P2P clients, it's fine by me.

[sebisworld]

Is it a good or a bad sign that the installation freezes before it has even started to copy files? Is Panther just stronger and can withstand Microsoft?

[Quobobo]

The installer has been frozen for the last 10 minutes (second time I've tried to install). And I thought WMP for Mac couldn't get any worse...

[ryaxnb]

WMP 9 seems all right, but the default skin's 'faked brushed metal to weird metal gradient' for the player controls stinks. Switch to the Modern or Translucent themes, they're much better.

[ryaxnb]

Originally posted by Quobobo
The installer has been frozen for the last 10 minutes (second time I've tried to install). And I thought WMP for Mac couldn't get any worse... Sometimes it seems to freeze. But iFind that if i just let it go in the background it "unfreezes" itself.

[BigHairyBuds]

i think microsoft was unable to figure out how to "overwrite" the previous WMP app, so you have to remove it yourself...or they are the most inept group of coders out there (most likely). anyways, installation for me would freeze unless i manually deleted the wmp app, hope this helps.

[primalman]

Originally posted by sebisworld
Is it a good or a bad sign that the installation freezes before it has even started to copy files? Is Panther just stronger and can withstand Microsoft?

LOL!

:)

[McToast]

So I am the only one who has enncountered this aduio problem? Am I the only one being frustrated by this?

[sethypoo]

I love Quicktime! Mpeg forever!

But, having the option to play wma files is nice too.

More versatility.

[rdowns]

Originally posted by billyboy

28 minutes to download WMP9 at 3.7kb on a 512kb broadband connection? That´s really encourageing and user friendly.:confused:

46 seconds on cable modem.

[simX]

As others have stated, for some reason the WMP installer likes to search your hard drive for something before it starts installing, and this searching takes a *LONG* time. It took a few minutes on my comp before it started installing, but it did start eventually. I imagine that if you have a bigger hard drive or a slower computer, the lag time may be longer. So just start the installation and put it in the background.

I must say that it is nice to have a WMP plugin for Safari now, but the video/audio codecs that are supported are not as complete as the PC version (as was stated before). I am still unable to play certain files, even after trying MPlayer, VLC, and the new WMP 9 player.

Ah, well. I could play most divx files before WMP 9, so whatever.

[ITR 81]

After I DL 9 it said I could not expand it!!?? It says I need expander 8 or later and reinstall from the orig installer.

WTF?? I have Stuffit 8 I got it only like 2 weeks ago.
Can anyone help out? If not I'll just make do with last ver. because MS is starting to piss me off. The installer doesn't even work like it's suppose too.

I've DL two other programs that used expander and it worked like a charm...why does MS have to be arse.

[billyboy]

Originally posted by whfsdude
Time for some good old tv :-)

http://tv.seattlewireless.net/

But really I hate to say it WMP is better than real IMHO now :)

tremendous example of WMP at its best - not so far.

I trashed all traces of rprevious WMP and installed as directed. Playing the above link with WMP set with what looks like the appropriate preferences it is a complete waste of time. Real Player looks and sounds almost perfect. Even VLC playing audio only is a better option.

Any ideas how to make WMP rock, please.

[Fitzcaraldo]

Originally posted by McToast
So I am the only one who has enncountered this aduio problem? Am I the only one being frustrated by this?


Well I don't share your Audio issues, but having instaled WMP9 previously working links to view here media in alternatives to WMP such as Real Player cause my Systems profiler to load?

[McToast]

Originally posted by simX


I must say that it is nice to have a WMP plugin for Safari now, but the video/audio codecs that are supported are not as complete as the PC version (as was stated before). I am still unable to play certain files, even after trying MPlayer, VLC, and the new WMP 9 player.

Ah, well. I could play most divx files before WMP 9, so whatever.

I have done some research since posting earlier and I found this:

At present there is no audio if you use Windows Media Player under Macintosh OS X.
3AW audio streaming uses the ACELP.net codec which is the best codec for voice.
Mac OS X does not support the ACELP.net codec

from this site: http://www.3aw.com.au/troubleshoot/FAQ.html

So it seems this is actually Apple's fault and Mac OS X's fault.

Why would Apple not be supporting this codec in Mac OS X?

It is REALLY annoying and frustrating.

[e-coli]

Originally posted by BWhaler
Is anyone having problem installing this?

I downloaded the bin file, but it won't install.

It "Searched" my hard drive for a good 10 minutes before installing.

Another junk product brought to you by you-know-who.

But I'm glad we have it on the Mac now.

[ITR 81]

Won't install for me either! Tells me I need to re-install Stuffit 8? I'm like ok it worked fine just a week ago.

I just trashed the damn thing.

[jphoenix]

I'm only having one problem with the new windows media player, VLC still opens wmp files instead of windows media opening them. I looked in wmp preferences and VLC prefs and couldn't find anwhere to change this. How can i make windows media player open the files without having to go the 'open with' menu?

[simX]

Originally posted by McToast
I have done some research since posting earlier and I found this:

At present there is no audio if you use Windows Media Player under Macintosh OS X.
3AW audio streaming uses the ACELP.net codec which is the best codec for voice.
Mac OS X does not support the ACELP.net codec

from this site: http://www.3aw.com.au/troubleshoot/FAQ.html

So it seems this is actually Apple's fault and Mac OS X's fault.

Why would Apple not be supporting this codec in Mac OS X?

It is REALLY annoying and frustrating.

I have my doubts as to whether this is really true. They just state it and don't give any specific reasons. My guess is they just don't feel like taking the time to make it for Mac OS X.

In any case, you might want to drop Apple a line (http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/) and let them know about the issue, in case it really IS something with Mac OS X.

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by e-coli
It "Searched" my hard drive for a good 10 minutes before installing.Is it gathering information about your system to transmit to Microsoft? Not that I'm suspicious or anything. :rolleyes:

[Ramsos]

quote:
Originally posted by billyboy

28 minutes to download WMP9 at 3.7kb on a 512kb broadband connection? That´s really encourageing and user friendly.


46 seconds on cable modem.

I took lesss than 20 seconds on my DSL.

[Analog Kid]

Originally posted by bcsimac
I am on the WM-Talk list and got an email earlier about this being out. I downloaded it right away. I know I will need it only for Windows Media files which are popular in the Christian Radio circles......QuickTime is hardly available on the Christian Radio or Christian content sites unfortunately.

Probably got something to do with Bono's Dalai Lama comment... ;)

[Doctor Q]

I read the WMP Privacy Statement very carefully. They say all the right things. I like to say I don't trust Microsoft, but from what I've seen, Real Player is more likely to keep to touch with its owner organization than Windows Media Player is.

[Analog Kid]

Originally posted by McToast
I have done some research since posting earlier and I found this:

At present there is no audio if you use Windows Media Player under Macintosh OS X.
3AW audio streaming uses the ACELP.net codec which is the best codec for voice.
Mac OS X does not support the ACELP.net codec

from this site: http://www.3aw.com.au/troubleshoot/FAQ.html

So it seems this is actually Apple's fault and Mac OS X's fault.

Why would Apple not be supporting this codec in Mac OS X?

It is REALLY annoying and frustrating.

This should be corrected-- it should probably read "WMP for OS X does not support ACELP.net codec.

Providing codecs for MS use is not Apple's job-- providing codecs for Quicktime is.

Apple can't "not support" someone else writing a codec.

[Analog Kid]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
I read the WMP Privacy Statement very carefully. They say all the right things. I like to say I don't trust Microsoft, but from what I've seen, Real Player is more likely to keep to touch with its owner organization than Windows Media Player is.

Yeah, this version is probably safe, and maybe the next one, and then all of a sudden some "security update" gets posted that changes the terms of your EULA and sets up superuser access for MS Marketing.

They keep trying to set up two way comms to our machines, and the public outcry makes them shut it down, and then they try again the next time.

I've seen too many dirty tricks out of Redmond to trust anything they do for a very long time...

[Dahl]

I just installed V.7 for OS 10.3 the other day and now this comes out.
Why isn't it featured on Microsoft's Macpage: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx?pid=download&location=/mac/download/misc/winmp_osx.xml&secid=80&ssid=8&flgnosysreq=False
How annoying...
Maybe they should update the page ?

[arn]

Originally posted by Analog Kid

They keep trying to set up two way comms to our machines, and the public outcry makes them shut it down, and then they try again the next time.


AnalogKid, if you are truly this paranoid, you should buy/install LittleSnitch (http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html).

Otherwise, WMP9 is a tool which many people are interested in. There's no need to turn this thread into your own personal Microsoft rant.

Yes, people don't like Microsoft. We get it.

Bottom line: WMP9 content exists. This player will play WMP9 content. VLC will not.

arn

[McToast]

Originally posted by Analog Kid
This should be corrected-- it should probably read "WMP for OS X does not support ACELP.net codec.

Providing codecs for MS use is not Apple's job-- providing codecs for Quicktime is.

Apple can't "not support" someone else writing a codec.

Well apparently WMV files that have audio encoded with ACELP.NET will play if you use WMP 7.1 under OS 9.

So, what does that mean? It works under OS 9 but not OS X, so is it Microsoft, Apple or VoiceAge (the owner of the codec)? Who is responsible for it working under OS X?

[kpl]

The installation went without a hitch. Now WMP stuff plays in Safari (take that, RealOne!).

The installer has a lot of peculiarities though. It stalls for a long time and then installs all the files quickly. Unfortunately, there is no way to get a list of files that it installs. I would prefer to have some log (especially for something that takes an administrative password). Even more peculiar, the installer is technically not localized in English! Check out the menus of the installer. Pretty damn weird!

[tex210]

I won't be installing this unless I am required to, which I just don't see happening. I want mpg4 to come out on top. I like editing on my mac. I won't support wm with another install or add another download to their stats. Each one counts.

[PHARAOHk]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jphoenix
I'm only having one problem with the new windows media player, VLC still opens wmp files instead of windows media opening them. I looked in wmp preferences and VLC prefs and couldn't find anwhere to change this. How can i make windows media player open the files without having to go the 'open with' menu? [/QUOTE

Go to a file you want to be opened by WMP. Control-click it/ get info/ open with/ You can do just one or all files of that type. I think this is the way you are supposed to change file associations.

(((k)))

[plasticparadox]

Screenshots please? I don't have a mac... yet

[Analog Kid]

Originally posted by arn
Otherwise, WMP9 is a tool which many people are interested in. There's no need to turn this thread into your own personal Microsoft rant.

arn

Apologies...

[Analog Kid]

Originally posted by McToast
Well apparently WMV files that have audio encoded with ACELP.NET will play if you use WMP 7.1 under OS 9.

So, what does that mean? It works under OS 9 but not OS X, so is it Microsoft, Apple or VoiceAge (the owner of the codec)? Who is responsible for it working under OS X?

I don't think it's possible for Apple to prevent a codec from running on their machine. A codec should just take a data stream and translate it to the speakers.

I'm not sure who needs to write it, MS or VoiceAge-- probably the same company that wrote it for other platforms.

I suppose it's possible that Apple wrote it for OS9, but I doubt it. They seem focused on QT supported standards.

[kotonk]

DRM is still problematic (some files still throw you to their license page and do not play the content). Also, a QT codec is needed because this player does not support WMV3 (Windows Media 9) in an AVI container. Yes, I have tried renaming some of these files with a .WMV extension but the player just kicks back a invalid format error.

Also, sounds like some have never really seen some of the better 9.0 media. Quality is actually pretty good for some rather compact video files. Sadly all this DRM stuff turns the entire experience into a nightmare and just as how QT can be a terrible experience on Windows (which it really is compared to how excellently it runs under OS X), WMP is still pretty crappy on OS X. Too bad this product is not in the hands of the MacBU team as it would at least be a little bit better. Like others, I just want to be able to play the media without any fuss and unfortunately, we are still getting the short end of the stick. Most folks in the Windows world do not care about QT and are just using what is included in XP which is Windows Media. The tools are also surprisingly easy compared to the morass of getting quality MPEG-4 videos out from the Mac without a bunch of 3rd party apps or resorting to going the ffmpegX route. Cleaner 6 is no help as it puts out damaged MPEG's and constantly crashes (it wastes more time which is sad because it used to be a really good app when Terran Interactive owned it). I guess I use tools on both sides and some of the freeware apps on the Windows side are rather good (we need a Virtual Dub sort of freeware app for OS X). I mention this because the irony is graphics and video are supposed to be a key strength. I have yet to find a semi decent way to deal with MPEG-2 transport streams under OS X while there are at least some crude but useful Windows tools to deal with them.

As for ACELP.NET, releasing an OS X codec would be the responsibility of VoiceAge as it is their technology unless of course someone wants to clean room reverse engineer it and write a codec.

[AppleMatt]

Well, I've installed it and played around for a few hours. I'm semi-impressed.

Performance is still low, very low. Even the sample video chokes on an 867MHz G4 with anything else running.

The skin is annoying, it's not the standard brushed metal and the interface elements are not properly spaced. IMO, skin support should be totally dropped (I said this in WMP 7 too), it would look better and increase performance/reduce resources used.

On the flip side, having a Safari plugin is absolutely top-notch, and we must remember the atrocity that is QuickTime for Windows before fully judging this.

AppleMatt

sidenote: Anyone else noticed a performance drop with Panther and QT 6.4 when playing massive QuickTime (*.mov) files? Previously on Jag the 96MB Matrix Reloaded trailer would play flawlessly full-screen, but now it jumps in all my Panther installations :(.

[stid]

Originally posted by billyboy
tremendous example of WMP at its best - not so far.

I trashed all traces of rprevious WMP and installed as directed. Playing the above link with WMP set with what looks like the appropriate preferences it is a complete waste of time. Real Player looks and sounds almost perfect. Even VLC playing audio only is a better option.

Any ideas how to make WMP rock, please.

Same test here, WMP quality is terrible (video & Audio).... I have a 4Mbit internet connection and with VLC I can see near DVD quality video without any problems.

Real Player version is smoller for me but a lot better in term of audio and video (also if I double the size).

[jfruh]

Hi there-

Safari crashes now when I try to access a page w/embedded windows media files. Anyone else having this problem? (Not that I could play them in the browser before, but this is obviously not the desired behavior. ;))

I threw out the old version of the player, but (since as already noted the instructions pertained to OS 9) I couldn't find the other files to throw out before installing. Maybe I needed to have done that to get this to work properly? Should I throw it out and re-install?

jf

[manu chao]

Originally posted by gothamac
First you must un-install ALL earlier version of the program,

To Uninstall Windows Media Player 7 for Mac or Windows Media Player 6.3 for Mac

To uninstall previous versions of the Player:
1. Drag the Windows Media Player folder to the Trash.
2. Double-click the System folder, double-click the Preferences folder, and then drag the Windows Media Player Prefs file to the Trash.
3. Double-click the System folder, double-click the Extensions folder, and then drag the following files, if present, to the Trash:
? Acelp.net Decoder 05.0 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 06.5 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 08.5 kbps
? Acelp.net Decoder 16.0 kbps
? Mpeg Layer-3 Audio
? MPG4
? VivoActive G723 Decoder
4. On the Special menu, click Empty Trash, and then click OK.
5. On the Special menu, click Restart.


I assume you are supposed to do the same to uninstall the OS X version (7.1) by hunting down the same files since these instructions refer to the Mac OS 9?

And what is about uninstalling Acelp.net Decoder (for v7.1) and a lot of people complaining that Acelp.net streams don't play in WMP 9? Does MS wants us to remove these codecs, but then not providing new ones, or do acelp.net streams don't play if you did not remove the old ones before the installation?

I am confused.

[Lucifer_sam]

Still can't play some divx files on the wmp on the mac, that easily played on my p.c. at work.:mad: The divx says it need wmf3 codec but that isn't supported in wmp for osx. way to go MS!

[jocknerd]

Originally posted by X86BSD
Don't hold your breath. Ogg is dead except for geeks living in their mom's basement.

Seriously, nice idea, and im sure it was technically better then <insert format you hate here> but it's dead. I seriously doubt you will ever see get adopted en masse.

Get off your Mac high horse. Just because Steve Jobs isn't using it doesn't mean its dead. In fact, it can't die. Its open source. As long as the code is out there, it will live.

In fact, many games out now are using Ogg Vorbis for their sound because they don't want to pay the licensing fees associated with the other formats.

[McToast]

Originally posted by jocknerd
Get off your Mac high horse. Just because Steve Jobs isn't using it doesn't mean its dead. In fact, it can't die. Its open source. As long as the code is out there, it will live.

In fact, many games out now are using Ogg Vorbis for their sound because they don't want to pay the licensing fees associated with the other formats.

Don't be so insulted, are you one of those geeks living in your mother's basement?

Ogg will NEVER be a viable format in the downloadable digital music arena, so yeah, it's dead in most practical ways, and WMA just offers a dead end!

[Blaaze]

Like some dude said before, we have to keep in mind QuickTime for windows. It's not the "greatest app for windows". I'm guessing it's not easy to port apps to other platforms.

Frankly, in my point of view, Microsoft has done a pretty okay job at porting windows media player. We just keep hounding them because they're Microsoft and we sit here high and proud on our "mac horse".

As Mac users, most of our media is going to played in QuickTime and iTunes, which both rock. For most of us, we're going to use wmp format sparingly. As long as we have an app that plays our wmp media, we should be happy. Now that it's supposedly plugged-in into Safari, it's even better.

Sympathy to those who actually do use the program regularly. If these slow down issues, and acl-something.net problems are real. Myself...I'm dandy, props to Microsoft for making an okay player.

[coumerelli]

Originally posted by AppleMatt
sidenote: Anyone else noticed a performance drop with Panther and QT 6.4 when playing massive QuickTime (*.mov) files? Previously on Jag the 96MB Matrix Reloaded trailer would play flawlessly full-screen, but now it jumps in all my Panther installations :(.

yep..as a matter of fact, I ended up throwing that one away and saving one of the smaller ones. shesh...

[McToast]

Originally posted by Blaaze
Like some dude said before, we have to keep in mind QuickTime for windows. It's not the "greatest app for windows". I'm guessing it's not easy to port apps to other platforms.

Frankly, in my point of view, Microsoft has done a pretty okay job at porting windows media player. We just keep hounding them because they're Microsoft and we sit here high and proud on our "mac horse".

As Mac users, most of our media is going to played in QuickTime and iTunes, which both rock. For most of us, we're going to use wmp format sparingly. As long as we have an app that plays our wmp media, we should be happy. Now that it's supposedly plugged-in into Safari, it's even better.

Sympathy to those who actually do use the program regularly. If these slow down issues, and acl-something.net problems are real. Myself...I'm dandy, props to Microsoft for making an okay player.

I can't agree with you. It's not an okay player. It's a less than okay player that works, but that doesn't make it *okay*.

Quicktime on Windows must have gone bad at some point after I stopped using it, because I last used Quicktime on Windows when it was still at version 2.0, and it was fine, just fine, so I'm always mystified when people say QT for Windows is so bad, because back then I never had one single problem with it.

[tex210]

I was helping my mother move into a new apartment, and decided to update her quicktime to 6.4 .... everything worked/played fine as we watched 2003 keynote. This is on her compaq presario PII 350 mhz. I was only disappointed I couldn't load up iTunes for her. Quicktime 6.4 works just fine in windows 98.

[mcsjgs]

Most of the problems in OS X seem to center on old files from WMP 7 being left in the Library>Internet Plug-Ins folder. A simple procedure is to delete all the WMP related files in Internet Plug-Ins, reinstall WMP 9, and see if there is an improvement.

[ryaxnb]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
I read the WMP Privacy Statement very carefully. They say all the right things. I like to say I don't trust Microsoft, but from what I've seen, Real Player is more likely to keep to touch with its owner organization than Windows Media Player is.
On Windows, I call RealOne The RealOne to avoid. I depise, hate, and loathe, the bad, stinky, and annoying RealOne player from merciless Real. I would only install RealOne if forced to on PCs. RealPlayer is bad, but better. You can get it by clicking sys. requirements at the bottom of one of the RealOne pages last time I checked.
"RealOne... the RealOne to avoid"
"RealOne is Real(R)ly bad"
"Real(R), get Real, kill RealOne"
"Real[ly]One[of the worst ones]"
"RealOne Real(R)ly advertises"
"Get Real... don't download RealOne"
I'm a "Real" Real hater

[jimmueller]

Originally posted by Lucifer_sam
Still can't play some divx files on the wmp on the mac, that easily played on my p.c. at work.:mad: The divx says it need wmf3 codec but that isn't supported in wmp for osx. way to go MS!

WMP9 doesn't play files encoded with WMV3 either - and most of the WMP files I encounter online are.

*sigh* Was there ever a more appropriate self-inflicted acronym than "WMP"?

[macfreek57]

Originally posted by silvergunuk
If it means I can watch low quality porn downloaded from various P2P clients, it's fine by me.

i agree
(not necessarily about the porn part)

newer versions of wmp for mac means more codecs for mac and that means I can watch all of the Simpsons episodes my friend downloads from KaZaA for me without all of the trouble of using qtplayer and downloading mplayerX and vlc and some old OS 9 thing i had to download to watch a dvix version of lord of the rings.

i am amazed when my windows friend who knows very little about what he's doing on a computer downloads some video off kazaa and it opens in wmp and instantly downloads pretty much any codec he needs.


edit: oh. (in regards to the previous few posts)

[plasticparadox]

Originally posted by ryaxnb
On Windows, I call RealOne The RealOne to avoid. I depise, hate, and loathe, the bad, stinky, and annoying RealOne player from merciless Real. I would only install RealOne if forced to on PCs. RealPlayer is bad, but better. You can get it by clicking sys. requirements at the bottom of one of the RealOne pages last time I checked.
"RealOne... the RealOne to avoid"
"RealOne is Real(R)ly bad"
"Real(R), get Real, kill RealOne"
"Real[ly]One[of the worst ones]"
"RealOne Real(R)ly advertises"
"Get Real... don't download RealOne"
I'm a "Real" Real hater

Why?

[Jetson]

*deleted*

[mathematician]

A little off topic:

Can anyone confirm that the iPod now comes with iTunes for Windows instead of Music Match? The Apple Store still lists MusicMatch.

[chmilar]

Originally posted by kotonk
DRM is still problematic (some files still throw you to their license page and do not play the content).

Yes. I have the Do Amazing Things (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/AWEDVD.aspx) DVD-ROM, and it will not play. It kicks you into a webpage that says it cannot authorize the playback.

Too bad. I wanted to see how the HD versions of the BMW films play on a Dual G5.

[pgwalsh]

Originally posted by rdowns
Tell me about it. Hired a company to produce a video for my companies web site and I insisted on all 3 player compatibility. The developer was not going to include Quicktime. I'd rather use Quicktime or WMA then RAM files. You get so many friggin ads on Realplayer and I don't want to pay for the upgrade. bastards!

[VicMacs]

mplayer plays wmp files.. right?... maybe im late on that...