quality of media players

sprinter · 29th April 2011, 11:10 PM

I used to assume that the differences in PC media players were only differences in features. But a bad experience convinces me otherwise. Awhile back I was looking for a player that supported .flv files and "GOM" was suggested so I installed it. The decoded quality was just awful, so I tried it for mp4 (I think it was) and it was bad also. It seemed to do mp3 adequately, but I don't have a very critical ear.

Is it going to be necessary to use different players for different file types, or is there one that is known to do everything well and supports all the common codecs out there. I hate it when I click to listen to a new file and the player can't do it, eg, the most recent Windows Media Player didn't even have an flv codec.

A little bit of a rant, I guess, but I wanted to warn people about GOM and also get some opinions on Foobar 2000 which I'm about to install and hope it does everything well.

audio-kraut · 29th April 2011, 11:50 PM

Don't get me started on foobar. After having tried - and even made the mistake to PAY for media monkey player - several players like winamp, dbpoweramp, VLC, jet audio etc. I am stuck with foobar as the best, most customizable and most extensive player when it comes to features, including remote browsing through http or local network, decoding options, display options etc. etc.
It can be easy - if you don't ask for much - but when you start getting into it you can DIY your own to what you want.

I use foobar on a purpose build media pc, with a m audio soundcard and run asio to the spdif direct. This way i bypass the windows audio controls and send 48kHz signal to my speakers. The volume (and optional eq) happen within foobar, which permits sample rate conversion.
I have no problem decoding and the list of foobar decoding components is extensive.
Just check out foobar 3rd party components (on the foobar wiki) and those on the foobar website itself.
Foobar also can include a burner, ripper, etc.

I am extremely pleased with foobar, and so are others who really go beyond the customer product into the DIY of it.
It is not the easiest to set up when you dig a bit deeper, but it is well worth it.
Don't let anybody tell you anything else, those who do usually do not have a clue what foobar can do.

wwenze · 29th April 2011, 11:55 PM

Windows Media Player uses Directshow like the majority of free video players and many free (and some non-free) audio players, so it can support any file type and codec as long as you download and install the required filters into your computer.

audio-kraut · 30th April 2011, 12:07 AM

Windows Media Player

windows what?

fzaad · 12th May 2011, 01:49 PM

For MPEG Decoders there is some test results
Underbit: MPEG Audio Decoder Compliance

bonjonno · 24th May 2011, 06:04 PM

Foobar never thrilled me. For years now I've been using XMPLAY which has a tiny footprint and is a fabulous player.

lduarte1973 · 24th May 2011, 06:19 PM

have you tryed Pure Player ? here´s the link to the tread , it´s free and has support in this forum

Pure Player

buzzforb · 24th May 2011, 07:11 PM

Jriver Media Player - bitperfect playback

Windows 7 Audio & J River Media Center 14 Configuration | Computer Audiophile

apexzulu · 3rd June 2011, 08:23 AM

I use Cowon Jet Audio as my media player, Have done for years now.
Plays my FLAC's fine for me!!!!!!!

stageporter · 14th June 2011, 04:43 AM

How about Itunes? is it worth installing on a PC?

29th April 2011, 11:10 PM	#1
sprinter diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Seattle	quality of media players I used to assume that the differences in PC media players were only differences in features. But a bad experience convinces me otherwise. Awhile back I was looking for a player that supported .flv files and "GOM" was suggested so I installed it. The decoded quality was just awful, so I tried it for mp4 (I think it was) and it was bad also. It seemed to do mp3 adequately, but I don't have a very critical ear. Is it going to be necessary to use different players for different file types, or is there one that is known to do everything well and supports all the common codecs out there. I hate it when I click to listen to a new file and the player can't do it, eg, the most recent Windows Media Player didn't even have an flv codec. A little bit of a rant, I guess, but I wanted to warn people about GOM and also get some opinions on Foobar 2000 which I'm about to install and hope it does everything well. __________________ Shrink to Patient: "Forget the Prozac, you need more Boogie!" There are only two kinds of music. Good and Bad

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29th April 2011, 11:50 PM	#2
audio-kraut diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 12km off the alaska highway in northern BC	Don't get me started on foobar. After having tried - and even made the mistake to PAY for media monkey player - several players like winamp, dbpoweramp, VLC, jet audio etc. I am stuck with foobar as the best, most customizable and most extensive player when it comes to features, including remote browsing through http or local network, decoding options, display options etc. etc. It can be easy - if you don't ask for much - but when you start getting into it you can DIY your own to what you want. I use foobar on a purpose build media pc, with a m audio soundcard and run asio to the spdif direct. This way i bypass the windows audio controls and send 48kHz signal to my speakers. The volume (and optional eq) happen within foobar, which permits sample rate conversion. I have no problem decoding and the list of foobar decoding components is extensive. Just check out foobar 3rd party components (on the foobar wiki) and those on the foobar website itself. Foobar also can include a burner, ripper, etc. I am extremely pleased with foobar, and so are others who really go beyond the customer product into the DIY of it. It is not the easiest to set up when you dig a bit deeper, but it is well worth it. Don't let anybody tell you anything else, those who do usually do not have a clue what foobar can do.

29th April 2011, 11:55 PM	#3
wwenze diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	Windows Media Player uses Directshow like the majority of free video players and many free (and some non-free) audio players, so it can support any file type and codec as long as you download and install the required filters into your computer.

30th April 2011, 12:07 AM	#4
audio-kraut diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 12km off the alaska highway in northern BC	Windows Media Player windows what?

12th May 2011, 01:49 PM	#5
fzaad diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	For MPEG Decoders there is some test results Underbit: MPEG Audio Decoder Compliance

24th May 2011, 06:04 PM	#6
bonjonno diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rapid City	Foobar never thrilled me. For years now I've been using XMPLAY which has a tiny footprint and is a fabulous player.

24th May 2011, 06:19 PM	#7
lduarte1973 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lisbon	have you tryed Pure Player ? here´s the link to the tread , it´s free and has support in this forum Pure Player

24th May 2011, 07:11 PM	#8
buzzforb diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Burlington, NC	Jriver Media Player - bitperfect playback Windows 7 Audio & J River Media Center 14 Configuration \| Computer Audiophile

3rd June 2011, 08:23 AM	#9
apexzulu diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	I use Cowon Jet Audio as my media player, Have done for years now. Plays my FLAC's fine for me!!!!!!!

14th June 2011, 04:43 AM	#10
stageporter diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	How about Itunes? is it worth installing on a PC?

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