New audio/ video player

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James Kendrick - 01 May 2004 14:32 GMT

There's a new audio/video player that beats PocketMVP hands down.
Betaplayer. You can find it here:

http://betaplayer.corecodec.org/
James Kendrick
www.pocketpctools.com
....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

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David Conger, MS-MVP/Mobile Devices - 03 May 2004 20:45 GMT

Is it a Beta or final?

Signature

David Conger
MS-MVP/Mobile Devices
www.davespda.com

> There's a new audio/video player that beats PocketMVP hands down.
> Betaplayer. You can find it here:
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> www.pocketpctools.com
> ....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

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MS - 23 May 2004 01:19 GMT

> Is it a Beta or final?

Are you joking?? ;-) With a name like "betaplayer"? (I guess the name will
change when it becomes final.)

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Carlo Ma. Guerrero [MVP] - 23 May 2004 05:55 GMT

Ummm... let me guess... betaplayer to vhsplayer??? Just kidding... but I
heard this plays pretty well.

:-)

Signature

Carlo Ma. Guerrero
Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices

"David Conger, MS-MVP/Mobile Devices" <dave at davespda.com> wrote in
message news:uivq3cUMEHA.1468@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

> Is it a Beta or final?

Are you joking?? ;-) With a name like "betaplayer"? (I guess the name will
change when it becomes final.)

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MS - 23 May 2004 06:45 GMT

Another question is--when is Microsoft going to upgrade it's WMP 9 for PPC?

It certainly is more stable than the alternative players like PMVP, doesn't
crash much, etc. However, it is lacking some important features:

No auto-resume. So if you're seeing a movie, close the program, and a
couple days later want to continue where you left off, you have to look for
your place. Should have a resume feature.

Related to the one above--should have a book mark feature. Could be
programmed to a hardware key. Press a button to set a bookmark whenever you
want. Later could be easily recalled, to start from that bookmark.

One of the nice features of the new OGM and Matroska movie container formats
is that you can retain the chapters from a DVD, and recall the chapters in a
program like PMVP. (I don't care at all about the OGG sound capability of
OGM, but the chapter capability is nice.) It would be nice if WMV also had
that capability, and if software that can encode WMV from DVD could keep the
chapter info.

Also would be nice if WMP-PPC could play some of these other formats-divx
avi, ogm, mpg. etc. Many people already have files in these formats, and
would like to watch them without re-encoding, etc.

> Ummm... let me guess... betaplayer to vhsplayer??? Just kidding... but I
> heard this plays pretty well.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Are you joking?? ;-) With a name like "betaplayer"? (I guess the name will
> change when it becomes final.)

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Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] - 23 May 2004 17:16 GMT

>Another question is--when is Microsoft going to upgrade it's WMP 9 for PPC?
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>couple days later want to continue where you left off, you have to look for
>your place. Should have a resume feature.

Uh...It does : I Just turn off the device when I want to stop it
playing. Media player pauses at the point you were at and remains
paused there till you click on it and restart the play. You shouldn't
close the program if you want it to stay at the pause point, just
pause it and leave it minimised :-)

>Related to the one above--should have a book mark feature. Could be
>programmed to a hardware key. Press a button to set a bookmark whenever you
>want. Later could be easily recalled, to start from that bookmark.

That sounds like a neat fature, I might recommend it to them on MVP
wish <g> Course you can guarantee we'd all have to upgrade to new
devices to get it as WMP is part of the OS install on ROM :-(*

>Also would be nice if WMP-PPC could play some of these other formats-divx
>avi, ogm, mpg. etc. Many people already have files in these formats, and
>would like to watch them without re-encoding, etc.

Agree, Divx should be installed by default. Only question, who's gonna
pay for milions of Divx licences when they include it in the WMP - you
? me ? I don't think so somehow hehe

Cheers - Neil

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MS - 23 May 2004 19:20 GMT

> On Sat, 22 May 2004 22:45:03 -0700, " MS"

> >No auto-resume. So if you're seeing a movie, close the program, and a
> >couple days later want to continue where you left off, you have to look for
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> close the program if you want it to stay at the pause point, just
> pause it and leave it minimised :-)

Obviously one can do that. Yes, that may work if one wants to stop the movie
to go to the bathroom, and start it again a few minutes later. What if one
wants to resume it a few days later?? How likely is that you will keep WMP
running all that time? In fact, how likely is it that you will not have to
soft reset the PPC in that time? An auto-resume feature is necessary (for
audio too), and is present on every alternative music and video player for
the PPC. No, pressing the pause button and leaving WMP running is no
substitute for a resume function.

> >Related to the one above--should have a book mark feature. Could be
> >programmed to a hardware key. Press a button to set a bookmark whenever you
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> wish <g> Course you can guarantee we'd all have to upgrade to new
> devices to get it as WMP is part of the OS install on ROM :-(*

I don't think the only way to upgrade the OS is to buy a new device. There
already is a new upgrade to WM2003 (I forget if it's called SE or SP1 or
something like that), which at a recent convention people could get their
devices upgraded to. (I believe it's not available publicly yet.) And there
is talk of a WM2004 coming out some time. I think present devices can be
upgraded, one will not have to buy a new device to get a new OS. Besides, if
a new WMP was created, it could be made available for the user to install
with his or her other programs, it wouldn't have to go in ROM. (In fact,
that was even the case with the Bluetooth update for the IPAQ.)

> >Also would be nice if WMP-PPC could play some of these other formats-divx
> >avi, ogm, mpg. etc. Many people already have files in these formats, and
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> pay for milions of Divx licences when they include it in the WMP - you
> ? me ? I don't think so somehow hehe

Well, how come I can watch DIVXs (or XVID) on the PPC now, without having
paid a license? Not on WMP of course, but on programs like the one this
thread is about, "Betaplayer", or the one it spun off from "Pocket Music and
Video Player". Both of these programs are freeware, I doubt the authors paid
for "millions of DIVX licenses", and the user certainly doesn't have to. I
don't know about the legalities of this, but I suspect you have a wrong
assumption. The DIVX codec is downloadable for free from the divx.com
website. (They also have a "pro" version that you have to pay or submit to
ads for, but the free version is all that is necessary to watch movies, and
for most encoding.)

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Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] - 24 May 2004 00:04 GMT

>> paused there till you click on it and restart the play. You shouldn't
>> close the program if you want it to stay at the pause point, just
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>to go to the bathroom, and start it again a few minutes later. What if one
>wants to resume it a few days later??

I do, it is, and about 2-3 days later in many cases. My Axim isn't so
memory constraned its something that worries me ;-)

> How likely is that you will keep WMP
>running all that time? In fact, how likely is it that you will not have to
>soft reset the PPC in that time?

Higly, its pretty stable with what I run on it ;-)

> An auto-resume feature is necessary (for
>audio too), and is present on every alternative music and video player for
>the PPC. No, pressing the pause button and leaving WMP running is no
>substitute for a resume function.

We'll just have to disagree I guess ;-)

>I don't think the only way to upgrade the OS is to buy a new device. There

Sure, though it often varies by manufacturer. Even HP have their
cutoff dates for new OS releases (as opposed to patches). Dell are
standing firm r/now on 'No WM2003SE for Axim owners' which is having
the expected customer response (irritation -> fury)

>Well, how come I can watch DIVXs (or XVID) on the PPC now, without having
>paid a license? Not on WMP of course, but on programs like the one this
>thread is about, "Betaplayer", or the one it spun off from "Pocket Music and

OK Maybe I got it mixed up with the pro version, I stand corrected.

Cheers - Neil

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James Kendrick - 24 May 2004 02:31 GMT

The lack of bookmarks insure that WMP has no future with audio books.
James Kendrick
www.pocketpctools.com
....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

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MS - 24 May 2004 06:06 GMT

And of course, video.

It's too bad, because none of the "alternative" programs are as of yet as
stable as WMP (at least for me)--crashes, etc. But WMP is lacking some
important features--such as resume, bookmarks, etc. And the playlist
functionality in WMP is pretty bad--could be much improved.

A few simple additions would make WMP-PPC much better.

> The lack of bookmarks insure that WMP has no future with audio books.
> James Kendrick
> www.pocketpctools.com
> ....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

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V Green - 23 May 2004 19:38 GMT

> Another question is--when is Microsoft going to upgrade it's WMP 9 for
> PPC?

[snip]

> Also would be nice if WMP-PPC could play some of these other formats-divx
> avi, ogm, mpg. etc. Many people already have files in these formats, and
> would like to watch them without re-encoding, etc.

Never gonna happen.

You gotta realize, these formats are DIRECTLY competing with
WMA/V formats, and get in the way of MS world content
domination via WM. MS therefore has NO INTEREST
WHATSOEVER in supporting them.

And I, for one, do NOT want one choice, and one
choice only for any piece of software I use on
a regular basis.

Apps will never evolve if there are no
3rd party vendors nippin' at your heels-

Reply to this Message

MS - 24 May 2004 06:12 GMT

> You gotta realize, these formats are DIRECTLY competing with
> WMA/V formats, and get in the way of MS world content
> domination via WM. MS therefore has NO INTEREST
> WHATSOEVER in supporting them.

(By the way, my handle "MS" has nothing to do with Microsoft, nor do I have
any affiliation with them. It is simply my initials.)

Yes it's true, Microsoft is trying to promote it's WMA and WMV as standards.
Their encoding programs such as WME and WMM certainly only encode into their
formats.

However, if they want people to use their audio and video player, rather
than using alternatives, they have to play other formats as well. People
already have media in different formats, and aren't going to convert
everything into WMV and WMA. (which are pretty good formats, by the way).

For instance, WMP on the desktop computer will play mp3s as well as wmas,
and will play other video formats--.avi (including DIVX), mpg, etc. So, why
shouldn't the PPC version do the same? (I think it might play mp3s, I don't
recall, but not video formats other than .WMV.)

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MS - 23 May 2004 01:19 GMT

> There's a new audio/video player that beats PocketMVP hands down.
> Betaplayer. You can find it here:

Could you give some specifics of why you think it "beats PocketMVP hands
down"? I have tried both (both still on my PPC), and I wouldn't say that,
but I might have missed something.

I didn't notice any chapter support (for OGMs) in Betaplayer, as well as
other features that are in PMVP but lacking in BP (can't remember them all
at the moment). I didn't notice that Betaplayer plays audio as well as
movies. Are you sure about that? What formats?

Betaplayer is still very new, as the name implies, and I'm sure it will
improve and have new features.

PMVP has more features, but the last version (from January) seems to be
rather buggy, crashes, etc. I'm wondering when it will be upgraded. Anyone
know? I guess the developer, Marc Dukette, has been very busy, and hasn't
had time lately to work on a project he doesn't get paid for. Nevertheless,
I hope the program gets an upgrade soon.

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James Kendrick - 24 May 2004 02:29 GMT

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I am using it on a Toshiba
e805 and it allows encoding in full VGA with virtually no dropped
frames. PocketMVP cannot even play most videos encoded for VGA.
James Kendrick
www.pocketpctools.com
....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

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MS - 24 May 2004 06:14 GMT

OK, but most PPCs don't play larger than 320x240. PMVP certainly has a lot
more features than the new Betaplayer currently has, better user interface,
etc. I hope it's made more stable soon, and that Betaplayer improves its
features and interface.

> Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I am using it on a Toshiba
> e805 and it allows encoding in full VGA with virtually no dropped
> frames. PocketMVP cannot even play most videos encoded for VGA.
> James Kendrick
> www.pocketpctools.com
> ....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

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James Kendrick - 24 May 2004 15:22 GMT

I agree with you- competition is great for the enduser. :-)

>OK, but most PPCs don't play larger than 320x240. PMVP certainly has a lot
>more features than the new Betaplayer currently has, better user interface,
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> www.pocketpctools.com
>> ....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

James Kendrick
www.pocketpctools.com
....using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.

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