[jimyyz]

I have disabled Windows Media Player on my system due to brutal conflicts with Roxio and itunes (long story....)

I am looking for media player to play movies (mpeg, avi, divx etc.). Here are my criteria:

1. relatively easy to use (I consider VLC is too complex, realplayer too simple)

2. critical is good, relatively advanced audio controls (treble, bass, preamp/boost at minimum - ideally 5 or 10 spec equalizer)

3. No know conflicts with my other key media programs - iTunes 6, Roxio Suite,

4. picture controls would be a bonus (bright, contrast, sharpness, etc) but not critical

Programs I've tried that don't meet these criteria include DivX Player, RealPlayuer, VLC media player

Thanks!

[techie4fun]

There is always the free version of WinAMP, but I'm not sure how well it will play what you want.


There is also PowerDVD, which is what I use -- It isn't free though. I purchased PowerDVD because I was tired of having to find a free program that was good enough to play most DVDs. If my answer isn't good enough, maybe somebody else wil shed some light on you towards the FREE side.

[AuroraDizon]

Ive used Total Video Player if it helps I dunno http://www.download....4-10552696.html

[Adama]

Hi, Jimyyz and welcome to PCWorld. You did not specify what OS you have.

I checked the link that Aurora provided for you and it looks pretty good to me. If you have XP, then you might want to give it a good try.

[piyushsingh]

windows media player 11 coupled with the free K-lite mega codec pack plays anything. The library management and equalizers in wmp11 are good but only if you can solve the conflict issues.(I dont know if there are any).

[number6]

Somes I use Media Player Classic.

1. It is very old looking but there's alot more power in it than it would look like.

2. It has a tremendous "Audio Switcher" as they call it, for controlling multiple channells, and boost.

3. It's never given me any conflicts on the many sysems that I've used it on.

4. I don't know about the picture

[macy1]

Some versions of Roxio conflict with just about all video playback. Generally an update from Roxio will fix this.

I prefer VLC a freeware video/audio play program. Comes with many popular and a few obscure codecs, more can be easily added. In most cases, I do not install the ActiveX or Firebird plug in's, as I prefer the playback come up in the native app window with all the control buttons available.