Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player

File:Windows Media Player 10.jpg Windows Media Player 10 for Windows XP
Developer(s)	Microsoft
Stable release	10 / September 2, 2004
Operating system	Cross-platform
Type	Media player
License	Proprietary
Website	microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/

Windows Media Player is a free software media player used for playing audio and video on personal computers running Microsoft Windows. Microsoft has also made available versions for other operating systems including Pocket PC, Mac OS, and Solaris. These tend to lag behind the Windows versions in features, software update frequency, and the number of file formats supported. The basic file formats are WMV (Windows Media Video & Audio), WMA (Windows Media Audio), and ASF (Advanced Streaming Format).

Windows Media Player replaced an earlier piece of software simply called Media Player, adding features beyond simple video or audio playback. These include the ability to copy music to a compact disc, synchronise content with an digital audio player (MP3 player), and let users buy music from one of several online music stores.

Windows Media Player competes with other freeware programs such as RealNetworks' RealPlayer, Nullsoft's Winamp, and Apple Computer's QuickTime and iTunes.

Windows Media Player comes bundled with the Windows operating system. However, the most recent versions of the player have required the latest versions of the OS. Some view this practice as an echo of Microsoft's success in driving out Netscape Communications Corporation from its dominant position in the web browser market, only this time, they contend Microsoft is attempting to drive its competitors in the streaming media market out of business.

In March 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft €497 million and ordered the company to provide a version of Windows without Windows Media Player, claiming Microsoft "broke European Union competition law by leveraging its near monopoly in the market for PC operating systems onto the markets for work group server operating systems and for media players". Microsoft is currently appealing the ruling. In the meantime, the company plans to offer a compliant version of its flagship operating system under the negotiated name "Windows XP N." [1]

Major versions

File:Am wmp for mac.png

Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X

File:Windows Media Player.PNG

Windows Media Player 6 found on Windows XP

• 1998
  • June 25 Windows Media Player 6.1 for Windows 98 Second Edition bundled with the OS on its release.
• 1999
  • November 22 Windows Media Player 6.4 for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0
• 2000
  • July 17 Windows Media Player 6.3 for Mac OS
  • July 17 Windows Media Player 6.3 for Solaris
  • July 17 Windows Media Player 7 for Windows 98 and Windows 2000.
  • September 14 Windows Media Player 7.0 for Windows Me bundled with the OS.
  • December 12 Windows Media Player 7 for Pocket PC
• 2001
  • July 24 Windows Media Player 7.0.1 for Mac OS
  • October 25 Windows Media Player 8 for Windows XP bundled with the OS on its release.
• 2002
  • January 8 Windows Media Player 7.1 for Mac OS
• 2003
  • January 27 Windows Media Player 9 for Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 and a separate version for Windows XP.
  • June 23 Windows Media Player 9 for Pocket PC
  • November 7 Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X
• 2004
  • August 10 Windows Media Player 9 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 bundled with the OS on its release
  • September 2 Windows Media Player 10 for Windows XP
  • October Windows Media Player 10 Mobile for Pocket PC and SmartPhone. Included in Windows Mobile 5.0
• 2006
  • Windows Media Player 11 (codenamed Polaris)

See also

• List of media players
• Comparison of media players
• Microsoft PlaysForSure
• Media Transfer Protocol
• Windows Media Player Errors

External links

• Microsoft Windows Media home page
• A Little Windows Media Player History
• Microsoft ports Windows Media to Linux (10 April 2003, vnunet.com)