[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by GHERDEZ

Hello Ashley,

Like you I have a Creative ZEN (micro) mp3 player, but so far, I have never used it with WMP. I try to access it like any other folder from My Computer. Sometimes, it doesn’t appear there, so I go on Device Manager and uninstall and reinstall the Creative ZEN “device” and proceed as planned.

Like GM, I am a little bit paranoid of letting WMP connect to the Internet, and every time it prompts me to update, I click NO.

Since you have used it, maybe, I should give it a try. Have you ever experienced any problems while trying to “sync” your Creative ZEN and WMP?

By the way, I know that WMP original does not play FLAC files, but somehow mine apparently does because “FLAC files” is listed on my WMP File Types. Maybe is a modification that I downloaded.

Nevertheless, I have downloaded OGG Codec Mod that allows me to play these files on WMP, and works really well (except that WMP is unable to estimate the time to play an entire play list until after starting to play each individual file).

Best Regards…

GHERDEZ

Hi GHERDEZ,
I have never had a problem with my PC not seeing my Zen player, a soon as I plug in the USB cable it detects it and the device appears in Windows Explorer and I can browse it fine.
WMP syncs without intervention if I have added anything to or updated information in my music folder. It works in both directions as anything I remove from my music folder on the PC is removed from my Zen.

Interesting about your WMP playing Flac files as I use WMP11 and it definitely wont! I think you must have got a codec from somewhere. I did a quick search but could not find one, but I have to admit that was some while ago so one might be available by now.

I must say I have never had a problem with WMP and it connecting to the internet. All of my music is DRM free either downloaded from the usual sites or from other sources () and on various occasions WMP has downloaded album art automatically for some albums where I have not go it.
I have never had a problem with it complaining about the content I have got.

I did try the software that came with my Vision M but got rid of it very quickly as I found it to be very unstable and caused a lot of problems in Windows Explorer.

Hope this helps - give it a go you might like it!

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Hello Gherdez,

You were right on the money.It only opens for some radio streams but nothing else.I have all my media files assigned to winamp that I use
out of habbit for many years and mostly reliable.
When I first got into ripping my erly mp3 collection I used WMP
and they turned them into wma files...bummer.
I had to change them back to mp3 from the disc's I created because ,
I found many devices didn't play wma files..You live and learn...

I am more enlightened over the years, and certainly more since I joined
this site and learned so much.

Thanks for your great response,

Hi Nightfly, how are you today?

As you say Winamp is a good program, I tried it a few years ago and I can't remember why I stopped using it.
I think you tend to stick with what you are happy with, which is why I tend to use WMP most of the time. I know how it works and how to do things (like making sure it rips to mp3) without having to think about it and it works fine with my Zen.

Hopefully it will work as well with an iPod, if and when I get one.
I really wish someone else made an mp3 player with as much storage.

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

Hi Nightfly, how are you today?

As you say Winamp is a good program, I tried it a few years ago and I can't remember why I stopped using it.
I think you tend to stick with what you are happy with, which is why I tend to use WMP most of the time. I know how it works and how to do things (like making sure it rips to mp3) without having to think about it and it works fine with my Zen.

Hopefully it will work as well with an iPod, if and when I get one.
I really wish someone else made an mp3 player with as much storage.

Hello Ashley,

I'm fine thank you,hope you're back has improved.

My Mp3player works without PC software. It just acts as a additional drive
and I move files back and forth from one drive to the players drive
address, real easy.It a SansDisc.Just got a new 8gb card to fill up.
I get by with the space because I can add sd cards.So I don't see
a Ipod in my near future.Unless one came my way and I would use it
like a new toy....lol...

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Hello Ashley,

I'm fine thank you,hope you're back has improved.

My Mp3player works without PC software. It just acts as a additional drive
and I move files back and forth from one drive to the players drive
address, real easy.It a SansDisc.Just got a new 8gb card to fill up.
I get by with the space because I can add sd cards.So I don't see
a Ipod in my near future.Unless one came my way and I would use it
like a new toy....lol...

Thanks, my back is a lot better today. Still a little sore but nowhere near as bad as it was on Saturday.

That's the only thing that is missing from my Zen, the ability to add memory cards.
The only storage is the 30Gb hard disk which is now nearly full so I have either got to stop adding new music or delete some of what is on there.
I keep trying to make a list of stuff to delete but every time I can't really find anything that I could do without. I suppose a lot of it is my own fault as everything on there is at 320Kb/s so the files are quite big.
That's why I was looking at the iPod as it has 120Gb - I think that might last me for quite a while!

[gluteus maximus]

Originally Posted by GHERDEZ

I am a little bit paranoid of letting WMP connect to the Internet, and every time it prompts me to update, I click NO.

You can stop it prompting for updates EVER as follows:

Modify the Registry key HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft by adding the key "WindowsMediaPlayer"
Then Add the value: DisableAutoUpdate (REG_DWORD , Value 1)

DO NOT do this unless you're confident you know how to use the Registry Editor safely!

gm

[GHERDEZ]

Originally Posted by gluteus maximus

Hi GHERDEZ, doing fine, thanks
I thought from your earlier post you were pretty much anti-WMP. Maybe we could get Microsoft to sponsor the forum

For me, BlueTooth has always been a technology without a purpose. What do you actually use it for?

gm

Hello GM,

Let me explain in more detail, which that may help to dissipate the halo effect of my previous post. I like the earlier versions of pre WMP 10, which are very stable (supported by Microsoft) and because they were DRM free. I have seen WMP 10 and 11 and they have prettier visual effects, while the interface hasn’t changed much (you will hear from some people that they don’t like it). The problem with WMP versions 10, 11 and very likely 12 have gotten DRM-heavy. This reflects how Microsoft has become more and more aligned with DRM supporters and anti-piracy movement at the expense of the customer. From the article on my previous post it gives you an insight to mp3 with and without DRM file management. To this I’d like to add my experience with connectivity problems. WMP 10 and 11 are more aggressive in forcing you to ‘sync’ your mp3 player with it exclusively. By doing so WMP updates the ‘Firmware’ in your mp3 player, which keeps a log of file movement and ultimately restricts file transfer. Windows releases ‘Firmware’ under the commercial name of ‘PlayForSure’, which is a DRM update under the mask of compatibility driver. The ‘firmware’ released by Microsoft is less restrictive than the equivalent of Itunes-Ipod, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t turn around and bite you. In one computer I used Sonic DLA RecordNow! uses Windows Media Player to gather titles for songs on your music CDs. I have used Sonic DLA RecordNow! software that came with a SONY DVD player/burner to make mp3 back ups, and burn a few CDs. However, occasionally it causes my PC to lock up forcing me to reboot. As soon as I do the DVD player/burner disappears from My Computer and Device Manager, and I am unable to access it as if it had DIED! Fortunately, Norton GoBack is able to fix the problem by Rolling Back the system to an earlier checkpoint. A friend of mine, asked me to fix a similar problem to mine on his laptop when his CD burner ‘died’ when he tried to sync his mp3player using WMP 10. The solution in this case was directly editing the Windows registry, something that I would only recommend to Windows HIGHLY advanced users because there is no official documentation. Some computer techs told him to buy another CD burner, but he asked me look at it before buying anything. I solved the problem, but I took me about a month, and he had to live without it for the entire time. The conclusion perhaps is that WMP won’t show you its teeth until it is connected to other devices that can potentially transfer files somewhere else.

Its reassuring to hear from Ashley that she has never experienced any problems with WMP 11 which will lead me to look at the issue with a lot more detail.

Best Regards…

GHERDEZ

[GHERDEZ]

Originally Posted by gluteus maximus

Hi GHERDEZ, doing fine, thanks
I thought from your earlier post you were pretty much anti-WMP. Maybe we could get Microsoft to sponsor the forum

For me, BlueTooth has always been a technology without a purpose. What do you actually use it for?

gm

Hello GM, Hello Ashley, Hello everybody!

Going to a subject the Bluetooth (BT) subject, and I am glad that GM asked…
You can think of the Bluetooth (BT) architecture like a wireless USB. With it, a lot of different devices can interact with each other, and expand the functionalities of each one. But, it also has several limitations, as a limited range, the signal is affected by structure (like a wall) resulting in unwanted interference, etc.
I originally started to use a small HS810 Bluetooth headset (but I have others) with my cell phone. The only place in my apartment where I could get a signal was next to a window. So I would leave my cell phone next to it while BT headset allowed me to roam in places where I had never been able to get a signal.
Later I bought a BT USB key and shortly after Bluetooth HT820 stereo headset. With the “BT USB Key” on my PC now I was able to ‘sync’ the contacts of my phone to Windows Outlook, add or remove pictures, edit mp3 files to make ring tones, and other things without having to use my phone USB cable adapter. Now, I didn’t have to buy a special USB adapter cable for my work cell phone. With the BT USB key and my headset I started using Skype VioIP and talk to people without having to be in front of the computer. The purchase of the BT HT820 stereo headset offered me more functionality the small one, and much better acoustics. The sound of the BT stereo headphones outperformed both my small BT headset and all my other cell phones. I can be driving on the freeway at 80mph with all the windows open and I am able to hear the other party as if he or she was on the passenger seat. Its built in microphone works really well also since I don’t have to be wearing them when I am talking on Skype, sound is coming from the PC external speakers and there is no retro-feed. The BT stereo headset has the dual functionality of operating as headset with a microphone, and act as regular stereo headphones or both. With them I can connect to either my cell phone or to Windows Media Player (which was the first compatible pc media player with Bluetooth), or both at the same time. The BT stereo headset can remotely control WMP at a basic level (forward and back tracks, stop and play), and if I get a call on my cell phone while the music is playing, the music pauses, and resumes after the call ends. The only thing about WMP and BT is that you have to restart WMP if you all of the sudden want to switch. These are my headphones of choice for the last 3 years and I can highly recommend this product. I have other BT products, which are not related with WMP and to cover them perhaps I should start another thread. I hope that the above narration persuades you to give BT another look.

You may read some bad reviews about BT products, but this is mainly because people don’t know how to use them. The problem is that a few buttons do several things depending on how the product is used, and the literature that comes with a device is insufficient to cover how a product interacts with others.

Best Regards…

GHERDEZ

[gluteus maximus]

Originally Posted by GHERDEZ

I solved the problem, but I took me about a month, and he had to live without it for the entire time. The conclusion perhaps is that WMP won’t show you its teeth until it is connected to other devices that can potentially transfer files somewhere else.

I guess that was the rogue 'UpperFilters' entries? I don't think it's quite fair to blame that just on WMP, I've also seen it with e.g. iTunes, and a USB TV tuner. But yes, it's pretty frustrating when your optical drives just vanish

Its reassuring to hear from Ashley that she has never experienced any problems with WMP 11 which will lead me to look at the issue with a lot more detail.

Ashley is one of those gender-neutral names like Kerry and Lindsay. Our Ashleyj is a HE

Please do remember that some of our members don't speak English as their first language. Very long posts can be hard for them to read

gm

[chris7]

I only use WMP 10/Nero for all my musical services, no real problems in many years.

[GHERDEZ]

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

Hi GHERDEZ,
I have never had a problem with my PC not seeing my Zen player, a soon as I plug in the USB cable it detects it and the device appears in Windows Explorer and I can browse it fine.
WMP syncs without intervention if I have added anything to or updated information in my music folder. It works in both directions as anything I remove from my music folder on the PC is removed from my Zen.

Interesting about your WMP playing Flac files as I use WMP11 and it definitely wont! I think you must have got a codec from somewhere. I did a quick search but could not find one, but I have to admit that was some while ago so one might be available by now.

I must say I have never had a problem with WMP and it connecting to the internet. All of my music is DRM free either downloaded from the usual sites or from other sources () and on various occasions WMP has downloaded album art automatically for some albums where I have not go it.
I have never had a problem with it complaining about the content I have got.

I did try the software that came with my Vision M but got rid of it very quickly as I found it to be very unstable and caused a lot of problems in Windows Explorer.

Hope this helps - give it a go you might like it!

Hello Ashley,

Thanks of the reassuring advice about using WMP as an interface to access my Creative Labs Micro mp3 player. It is certainly better to use the front door instead of having to break in into your own house. Which is pretty much what I have been doing up to this point, due to my bad experiences with perhaps the Rogue Registry Entries, that GM mentioned. I always knew that there had to be a better way, but because this is usually an infrequent procedure for me, it was no more than an occasional inconvenience.

I am definitely going to try using WMP for the ‘sync’ purposes.

I going to try to find out the in which non-Microsoft, format addition included the ‘FLAC File’ type. I was hoping that the next time that I wrote you I would have this information, but I have been entertained with the whole national election deal, and I haven’t done so.

One more thing, I am sorry about my confusion of your name and gender. I usually try to find these details from the context wrote by others or some other clues. I am glad that GM pointed this out for me since every other Ashley I know is a she. So, again I am sorry about the confusion.

Best regards…

GHERDEZ