David Hayward shows you how to get more from Microsoft’s
media software
You have to feel sorry
for Windows Media Player (WMP),
because it’s usually one of the first applications to get replaced by something better, faster and generally more modern. Indeed, Windows Media Player does get something of a bad press, but it’s actually not that bad as a standard video player,
but where it really shines is as a
music player.
Over the next couple of pages, we’ll be having
a little look at what tricks, tips
and tweaks can be applied to Microsoft’s mighty musical media monstrosity.
Internet radio
Internet
radio is very cool and easy to listen to in WMP
If for some reason you’re a little bored of
your vast collection of music, why
not try out a selection of radio stations available via the internet. To listen to these via Windows Media Player, do the following:
·
Open WMP
·
Click on the ‘Media Guide’ button in the bottom left of the
screen. Don’t worry if it doesn’t say ‘Media Guide’; just click on the down
arrow next to the wording, then choose ‘Media Guide’ from the list.
·
You might get a message in the main windows saying something
like, ‘The requested page cannot be found: www.windowsmedia.com.’ Don’t worry,
just click on the hyperlink and you’ll be redirected, within WMP, to the
correct page.
·
Click on the link in the top right, ‘Internet Radio.’
·
Choose from the vast array of genres, top picks and so on.
Make an ipod work with WMP
Apples don’t want to work with oranges, or so
it would seem. If you’re the proud
owner of an iPod, then iTunes, and a few others, are you’re only choice of syncing applications that will work with Windows and the device. However, some clever
coders have created a WMP plug-in
that will talk to iPods. You’ll have to pay for it, but it does come with a 30-day free trial. All you need to do is head to bit.ly/IVtRPa and download the
software, then install it and plug in your iPod. Hey presto; WMP can now
sync and talk to your iPod!
Make
an ipod work with WMP
Once the software is installed, and WMP has been opened,
plug in the iPod. Go to the Sync tab in the Library view. Drag and drop the
music you want to have on your iPod.
Click on the ‘Start Sync’ icon, above the iPod image, to
complete the sync.
Using automatic sync
you can autosync
whenever the device is next plugged in
If you use an MP3 player often, and you’re forever syncing
new music manually across your collection and the device in question, then
you’re doing something very wrong, because you can autosync whenever the device
is next plugged in:
·
Open WMP and plug in your MP3 player.
·
Go to the Sync tab and make sure WMP has picked up the device and
it’s functioning.
·
Click on the drop-down menu, under the title of tab, and choose ‘Setup
Sync’.
·
Click on the tick box titled, ‘Sync this device automatically’.
·
Choose from the available playlists, or create a ‘New Auto
Playlist’ by clicking on the button at the bottom of the screen.
·
Be warned though, if you have a large collection of music and
media, the wrong click of a button can begin syncing everything across to your
device.
