Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Player

What to do, what to do, what to do??? What mp3 player should I buy?

GrooveStix — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:50:51 -0800

Could you help me find a mp3 player that has large capacity and plays flacs? It seems to me that I am spending too much time googling on this matter, so I decided to finally post my question here.

After my trusty mp3 suffered a severe fall from my schmuck self, I decided to upgrade. Which is when I hit a wall... :(

I am something of an audiophile and have a fairly large, evergrowing collection of music, so I am looking for something that's a music player FIRST and everything else is secondary. So something around 120gb, or more. iPods don't play flacs, and I've been using Rockbox long enough to know that there isn't a port for the later generations (with bigger capacity) of iPods. Is there anything else that I can buy?

I am really not interested in a device that plays dvds, makes pancakes, and occasionally calls the boyfriends of my ex-girlfriends to have a chat, so lets make sure it's something reasonably priced and back to basics. :)

DVD headspin!

mwhybark — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:05:04 -0800

Time for a new DVD player. Format confusion! Resources? After seven years, our old DVD player is consistently refusing to play a disc all the way through. I have paid enough vague attention to DVD format wars to understand that the wars are over and that one or another format won and, if I understand the way these things work, dual-format high-def players may actually be or become available. In addition to that I have noticed that a wide variety of ancillary media formats are commonly supported for playback on current DVD players.

The current machine has either/or s-video and component out; we currently use component out in parallel with a secondary s-video out and can view both signals simultaneously, which is nice for use with a projector. I would like to keep those output options and am open to adding HDMI out.

I am definitely looking for an upconverting player; our primary TV is true HD. It would be WAY COOL if the DVD player could also play a range of network-stored media files, both ripped DVD images and VIDEO_TS folders and loose quicktime files, .avi's, MP4s and MP3s and whatnot.

Where to go to review current offerings and models in order to get up to speed sufficiently to make an informed decision?

Thanks very much!

Some (reasonably recent) previous links:

http://ask.metafilter.com/120622/What-mainstream-DVD-player-has-the-best-error-correction

http://ask.metafilter.com/102589/DVD-player-that-isnt-hostile-to-endusers

Poker players addiction to the game

3dd — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:02:44 -0800

Are mostly of Professional Poker Players addicted and ready to gamble everything (including personal property) or a large percentage handle it as a business, a career? I’m very aware that there are exceptions on everything. But I'm asking about the general rule...

A good German

Jody Tresidder — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:52:19 -0800

I've failed to find a long-ago post (or - dread thought - it COULD have been a comment!) featuring an astounding young German guitar player performing an extraordinary solo of a classical nature - with dazzling finger technique. It starts low key - and builds to an amazing crescendo. My memory insists either his first name - or surname - was Thomas - but spelled slightly oddly. The player was, I think, under 20 & had already recorded an album. He was performing on his own - but in a club or concert setting. (My eyes are blurring after searching pages & pages of posts tagged "guitar"). Obviously - for some demented reason - I forgot to favorite it at the time. Thanks so much if this chimes with anyone!

Music sharing between music players.

fizzzzzzzzzzzy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:55:26 -0800

How can I share music across multiple music players? I'd like something like how itunes shares music across a network, except compatible with multiple players.
If at all possible something like mojo would be awesome.

Help me find a CD player

LSK — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:28:53 -0800

Help me find a portable CD player. I'm looking for a portable CD player with all these traits:

- Plays CDs with mp3 files saved on them.
- Has a LCD screen (even a small one) showing basic information.
- Can be operated blindly and without removing it from my pocket.

I used to own a nice Sony one that did all these, but lost it. Help!

Oscilloscoporama?

cachondeo45 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:41:30 -0800

Can I make a Quicktime movie of the iTunes or WMP oscilloscope? Ok, so it's not exactly an oscilloscope, but I want to make the pulsing shapes that you can watch while listening to a song in a media player into a short quicktime movie (maybe around 30 or 45 seconds) that I can then embed into a PowerPoint. It's for a science of sound class so that I can show my students just a quick clip of the modern equivalent to an oscilloscope. Due to time and technology restrictions, I can't just exit out of PowerPoint and show them the real deal. Suggestions?

My laptop doesn't need Real or WMP to see my Samsung YP-U3

amusem — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:34:39 -0800

On my laptop running on XP, the Samsung mp3 player YP-U3 is only detected by Real and Windows Media Player. -- But I'm not interested in managing the files with these applications. I would simply like to see the player icon appear in the 'My Computer' window but it doesn't. Why can't my laptop see it the way my desktop sees it (also XP). When I plug the player in my desktop computer, the player icon does appear in the 'My Computer' window and I can easily manage the mp3 files without the help of any sofware.

I can then slide files from my computer to the device or I can slide files from the device to the computer. Quick and easy.

What do I need to do to make the YP-U3 icon appear in 'My Computer' on my laptop?

Thanks!

HELP ME FIND A REG CLEANER OR FIX MY FLASH PLAYER PROBLEM!!

bbfunluvingal — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:03:06 -0800

I would like to dowwnload a registry cleaner, but find all the comparisons seem to be sponsored by a software company trying to sell THEIR cleaner, which of course, is "the best" of those compared. Is there a truly independent comparison I can refer to? Or, is RegCure REALLY the best one to try or do they just have a huge marketing budget!?? My problem is the stupid flash player ver 10 won't download properly, and I'm hoping a reg cleaner will help. Anyone know?

Secure(-ish) online mp3 player?

signal — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:20:16 -0800

Need an MP3 player for a website that won't expose the actual MP3 files for people to download. Can you recommend a simple, good looking, customizable player that can play an MP3 feed without letting users download the files themselves?
I am working on a music related website where musicians will upload MP3s and decide whether or not they want people to be able to download them. I like the JW Player used on Music a lot, but it makes you expose the URLs of the MP3s being played (right?).
And yes, I know about the analog hole, etc., this isn't meant to be 100% foolproof, just give musicians some semblance of control over their work.
Site's built in Django+jQuery. Free is super nice.

MP3 Player with Per-Song Memory?

king walnut — Mon, 11 May 2009 07:33:42 -0800

Is there an MP3 player that remembers where you are within each song or program? I'm looking for a very specific feature in an MP3 player: keeping track of progress for each file. My DVR does this, for example. When I choose a recorded program, it picks up right where I left off, for each program.

I've looked over the feature lists for many players, and haven't found this feature specifically listed, but I suspect (or hope) that there is a player that does this, even if the capability is not touted.

What mainstream DVD player has the best error correction?

worldshift — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:13:34 -0800

What mainstream DVD player has the best error correction? I'm totally frustrated that I often cannot play scratched rental DVD's on my existing DVD player (an eight-year old Sony player that cost a fortune at the time).

I want to get an affordable new player that can play scratched discs well. I don't need any fancy HD/progressive scan/1080/whatever new features.

I'm in South Africa so unfortunately I don't have access to any smaller, more 'boutique' brand players, just mainstream brands.

I've scoured Google on this topic, and so far have just come up with a few anecdotal recommendations for Panasonic, Pioneer and JVC. I was really hoping to find a site that rated players on this issue, but no joy after nearly an hour of searching.

(Incidentally, a similar question WAS asked here on Metafilter before - but nearly five years ago. Only a few recommendations and of course VERY out of date).

How to fix my record player?

atoastedheart — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:41:21 -0800

Lately, my record player (not turntable) of four years hasn't been working correctly. When I turn it on, the platter part of it doesn't start spinning until I give it a slight nudge. Even after doing so, it still doesn't spin at the right speed (33 1/3 sounds more like 45, 45 sounds closer to 78, etc). Is there a relatively easy way to fix this or should I just buy a new one? My current model is really similar to the new 3-in-1 "vintage-style" Crosley.

Anyone know of a feature rich flash media player for use on the web?

toekneebullard — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:46:04 -0800

Anyone know of a feature rich flash media player for use on the web? OK, I have a website with a couple friends. We make songs and the occasional video. We're looking to redesign our site to be more based around a main media player. Something that can have a playlist of our songs and videos, maybe showing an image during the songs.

I know about these:
http://musicplayer.sourceforge.net/
http://wpaudioplayer.com/
http://www.longtailvideo.com/players/jw-flv-player/

But while those all do their thing very well, none of them are worth basing a site around, know what I mean?

So I'm wondering what my options are. Am I dreaming to big for the open source world? Is there something that Google can't help me find?

Thanks for your help,
Tony

Built-in DVD player no longer recognised by laptop

fantasticninety — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:39:03 -0800

How do I reinstall my built-in DVD drive? A while ago, when trying to remove my USB key, I accidentally clicked the option to safely remove my DVD drive. Now I don't know what to choose in order for my laptop to recorgnise my DVD drive again (I never took it out, I only clicked the option to remove it, and now when I click the eject button it doesn't recognise the DVD player).

How do I get a broken Rio Carbon MP3 player fixed?

Jennifer S. — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:36:36 -0800

How do I get a broken Rio Carbon MP3 player fixed? I bought a new Rio Carbon few years ago. After about 6 months of use, it broke.

When I attached it to my computer to refresh rights to the music, my pc couldn’t read my player. And the player would shut down.

I tried using other computers but had the same problem each time.

Rio, the manufacturer, folded right around the time this happened.

Now my Carbon won’t even turn on.

So how do I get a broken Rio Carbon player fixed? I’m not as interested in a site that shows me how to repair it myself, as I just don’t have time (working college student). What I do want is a way to pay someone a reasonable rate to repair my player.

Know any good digital line-in recorders?

filthy light thief — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:59:11 -0800

I'm looking for a digital audio recorder with good line-in recording capabilities and easy file transfer options - do you know any? I'm a radio DJ, and I've been trying to record my shows to (eventually) host online. The station where I work has a computer which can record everything, but the computer has other uses, too, which means it's not always available.

I'm not looking for mic-recording capabilities, as we have a nice line-out for recording broadcasts. Ideally, this item should include:

* recording options (bitrate up to 192kbps, if not WAV)
* easy audio copying (USB would be ideal)
* capability for 3+ hours of recording

Bonuses
+ handy play-back (personal music player, with headphone line out)
+ record by mic (built in)
+ compact or small form
+ informative screen (I'm fine with a tiny LCD screen, but bigger could be nice)
+ FM Player
+ FM Recorder

I have an iPod Classic (80gb), so there might be some odd add-on I don't know about. Otherwise, I've seen some personal music players on NewEgg.com, but there are never details on recording options beyond "line-in," and I thought MeFites might have first-hand experience here. Thanks!

kcet/wttw/pbs flash player doesn't stream programs for me anymore. help!

krautland — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:27:27 -0800

kcet/wttw/pbs flash player doesn't stream programs for me anymore. help! I used to watch various programs like the news hour or chicago tonight via the local pbs affiliate websites (kcet player / wttw player) but they have stopped working in both safari and firefox. all I see is the flash video wheel spinning and nothing ever loading. (I am able to select the various programs/chapters, it's just the actual video that never starts playing.)

I realize a million things could be going on here but any clue what it might be? does it still work for you?

Where do I find a new MP3 player with all the features of my old iriver H320?

AZNsupermarket — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:15:59 -0800

Where do I find a new MP3 player with all the features of my old iriver H320? Hey Metafilter!
This is my first time asking a question so here goes. I really like my old iriver H320, but it's very old and it may be nearing the end of its lifespan. The weird thing is that it seems to have a lot of features that modern MP3 players don't have. I was wondering if anyone can recommend an mp3 player that basically does the following:

1. When you plug it in to the computer, the computer treats the MP3 player as a hard drive. I want to be able to rename, change, and move around songs without having to use itunes, Windows Media Player, or any other annoying software.

2. I want my MP3 player to act like a hard drive when I'm on the go. I especially want to be able to see my various folders that contain my music, see file names, and not have to use id3 tags.

Using third party firmware on a newer mp3 player isn't out of the question, but I really wasn't crazy about rockboxes' interface on my iriver, so I would prefer using first party firmware instead (assuming that any exists that meets my needs).

Thank You!

Help me find an alternative to Ipod touch

spacefire — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:31:20 -0800

Looking for a new MP3 player with Ipod touch abilities (WiFi, Touch Screen, Games etc). But, I want to around half the price of the 8GB Ipod touch (can be used in good condition as long as it is under $100) Alternatives I was looking at are:
the Audiovox XV6700 phone, unactivated. I have a phone and I am happy with it. the Audiovox XV6700 has wifi, camera,media playing.
Will all this work without the activation? Since SD cards are getting really cheap, I would be able to add 4GB for less than 10 dollars.
How is the video playing on this? I have a Nokia E62 as a phone and one thing that turns me off is the poor playback quality.
Since it has a keyboard, lack of touchscreen isn't a big deal.
Verizon units sell cheap on Ebay.
Downside: stylewise, it still looks like a phone and it's not shny and touchy.

Other alternatives:
Palm Lifedrive or Dell X30 PDAs. Worth it?

Any other ideas? It just seems to me there are a wealth of devices out there than do more than the Ipod touch and at lower prices.

Hey Mr. DJ

white light — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:22:46 -0800

What movie is this screen capture from? (girl playing a record) Someone I know is trying to win a contest that requires identifying very short clips from tons of movies, and only has one more to go!

here is the image

Thanks!

DVD player that isn't hostile to end-users?

odinsdream — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:54:31 -0800

Can you recommend an upconverting DVD player with component output that ignores region coding and allows me to perform any action at any time? Can you recommend an upconverting DVD player that doesn't treat me with active hostility? I'm specifically looking for a player that:

1. Ignores region coding, or can be easily set to ignore region coding without installing new firmware.

2. Never, ever restricts me from fast-forwarding previews/warnings/anti-piracy tirades or skipping to a particular menu.

I can work around these issues by ripping the discs and then re-burning them but this is highly inconvenient.

It would also be nice if the player had all of the usual standard cool things, like digital audio output and some nice pulldown detection, and didn't sound like a jet engine.

My daugher is a poop player

allthewhile — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:51:39 -0800

I need to know if my daughter is exhibiting normal behavior, or if she's going through some sort of psychological thing. It all started when my 5 year old ran up the stairs screaming, RUBY is playing with her poop! Our 3 year old, playing by herself in the playroom in the basement, had a field day with her poop. She must have been playing with it for 10 minutes. It was everywhere and disgusting. She is potty trained and has been for quite a while. It was EVERYWHERE. Mushed into the carpet, all over her body, on the television, etc.

She didn't seem to be phased at all.

She has been having more accidents recently, so maybe that's part of it.

I think we were more disturbed by her LITERALLY PLAYING WITH IT, than with her having an accident. She's intelligent, very verbal, everything else seems to be fine. The 5 year old never had such an issue.

Is this normal? If anyone has any, "My kid played with their poop and they're now a successful lawyer" stories, I would really appreciate it.

'New' is the new 'obsolete'

Jason and Laszlo — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:26:53 -0800

new-ish DVD player only plays new DVDs, but none from the library. What's going on? Brand-new out of the package DVDs work in my DVD player, but rentals don't. Citizen Kane (from the library) didn't play on my DVD player, nor on my 2005 iMac, but DID work on my 2008 iMac. What's going on?

If these 'old' DVDs can't be played in my 'new' DVD player, does this mean that there's now an older, obsolete form of DVDs? If yes, can you recommend any products that would play all types of DVDs?

Microsoft or Apple?

heavenstobetsy — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:36:31 -0800

Zune vs. iPod Touch? It's time for a new mp3 player. I've had an iPod Nano (3G) for about a year and at 4GB my music library is outgrowing it. What I'll be using it for:

- Podcasts - I download podcasts via iTunes and I'm happy with it, is this possible if I were to get a Zune?
- Music playback - Obviously. Anything over 8GB is big enough, audio quality isn't much of an issue.
- Little to no video - I don't use this on my current iPod but that could be an issue of the screen being too small.

Wishlist:

- Wi-fi - I like the idea of synching wirelessly via Wi-Fi (as opposed to Bluetooth), I understand with the Touch it's also possible to surf with a Wi-Fi connection....does the Zune have this functionality as well? It looks like it doesn't, right?
- Generally easy to use interface

So that's about it, looking for personal experiences/recommendations to help make this decision. I'm leaning towards Zune right now, but it's for aesthetic reasons at the moment.

Thanks in advance!