[kj] Play dead

[Brendan]

Multimedia programs do in a sense fight each other, insofar as the file
associations contention. Windows keeps a list of which programs to use to
open particular file types...so by default when you double-click that kind
of file, Windows will know what to do with it (open .doc files with M$
Word for example...).

Many multimedia apps ask you when you install them if you want to
associate the application with ALL multimedia types (that it is compatible
with)...such as mp3 / mp4, avi, wmv, flac, playing DVDs etc etc (there's
loads of formats) and it's easy to overlook this setting when zipping
through the install screens. I recently did a full install of the software
that came with my DVD burner and it included a flaming media player
(Nero), on top of all the other ones I have...as if I needed another one
FFS...

Can become a bit messy after a while as well, once you have several
applications on your PC that aim to do the same thing, some of which will
attempt to load automatically when your PC starts, automatically update,
and many of which share core Windows system files & settings(dlls etc).

Good rule of thumb is to pick a decent one that covers most bases and
ignore the others. You probably don't need Quicktime on a Windows PC for
example, avi files can be opened in VLC or Win Media Player. (And good
luck if you're brave enough to use iTunes - we hates it precious ;p)

If you want to change the file associations let me know, or Google it if
you want, there's multiple ways to do it, pretty standard on Windows from
2000 on. Or you can simply re-install the player you want to use and let
it reclaim the associations.

The less programs you have on Windows the quicker it goes and less messy
it gets, generally.


> On Fri, May 1, 2009 at 9:24 AM, Stephen Lawrence <stephen.l at live.com>

> wrote:

>

>> thanks bo

>> Â  to be honest i don't know which version i have ..i'm a bit wary of

>> downloads and installations ..i was once told that programs can''fight

>> ''

>> with each other whether that is true i don;t know

>> Â  i have vlc and real player and win amp but prefer media player for

>> the

>> database

>

> Both and, programs cannot as such interfere with eachother, but codecs

> and dll's can and will at every given chance. This is why i

> recommended smplayer and/or vlc, since they both use their own sets of

> codecs instead of using (and cluttering) the standard DirectShow set

> that Windows Media Player and virtually every other media player use.

>

> To find the version of nearly any Windows program, click "Help" and

> then "About".

>

> Also, if you already have vlc, you should be able to play WMA and WMV

> with it. Just make sure you have the latest version from

> www.videolan.org and you're all set.

>

>

> b

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