Windows Media Player 9

The final build of Windows Media Player 9 was released today.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...ad/default.asp

:D

Just downloaded it and I really like the new features. Did have a little trouble in getting it to install as setup kept telling me that it couldn't install it but it did. I think a program I have running that prompts me when a new program wants to run at startup may have caused this.

Does it have an uninstall feature to return to the previous version? The beta didn't and a few people who didn't like it or had problems kinda got stuck with it.

Don't take this as sarcasm, it is certainly not meant that way, but...
What is so great about WMP9 that I would want to update? Is it faster, stronger, better and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Will it make me thinner? Does it it Wheaties?

I am also interested in the uninstall question.

Thanks in advance.

Here's the most important new feature is Microsoft's "Digital Rights Management" garbage. I don't want any part of it, but if enough people buy into it, Microsoft will eventually have control over what kind of media files you can play on your computer, and what license fees you have to pay to use them. Here's some of their present info about it:


Microsoft Digital Rights Management

Content providers are using the Microsoft Digital Rights Management technology (DRM) to protect the integrity of their content so that their intellectual property, including copyright, is not misappropriated. Both Microsoft and third parties offer software that can play content secured with DRM (e.g. this Windows Media Player).

License Acquisition
To play secure content, a digital media license for the content must be resident on your computer. The license is a file that contains a non-traceable ID. By default, Windows Media Player will attempt to acquire a license when you try to play the secure content if one was not issued to you by the content provider when you downloaded the content. If the content provider requires a fee or some type of registration, the license server will prompt you for this information; otherwise the license will be acquired silently. It is the responsibility of the content provider to inform you how any information they collect from you is used.

You can control whether you want Windows Media Player to attempt "automatic" silent license acquisition. If automatic license acquisition is selected, licenses will be acquired silently if the license server allows it. If automatic license acquisition is not selected, the license server may prompt you prior to issuing a license.

If you do not wish to acquire licenses automatically:
On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Privacy tab, clear the Acquire licenses automatically for protected content check box.
License Restore Service
Microsoft has worked with partners (such as record labels, hand-held computer manufacturers, video labels, and many others) to develop a service that enables you to move and restore your digital media licenses (for legitimate purposes only) between your own computers, not your computer and your friend's computer. This service allows for a limited number of license transactions. When you restore your licenses, you are sending information to Microsoft that uniquely identifies your computer. Microsoft stores this information in a database and keeps track of the number of times you attempt to restore your licenses. Microsoft does not share this information with 3rd parties. When you restore your licenses, it may be necessary to first upgrade some of the DRM components on your computer. If the upgrade is required, it will be performed as part of the license restore process; you will not be prompted to accept the upgrade.

To avoid using the restore service:
Do not click Restore Now in the License Management dialog box. The License Management dialog box is displayed by clicking License Management on the Tools menu.
Revocation Lists
If the security of the playback software is compromised, owners of secure content may request that Microsoft revoke the softwares right to copy, display and/or play secure content. Revocation does not alter the revoked softwares ability to play unprotected content. A list of revoked software is sent to your computer whenever you acquire a license. Microsoft will not retrieve any personally identifiable information, or any other information, from your computer by downloading such revocation lists. The only way to avoid receiving revocation lists is to not acquire licenses for secure content.

Security Upgrade
Owners of secure content may also require you to upgrade some of the DRM components on your computer before accessing their content. When you attempt to play such content, Windows Media Player will notify you that a DRM Upgrade is required and then ask for your consent before the DRM Upgrade is downloaded (third party playback software may do the same). If you decline the upgrade, you will not be able to access content that requires the DRM Upgrade; however, you will still be able to access unprotected content and secure content that does not require the upgrade. If you accept the upgrade, Windows Media Player will connect to an Internet site operated by Microsoft and will send a unique identifier along with a Windows Media Player security file. This unique identifier does not contain any personal identifiable information. Microsoft will then replace the security file with a customized version of the file that contains your unique identifier. This increases the level of protection provided by DRM

As far as uninstalling it, it's the same as their beta releases. XP and Me users should make sure System Restore is activated because that is how it is to be "uninstalled". Windows 2000 will have an uninstall option in Add/Remove Programs. I personally tried to uninstall the first beta release from a Win 2000 partition though, and it didn't work.

Oh sh*t. Looks like I screwed up again. I hope I can take this thing off O.K. with system restore!

Don't worry it works fine I like the little radio bar and visualizations you can put on the task bar. Also with good speakers it sounds much better. Watching stuff on the net is also much better. It's the future get used to it.
Madc
By the way you can hide it in add and remove programs if you want.

The system restore works fine to get rid of it. For those of you who still have MP 9 installed please try to play this file. Click on the link and then on the Video link on the page that comes up. It will not play on my MP9, but when I restored to MP8 it plays fine.

http://aerowinx.de/forum.cgi/read/17518

It plays fine for me.

It shows a plane trying to land in a heavy crosswind.

Guess I must have something screwed up here, but can't tell what it is.

Try reinstalling the DivX codec.

When I removed it by going back to a restore point. I went back to a point before MP9, Movie Maker update, series 9 codecs, and DirectShow playback for media 9. I reinstalled MP9, Movie Maker, and the Codecs update, but it would not allow me to download and install the DirectShow for Media 9. However, it now works with the file I listed above. Somehow I know I will have trouble with it down the road because it will not allow the installation of the one update. Tks for the response Nomad559.

I can't view it, or any mpeg. WMP 9 says it's connecting, but it never does. Then I have to give it the 3 finger salute to exit WMP 9. How do I reinstall DivX codec? And will that solve my problem?

You can get DivX here
http://www.divx.com/divx/index.php

But I don't think that's your problem, check the file types setting on your player.

The video of plane trying to land came up fine for me. I've had no problem at all with wmp 9 and find it much better than 8
Lucky I guess. From reading lots of posts I am coming to the conclusion that getting XP on a new machine really stops most problems people are having with upgrades and XP in general.
I bought my system a year ago and have never had a full system crash or any problem with upgrades once I can get to site.
Not bragging just an observation
Madc:)