| Windows Media Player 7.1 |
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| CNET rating: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 best |
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| The good: Improved CD encoding; compresses music files to allow you to fit more on portable players; excellent sound quality at higher bit rates. The bad: Can't rip CDs to MP3 or create MP3 files at all; clunky, sometimes buggy CD-encoding interface; WMA files sound best only at higher bit rates. The bottom line: Windows Media Player's new encoding scheme makes the WMA format sound even better. MP3 enthusiasts should skip it, but for sheer sound quality, WMP 7.1 is worth a download. |
| CNET review |
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An incremental upgrade isn't supposed to be a big deal. Windows Media
Player (WMP) 7.1, however, is an essential download for audiophiles. The latest version integrates the new Windows Media Player 8.0 codec, which means better audio fidelity when burning CDs. Although the burning process isn't as easy as it is with other software, the resulting sound is well worth the effort. |
| Quick facts | |
| Software requirements and specs: | |
| Windows 98/Me/2000 | |
| Processor: | Pentium-166 |
| RAM: | 32MB |
| Disk space | 10MB |
| Display requirements: | 256-color video card |
| Sound requirements: | Speakers; 16-bit sound card |
| CD-ROM required: | No (CD-R/RW required for CD burning) |
| Downloadable full version: | Yes |
Troy Dreier is a New Jersey-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to CNET Software. Got a question for him? We'll pass it on. |
