Play Dj On Computer

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday December 10, 2007

Helen Bradley

Every Windows PC comes with jukebox software, writes Helen Bradley.

IF YOU haven't seen Windows Media Player in action yet, then you've probably never launched a music or video file on your PC (in this day and age, it's practically a miracle if you haven't). The player comes installed with Windows and it's also available for portable devices that use the Windows Mobile operating system.

By default, it's the software that Windows launches when you double-click on a media file to play back. Yet, apart from this automated action, you may have never tried to delve into the settings and features too deeply. As with most things that are "free", we tend to take it for granted, so here are a few tips for getting a bit more out of this ubiquitous media player.

Before investing too much time make sure you're playing with the latest version (which is currently 11). To check what you're using, choose Help> About Windows Media Player and check the version number - there is also an Update link in the Help menu you can use to check for and download program updates.

The player dialogue looks much like any other program but doesn't have to stay that way. It comes with skins that you can use to change how it looks. Choose View > Skin Chooser and check the skins available - click More Skins to download more and, to use one, click it and click Apply Skin. Skins vary from sci-fi and a retro look to Japanese anime and more. To keep Windows Media Player on top of everything on your screen, choose Tools > Options > Player tab and enable the Keep the Player on top of other windows. You can return to the regular interface at any time by right clicking the player and click Switch to Full Mode.

Skins work well for playing music but you'll probably want to work with the regular interface to rip and burn music and assemble playlists. If your menus - such as the File, View, Play, Tools and Help menus aren't visible, display them by pressing the Alt key.

The Windows Media Player tabs offer options such as rip and burn. Click Rip to rip music from a CD to your My Music folder. When you do this, you can play the music from your computer and save wear and tear on your CDs. Another benefit of ripping music is you can compile a playlist of your favourite tracks and put them in the order you'd like to listen to them.

To create a playlists, choose File > Create Playlist, select the tracks to play and drag them into the playlist area on the right of the screen. When you've created a playlist and ordered the songs, give it a name and click Save Playlist. It will appear in the list and you can double click it to play it. Playlists are handy for compiling collections of music for different occasions - such as a party mix, easy listening and your heavy metal favourites.

You aren't limited to playing music stored on your own computer as the player can find music stored on shared folders on other computers on your home network.

To find this music, choose File > Add To Library, select "My folders and those of others that I can access" and click OK. The player finds the music stored in these shared folders and adds it to the library.

You can add this music to a playlist in the same way you add music stored on your computer.

Click the Burn button to open the Burn dialogue. Here you can create a list of tracks to burn to a CD. You can also drag and drop an entire playlist into the burn list. Place a blank CD into your drive and click Start Burn to create a CD that's playable in your car or hi-fi.

The player also includes options for improving your listening experience including evening out volume and adding a crossfade between tracks. Choose View > Enhancements to see what is available.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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