There are many audio and video formats and most of the programs play some specific formats. For example, iPod and Windows Media player accepts few formats. A DVD movie will not play on iPod until it is converted to a MP4 file. To play your favorite movie or song, where you want to play it, you need the right player or the right utility to convert it to the format that works for you. Below is the list of ten media players and utilities that you will find useful.
1. Media Coder 2011 R8 build 5185:
Media Coder is a free open source audio/video decoder, which brings many audio/video applications together in one friendly GUI. It can quickly convert any audio/video file into your choice of format.
Supported source formats
Audio: OGG/Vorbis, MusePack, RealAudio, WavPack, WAV, MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, APE/APL
Video: MPEG1/2/4, WMV/ASF, MP4, AVI (Xvid/DIVX/H.264), QuickTime (mov), RealMedia (rmvb)
Supported target formats
Audio: WavPack, WMA, FLAC, Monkey’s Audio (APE), WAV
Video: Xvid, MPEG1/2/4, H.264, DIVX 4/5, H.263
2. Winamp Full 5.621:
It is a multi-format, media player, which supports many music file formats including MOD, AAC, FLAC, OGG Vorbis, Windows Media Audio, MIDI, MPEG-1 audio layers 1 and 2, M4A, and WAV. It works on all the windows including Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / Windows 7 / XP64 / Vista64 / Windows 7 64.
3. VLC media player 1.1.7 ML Portable:
Also known as VideoLan Client, it is a portable multimedia player for many audio and video formats, DVDs, VCDs, and other streaming protocols. The supported format includes MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, XviD, mp3, OGG, DIVX, WMV and many more. In the latest version of VLC, users can record live streaming videos, faster playback and frame-by-frame advancement.
4. JetAudio Basic 8.0.16:
This multimedia software plays number of music and video formats and features like CD burning, recording, and option to convert file formats. It supports MP3, MPG, WMA, OGG, AVI and much more. This is a freeware and works on Windows 2000/XP/Vista and 7.
5. Windows Media Player 11:
WMP 11 gives you new and exciting ways to store and enjoy all the digital media. This version of Windows Media Player features a tree like file directory which makes easy for you to find the music you want and a search box which takes you wherever you want to search your music files.
6. DVD Shrink V3.2.0.15:
This is the software to back up DVD discs or shrinking DVDs to recordable media. You have to use this DVD Shrink in conjunction to any DVD burning software to back the DVDs. The application is also capable of re-encoding and re-authoring the movies. The freeware tool comes with a user friendly GUI, through which you can decide what to save and what to lose.
7. DAEMON Tools Lite 4.41.3:
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The tool allows making a copy of DVD/CD/Blu-ray disc/HD DVD into a disc image or virtual disc on your hard disk from where you run it directly. It is freeware that supports Windows 2000/XP/Vista and 7.
8. K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 7.7.0L:
This is free software bundle that can play all your movie files including formats like MKV, OGM, FLV, AVI, MP4 and all other formats including some rare ones. It includes full, real, and alternative K lite codec packs, direct show filters and other additional components that are not present in any other K lite codec edition. Codec is a short form of Compressor and De-compressor.
9. Gom Player 2.1.28.5039:
The player is freeware with built in audio and video codecs. It can play any video format that you can think of including MPEG, DIVX, WMV, DAT, AVI, XviD, ASF etc. It works on all Windows OS including 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista/7. The makers of Gom player guarantees that you will experience something that you have not seen in any other media players.
10. Media Player Classic – Home Cinema 1.5.1.2903:
This is free audio/video player for windows. It is a lightweight player that looks like Windows Media Player but has many additional features.
Supported Video and Audio formats
WMA, OGG, AU, AIFC, MIDI, MPG, VOB, AC3, ASX, PLS, WAX, WM, WMA, WMV, CDA, JPG, GIF, PNG, D2V, SWF, QT, WEBM
