There is a huge review by Amit (achougoo) on Window Media Player. So I do not want to write once again on that. Here I will try to tell about Window Media Bonus Pack and concentrate on the feature MP3 Converter LE.
Recently, I have upgraded my Laptop (little one). Now it has a 20 GB hard disc and 128 MB RAM. But still there is space problem mainly due to too many files with graphics and photographs, useful software and music albums (mp3). Only option left for me is to create CDs and carry them but that’s not very convenient to me. I am also not interested to reduce the size of the folder that contains 1500+ songs. Initially I have converted some of the old songs to mp3 with the help of down loaded software and created some additional space. Still not enough for my machine.
Last Sunday, while surfing download site of Microsoft, I came to know about Microsoft Windows Media Bonus Pack for Windows XP. This Bonus Pack contains Plus! MP3 Converter LE, New Skins, New Visualizations, Windows Media Player for Windows XP Powertoys, Windows Media Player Skin Importer, and the Windows Movie Maker Creativity Kit. Size of the total package is 18+ MB. There is an option by that one can choose necessary features required for individuals need. I have downloaded 10+ MB.
One of the most useful features of this bonus pack is converting mp3 files to Window Media Audio (WMA). A WMA file requires half of the space of mp3. For example, 81 selected songs of Kishorda in mp3 format occupy 290 MB. After conversion these songs in WMA format occupies only 168 MB. I have planned to convert all these songs to WMA format. In mp3 format size of the folder is 5+ GB and after conversion to WMA format size of the same folder will be around 3 GB. Thus creating a free space of about 2 GB and that is good enough to accommodate many useful files. In WMA format quality of sound remain same.
Caution:-
a) It is better to select 10 songs at a time for conversion. I have faced problem when tried to convert more than 15 songs at a time. Many a time I have to restart my PC.
This may be due to conflicting software in my Home Made PC. Still in dark; any suggestion?
b) There is an option by which software can delete converted song in mp3 format as soon as songs are converted to WMA. I found it a very convenient option to delete the songs of mp3 format but be careful though I have not faced any problem. This caution is from the vendor.
c) I have used my Home PC for conversion because I want my laptop to remain as trouble free as it is. No bitter experience but just a caution.
For Win 98 lovers (me included)-
A Limited Version is available for free down load, Size 3+ MB. For full version one has to pay (I have not checked the price). Limited version is not loaded with all features but it may be used for Win98, ME, Win2000. I have checked it for Win 98. Not very convenient to use but serves the purpose.
FYI:-
WMA format seems to be very convenient for hand held devices supporting WMA format.
Window Media Player version 7.1 is available for down load for Win98 and above.
WMA format is friendly with WINAMP and Window Media Player. Version of Real Basic in my computer does support this format. I have not tried Jet Audio or any other player.