One player to rule them all? :)

Riaz Kanani on November 23rd, 2005

I just downloaded Quicktime 7 to upgrade my version 6, I thought it would be painless – how wrong could I be! Let me explain.

In the last few years, I only really use Windows Media Player to play audio or video on my system. Why? Well Real takes over my system when I open it, requiring me to register and log in to them. It pops up messages at me and became so irritating that it takes a lot for me to want to use it. It only stays on my computer because some companies insist on using it still. Thankfully that number is ever smaller – I have only opened it maybe twice in the last 6 months for my own usage (and that includes once today – unfortunately I have to open it more times when I have to test client’s content). As for Quicktime, well most film trailers use this so I have to use it more often though why film websites do not move to Flash is beyond me – greater penetration and high quality – what am I missing? (except for maybe the point that most film companies use Macs..). Why do I not use it? Well thinking about it, its all to do with my usage, it just doesnt feel like an audio player, and I play more audio then video – so I use Windows Media for audio and therefore the same for video <shrugs> bit weak I know.

Today’s experience though makes me less likely to switch from Windows Media Player though. When I upgraded, it took me to the iTunes and Quicktime download. I didnt even notice and downloaded it where it promptly installed both iTunes and Quicktime 6. I do not want iTunes!!! Worse than this though, I now have a Quicktime icon back in my system tray – what happened to preserving my settings?

<grumble> and all because I couldnt stream a file in Quicktime 6 :( Here is another example of where there should be cross platform support for all codecs. Then there is no need for me to have 3 players on my system!!!

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  • I agree on the quality side of things - if all the players supported each other's codec the market (or at least the producers!) can decide which codec to use and not worry about having to create multiple encodes of every clip they want to push out!

    The only downside with Quicktime is the market share - it is a fifth at best of the windows media market size.
  • razorshine


    The only downside with Quicktime is the market share - it is a fifth at best of the windows media market size.

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  • standalone installer without iTunes bundled in with it. Very much agree with you on the need for cross-platform codecs, although I feel I have to point out that the Windows Media formats are far, far worse than the Quicktime formats in this regard.
  • Agreed: when I first came across this bundling tactic I wasn't impressed either (even as a devout Mac weenie). For what it's worth, there's a standalone installer without iTunes bundled in with it. Very much agree with you on the need for cross-platform codecs, although I feel I have to point out that the Windows Media formats are far, far worse than the Quicktime formats in this regard.
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