Re: Best media player

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Re: Best media player
by dw on Friday 29/Oct/2004, @17:12

I have to second the recommendation for amaroK.

I've watched media players come and go over the past four years, and XMMS has always won because it supported many formats (notably mp3, Ogg V., and flac) without hogging the CPU (on this PII), or crashing--all while including useful plugins for ALSA (when it was brand new), jackd, gapless playback, and, though less useful, even an alarm clock. Also, I wasn't required to have correct metadata to be able to find my music; the playlist was simple, and chosen from the filesystem.

Now, amaroK includes some of the features I have long found useful (and quite basic):
*XMMS-style play control window
*Playlist that allows for easier filesystem-based addition than XMMS
*Working gapless playback and optional crossfade (without the clutter from the XMMS crossfade plugin)
*Manipulation of playlist that is easier than XMMS (e.g., randomize, clear, append, replace, and save)--no more tiny XMMS buttons
*Ability to play a wide range of file formats (including flac and Ogg V.)
*By default, keyboard playback shortcuts match those of XMMS
*The (working, reliable) panel icon is minimalistic and useful: it only controls playback and volume

Some features that, for me, have given amaroK the edge are:
*A sidebar that allows multiple ways to select music (there is a filesystem browser--similar to what is in K3B--, a search pane, a meta-data browser--similar to Juk/Rhythmbox/Muine--and there is an 'intelligent' pane)
The sidebar actually works quite well. The panes you don't want are kept well out of the way.
*Uncluttered configuration screens (relative to XMMS)
*An easy ability to select output plugins (In both XMMS and amaroK, I like being able to easily switch between aRts for dedicated listening--aRts is still one of the best sounding sound servers/processors--and something that plays nicely with the computer, e.g. xine-plugin for amaroK and ALSA for XMMS.)
*By default, the buttons and fonts are large enough to be easily used
*The keyboard shortcuts work when the application is not in focus

If you become frustrated with XMMS, give amaroK a try. Once the bottom sidebar button is found, things will feel quite familiar.

Related Links

·   Articles on KDE Success Story
·   Also by dw
·   Contact author

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