Need suggestions for a media player

matinlunaire commented 2 hours ago

People often ask me why I still stick to Winamp despite it being bad and ugly and dated and whatnot. I would happily move off to another player, but these things are keeping me at it (absolutely essential functionality to me):

Convenient instant playlist organization from Windows Explorer (Play/Enqueue commands in context menus). I don't build playlists to last, I just throw a bunch of random stuff in one queue to listen to it at the moment. (okay, I guess this is pretty much everywhere nowadays)
(Near)-zero delay playback of small files when opened from external file managers. This is somehow still a problem with most players in 2024.
Bento skin-like appearance (where everything is compact and unified in one window)
- built-in Browser and Media Monitor. Extremely useful for playback of file listing directories on the web. I guess this could be implemented in the form of a regular web browser addon, but having those files play in an app that is dedicated for music playback seems way more sensible to me
- windowshade mode
The Winamp Library with its file browser for external media. I have a bunch of DVDs with folders on them, burning them as appropriate Audio DVDs wasn't an option at the time of burning, so it is now what it is. Again, having this is far more convenient than having to alt-tab to a dedicated file manager all the time
Shoutcast, at least in the form of an external plugin. Yes, I know it's proprietary. No, I'm not going to use the website listing, it's broken and horrible.
Proper support for displaying Audio CD tags. For some reason Winamp is the only app I know of that does this, all others just title them "Track 1 2 3" so on. I dunno, maybe it's due to the way those discs were originally burnt.
No CEF/React-based interfaces please. I don't need another Spotify.
Must have a 32-bit version (don't ask)
Windows 7 support is welcome, although I do understand that asking for it is maybe a bit silly nowadays.
- if there is also a Linux version, that would be even more welcome!

If there is something that can tick all those boxes, I'd love to give it a try. I've tried like 10 different players on Win/Linux and all of them have fallen short for me in one way or another.

C6OI commented 2 hours ago

Try PotPlayer

matinlunaire commented 2 hours ago

Try PotPlayer

it now has intrusive ads, so meh

C6OI commented 2 hours ago

it now has intrusive ads, so meh

idk, i use it everyday and haven't seen any ads

WinampDesktop / winamp

Need suggestions for a media player #2654