MP3 Ripping and DVD Playback Add-Ons For Windows Media Player for Windows XP
By: Arie Slob
This week, Microsoft, together with CyberLink Corp., InterVideo Inc. and RAVISENT Technologies Inc., announced two new add-on products for Microsoft® Windows® XP. The first is the MP3 Creation Pack, which will for the first time enable CD ripping (recording) into the MP3 format using Windows Media™ Player for Windows XP. The second add-on is the DVD Decoder Pack, which will install support for the playback of DVDs via Windows Media Player for Windows XP if a user does not have a DVD decoder. CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT each will offer Microsoft Windows XP users the opportunity to purchase the MP3 Creation Pack and the DVD Decoder Pack separately or together.
"Windows XP provides a great experience for MP3 users and, with the addition of the new add-on packs, it just got better," said Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Customers now have expanded choice for both of the leading digital music formats, as well as a great selection of vendors to choose from in CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT."
CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT's MP3 Creation Packs for Windows XP will offer users an easy way for Windows Media Player for Windows XP users to rip personal CD collections into the MP3 format at high-speed bit rates. This ability adds to the support for MP3 in Windows Media Player for Windows XP and ensures that Windows XP will provide the best and most complete MP3 experience of any operating system.
Beyond CD ripping for MP3, Microsoft announced last February that Windows XP users will be able to play their existing MP3 music collections, add album art and lyrics to their MP3 music collections, create playlists that combine MP3 and Windows Media Audio music, burn music CDs and transfer MP3s to portable music devices. Windows XP even offers intelligent media management so that when consumers move an MP3 file anywhere on their computer, the Windows Media Player will automatically know where it has moved on the PC.
The DVD Decoder Pack for Windows XP will also be offered by CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT for Windows XP users who have PCs with DVD drives but do not have a DVD decoder preinstalled on their PC. This new add-on pack ensures that users of Windows XP with a DVD drive can play their favorite DVDs in the Windows Media Player just as they play their CDs, digital music and movies. The Windows Media Player also enhances the playback of DVDs with new innovative features including full-screen video controls for DVD playback, easy-to-navigate DVD chapter listings, and the first built-in support for All Media Guide's (AMG's) DVD metadata information such as cover art, chapter listings, and actor and director credits.
Availability
CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT will each offer for download via the Web an MP3 Creation Pack for Windows XP and a DVD Decoder Pack for Windows XP. Users of Windows XP will be able to order and download these new add-on packs from each company's Web site via links inside Windows Media Player for Windows XP. The add-on packs for Windows XP can be purchased separately or together and will be available for download by Oct. 25. Pricing for each pack will be determined by the respective company.
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