*.wav files

[donnap99]

How does your computer play .wav files?  I never gave it much thought before - it just happens.  Today I am searching for a particular sound.  I ran Windows Explorer and searched on *.wav, double-clicked on it to play, and Nullsoft Winamp was launched and played the sound.  I have to say I've never (consciously, at least) noticed this program before.  I wondered what your computer does when you double-click on a .wav file, and wanted to make sure that this Winamp is an OK thing.

TIA!


DonnaP99

[bethalize]

Hi, Donna.

Winamp is a valid media player and the basic version is free. I use it in preference to Windows media player. If you don't like it you can change it by opening Windows Explorer, left clicking once on 'My computer', choosing TOOLS then FOLDER OPTIONS from the menu, left clicking once on the FILE TYPES tab and then scrolling down to the WAV extension and choosing the 'change' option button below. Pick the program you'd rather use.

Bethalize
Peer Moderator

[gee4]

Interesting Beth - so is there a difference?

G

[bethalize]

Yes. Windows Media Player is made by Microsoft and you can get updates via Windows Update. Winamp is made by NullSoft. They do pretty much the same things though. I prefer Winamp slightly because it doesn't hog anywhere near as much memory as Media Player and responds more quickly, but Media Player has slightly better video handling IMO, less messing around with updates and plug-ins.

Both products are better than RealPlayer, which I only have so I can get Real broadcasts. Thankfully, alternatives are being developed.

Bethalize
Peer Moderator