CNET Editors' review
Nullsoft has a lot of ground to make up after the Winamp 3.0 debacle, a dwindling user base, and stiff competition from Apple iTunes. Winamp 5.3 was a huge step in the right direction, with support for AAC encoding, CD burning, and a robust file-management system. Finally.
Winamp 5.3.1 makes some small but effective changes to its predecessor. In addition to playlist syncing for portables and a More Info feature that shows information about the currently playing track, we get a more stable, less-crash-prone environment for MP3s and podcasts and CD-text-reading support. We also love the Internet TV feature, which provides some great music videos and live concert footage, although the Singing Fish search is rife with mislabeled files. Ostensible rock-concert footage turns out to be, on more than one occasion, unlabeled pornography.
Another eye-catcher is the excellent collection of visualizations. The massive catalog of Winamp 2.x and 3.x skins works with this new version. The free version is feature-rich, but if you want MP3 encoding and full-speed CD burning, you have to shell out $14.95 for the Pro version. Winamp is one of our all-time favorite players, though, and version 5 renews its promise.
Publisher's Description
From Nullsoft:
New features in Winamp 5 include support for classic Winamp 1.x/2.x/2.9x skins and Winamp 3 (Modern) skins; a fancy new Modern skin; the same classic skin for people who want the Winamp 2 feel; a vastly more powerful media library; CD-ripping support (AAC@2x in the Free version, MP3 at unlimited speeds in the Pro version); CD-burning support (limited to 2x in the free version); advanced title-formatting logic for file types that support it; huge AVS updates; support for playback of AAC and VP6 in NSV files/streams; global hot-key support; a new Signal Processing Studio DSP plug-in; options for disabling plug-in exception-handling for developers; a new Winamp icon; and the addition of XP manifest.xml to winamp.exe. The developer made the agent icon use the configured Winamp system tray icon, made the program faster, made Winamp's internal submenu management more reliable, added skin-font-override preferences, and added a spacebar that shows the current playlist item in the playlist editor.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 1,476 votes
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Current version:
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"Not bad, but could be better"
Version: Winamp Full 5.623
Pros
A free nice looking media, but to improve.
Cons
Could be more user-friendly.
The equalizer is not really giving a full satisfaction, it could be improved.
A bit of a fight finding the different options when you don't have the will or the time -
"did not like it because it was not very intuitive"
Version: Winamp Full 5.623
Pros
Can not think of one good reason why this unit is so popular
Cons
Winamp basically blows. It does not present itself as a very understandable means by which to organize a music archive.
Summary
Could not stand it shouting out something about "kicking the lama's ass" every time I logged on.
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"Gaining and loosing is part of new winanp"
Version: Winamp Full 5.623
Pros
lots o add-ins new and old refurbished, excellent!
Cons
well, you can't have the cake and eat-it, so forget the freebee, and purchase the one that's for sale.
Summary
new tech comes with a price tag. tears for the freebee.
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"Still the standard for everything streaming"
Version: Winamp Full 5.623
Pros
Since it's incarnation. Most of the updates have been to tweek the performace with sysgtems and prevent from crashes and confilicts. This update is no surprise to the lot and still delevers a great package.
Cons
Nuances of controls and some features, but not a big negative.
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"Great for MP3 files and listening to internet radio."
Version: Winamp Full 5.623
Pros
Easy to download file into.
Cons
Internnet radio cuts out once in a while.
Summary
Overall a great program to play MP3 files and internat radio.
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"Excellent player."
Version: Winamp Full 5.623
Pros
Easy to sync, rate songs and sort. The related videos feature is interesting.
Cons
The controls are a little small.
Summary
Excellent.
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"Remains an outstanding product"
Version: Winamp Full 5.622
Pros
versatile player with many very cool options
Cons
takes forever to load
buffering of some video channels is crummySummary
even with its minor limitations, one can find no better audio/video player on the net
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"does everything I want in a music player service"
Version: Winamp Full 5.622
Pros
easy and quick to use.
Cons
set up is a little harder then most. takes actual thinking for parts of the set up. Would like better skins at installation.
Summary
good, use it daily. quick to set up and label play lists. Have over 15.000 tunes and it handles the load well.
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"Sham! Garbage! Waste of Time!"
Version: Winamp Full 5.622
Pros
Seem to be many - but I can'4. Cons: (10 characters minimum)234 of 1,000 charactersWon't install (Third major attempt) - If installed, won't function! (Hours spent working with it) Can't get tech help if you're not a paying member (Not very likely, now) Tutorials written for those who already know how to use it... 5. Summary: (optional)350 of 15,000 charactersWhoa! Major disappointment!!! Can't get tech help... forums no help either. Just WILL NOT INSTALL on my laptop (HP Dv7) running AMD Turion X2 chip - 64 bit - 4Gb ram - Win7 Home Prem SP1
If a knowledgeable, sympathetic, english-speaking human being is really reading this - a reply and some aid will get you my sincere blessings unto eternity!!! Add Your Review
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t find them if the program don't work! (I know, I know.... 14 million users) (and me a mechanical engineer of 45 years experience!)Cons
Won't install (Third major attempt) - If installed, won't function! (Hours spent working with it) Can't get tech help if you're not a paying member (Not very likely, now) Tutorials written for those who already know how to use it...
Summary
Whoa! Major disappointment!!! Can't get tech help... forums no help either. Just WILL NOT INSTALL on my laptop (HP Dv7) running AMD Turion X2 chip - 64 bit - 4Gb ram - Win7 Home Prem SP1
If a knowledgeable, sympathetic, english-speaking human being is really reading this - a reply and some aid will get you my sincere blessings unto eternity!!! -
"very good comfortable experience"
Version: Winamp Full 5.622
Pros
improve search for free eMusic
Cons
found none but meager
Summary
over all far better than WMP
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