CNET Editors' review
WinAmp 5.3 took some long-needed steps to improve the old-school media player, with support for AAC encoding, CD burning, and a robust file-management system. WinAmp 5.51 ups the ante with strong support for portable devices, including iPods, the ability to sync non-DRMed files to your PC from your device, an optional new interface layout and a built-in browser for media discovery.
We liked that clicking on an artist's name will get you related headlines and Web sites in a separate pane. There's also Podcast support, device synchronization that lets you tweak the sync list while in progress, and continued support for AOL's excellent Shoutcast. The new Bento layout is worth mentioning, too, because it gets the venerable llama away from the old modular format. The joined panes for the browser, media player, artist list, album list and more make WinAmp instantly more visually appealing. There's also an Auto-Tag feature, which will download metatags from the Gracenote database.
If you want MP3 encoding and full-speed CD burning, you have to shell out $19.95 for the Pro version. However, there are other problems. Automatic album art download support is spotty at best. More importantly, there are some stability issues when playing videos, and occasional program crashes were far more common than they should be.
WinAmp 5.51 is no iTunes killer--not yet. It has become, however, a strong alternative and should be of interest to those looking for something with more meat on its bones. Llama meat, that is.
Winamp - Play audio and video files - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Nullsoft:
Winamp is a free multimedia player made by Nullsoft. It supports numerous audio and video formats. It also plays streamed video and audio content, both live and recorded, authored worldwide. It has an extremely customizable media library, and allows you to rip and burn your favorite music CDs. Winamp has thousands of skins and plug-ins that allow you to change the look-and-feel of the player, as well as add new features. The player also has access to thousands of free songs, videos and online radio stations from SHOUTcast Radio and AOL Radio with XM.
Version 5.52 fixes Ultravox streaming metadata stack overflow vulnerability.
What's new in this version: Version 5.51 is a bug-fixing release.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 1,496 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 22 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"A good versatile player."
Version: Winamp 5.52
Pros
A good interface and easy to use. Excellent online radio, with a great music selection. Very easy access to different types of music.
Cons
The ability to burn a cd at 2x ,(unless you upgrade to Pro) is not a good feature. For ripping and burning, I use WMP.
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"updated not"
Version: Winamp 5.52
Cons
softwares are updated but they seem to keep forget vista
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"Winamp ROCKS"
Version: Winamp 5.52
Pros
as always, Winamp is the bet freware audio player
Cons
the video player could do better
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"Still the best old winamp."
Version: Winamp 5.52
Pros
Simple and easy to use. Very customizable. Light on resources (classic mode). Great mp3 player
Cons
Lack of classic mode effects and design. Modern mode too heavy on some machines.
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"If you can only have the minimum It is Go0d"
Version: Winamp 5.52
Cons
I will like to choose the colors!
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"Has it all."
Version: Winamp 5.52
Pros
I like the ease of finding and using music files.
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"Seems to work great, but not quite what I was looking for."
Version: Winamp 5.52
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"better than windows media player"
Version: Winamp 5.52
Pros
you have more selections more radio stations
my sister has it she loves it alot
Cons
the upgrade popup
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"The llama no longer loves you"
Version: Winamp 5.52
Pros
Winamp has always had a straightforward user interface which I am used to
Cons
I finally got mad enough about remove all the NON OPT IN spyware and partner programs and being constantly harassed on boot-up (even after hacking lots of it out of my registry) and removed the software and there was still junk left over.
I am sad that it's no longer worth it to use this software, it's a shame.
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"It is overall an "OK" program"
Version: Winamp 5.52
Pros
The features are great. It has everything.
Cons
The interface is somehow complicated to me..
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