- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: July 01, 2009
- Total Downloads: 12,880,819
- Downloads last week: 15,508
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1298 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff on November 08, 2008
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 5.56 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, and Winamp's proprietary music scrobler called Orgler, with links back to AOL Music.
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 5.56 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.
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 5.56 has Winamp Orgler plugin let's you track, chart and share your listening history and fixed iexplore process not ending when browser closed after opened via Winamp.
What's new in this version:
Version 5.56 has Winamp Orgler plugin let's you track, chart and share your listening history and fixed iexplore process not ending when browser closed after opened via Winamp.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 1298 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 52 user reviewsSee all 52 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Winamp 5.56
"Winamp 5.56 does it all for me"
Pros: Unlike some other programs (Windows Media Player in particular), Winamp does just about everything you would want media software to do. Stores, sorts and keeps track of big playlists. Easily creates CD mixes.
Cons: Cryptic at best instructions. You have to figure it out for yourself or go to a user forum.
Summary: The best feature is the main reason I switched to Winamp in the first place; tremendous (limitless?) storage capacity. I have about 2000 tracks so far which I can set to play sequentially or randomly...or build smaller playlists from the master lis... read more >>
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Version: Winamp 5.56
"Confusing interface...unclear syncing..."
Pros: Handles my music library easily
Cons: Bloated abd confusing interface, with no clear directions regarding syncing. On the whole, I prefer Windows Media Player by far for ease of use and ability to sync with anything I can plug in!
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Version: Winamp 5.56
"Went from 4 to 5 stars with IPOD plug-in!"
Pros: Always been a good program, but adding the ipod plug-in to replace Itunes was wonderful. It is much simpler, doesn't have to re-sync the whole ipod, and can be used to play from ipod, jack-drives. Very versatile, and inclusive of needed gadgetry
Cons: Not any I can think of at this point
Summary: Is a favorite with folks with IPODS and IPHONES, for sure!
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Version: Winamp 5.56
"I use it for a long time so..."
Pros: It's comfortable and easy to use.
Cons: I have no comment.
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Version: Winamp 5.56
"Bites the bullet and does its job"
Pros: Great sound
Cons: . .
- See all 52 user reviews Write review
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