Windows Media Player??? Alternatives

[DD716TED]

I have a new desktop (Windows 7) that is connected to an external 500GB HD that is 80% (400 gb) full of music. Unlike my previous Windows 7 computer that was connected to this same external HD, WMP worked fine and I was able to select music with no problem. The new Win 7 computer with WMP has been indexing the music files for over a month now and is still unusable. Anyone found an alternative to WMP other that iTunes that works for them? Recommendations / ideas?

[NHIrish]

I have switched to media monkey. They have a free and paid version.

[Tom_M1]

Here's the direct link for VLC:
http://www.videolan.org/

For audio files I use foobar2000.

[wa8yxm]

Video Lan can play most media files (music and Video both)
The screen name is VLC media player This is one of the download links

WARNING: I have not vetted this link and do not know if it's the genuine article
http://www.downloadster.org/lp/vlc-player/354/?_u=le2ftunhmjpdvovksfhhiap9stgun95lmrflletefdr40315rkh1-ac7715b743c6470cc9d03db17d43fb4c

This is one of the few players that can handle the format that is most common in my Rig (ReplayTV MP2s) most will not show those files properly.

There is a special version for use with Replays that emulates the Replay 50000 series (One of which I am watching as I type) but if you do not have a replay you do not need that version. (RelayTV is a DVR, like TiVo only better)

[uterep]

VLC without a doubt

[MrWizard]

X2 for MPC

also VLC another free audio video media player

[Bucky_Badger]

I would try this..Very light, Works great, loads fast plays anything
Media player classic- Home cinema
http://mpc-hc.org/
you won't be disappointed

[DD716TED]

Problem with Windows 7 WMP 12 has been resolved... It seems as though the WMP program had the Library Options block checked to “Retrieve additional information from the internet." It was trying to gather additional album cover art work and song information for each item on the HD from the Inet... Once unchecked, the WMP works fine. Thanks for the quick responses..

[1492]

Sounds like you need a media manager app similar to iTunes? And not just a media player like VLC?

Take a look at the free MediaMonkey and see if it works for your needs. You may also want to look at these recommended by TechRadar.com.

[L2R]

I have found that Pandora is an excellent alternative to itunes and my old tunes.
It is free.
It is easy to start up.
I too have about as much music as you and Pandora finds artists that I like that I did not know existed.

What you can do-
Pick out an artist you like and it becomes the name of your new radio station. It selects that artist and others that are similar. It is frequently a pleasant surprise to find new music at my age. You can have up to 100 'stations'.

What you can't do-
is select a specific song. I know that sounds bad and you can still keep itunes or whatever but it is a very pleasant experience to us.

Good luck, no doubt others will have other, good ideas.