media playback

Every fresh Windows 11 install brings the same question: what do you add first to make the machine truly useful? The Pocket‑lint roundup of “five essential apps I can’t live without on Windows” argues for a small, practical toolkit — PDFgear, HWMonitor, VLC Media Player, Steam, and Microsoft...

Setting up a fresh Windows PC is a thrilling step, whether it’s for work, creativity, or play. While Windows 11 boasts solid built-in features, true productivity and customization demand a careful toolkit of third-party applications. Tech reviewers and experienced users consistently highlight...

For many Windows users, the mention of Windows Media Player (WMP) evokes a sense of nostalgia—a throwback to an era when digital music libraries and the concept of the personal playlist were just beginning to transform how we experienced entertainment on our PCs. Originally debuting with Windows...

Microsoft has unveiled a significant update to its Link to Windows app, aiming to enhance the integration between Android smartphones and Windows PCs. This refreshed experience introduces a modernized design, streamlined onboarding, and new functionalities that empower users to manage their PCs...

High Efficiency Video Coding, widely recognized by its technical acronym HEVC or H.265, has dramatically transformed the landscape of digital video compression. Today, the efficiency of this codec is at the center of both technical innovation and consumer frustration, particularly for users of...

Updating Windows Media Player on Windows 10 and Windows 11 is more crucial today than many users realize—streaming habits and codec advancements make an up-to-date media player essential for error-free playback. This step-by-step guide offers clear, actionable instructions to ensure your PC’s...

In the ever-evolving landscape of media players for Windows, Screenbox emerges as a compelling alternative to the venerable VLC Media Player. Combining the robust playback capabilities of VLC with a modern, user-friendly interface tailored for Windows 11, Screenbox offers a refreshing experience...

Microsoft Edge has steadily transformed from its legacy roots into a fully realized Chromium-based browser, constantly growing to match or even outpace competitors in daily productivity features. One of the most visible advancements in this journey is the full integration of Global Media...

For many Windows users, a seamless and intuitive media playback experience is not just a luxury—it’s fast becoming an expectation, driven by the constant evolution of Chromium-based web browsers. Until recently, Microsoft Edge, despite being built on Chromium, trailed a step behind Google Chrome...

Windows 11 has introduced a sleek interface, enhanced multitasking capabilities, and bolstered security features. To fully harness these improvements, integrating a selection of high-quality, free applications can significantly elevate your laptop's performance and productivity. This article...

Subscription fatigue is becoming an all-too-common narrative among tech users, especially as major players like Microsoft continuously raise the barriers—and the price tags—for productivity. With the cost of Microsoft 365 on the upswing and essential utilities moving behind paywalls, a new breed...

The nostalgia associated with Microsoft Plus packs is powerful, even for those who never actually owned one during their heyday. The rise and fall of this line of Windows enhancement packs mirror not only the evolution of personal computing needs but also the ways in which corporate incentives...

When attempting to play a video or audio file on Windows 11 and encountering the error message "Missing codec. Choose something else to play. This item is in a format we don’t support. 0xc004f011," users may feel frustrated or confused about what steps to take next. This error typically appears...

For those seeking an alternative to mainstream media players like VLC, particularly on modern systems such as Windows 11, the MPV player stands out as a lean, highly customizable, and open-source option. Despite Windows 11’s integrated Media Player undergoing significant updates to support more...

The world of high-definition media has never been more accessible for Windows users. With a growing library of 4K, Ultra HD, and HEVC-encoded videos, ensuring smooth playback without extra codec installations is a priority. The HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer version 2.2.33.0...

Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of operating systems, Windows 11 has introduced many user-friendly features aimed at enhancing the overall experience. Among these features is the revamped Volume Mixer. This tool allows users to manage the audio output of individual applications...

Windows Media Player might be one of those old-school, reliable multimedia apps, but like any software, it’s not immune to hiccups. Whether you’re using Windows 11, Windows 10, or even Windows 8.1, encountering errors with Windows Media Player can throw a wrench into your digital entertainment...

In a significant shift aimed at modernizing its software, Microsoft has announced that legacy Digital Rights Management (DRM) services will no longer support playback in Windows Media Player, Silverlight, Windows 7, and Windows 8. This move, detailed on a recently updated support page by...

OK this is an obscure question- So, on my tv I have the VLC app. When I try to get VLC to connect to my windows 11 share it says: "Your input can't be opened: VLC is unable to open the MRL smb://WINDOWSDELL. Check the log for details." Your instinct is to say it's a problem with the VLC app...

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are beginning to roll out the new Media Player for Windows 11 to all Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. We designed the new Media Player to make listening to and watching your multimedia content more enjoyable on Windows 11, and we’re really excited to...