foobar2000 0.9.5.3 Beta 1  beta

Publisher's Description:

foobar2000 is an advanced audio player for the Windows platform. Some of the basic features include full unicode support, ReplayGain support and native support for several popular audio formats.

Latest Changes:

• New: Startup notification when some of loaded components are known not to cooperate correctly with this version of foobar2000
• New: “Library Viewer Selection” playlist, compatible with Album List and Media Library Search
• New title formatting functions: $stripprefix(), $swapprefix(), $year(), $month(), $day_of_month(), $date(), $time()
• New extensions to the search query syntax
• Album List: faster refresh when using the built-in search box
• ReplayGain scanner: applying ReplayGain to MP3 data no longer chokes on noncompliant ID3v2 tags with false MPEG sync words
• ReplayGain scanner: new services allowing third-party components to perform ReplayGain analysis
• No longer compatible with components using metadb_display_hook API
• Changed component DLL loading logic - only “components” subdirectory along with its subdirectories is processed if it exists

Screenshot:

Latest User Reviews:

Reviewer:	pihug12	May 12, 2008
Version:	0.9.5.3 Beta 1
Nothing new in 0.9.5.3 for the "average users".
Rating:

Reviewer:	yabun	May 6, 2008
Version:	0.9.5.2
Still loving the Foobar2000. A GIANT thanks to Peter P.!! Roj, sorry to hear about the failing vision. Just a tip, though, when someone works hard to code and maintain awesome free software (or bad free software for that matter), comments like "I'll expect this feature in the next beta" come off ugly and unappreciative. I hope you were kidding.
Rating:

Reviewer:	roj	May 3, 2008
Version:	0.9.5.2
When my vision went to hell over the last 20 months (I went form 20.25 to 20/400), this player allowed me to still enjoy music and see playlists thanks to its very customizable, if plain, interface and exceptional audio quality. The addition of context menus in Explorer and a volume control on the main interface were a Godsend. It is now my default player (yes, Roj now uses Foobar). It's EQ is superior to any other player as well. Well done PP - it matches (even exceeds) the hype. Now if only it was skinnable to offset the plain appearance... EDIT: Minus one star for a seriously DUMB omission of a feature that every player and its dog does: Automatic retrieval Of CD Title Information From FREEDB. C'mon people, this is almost as stupid as not having the volume control on the main interface and it took two years to get that. I'll expect this feature in the next beta. FOUR stars. Edit: I have been monitoring Foobar for some four (?) years now and I recall when it was OnlY Hype with No Substance. It has come a long way. I also know that those advances were anything but swift and it took a LOT of prodding for the dev to do the most elementary of logical things such as putting a volume control on the main interface. He grew the app into an audio powerhouse over time but he still needs to get a clue about user friendliness (I will concede he's getting there). So NO, I'm NOT kidding when I type comments like "I'll expect it in the next beta" - it should have been there several releases back. When common everyday features are omitted, it's difficult to excuse, especially given the lineage of this app - it's pretty long in the tooth. Because of that, you'd think that simple UI features that everyone takes for granted would be included but for example, the volume control, Explorer extensions and various other run-of-the-mill items are relatively shiny new additions to this app. This mindset has hampered its acceptance by users and it doesn't take a nuclear scientist to see that undeniable fact. other freeware apps, particularly players, DO have these features, have had them forever and their authors hhave no problem grasping the concepts outlined above. That is why my tone may appear harsh - anything worth doing is worth doing well. All that criticism aside, it's still a premier audio app and the interface grows less rough-edged 9finally!) with each subsequent release.
Rating:

Reviewer:	darthbeads	Apr 21, 2008
Version:	0.9.5.2
One you've got the Facets plugin installed, and have customized your layout to your liking (which can, admittedly, take some time the first time around), Foobar is the tits.
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Reviewer:	why hello there	Apr 21, 2008
Version:	0.9.5.2
Excellent player. Not a Winamp hater here, but this is just better. Tabbed playlists, very customizable UI, very customizable global key commands, control over color and style, loads instantly, handles giant playlists (50,000+ songs with no problems here), plays without a hiccup while you play cpu intensive games, etc. No, you can't skin it to look like Hello Kitty's head or whatever, but it plays music extremely well.
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