Leaving iTunes: Best Music Player Alternatives
A Departure from iTunes: Seeking a New Music Player
As detailed in my previous article, recent experiences with Apple’s iPhone update have been deeply frustrating. Furthermore, the consistently poor performance of iTunes on the Vista operating system has proven unsatisfactory.
The iPhone update ultimately served as the catalyst for a significant change. A decision has been made to move away from iTunes and explore alternative music player software.
For those interested in the complexities involved in a complete iTunes removal, the article “iTunes Uninstall Hassle” provides a detailed account.
Years of iTunes and the Search Begins
Having utilized iTunes for an extended period, selecting a replacement will not be a straightforward process. Numerous challenges and evaluations lie ahead during this transition.
The progress and discoveries made throughout this search will be thoroughly documented and shared.
The Contenders
Initial research has identified four potential candidates to succeed iTunes. These include Winamp, Quintessential Player (an open-source software option), jetAudio, and, surprisingly, Windows Media Player.
It’s important to acknowledge a degree of complacency in prior media player exploration, largely due to reliance on the iTunes ecosystem.
Future posts will provide a comprehensive assessment of each application, detailing its strengths, weaknesses, and overall user experience.
The good, the bad, and the less desirable aspects of each player will be openly discussed.
VLC Video LAN Media Player
VLC remains my preferred video player, and I anticipate it will continue to be so. Its frequent use is particularly notable when rapid access to audio or video files is required.
A significant advantage of VLC is its comprehensive media format support. It’s capable of playing virtually any media file type without necessitating the download and installation of numerous codecs or plugins.
Extensive Customization
The player offers a vast array of customization options. Users can fine-tune nearly every facet of the video playback experience.
I highly recommend VLC as a video player. Its capabilities are truly impressive.
Limitations as a Music Player
Despite its strengths, VLC falls short when considered as a dedicated music player. It lacks certain functionalities essential for a primary music jukebox.
While perfectly adequate for occasional music playback, VLC doesn't provide the complete feature set I require for consistent, focused music listening.
Specifically, the features available in dedicated music players are absent, making it less suitable for managing a large music library.
Therefore, while VLC excels in video playback, a separate application is necessary to fulfill my needs as a primary music player.