Windows 7 / Getting Started

Enhancing Audio and Video Playback

When you're playing music and movies in Windows Media Player, you have the ability to change the player's audio and video playback settings. These settings are generically referred to as enhancements, and you access them from the Now Playing window. Just right-click within the window, select Enhancements, and then click the enhancement you want to configure. This opens a separate Enhancements pane, you can cycle through the various enhancements by clicking the blue left and right arrows.

What enhancements are available? Table below details the options.

Audio/Video Enhancements

EnhancementDetails
Graphic EqualizerBoost or minimize specific frequency ranges.
Play Speed SettingsPlays back music and videos at faster or slower than normal speeds.
Quiet ModeMinimizes the difference between loud and soft sounds; useful when playing music at a reduced volume level.
SRS WOW EffectsEnhances the sound from small computer speakers; includes TruBass (changes bass level),WOW Effect (widens or collapses stereo effect), and Speaker selection (optimize enhancements for large speakers, normal speakers, and headphones).
Video SettingsAdjusts the hue, saturation, brightness, and color of videos.
Dolby Digital SettingsThree settings for playback of Dolby Digital content: Normal (reduces audio range for quieter listening); Night (reduces music levels and increases voice levels);Theater (provides full range listening experience).
Crossfading and Auto Volume LevelingCrossfading creates smooth transitions between songs during playback; auto volume leveling reduces the volume differences between songs.

Adding More Functionality with Plug-Ins

You can add extra functionality to Windows Media Player by downloading and installing a variety of different plug-ins. A plug-in is a utility that attaches to WMP and provides additional features, such as audio and video effects, or the ability to play new file formats.

To download new plug-ins, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Alt button to display the hidden menu bar.
  2. Select Tools, Plug-Ins, Download Plug-Ins.
  3. This opens your web browser to Microsoft's Plug-ins for Windows Media Player page. Here you can find Microsoft-endorsed plug-ins of various types, all available for free download.
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In this tutorial:

  1. Managing Media Storage and Playback
  2. Working with Media Libraries and Folders
  3. Adding More Folders to a Library
  4. Managing the Pictures Library
  5. Understanding Other Picture Options
  6. Organizing and Editing Your Pictures
  7. Managing the Videos Library
  8. Managing the Music Library
  9. Managing Music Properties
  10. Choosing Music File Formats
  11. Lossy Compressed Formats
  12. Lossless Compressed Formats
  13. Non-Compressed Formats
  14. Choosing the Right Bit Rate
  15. Which File Format Should You Use?
  16. Dealing with DRM
  17. Customizing Windows Media Player
  18. Changing Skins
  19. Searching for Media Files
  20. Adding or Changing Album Art
  21. Change the Location for Ripped Files
  22. Enhancing Audio and Video Playback
  23. Switching to Another Media Player Program