Managing Playlists

sebringal · 03-10-05, 01:04 PM

OK, all you PPC-toting audiophiles:

Is there a player that will let me play songs selected by album, artist, or from a special playlist?

WMP lets me play from the playlists, but I can't just play all the songs from Todd Agnew's "Grace Like Rain" album, or everything I've ever downloaded by FFH.

I'd love a player that is more like the PC version of WMP in this regard.

Any suggestions?

Thanks! :icon_band

ocharlies · 03-10-05, 01:11 PM

Not sure I understand what you are asking, but sure you can select a playlist to play. Any music player I have tried, gsplayer, mortplayer, pocketmusic, etc, can generate and play a playlist. My current favorite is gsplayer.

sebringal · 03-10-05, 01:21 PM

WMP for PC has Media Library, where you can select an album, an artist, a genre, or one of your created playlists.

As I understand it, the PPC version only lets you choose a playlist. To get the same functionality of the PC version, I'd have to create a playlist for each artist/group, one for each album, and one for each type of music ---but you can't have that many playlists.

I'm just wondering if some of the other players out that have anything remotely similar to the PC WMP Media Library.

Don't Panic! · 03-10-05, 02:46 PM

I don't sync playlists at all. I just copy my MusicMatch Jukebox ripped MP3's to my storage cards, update the library in WMP10 for Pocket PC and I can pick a track just like you say you want to. by album artist or genre.

sebringal · 03-10-05, 03:23 PM

I'm not syncing playlists, either.

WMP 9 doesn't have the library feature, and I don't think I can use 10 on my X5.

That's why I'm looking for some other player that will provide the kind of selection functionality you described.

Don't Panic! · 03-10-05, 03:31 PM

Ah now I see I didn't know you had an X5... Hmm this is a tough one. I've never seen a player like that and I've tried a lot. Maybe 40th floor's IPlay but It's got a really complicated manual and I don't have the full version yet so I haen't played with it very much.

sto-helit.de · 03-10-05, 04:44 PM

MortPlayer does not really offer a library (I think that would take to much memory and CPU time on a PPC), but it offers a very easy way to select (or switch between) folder contents and playlists. I.e., if you put all your files to \Storage\MP3s\(Artist)\(Album), you just put "\Storage\MP3s" in the favorites (so it knows where your files are), check the "include subdirectories" and "show contained folders..." options, and if you press the open button, all artists are shown. After selecting the artist, you can choose between "<Current folder>", which offers options to play all files in the subfolders or just those directly in the folder (if there exist any), and all albums. Or you use the "list skip" buttons, which work similar to the folder skip buttons on most MP3 compatible CD players.

(In this example it's a ....\(genre)\(artist) folder structure)

Well, better test it yourself... And don't miss the alternative skins.

sebringal · 03-10-05, 05:31 PM

Thanks!

Looks like this might do what I need, just in a little different way.

Though that does mean replacing all the WMA files on my card with MP3 versions--- shouldn't be too difficult, just a matter of finding the time.

Texican · 03-10-05, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Don't Panic!

I don't sync playlists at all. I just copy my MusicMatch Jukebox ripped MP3's to my storage cards, update the library in WMP10 for Pocket PC and I can pick a track just like you say you want to. by album artist or genre.

I was never able to get my MusicMatch MP3's to play on my Ax5 because it would only play from main memory and hogged up all the ram. Haven't tried this with my x50v. Is there anything special you're doing or is WMP10 slightly better than WMP9?

Don't Panic! · 03-10-05, 06:15 PM

Nothing special with MMJ. I'm even still using version 8.1 from 2003.

sebringal I'm going looking for a playlist manager for WMP9 for Pocket PC. I never used it (The editor that is) but just writing about WMP9 is bringing back memories.

Don't Panic! · 03-10-05, 06:20 PM

Found it! CEPlaylist, There's even a trial version, and the thing only costs $9.95 if you like it. :)

HTH

sto-helit.de · 03-11-05, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by sebringal

Though that does mean replacing all the WMA files on my card with MP3 versions--- shouldn't be too difficult, just a matter of finding the time.

Unless you want to use the equalizer (which sadly only works with MP3s) or ID3 cover images, I'd recommend Ogg Vorbis instead. It's far smaller for the same quality (about the size/quality ratio as WMA).
But before you convert your complete archive, you better should try it with a couple of files... I can't guarantee you'll love my player, since tastes (and needs) are different...
But I think you might like the "Changer Mode", too. I.e., after a directory/playlist is finished, it switches to the next one, just like most MP3 sticks or CD players.

sebringal · 03-11-05, 09:34 AM

[QUOTE=Don't Panic!]Found it! CEPlaylist, There's even a trial version, and the thing only costs $9.95 if you like it. :)

This looks like just what I need! I can leave all my files as they are, and just add this to what I'm already using!

Thanks, Don't Panic!!

cwsmith68 · 03-11-05, 10:12 AM

before you go to all the trouble...

MP3s are bigger than WMAs so less music will fit on your card.

do what i do...

first of all, I use an USB adapter to sync music to my SD card. it is tons faster, and that is even with a USB1.1 connection.

WMP(PC) syncs music files to the card. then, while card still connected to PC, i use file explorer to move files into folders. you can create a folder for each album. then move your card to your Axim. open WMP(mobile) and create a playlist for each folder/album. when you create a new playlist, the interface gives you a checklist of available music on the card or internal memory. it is separated by folders, so if you have "Let It Bleed" in one folder, you just check that folder and you have a one-album playlist. Or if "Born Under a Bad Sign" or "Kind of Blue" are more your mood, then you can do the same. as you replace music on the card, delete the old playlists.

(Rolling Stones 1969, Albert King 1967, and Miles Davis 1959 respectively. Sorry, I've never heard of Todd Agnew, but if that is what makes you happy then more power to you.) :)

Brad Isaac · 03-11-05, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Don't Panic!

Nothing special with MMJ. I'm even still using version 8.1 from 2003.

sebringal I'm going looking for a playlist manager for WMP9 for Pocket PC. I never used it (The editor that is) but just writing about WMP9 is bringing back memories.

Hi, I have MMJB 10 Plus, (full version) loaded and it doesn't let me copy my WMAs or MP3s to my Axim X30. Reports something about file format not supported :rolling: Do you use this feature?

I have been using WMP 10 to sync instead. I'd love to just use one instead of two players to manage my tunes though. MMJB support isn't very good either.