The Bottom Line

As users get more comfortable playing audio and video files on their PCs, Windows Media Player will become an even more essential part of Windows. (Well, I'm not convinced that it's actually a part of Windows. It still seems like a separate utility to me even though the only way to get the latest version of WMP is by buying Windows XP.)

So you'll probably be using WMP a lot. Just be sure you remember these important points:

• The latest version of Windows Media Player is version 10; it includes a niftier interface, MP3 compatibility, DVD playback, and the capability to burn your own CDs and copy files to portable audio players.

• You can display WMP in Full or Skin modes, or in the new taskbar-sized Mini Player. Or, when you're watching DVD movies, you can switch to full-screen mode.

• You can change the look-and-feel of WMP by selecting new skins.

• To play a CD with WMP, all you have to do is insert the CD in your CD-ROM drive and click the Play button; if you're connected to the Internet, WMP will go online and download detailed information about the CD or DVD that you're playing.

• You can use WMP to listen to Internet radio stations. Just click the Radio button and search the type of station you want to listen to.

• If you have a DVD-ROM drive in your PC, WMP will play back DVD movies. Disc chapters are displayed in the Playlist pane, and you can jump to the disc's main menu by selecting View, DVD Features, Title Menu.

• WMP lets you store and categorize all the digital media files on your computer as well as CD tracks and selected files on the Internet. You organize your files in the Library; click the Library tab to display your files. (This also is where you create personalized playlists of your favorite tracks.)