Windows media player is a digital media player that was developed by Microsoft. It is used for playing video, audio and for viewing images on personal computers that run on Microsoft Windows operating systems, specifically XP and Vista. It is not only used on personal computers but can also be used on pocket PC and Windows mobile based devices.

Windows media player is generally considered to be the most common media player available today. This is it is pre-installed on most versions of the Windows operating system and is capable of playing practically all video formats. However, there are a few known issues with specific audio and video codecs that might not be installed and will produce errors and missing codec messages. If you have media player installed on your system and are receiving codec errors, you can always upgrade to the latest version of Windows media player from Microsoft. Windows media player is not only a digital player, but can also be used to rip music from compact discs (CD’s) and in the process, allows you to copy and backup your music MP3/WMA/CDA to blank compact discs. It is also used for building audio CDs in recordable discs and for the synchronizing of content with digital audio players and other mobile devices. Windows media player has replaced the other older software media player, by adding more features other than simple video and audio playback.

There are many video formats that are supported by Windows media player like the advanced system formats (ASF). These formats are video formats that are encoded using non-Microsoft codec. A codec is basically software that is used for decompressing files before playing the file. It is important that the right codec be installed on your PC or windows media player will not be able to play the file.

There are some ASF files that require plug-ins to play correctly. These plug-ins are components that add functionality to Windows media player; but it is not possible to install plug-ins in earlier versions. ASF plug-ins will only work on newer versions.

Another video format that Windows media player supports is video that is encoded with the help of windows Media Video codec. However, there are some media players that were used before the introduction of the Windows media player 9 series that required updated codec’s to play some WMV files. Here again, some WMV files may require plug-ins for correct playback.

Audio video interleaved is another media player video format that is supported by Windows media player. This is a video format where video is encoded in a highly compressed format. A non-Microsoft codec is used for compressing content where the appropriate codec has to be used on the PC to play the file.

Media center recorded television is also a video format that is supported by Windows media player. In this video format, video data is encoded which makes it possible to store TV content that was recorded using windows XP Media Center Edition. However to use this media player, you need Windows XP and a Windows XP compatible DVD decoder.

Although we have covered a basic outline, Microsoft continues to release new, updated versions so always upgrade to the latest version if you run into any problems during playback or CD ripping.