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Windows Media Player 11 and Urge

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the toggling-the-new-toys dept.

j0e_average writes "The Washington Post is running a review of Microsoft's next version of Media Player, and its integration with MTV's new music service Urge. According to reviewer, Rob Pegoraro, 'Not only does this new, Windows XP-only software promote Urge to the exclusion of other retailers, you can't shop at this store-- or even just play your Urge downloads -- in any earlier version of Windows Media Player.' The Microsoft/Urge subscription model contains a new twist as well: 'Urge also lets you rent songs: $9.95 a month (or $99 a year) lets you download all the tracks you want to a computer, while $14.95 ($149 a year) lets you transfer those downloads to most newer Windows Media-compatible players. These rented songs can't be burned to CD and go silent if you stop paying the fees.'"

4 of 488 comments (clear)

  1. Re:i bet by Willuknight · · Score: 5, Informative

    Why complicate things. Download Audacity and record your stereo output.

    --
    Do not anger the Karma Whores, for they don't bathe often, and might decide to come visit you in person. -Ryan Amos
  2. Lousy Article; misses a real problem with Urge by MBraynard · · Score: 5, Informative
    The writer probably was unfamiliar with the other services that have been out for over a year that have the same offering - Napster, Yahoo Unlimited, and several others.

    What Urge is missing - and what I was looking forward to - was a low low intro price for the first year. I got the first year of Yahoo - including to go - for $60.

    Also, Urge is more expenensive than Yahoo as you can get the non-to-go version for only $5 at Yahoo rather than $10 at Urge.

    All the other complaints in the article - old news. Either the PlayforSure thing is for you or it isn't.

  3. Why certainly! by TheSpoom · · Score: 5, Informative

    I believe you would be looking for the Hymn project.

    And just for shits and giggles, you could use FreeMe or DRM2WMV for Windows Media 10 DRM'd files.

    Trust me, cracking 11 is just a matter of time.

    --
    It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
    - E. Debs
  4. Re:i bet by cgenman · · Score: 4, Informative

    Try Hymm. There are mac and windows variants, as well as Java.

    Or you can burn to CD, rip from CD, with no extra software required.

    Or buy iTunes music through the Sharp Musique app, an iTunes store interface that simply skips the tawdry part where they encrypt and DRM the file.

    Or use the older stuff, like QTFairUse, VLC Media Player, and PlayFair.

    --
    The ______ Agenda