Winamp plug-ins - small programs with great potential
In January 2008 Nullsoft has released Winamp 5.52, the new version of the world's most popular media player. The first version of Winamp was released on 21 April, 1997 that means ages ago for computer world. But Winamp is still in demand despite its age. Yes, according to statistics, Winamp remains the most downloaded player with its 60+ millions of users. Why? At first, because it is continuously improved by its developers, it is a freeware, it is skinnable and customizable and thousands of plug-ins have been written for it. As for me, plug-ins are the determinative of Winamp's popularity. What is plug-in? Encyclopedias say that plug-in is a computer program which interacts with a host application to provide its specific function. I'll say easier - plug-in is a small program which can solve you problems and extend software's functionality. Among the thousands of available plug-ins, we can mark the main categories:
Ø Input plug-ins are used to decode specific file formats. They can be very useful when you download your favorite music and discover it to be in a format you've never seen before. Don't worry. One of input plug-ins will surely allow you to decode your file.
Ø Output plug-ins are used to control audio destination. Different plug-ins enable you not only to playback audio files, but also write files to disk, create mp3 files directly from Winamp and other. There are also plug-ins which provide multiple output configurations.
Ø DSP/Effect plug-ins. DSP or digital signal processing allows manipulating audio. DSP also implies data compression.
Ø Core enhancement plug-ins - enhance skins, tray icon, GUI, provide multi-user profiles, etc.
Ø Playlist management plug-ins - album sorters, enqueuers, multiple playlists, playlist cleaners and whatever to manage your Winamp playlist.
Ø Visualization plug-ins helps you to see the music you're listening to. Does it sound weird? All I mean is just sound activated graphics.
Ø Media Library plug-ins - enhance the Media Library plug-in included with Winamp.
Ø Device plug-ins are the way to make Winamp communicate with any outside device including portable media players.
Ø General purpose plug-ins are used to extend Winamp's functionality. They are extremely various - one will turn Winamp into an alarm clock, another allows to see the lyrics to the songs that you play in Winamp. In short, you can find whatever plug-in you need.
Even been divided into categories, the list of Winamp plug-ins looks impressive, doesn't it? You can browse and download any Winamp plug-in at http://www.winamp.com/plugins.
Is Winamp your favorite media player? Do you want to have Winamp styled flash sound player on your web page? Try FlashWAmp tool to convert any Winamp skin into a flash audio player for a web site.
Click this button to
Ø Input plug-ins are used to decode specific file formats. They can be very useful when you download your favorite music and discover it to be in a format you've never seen before. Don't worry. One of input plug-ins will surely allow you to decode your file.
Ø Output plug-ins are used to control audio destination. Different plug-ins enable you not only to playback audio files, but also write files to disk, create mp3 files directly from Winamp and other. There are also plug-ins which provide multiple output configurations.
Ø DSP/Effect plug-ins. DSP or digital signal processing allows manipulating audio. DSP also implies data compression.
Ø Core enhancement plug-ins - enhance skins, tray icon, GUI, provide multi-user profiles, etc.
Ø Playlist management plug-ins - album sorters, enqueuers, multiple playlists, playlist cleaners and whatever to manage your Winamp playlist.
Ø Visualization plug-ins helps you to see the music you're listening to. Does it sound weird? All I mean is just sound activated graphics.
Ø Media Library plug-ins - enhance the Media Library plug-in included with Winamp.
Ø Device plug-ins are the way to make Winamp communicate with any outside device including portable media players.
Ø General purpose plug-ins are used to extend Winamp's functionality. They are extremely various - one will turn Winamp into an alarm clock, another allows to see the lyrics to the songs that you play in Winamp. In short, you can find whatever plug-in you need.
Even been divided into categories, the list of Winamp plug-ins looks impressive, doesn't it? You can browse and download any Winamp plug-in at http://www.winamp.com/plugins.
Is Winamp your favorite media player? Do you want to have Winamp styled flash sound player on your web page? Try FlashWAmp tool to convert any Winamp skin into a flash audio player for a web site.
Click this button to
