# Overview of Windows Media Player Mobile

Your device includes Windows Media Player Mobile, a program that plays music and videos. It can play media files that are stored on the device as well as songs and videos that you stream from the Internet. The media player also plays streaming TV, if this service is available from your provider.

Windows Media Player Mobile also helps you organize your media files. After you save media files to your device, you can create playlists of both music and video files.

Windows Media Player Mobile gives you access to the following folders:

- My Music, which holds sound files downloaded to your device, and any files that you add.
- My Videos, which holds video files downloaded to your device, and any files that you add.
- My TV, which holds television programs downloaded to your device.
- My Playlists, which holds the playlists that you create.

Note

Windows Media Player Mobile can play media files protected with Windows Media Digital Rights Management.

# Play a music file

You can save music files to your device by copying them from your computer or by downloading them from the Internet. After they are copied to your device, they will be available through the media library.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library. If it is necessary, tap Back until you see the word Library near the top of the screen.
3. Tap My Music, and then tap a music category.

   If it is necessary, tap Back until you see My Music.

4. Tap the music file that you want to play, and then tap Play.

# Play a video file

You can save videos to your device by copying them from your computer or by downloading them from the Internet. After they are copied to your device, they will be available through the media library.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library. If it is necessary, tap Back until you see the word Library near the top of the screen.
3. Tap My Videos, and then tap a video category.

   If it is necessary, tap Back until you see My Videos.

4. Tap the video file that you want to play, and then tap Play.

# Play a music or video file on the Internet

You can stream songs or videos from the Internet.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library.
3. Tap Menu, and then tap Open URL.
4. Do one of the following:
   - In URL, enter a streaming music or video Web site address, and then tap OK.
   - In History, scroll to a URL for streaming music or video, and then tap OK.
5. On the Web site, select the file that you want to play and press ENTER.

# Change video playback options

You can shrink a video to fit the display window, or select when you want a video to play automatically in full-screen mode.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Playback screen, navigate to it by selecting a media file and tapping Play.
3. Tap Menu, tap Options, and then tap the Video tab.
4. Do one of the following:
   - In the Play video in full-screen field, tap Never, Only when oversized, or Always.
   - Select or clear the Scale to fit window check box.
5. Tap OK.

Tip

While playing a video, you can override the Never and Only when oversized options by tapping Menu and then Full Screen.

# Adjust the volume

- Press up or down on the VOLUME control, or tap the plus (+) or minus (-) buttons at the bottom of the Playback screen.

# Rate an item

You can rate a song or video on your device to indicate how much you like it. When you synchronize with the computer version of Windows Media Player, your ratings are copied from your device to your computer. Ratings of 1 to 5 stars are displayed next to the name of the song or video.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library. If it is necessary, tap Back until you see the word Library near the top of the screen.
3. Navigate to the music or video file that you want to rate, and then tap Play.
4. While the music or video file plays, tap the stars in the upper-right corner until you give the rating you want: one tap for a 1-star rating, two taps for a 2-star rating, and so on.

# Create a playlist

You create playlists from the media files that you add to the Now Playing screen.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library.
3. Navigate to a media file, tap Menu, and then tap Queue Up.

   Repeat this step for each media file that you want to add to the playlist.

4. After queuing up files, tap Menu, and then tap Now Playing.
5. Tap Menu, tap Save Playlist and then enter a name for the playlist.
6. Tap Done.

   Your playlist will appear on the My Playlists screen in the Library.

# Delete a playlist

You can delete a playlist from your library only. Or, you can delete both the playlist and the music files it contains. Deleted files are removed from the device memory.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library. If it is necessary, tap Back until you see the word Library near the top of the screen.
3. On the Library screen, tap My Playlists.
4. Tap a playlist, tap Menu, and then tap Delete from Library.
5. Tap No to delete only the playlist. If you want to also delete the music files in the playlist from your device, tap Yes.

# Overview of libraries

Your device can access multiple media libraries; each library contains links to your audio files, video files, and playlists. You can view music files in a library by artist name, album title, or genre, and you can view video files by genre.

Each media library represents an available storage location in your device. For example, if you store some content in the device's internal memory, the My Device library contains links to those files. If you also store content on removable microSD storage cards, you will have an additional library for each card.

On the Library screen, you can switch between the My Device library and any other available libraries.

Windows Media Player Mobile automatically searches the internal memory of your device for compatible digital media files. If it finds any, it adds them to the My Device library.

Similarly, when you insert a removable storage card, Windows Media Player Mobile automatically searches it and adds any media files that it finds to a storage card library.

If the Player does not automatically detect new files that you have copied to your device, you can manually update the library using the Update Library control.

For best results when you are using Windows Media Player Mobile:

- Always use the computer version of Windows Media Player to synchronize (copy) files to your device. Do not use Windows Explorer to drag files from your computer to your device.
- Always synchronize files to a storage card that is inserted into your device, not to a storage card that is inserted into an external storage card reader. The Windows Media Digital Rights Management licenses of files that are synchronized to a storage card reader may not be copied correctly to the storage card. After you insert the storage card into your device, Windows Media Player Mobile will be unable to play files that do not have correct licenses. See the Overview of licenses and protected files topic for more information on Digital Rights Management.

# Update a library

Windows Media Player automatically updates your libraries as necessary. However, you can manually update a library to make sure that it has links to files you have recently copied to your device or to a removable storage card.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library.
3. Tap Menu, and then tap Update Library.
4. Wait for the files to be added, and then tap Done.

# Delete an item from a library

You can delete a song, video, or playlist from your library only, or delete the song, video, or playlist completely from your device.

Note

Deleting a playlist erases it from all folders on your device.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library.
3. Navigate to the song, video, or playlist that you want to delete.
4. Tap Menu, and then tap Delete from Library.
5. Tap No to delete the file from only the Library. If you want to delete the file from your device, tap Yes.

# Download media files from the Internet

You can download songs, ring tones, and videos directly to your device by connecting to the Internet. The process for downloading media to your device will vary depending on the Web site from which you are downloading.

1. Tap Start, and then tap Internet Explorer.
2. In the address field, enter a Web site address, and then tap the go icon (the right-curving arrow).
3. On the Web site, navigate to the song or video you want, and then tap its name or other download link.
4. To play the media file automatically after it is downloaded, select the Open file after download check box, and then do one of the following:
   - To download the media file immediately, tap Yes. The file is saved in the My Documents folder on the device.
   - To download the media file and save it to a particular folder on the device, tap Save As Enter a name, select a folder and storage location, and then tap Save.

# Synchronize media files by using Windows Media Player

You can synchronize (copy) digital media files from your computer to your device by using the Sync feature in the computer version of Windows Media Player. Using Sync makes sure that protected files and album art are copied to your device correctly.

Tip

If you are synchronizing lots of content, insert a 32 MB or larger storage card into your device.

1. On your computer, click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Media Player.
2. Connect your device to your computer by using the USB cable.
3. In Windows Media Player on your computer, click Sync.
4. Drag each item you want to synchronize to the device pane on the right side of the computer screen.
5. At the bottom of the device pane, click Start Sync. The files will be synchronized to your device.

Additional information

- Always synchronize files to a storage card that is inserted into your device, not to a storage card that is inserted into an external storage card reader. If you synchronize files to a storage card that is inserted into a storage card reader, then Windows Media Player cannot create a synchronization relationship with the storage card when it is inserted into your device.
- The computer version of Windows Media Player 10 is available only for computers that are running Windows XP. If you are not running Windows XP on your computer, copy your audio and video files to your device by using the Copy to CD or Device feature of Windows Media Player 9 Series.
- The computer version of Windows Media Player 9 Series is not as full-featured as the computer version of Windows Media Player 10. For example, the computer version of Windows Media Player 9 Series does not support automatic synchronization or synchronization of playlists, album art, or TV shows recorded by computers running Windows XP Media Center Edition.
- For more information about the Copy to CD or Device feature, start the computer version of Windows Media Player 9 Series, and then press F1.
- Audio files copy faster if the computer Player is configured to automatically set the quality level for audio files copied to your device. For more information, see the Player Help on your computer.

# Overview of supported file formats and codecs

By default, your device supports Windows Media or MP3 file formats. Your device manufacturer or mobile operator might configure the player to support additional file formats.

Supported file formats include:

- MP3 (constant and variable bit rate)
- ASF
- WMA
- WMV

  To minimize in-device storage requirements, digital media files are frequently compressed during recording using software called a codec. When you play them, the files must be decompressed using the same codec that compressed them. You can determine which codec a file uses by checking its file properties.

By default, Windows Media Player Mobile 10 can play files compressed by the following audio codecs:

- Microsoft Windows Media Audio codec versions 1.0, 2.0, 7, 8, and 9.

  The following variants of the Windows Media Audio 9 codec are only partially supported:

  - Windows Media Audio 9 Professional codec
  - Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless codec
- MP3

By default, Windows Media Player Mobile 10 can play files compressed by the following video codecs:

- Microsoft Windows Media Video codec versions 7, 8, and 9
- Microsoft Windows Media Video 9 Image codec versions 1.0 (used by Microsoft Photo Story 1 and 2) and 2.0 (used by Photo Story 3)
- Microsoft MPEG-4 codec version 2.0 and 3.0
- ISO MPEG-4 video codec version 1.0

# Overview of licenses and protected files

Protected files are digital media files such as songs and videos that are secured with a license to prevent unauthorized distribution and playback.

The license specifies how you can use the file. For example, a license may specify whether you can use the computer version of Windows Media Player to synchronize the file to your device, or how many times you can play the file. The person or company that provided the file sets the terms of the license.

A technology called digital rights management (DRM) creates and manages the licenses. Because Windows Media Player Mobile supports Windows Media DRM, you can download and play protected files that you have purchased online. If the license and your device allow it, you can even play subscription or rented content from some online stores.

Note

You can determine whether a file is protected by Windows Media DRM by viewing its file properties.

# View media file properties

You can view detailed information about media files, including file length, codecs, and file format.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Library screen, tap Menu, and then tap Library. If it is necessary, tap Back until you see the word Library near the top of the screen.
3. Navigate to the song or video you want.
4. Tap Menu, and then tap Properties. Detailed information about the file will display.
5. Tap OK when you have finished.

Tips

- While a media file is playing, you can view its properties on the Playback screen by tapping Menu and then tapping Properties.
- While you are viewing the file properties of a song, you can tap Menu, and then tap Buy CD to find out whether the corresponding CD is available for purchase. You must synchronize with the most current version of the Windows Media Player on your computer to view the Buy CD Web page and complete the transaction. The Buy CD command is not available for all files.

# Troubleshoot Windows Media Player 10 Mobile

If you encounter any problems while you are using Windows Media Player Mobile, visit the Windows Media Player Mobile troubleshooting Web page.

# Select playback options

When a media file is playing, the following playback options are available:

- On the Playback screen, tap one of the following:
  - Play/Pause to play the file if it is paused or stopped, or pause the file if it is playing.
  - Fast Forward to move quickly toward the end of the file.
  - Rewind to return to the beginning of the file.
  - Increase Volume to raise the volume.
  - Decrease Volume to reduce the volume.
- On the Playback screen Menu, tap one of the following:
  - Play/Pause to play the file if it is paused or stopped, or pause the file if it is playing.
  - Stop to end the playing of a file and return to the beginning of the file.
  - Shuffle/Repeat to play a playlist randomly or repeatedly.

# View or change hardware button assignments

You can view or change default hardware button assignments for Windows Media Player Mobile. Assigning Player controls to hardware buttons on your device gives you quicker access to those controls.

Note

Some hardware buttons, such as TALK and END, cannot be reassigned to Windows Media Player Mobile functions.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Playback screen, navigate to it by selecting a media file and tapping Play.
3. Tap Menu, tap Options, and then tap the Buttons tab.

   To view the Buttons tab, you may have to tap the right scroll arrow at the bottom of the screen.

4. To change a button assignment, tap a control (such Stop or Pause), and then do one of the following:
   - Tap Assign and then press the button that you want to assign the chosen function.
   - Tap Reset to assign the default (not the previous) function to the button.
   - Tap None to assign no hardware button.
5. Tap OK.

# Resume or cancel playback after a phone call

By default, Windows Media Player will pause playback when you make or receive a phone call and resume playing when the call has ended. If you do not want playback to resume, you can change that setting.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Playback screen, navigate to it by selecting a media file and tapping Play.
3. Tap Menu, tap Options, and then tap the Playback tab.
4. Select or clear the Resume playback after a phone call check box.
5. Tap OK.

# Change how time is displayed

When you play a media file, the Playback screen can display how long the file has been playing or how much time remains until it ends.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Playback screen, navigate to it by selecting a media file and tapping Play.
3. Tap Menu, tap Options, and then tap the Playback tab.
4. In the Show time as field, do one of the following:
   - Select Elapsed to show how long the file has been playing.
   - Select Remaining to show the remaining playing time.
5. Tap OK.

# Modify the Now Playing list

You can modify the Now Playing list by moving files up or down in the queue, or by removing them completely.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, and then tap Windows Media.
2. If you do not see the Now Playing screen, tap Now Playing.
3. Tap Menu, and then do one of the following:
   - Tap Move Up to move the selected item up in the list.
   - Tap Move Down to move the selected item down in the list.
   - Tap Remove from Playlist, to remove the selected item from the list.
   - Tap Clear Now Playing, to remove all items from the list.