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Home / Articles / XMPlay FAQ /

XMPlay FAQ

Written by Thomas Radeke, 2007-11-12, 00:00

General Use

Streaming & Encoding

Playlist Use & Features

Miscellaneous

General Use

Q: Where can I download XMPlay?

A: There are several locations where you can download XMPlay.

Q: How can I determine the exact version number of XMPlay?

A: There are two places for looking up the exact version number of XMPlay. The first one is the lower right corner of the "Options & Stuff" window, the second one is the file properties dialog of xmplay.exe - there you'll find the full version number on the "Version" tab. Alternatively, you can hover over xmplay.exe in Windows Explorer and see the version number in the tooltip.

Q: How do I minimize XMPlay to the system tray?

A: By right-clicking the Minimize button located in the top right corner of the Main Panel.
An option to have XMPlay permanently in the system tray is available under the Miscellaneous tab in Options.

Tip: The default Shortcut "Shift+N" also minimize's to the system tray.

Q: How can I keep XMPlay on top over other windows?

A: By default XMPlay is only on top while in its Mini-Mode, this can be accessed by double clicking the main interface.
An option to have XMPlay permanently on top is available under the Miscellaneous tab in Options.

Tip: The default Shortcut "M" switches between Full and Mini mode.

Q: Can XMPlay be used to edit the information tags in OGG/MP3 files?

A: Yes. First, install the appropriate Tag Editing Plugin. Then you can edit the tags via right-clicking the file in the playlist and chosing "Plugin file info".

Streaming & Encoding

Q: Can XMPlay be used to listen to music on the Internet?

A: Yes, in fact all MP3, OGG, WMA (only non-protected), and WAV may be streamed. You can also listen to SHOUTcast and icecast streams. Check out the following sites for more streamable music:

To stream a file, simply use open the URL, using the space provided in the open files browser.

Tip: The default Shortcut "O" opens the Open Files Browser.

Q: How can I use XMPlay to convert MP3 files to WAV (or other) files?

A: For a detailed walk through on conversion go here.

Playlist Use & Features

Q: How can I skip past a song to a new random track?

A: Right-clicking on the play button will go to a random track in the playlist.

Tip: The default Shortcut "End" will go to a random track in the playlist.

Q: How can I search for tracks like in Winamp? Pressing J doesn't do anything.

A: XMPlay has its own powerful search function, which can be accessed by using the search button on the Extended Playlist.

Tip: The default Shortcut "Ctrl+F" opens the search window.

Q: Why is the "Write to disk" context menu entry always grayed out?

A: The "Write to disk" option is only for saving streams (e.g. web radio) to your HD. Here is a tutorial on how to write files to WAV and for a tutorial on how to set up external encoders for MP3 or other formats, go here.

Q: Why are new files being added to the playlist when I double click on them, but don't start playing?

A: You have the Add tracks to list feature enabled. Go to the Playlist tab in the Options to turn it off.

Miscellaneous

Q: How can I make XMPlay have a larger equalizer?

A: By using an Winamp DSP Equalizer.

Q: How can I display what song I am currently playing in mIRC/MSN/my favorite Instant Messenger?

A: For mIRC, there are two plugins available here. Configuration instructions accompany the plugins. For MSN, get the XMPlay2MSN plugin. For other instant messengers, you can try HyperIM, which has support for a wide variety of instant messengers and other audio players, too.

Q: Where does XMPlay save my settings? Does it write to the Registry?

A: XMPlay can use two places for storing its settings: the XMPlay directory or the Windows User directory. You can set this option here: Options & Stuff dialog -> Miscellaneous -> "Store per user/config". (More info…)
XMPlay does not write to the registry, except for assigning file associations - which is neccessary because of the way Windows works.

Q: Is there any way to get XMPlay to start playing when launched (with a command line)?

A: Yes, please check the Command line switches for further information on how.

Q: Why doesn't *insert plugin here* Winamp plugin work? | Why isn't *insert format here* supported?

A: Maybe it is, make sure you search thoroughly for a winamp input plugin to support that format before requesting it on the Forum.
Only input plugins which do not use their own output are supported.
Only DSP plugins which do not change the speed of the sound output are supported.
Output, General, or Visual plugins of Winamp's are not supported.

Q: XMPlay reports an error when I start it but then works normally, why?

A: This is most often cause by a Sonique Visual not being installed/working correctly. Only way to work out which is causing the problem is to remove them all and put them back one at a time.

Tip: Rappa is a common cause for this error.

Q: After installing XMP-ZIP.DLL, XMPlay still does not recognize files packed with ZIP with extensions other than .zip.

A: Check the Verify new files option from under the Playlist options.

Q: Where can I upload a file that doesn't work properly with XMPlay? | I've found a bug, how can I report it?

A: You may e-mail Ian here: xmplay@un4seen.com, or you may also upload files to here: ftp://ftp.un4seen.com/incoming. (Note: The permissions on that FTP are on Upload ONLY, no file listing allowed.)
If you upload a file it may also be wise to either e-mail a note, or post a message on the Forum describing the problem occuring and/or the file name.

Q: Where can I get older versions of XMPlay?

A: You can find a piece of XMPlay history at the XMPlay Archive.

Q: I wanted XMPlay to have a magic button to make a cup of coffee and mow the lawn. Why isn't there one?

A: Because not every feature on the planet can go into XMPlay, Ian's dead clever and isn't going to bloat XMPlay without a good reason.

If its for format support - Is the format necessary? If there is already a plugin supporting the format well, then its inclusion into the XMPlay .exe would be a waste.

If its a feature - Is it a feature anyone but me will use? If its a somewhat rare feature that few people use, then for most part it'll just sit there doing nothing. Think about the big picture and what other users might get from that feature too. And if you still think it should be included, think of ways it could be implemented with the least impact. Or even better, ways it could make XMPlay even more flexible.

Q: I have a question that isn't answered here. What do I do?

A: If this help site doesn't answer your questions, please post your problem on the forum.

You may also send it to XMPlay Support for inclusion into the XMPlay Support Site.
Back: Writing to files and encoding

Comments

Please help keeping the comments clean by using the forum if you have any questions.

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What others say about this article


#45 - Jeanne commented this article on 2010-04-15, 04:13
Okay - I was trying to change the vis on my screen and I did something that I didn't intend and has nothing to do with with the vis.

When you first open Xmplay you get the main panel right. Well suddenly I don't have a default sized main panel I get this little stick mini panel. How the heck to I get it back to the other way?

#44 - Commercial use? commented this article on 2009-09-24, 20:31
Can I use XMPlay in a commercial organization?. Can you please tell about the licence.

#43 - siourock commented this article on 2009-08-03, 17:24
it only has write to disk option ?? how can i gey rid off this nad listen music ?

#42 - 456 commented this article on 2009-07-23, 09:40
is it free?

#41 - anonym commented this article on 2009-04-18, 07:09
What all File Formats can this Player play

#40 - Dave rated this article 3 stars on 2009-01-31, 08:48
I have a problematic mp3 which causes volume oddness after getting to a certain point in the file. I've tried to mail in the report with the file attached and it's bounced because it's too large. I've been unable to connect to the ftp location specified as well. I would really like to get this file to you so you can fix the issue -- as well as providing the fuller report that I had in the bounced email. Please help.

#39 - hiphip85 rated this article 5 stars on 2008-07-30, 10:58
Ce petit lecteur est vraiment le meilleur, je l'utilise depuis plus d'un an et je n'ai jamais eu aucun problème !!! Il me sert à écouter mes MP3, WMA ou bien encore des WebRadios en M3U ou en PLS (en plus il intègre l'affichage des Meta-Datas)

Très bon logiciel

#38 - Tommy rated this article 5 stars on 2008-06-30, 02:42
I used to be a Winamp fan, but it has become so bloated in the recent years that I looked for a lighter alternative. Since I found your software, I'm never looking back ! Thank you so much for this player !

#37 - alonso commented this article on 2008-04-21, 08:10
great program i been using it long time!!!!

on the visual mode .....how can i setup just to show the album art?

#36 - Mike commented this article on 2008-03-25, 18:15
how do I record the radio stream???????

#35 - abm commented this article on 2008-03-06, 22:28
i have 5.1 speaker but music comes only from 2 of them, what to do?

#34 - snakke commented this article on 2008-03-03, 17:54
Does XMPlay work with Vista 64bit?

#33 - Converting-Writting xm to wav commented this article on 2008-01-30, 16:50
How can i convert these xm files to wav?

#32 - jgh commented this article on 2008-01-27, 22:09
show the current playlist name

#31 - Samer Kurdi commented this article on 2008-01-25, 00:34
Where is album art support?
By this I mean (a) displaying album art and (b) downloading album art and storing in the tag in the file itself

#30 - escafu commented this article on 2008-01-16, 09:26
it does jaqob, you do that in the library. just click on the heading you want to sort by.

#29 - jaqob rated this article 5 stars on 2008-01-13, 19:35
nice alternative for other players, many plugins - i really enjoy it, but one thing is anoying: why playlist menu doesen't have the: "sort by... title, catalog, artist" function? hope it wille be added in next releases. keep up the good work and greetz from poland!

#28 - Lucas commented this article on 2007-12-13, 19:01
YOU (and us) REALLY NEED A LINUX VERSION! :D

#27 - ernieglez87 rated this article 5 stars on 2007-10-31, 07:49
i need to know how to minimize de xmplay 3.4 in the notifications bar, the previous versions had that utility but in this one i can´t find it
please mail me to ernieglez87@yahoo.es
i really need it

#26 - Mitch rated this article 5 stars on 2007-10-11, 00:12
I get an email containing a link to an mp3 file – I click it, and internet explorer opens… the file downloads… then xmplay opens and the file plays…
Is there a way to format a link that will BYPASS i.e. and allow me to send direct to xmplay for a streaming play instead of a download and play? Thanks!

#25 - Jonathan commented this article on 2007-09-14, 15:55
I dragged and dropped a url of an mp3 into the playlist, great it works and plays just fine... now where is the file located on my system? i already searched temp files and cant find it but it sez it's still at Http://etc. how is this possible it's not streaming anymore?

#24 - steve commented this article on 2007-08-04, 04:23
how or is it possible to have multiple playlists without erasing current one

#23 - Fer rated this article 5 stars on 2007-07-26, 03:39
Great program. It is sad that no Linux (where I'm moving to) version is avalaible. Any plans to?

#22 - Rossa commented this article on 2007-07-01, 16:16
the xmplay dont playing my musics in wma format...need help please

#21 - Bob commented this article on 2007-06-21, 12:03
How to Install plugin??????? pls . Couldnt find any question or answer on it yet.

Comment from Thomas: look here:
http://support.xmplay.com/article.php?id=4

#20 - engraan rated this article 5 stars on 2007-05-25, 07:41
it's perfect mp3 player,i have been using for years, but it is not as perfect software as DSS in Dos. i would you like to use software like DSS in Windows.

#19 - Travis rated this article 4 stars on 2007-05-24, 05:52
I love XMPlay except for when I use my scroll wheel over it, it closes. It's a wireless mouse, and that is usually how I wake it up. If I forget and leave the ouse over the player, roll the wheel. XMPlay exits. Without getting into to many specs, the mouse is a 4D browser mouse by Micro Innovations, and works rather well except it doesn't play well with XMPlay.

#18 - elbarto commented this article on 2007-05-11, 18:29
Some mp3 extension file cannot be read by xmplay. is there any plugin that will allow to read all mp3 formats ?

#17 - Anon commented this article on 2007-04-07, 12:12
How do you save a song?

there is nothing on this website about saving the song file after recording the song...or anything onthe queue list

#16 - Time Traveller commented this article on 2007-03-14, 15:18
Is it possible to run XMplay from a CD to play the contents (MP3) from saved playlists? So far, as XMp saves files on start-up etc I haven't been able to!

#15 - Jim M commented this article on 2007-03-07, 15:04
Is it possible to start XM with windows and have it allow my computer to go into stand- by mode automatically? Thank you. Jim

Comment from Thomas:
Of course you can start XMPlay with Windows. Just put a shortcut to XMPlay into the start menu startup folder. Unfortunately, XMPlay cannot shutdown your PC.

#14 - Eivind commented this article on 2007-02-10, 00:39
Instead of "colors or lyric" I would like my selected pictures (I can put them in a folder suited for a playlist). A simple slideshow. Does a plugin exixt - anybody working on one?

#13 - Zaorish rated this article 4 stars on 2006-12-31, 22:15
Hi--I love XMPlay. It's allowed me to lidsten to Mod files on my ipod, and download lots of great concerts. These are invaluable benefits. One thing should be added to this FAQ, though:

I want to listen/record songs at a certain preAmp level. But, when XMplay goes from one song to the next, it resets the preAmp level to "0.0". If your songs are already amped up, this can ruin a recording, not to mention your speakers. To fix this, go to the options menu, then click DSP, then UNcheck "reset on new track".

#12 - Alum commented this article on 2006-12-08, 14:33
when i try to convert my mod to mp3 it says cant execute external encoder

#11 - Dizzle commented this article on 2006-12-03, 00:49
How do I make XMplay connect to an internet radio stream on Start Up? I\'d like to set-up XMplay to connect to an Windows Media Stream at the same time every day. I\'ll use Scheduled Tasks to open the program but how do I get XMplay to connect to the streaming server/autoplay when started? I have no clue what command line is or how it works? Normally I use Screamer Radio because It has a setting that starts connecting to the stream at start up after by clicking a box in the expanded menu.

#10 - Jakub commented this article on 2006-11-21, 19:43
Is there a bug??? While there is XMPlay running and I want to open another folder/file from command line it DOESN\'T work. It seems to work only if I minimize the running program first, but it always crashes when I want to restore it... Thanks.
But five stars for XMPlay anyway.. I like it.

#9 - Mike commented this article on 2006-10-15, 08:51
Hi. Basically the XMplay is great. I did notice one thing, though. Streaming MP3 stations at 16 kbps or below get stuck and play the last 6-10 seconds over & over. Is there a fix for that? Or, is there something I can set in the player? Please let me know when you can. Thanks in advance.

#8 - Thomas commented this article on 2006-10-05, 21:37
@Halliwell: You can try "1by1" - http://www.mpesch3.de/

#7 - Halliwell rated this article 2 stars on 2006-10-01, 12:59
So its not possible to get a light-weight skinless Windows(R) a-like player...
XMplay should come skinless : I'm not looking music, I'm listening it.

too bad Sheep Friends Billy isn't up-to-date :'(

#6 - BluE BlooD commented this article on 2006-09-22, 19:48
Any ETA on a yahoo messanger "now i'm listening to" plugin ?

#5 - Nicolas rated this article 5 stars on 2006-08-31, 05:14
How do I know what XMplay version I'm using? There is no about box anywhere I can find. I want to know if I have the lastest one. Titlebar (as shown on taskbar button) says 3.3, but I need full version number...

#4 - catuli commented this article on 2006-07-18, 17:35
este reproductor manda por el caño al winamp y compañia por consumo de cpu y memoria, pero seria muy bueno que hicieran una version para linux

thx

#3 - Alex commented this article on 2006-05-18, 12:58
Thanks. pls is superior, but including both formats would enhance compatibility.

Another question: when I drag and drop several files to the application window why is only one file added to the playlist?

Edit from Thomas:
Please use the forum for questions. :-) Link: see above.

#2 - Alex commented this article on 2006-05-17, 12:48
Can I save the m3u playlists in XMPlay? It only offers the pls extension.

Comment from Thomas:
XMPlay only supports .pls, which is superior to .m3u.

#1 - Ningwai commented this article on 2006-05-09, 11:19
How to make XMPlay the first track in playlist when I start it?

Comment from Thomas:
In the shortcut to XMPlay, add "-play" to the command line, like so:
"C:\Program Files\XMPlay\xmplay.exe -play".