Windows Media Player for Mac FAQ
January 2006
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about Microsoft® Windows Media® Player 9 for Mac OS X.
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Top Issues
Additional Documentation
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Top Issues
1.1 Can I play any Windows Media Audio (WMA) file?
Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X can play virtually any audio file that has been encoded by using Microsoft Windows Media Audio codec versions 1.0, 2.0, 7, 8, or 9.
Although the Player supports all the variants of the Windows Media Audio 9 codec (including the Windows Media Audio 9, Windows Media Audio 9 Professional, Windows Media Audio 9 Voice, and Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless codecs), the following two codecs are only partially supported:
Windows Media Audio 9 Professional codec. Multiple channels are combined into a stereo mix during playback. In addition, content with an audio sampling rate higher than 48 kilohertz (kHz) outputs at a maximum rate of 48 kHz.
Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless codec. Content with an audio sampling rate higher than 48 kHz cannot be played back.
1.2 I want to embed the Player into a Web page. What do I need to consider?
Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X includes an updated plug-in for the Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac, and Apple Safari Web browsers.
The Windows Media plug-in lets you embed Windows Media Player for Mac in a Web page and perform basic event handling (for example, page flips). However, due to limitations in the scripting models for these browsers, you cannot programmatically control the plug-in or handle events initiated from the plug-in.
For more information, see the article "Windows Media Player for Mac Guide for Internet Content Providers" at the Microsoft Web site.
1.3 Why can I play some protected files, but not others?
Content providers can protect Windows Media files from unauthorized playback by using a technology called digital rights management (DRM). A Windows Media file that has been assigned digital rights is called a "protected," or "licensed," or "secured" file.
To play a protected file, you must obtain a license (a kind of electronic key) from the content provider. In many cases, the Player can acquire a license for you automatically when you attempt to play the file. In other cases, the content provider may not issue you a license until you pay a fee or provide additional information, such as your e-mail address.
Content providers can issue several different versions of DRM licenses; however, Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X only supports version 1 licenses. This means that you might be able to play some protected files, but not others.
We have informed our content partners about this issue so that they can decide whether to offer version 1 licenses to their customers who use Macintosh computers.
1.4 Is Microsoft going to continue developing Windows Media Player for Mac?
Microsoft will continue to offer Windows Media Player for Mac as a download free of charge, but has no plans to provide future updates or product support.
We are pleased to offer Windows Media® Components for Quicktime, by Flip4Mac™, as an alternative for Mac OS X users wanting to play Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Video.
As with other dated Microsoft products, peer-to-peer support will continue on the Microsoft-hosted Newsgroups Web site.
1.5 When I try to play a file, I see the message "Cannot open the file. Verify that the path and filename are correct and try again." What does this message mean and how can I solve the problem?
You may encounter this error message for a variety of reasons, which include:
The Player cannot find the file. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Or the file might not be accessible because you've lost your network connection or you do not have permission to access the folder.
If you typed a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) in the Open URL dialog box, verify that the file name is spelled correctly and the path to the file is correct, and then try again. If you clicked a link on a Web page, the link may not be valid.
If you are trying to access the file from a Web site or a shared network folder, verify that you are connected to the network and have the appropriate permissions.
You attempted to play a protected file and the Player encountered a problem. A protected file (also known as a licensed or secured file) is a file that has been protected from unauthorized playback by using a technology called digital rights management (DRM). Protected files are commonly distributed by online music stores and subscription services. There are several reasons why you might not be able to play a protected file.
For example, the file might require a version of a license that Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X does not support. For more information, see question 1.3.
In other cases, you might be able to play the file if you install the Classic environment on your computer. For more information about the Classic environment, see Mac Help.
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Additional Documentation
2.1 Where can I find the Readme for Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X?
The Readme for Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X includes a list of known issues and other late-breaking information about the Player. For more information, see the Readme for Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X page.
2.2 What are the system requirements for Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X?
For information about the hardware and software requirements for Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X, see the Windows Media Player 9 Series for Mac OS System Requirements page.
2.3 Where can I find the Privacy Statement for Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X?
For information about how Microsoft protects your privacy while you are using Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X, see the Privacy Statement for Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X page.
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