Windows Vista comes with more media tools than all the Windows versions that came before, but that doesn't mean you don't have better alternatives available. One of the best media players available at this time is jetAudio, the most notable piece of software developed and marketed by Cowon America.

The last version of this program comes in two flavours. The Basic edition, which can accomplish easily most media playing tasks, and the Plus edition (priced at only 29$) which comes with a wide range of tools and features that I'll describe a bit later.

I remember that I used jetAudio for the first time almost a decade ago, and I was amazed by this program's interface and features. After a long time of using Winamp, I got back to jetAudio, and the new interface surprised me. The reason is that while the old versions looked like an entire media center, the new ones use space more efficiently, but if you want, you can still get a full screen player.

jetAudio's interface is skinnable, and no matter what theme you are using for your Windows Vista, that won't change the main player window or the Media Center's looks. Anyway, discovering how this program's interface works it was a real pleasure for me, and I am not going to spoil your fun by saying "you can do that, that or that". Instead, let's see what kind of files can be played with jetAudio and what extra features brings the Plus edition!

The free version of this program can:

• rip audio CDs
• convert various digital audio files
• burn audio CDs
• record from various sources
• play a wide range of media files.

The long list of supported file formats includes WAV, MP3, PGG, AVI, MIDI and more, but some of them may require third party codecs to be installed. If the right codec is found in your system, jetAudio can play even DVDs without problems, making any other player that you may think of using completely useless.

The new Media Center window, present in both editions, is a worthy companion for those that need to edit tags efficiently and manage their media files without getting a headache. The Media Center gives you quick access to the functions that I mentioned above, and to the Portable Device Manager, that supports various portable players including COWON, iAUDIO and PSP.

If you think that jetAudio Basic's features are not enough, then you should know that moving up to the Plus version will bring you MP3/mp3PRO encoding functions, advanced sound effectors such as BBE and BBE ViVA, 32 bit output, Dynamic Range Control and Dynamic Limiter, special recording functions and a special application pack including Audio Trimmer and more.

What you have seen so far is only the top of the iceberg, so if you think that an alarm clock , visualisations or a lyrics viewer are missing, you'd better think again! Although downloading almost 20MB can be a bit hard for those still using a modem, jetAudio is worth all your efforts, so feel free to give it a try.

The Good

This program offers much more than all its competitors, and the free version is one of the best free media players available, despite its missing features, but if you go up to the Plus edition, then you'll find yourself on the top of the world!

The Bad

I would really like to see a 32 bit output support in the free version, but other than that, everything is indecently close to perfection!

Conclusion

Forget about Winamp, forget about foobar2000 or any other audio/video player you may be using at this time. Grab jetAudio, give it a try. Chances are that you'll fall in love with it and join the large army of followers this program already has!

Download jetAudio

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