64bit Versus 32bit Media Players Is there an advantage to using a 64bit version of a player rather than a 32bit version? MPC x64 versus MPC x32? or WMP x64 versus WMP x32?



I have read a lot of discussion about codecs working or not working for 32bit and/or 64bit media players and operating systems. My question is what is the advantage of using a 64bit media player? Is the picture better, clearer, sharper? Does the 64bit player use less resources its corresponding 32bit player? Codec support is a lot better for 64bit versions now than in the recent past, but still why go through the hassle of purposefully switching to a 64bit player? Is there really a performance or quality edge to making the switch in players?

I have Vista Home Premium x64 and ask this question to help me decide whether to use the 64bit version or 32bit version of Windows Media Player and Media Player Classic-HC. If there is no performance or quality difference then I will stick with the 32bit version of both players until such time as either there is a performance/quality edge or extra steps are not required for using the 64bit versions of the players.

Thank you for your help.

I'm using the x64 version of MPC-HC now. I don't notice any performance or quality gains over the 32 bit version though. Should there be? Am I missing something? Does anyone get better performance or higher quality out of using the x64 version of a media player instead of the 32 bit version?

Originally Posted by videohog

64bit Versus 32bit Media Players Is there an advantage to using a 64bit version of a player rather than a 32bit version? MPC x64 versus MPC x32? or WMP x64 versus WMP x32?

I have read a lot of discussion about codecs working or not working for 32bit and/or 64bit media players and operating systems. My question is what is the advantage of using a 64bit media player? Is the picture better, clearer, sharper? Does the 64bit player use less resources its corresponding 32bit player? Codec support is a lot better for 64bit versions now than in the recent past, but still why go through the hassle of purposefully switching to a 64bit player? Is there really a performance or quality edge to making the switch in players?

I have Vista Home Premium x64 and ask this question to help me decide whether to use the 64bit version or 32bit version of Windows Media Player and Media Player Classic-HC. If there is no performance or quality difference then I will stick with the 32bit version of both players until such time as either there is a performance/quality edge or extra steps are not required for using the 64bit versions of the players.

Thank you for your help.

Please read this tutorial : Windows Media Player (WMP)

excerpt ......
In Windows Vista x64, the 32-bit edition of Windows Media Player 11 (WMP 11) is set as the default Windows Media Player. This is done to avoid and reduce any compatibility issues or problems that may arise with codecs or other DirectShow related plug-ins or add-ons that a majority of are still built for 32-bit operating system. However, if you decide to use the 64-bit version of WMP11 with your 64bit Vista, you can use a few easy methods to launch 64 bit WMP11 or simply switch, change or swap the system default media player to x64 Windows Media Player, and revert back to x86 version when you need to.