I've just installed the new media player, and am having some difficulties with it that I think worth mentioning. But first, did the inclusion of a cover art display get put on the back burner? You'd said you were going to include that before releasing V2, but if it's there, I can't see any way to activate it. Adding the ability to include cover art with the Album Maker was a nice touch, but I didn't expect to see that until later, after the ability to display it was added to the player.
Anywho, as for the new player, I'm torn as to whether list the following here in "bugs," or put it in the wishlist area.
1. The first major thing that stands out is the inability to move between drives. I had to manually copy music files over to C drive to play them. Unable to locate any way to change to a different drive.
2. Next item would be the movement between folders, and the choosing of the files themselves to play. Mouse interaction is heavily crippled, and some of the manual key commands act differently than when the same item is clicked with the mouse (I instinctively double-clicked a folder to enter it and browse, but instead it just loaded the album that was in it, as a single file, not tracks --using the arrow keys and clicking the same album gives tracks). I think the easiest way to solve this would be to eliminate the alphabetical filter on the left, and replace it with a hierarchal directory structure (including Up and Down markers to change drives), with the contents of folders displayed in the secondary window. A standard double-click would open a folder, or load the album into the playlist window and begin playing it from track one.
3. I was forced to turn on the scroll (which being off by default was a bit confusing, since I could see stuff going out of view), and the stark brightness of it on the black background is a bit harsh on the eyes. Would be great if the users could change the color scheme themselves.
Actually, that gives me an idea. Problem #2 above could be completely eliminated by two things. 1: Adding drag-n-drop and MP3 file association to the program, so that any files dropped into the playlist window, or double clicked, automatically begin playing, and if they're albums, the tracks are visible. 2: Giving the users the ability to create skins for the program, and effectively move things around or even not display some areas (like the browser window, which really isn't needed, and could easily be bypassed with a standard popup "browse" dialogue for opening a file, or by dragging/dropping/clicking files in the Windows environment). This would be especially great for two reasons. First, the GUI as it stands right now is rather huge, and I notice that it can't be shrunk or rearranged into a different configuration (typically vertical/stacked for saving space). Secondly, it would take a bunch of the aesthetic design off your shoulders and let determined users have fun making their own interfaces that people could try.
Heck, with most other players out there, that's half the fun, finding just the right skin/configuration that suits one's taste and style.
So, to sum up, the two things that stand out as great are the playback and playlist. Playback sounds great, and the playlist shows tracks (eventually, heh heh). The controls and movement within the program, however, as well as the visual style, are things I'd kill to take a hammer, nails, and truckload of wallpaper to. <grin>
Thanks for all your work!