Softworld editor's review -
Play DVDs and various video, audio formats
Zoom Player Home Free is an application for Windows that can be used to play media files.
Launching the installation process, you get the chance to pick from two installation modes: Standard and Legacy. For the purpose of this test i picked Standard.
In the next window that appears on your screen, you may select from several components that you want to be included in the setup. A very useful and important component is "Run the Install Center".
By choosing this option, after the software has been installed, the Zoom Player Install Center is launched. From this window you are in the position to decide on the video and audio codecs which to be installed on your system.
The aspect that i want to point out is that, before installing those codecs, first make sure that you remove the ones that are already on your PC.
If you don't do that, most likely the program will not be able to run all sorts of video and audio formats such as mkv, h264, FLAC etc.
The default skin of the program looks very nice and it's easy to use. At the bottom of the interface you are provided various controls that allow you to manage the loaded content.
To load video or audio files into the player, you can either press on the main interface the "Open Files" button or you may click on "Show playlist". After you have opened the playlist, select "Add Files to Playlist". In this section if you choose Show Extra Controls, several buttons will appear including the one that allows to add an entire directory with media content.
In the playlist area when trying to Open Advanced Controls, you are informed that the feature is not available in this version of the software.
To test the capabilities of the media player, first i decided to load some mkv, h264 videos. Due to the fact that the application comes with a very useful codec installation module, basically you will not encounter any kind of issues in running this type of video content.
Then i tried to play wmv, avi and some other popular video formats. The program ran the loaded files with no difficulties.
If you will try to play high quality audio files such as FLAC or APE, you will easily be able to do that.
On the interface, beside being able to work with various play controls, you can also access the equalizer and the menu of the program.
In order to enter the menu, in the area where is located the playlist button, select "Show Top Bar". The moment you do that, right at the top of the interface will be displayed several functions of the application: Skin selector, Station Manager, Color Control, Last Open Navigator, Media Library Editor, Chapter Editor and the general Options.
In Skin selector basically you can change the look of the player by choosing from a couple of skins and all sorts of color profiles. What i like in this field is that you can switch the interface to various modes: Audio, Media, DVD and Navigation.
However, this can also be done by clicking right on the software and pick the option that you want. When switching to Audio, you are provided a very minimalistic skin. Media is the default mode of the application and by selecting DVD, you get the chance to easily manage this type of content.
I say this because, when clicking right in the interface in the DVD mode, you are provided access to specific controls. To load up a DVD movie, after you have clicked right on the player, choose Open and then go to Open Directory.
The last mode, Navigation, is useful as you can enter extremely easy all sorts of sections of the program: Media Library, Playlist, Equalizer etc.
In the Station Manager what i don't like is that, there isn't included a list with Radio and TV stations. You have to search on the web for URLs and add them manually.
Color Control enables you to increase or decrease the brightness, contrast, saturation levels of the movie that is currently playing. The aspect that i don't like is that, at first operating the Color Control function is a little bit confusing.
Entering the Options of the software, here you are provided a wide variety of configuring settings. But, to be able to have access at all of those configuring options click "Switch to Advanced Mode".
If you want a free and easy to use program that is capable to play various video and audio formats, then Zoom Player Home Free is a very good choice.
Good:
-nice interface
-useful codec installation center
-the software can run a wide variety of video and audio formats including mkv, h264, FLAC and APE
-the media player can also be successfully used to play DVDs
-numerous configuring options
Bad:
-when using the software for the first time, some areas of the interface may be a bit confusing
Version 8.00 reviewed on: 23 Dec 2011
Publisher's description
Zoom Player Home Free - They say the best things in life are free.
Zoom Player Home Free - They say the best things in life are free, and Zoom Player Home FREE life delivers.
The most powerful media player for the Windows PC, giving ultimate control over your media viewing experience.
Featuring : Free for personal, non-commercial use.
No bloat, intuitive & user-friendly design.
Install Center application, capable of detecting and securely installing up-to-date decoders and missing system components to improve stability and versatility.
Media Center navigation interfaces with easy to use (Up/Down/Left/Right/Select) controls.
10-Band Equalizer with Digital PreAmp and Presets.
DVD Playback from Disc, Hard Drive or network connection.
Powerful, category based Media Library interface.
Remember/Resume from last media position.
popular formats are supported : H.264, XVID, DIVX, DVD, FLV, WMV, QuickTime, MPEG 1/2/4, MP3, AAC, DTS, Dolby Digital, FLAC and many more.
Zoom Player is the most Powerful, Flexible and Customizable Media Player application for the Windows PC platform.
Based on our highly-touted Smart Play technology, more media formats play with less hassle, improved stability and greater performance.
Behind Zoom Player's classic media player look, hides a powerful Media Center application designed with a simple 5-Key (up/down/left/right/select) fullscreen navigation interface. The 5-Key system provides simple navigation with advanced interfaces. Interface such as the Media Library, File Browser, Playlist, Color Control, Audio Equalizer, Bookmarks, Play History and many more. Zoom Player's media center simplicity makes it ideal for users with no previous computer experience.
With Zoom Player, you can instantly Convert any PC into a Home Entertainment Center (HTPC) with no specialized hardware requirement or operating system. Zoom Player runs with every version of Windows.
Changes on the new version:Minor update.
