Playing .pls and mp3 Streaming Audio in Windows Media Player 10 (MP10)

Posted In Audio Video | 20 comments

Ok, sometimes Microsoft can be a PITA with how they intentionally try to wedge themselves into a market and free software makers out. Streaming audio has been one of those places for a long time and I really don’t know why MS just doesn’t support .pls and mp3 feeds natively…and why someone hasn’t created a real plugin to make it happen (maybe I just can’t find it). Anyway, Jon Galloway comes to the rescue with his Open PLS in WMP program. It basically tricks Windows Media Player into thinking it is playing a native stream that it supports. The coolest part is, Jn has linked to similar programs to play Quicktime AND Real streams as well. No more BS nagware from Real. Yipppeeee.

Links to the Goods:
Quicktime Alternative
Real Player Alternative

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Leave A Reply (20 comments So Far)


  1. tony shue
    2065 days ago

    Jon Galloway- your program work very well and my listeners are enjoying it. Shoot me an email.

    Thanks.


  2. Don
    1958 days ago

    Is there a solution that works on windows mobile devices as well?


  3. Franke
    1894 days ago

    where i can find plugin i can play .pls files in mediaplayer ?


  4. Chad
    1881 days ago

    I tried the app but does not work. Also, Galloway, the download link does not work from your site


  5. bruce wagenberg
    1741 days ago

    Thanks for a great product. It works perfectly!
    I’m listening to Prairie Home Companion’s Live Webcast as I write this (Saturday early evening.)

    I hope Microsoft buys your company for a few million and shelves your invention only to include a smaller, more unstable version in the next release of Media Player.

    I never install Real Networks products because of the nagware they install.


  6. bruce
    1741 days ago

    Webmaster, can you remove my last name on the above comment. I’m surprised it automatically published. Thanks.


  7. HM
    1722 days ago

    Works very well – even from within firewall protected intranet company intranet to outside music world.
    Good job!


  8. Chad
    1575 days ago

    Thanks for the plugin…it works great!! I love open source :-)


  9. falkland
    1570 days ago

    i love your blog , continue


  10. Gregg Kuljian
    1565 days ago

    Nope. WMP version 10.0 Downloaded the file. Installed it. Won’t play pls files.

    I tried it a year ago, and I guess I’ll come back next year.

    I wonder why it works for others, and not for me.


  11. falcon
    1556 days ago

    Try this software RaidenTunes, it automatically generate .asx playlist from your album collections and let the IE/WMP to play the playlists smoothly.

    http://us.raidentunes.com/


  12. Dale H. Cook
    1540 days ago

    Gregg -

    Could your firewall be blocking port 8000?


  13. MetalFRO
    1096 days ago

    Don – try GSPlayer for Windows Mobile. I’ve been using it to play .PLS and .M3U based streams since PPC 2003, and it works great on WinMo 5, 6, and 6.1 also.


  14. Fiddler
    1071 days ago

    I have been able to listed to my favorite oldtime site “Sugar in the Gourd” until last night, when I foolishly let Microsoft guard product scan for virus. Now my Windows Media, RealPlayer, and fresh WinAmp wont recognise the sound. I have just downloaded your RealPlayer alternative (I didn’t know which one to pick, so did the top one.
    HOPE it WORKS!


  15. DJ Da klown
    884 days ago

    where is the code for a player been searching u been talkin about it where is it fuck it i guess i gotta write it myself


  16. Arundelblue
    831 days ago

    You may have won for a while, but your trick (open pls in wmp) doesn’t work any longer !!! It was too simple ! You think winamp is stupid?? They have found another trick to counter you !!
    Stephen.


  17. Arundelblue
    831 days ago

    P.S. I happen to love a crazy “ambient” channel, “CHROMANOVA”, I defy you to listen to it on Windows Media Player !!


  18. Arundelblue
    831 days ago

    Jon Galloway should go back to computer school instead of feeding us with outdated information !!


  19. marcus oh...really us
    623 days ago

    Jon is too busy teaching to sit in his classes and complain, A. Is (r)eal player aka spam bug the only pls application. Afaik, pls would have been on the WMP ramp, except Microsoft got lost in a fit of greed and refused to pay a reasonable price. Next WMA layer includes all the pls goods. Halk today’s streamers use PLS as a matter of decency (and spam revenue). Love or lust, eh!


  20. virginia
    108 days ago

    i have no problem with windows media player 10 or 11 what i have a problem with is 12 you cant play pls files on 12 live365 plays fine in 10 and 11 media player but not 12 media player use to have live365 in its on line store now in windows 7 with media player 12 it is gone even if you go to live365 site you still cant get it to play on 12 if you know of a work around this somebody let me know please.and the program your talking about dont work for 12