CDValet

CDValet is another small but powerful substitute for the standard CD Player that is packaged with Windows 95/NT. As with both DiscPlay and Notify CD Player, CDValet offers the same features as found in the standard CD player and adds many of its own. Two of the most important additions are Internet CDDB (CD Database) and Windows traybar support. The Internet CDDB is a repository of information on audio CDs that can be contacted using a standard Internet connection. The main database is mirrored by a multitude of servers throughout the world, allowing you to pick one that is geographically close to your location. The critical advantage that this free service provides is the ability to download the title, artist, and track information for audio CDs. This information can then be displayed by the CD player each time the CD is loaded. As a result, you're spared the time and effort of having to manually enter the information yourself. You can also upload your own CD information to the CDDB database so that others can benefit as well. The second of CDValet's major features is its Windows traybar support. An icon resides in the traybar while CDValet is running that graphically portrays the status of the player. Moving your cursor over the icon will display the track and time information for the current CD and clicking on the right mouse button will pull up a menu of the program's major features and options. In addition to the traybar icon, CDValet offers a small control panel that displays additional information and gives you access to functions like stop, play, pause, resume, advance, and eject. Additional CDValet features include track programming capabilities, multidisc support, repeat and random play, and an integrated CD database manager that allows you to view, search, edit, and export entries in the CDValet database. CDValet also offers support for multidisc random play -- a feature included with the standard Windows CD Player but noticeably absent in both Notify CD Player and DiscPlay. CDValet does lack Notify CD Player's click control capabilities as well as some of the more advanced features found in DiscPlay. These include DiscPlay's statistical features, automatic scheduling options, scripting abilities, and the favorites-like custom playlist feature. CDValet also lacks the extensive selection of options that both of the above clients offer. And while intuitive, CDValet's interface is not nearly on par with those of DiscPlay and Notify CD Player in terms of overall attractiveness. Despite these minor shortcomings, CDValet is another solid and inexpensive ($10) audio CD Player that serves as a must-have upgrade for the standard Windows CD Player. And if you own a multidisc drive, CDValet is an especially sweet deal considering that it is one of the few CD players available that offers support for multidisc random play. Pros: Solid collection of features; integrated CDDB, Windows traybar, and multidisc random play support Cons: Lacks some of the more advanced features of DiscPlay, interface could be more attractive For the latest information on CDValet, check out: http://cws.internet.com/32audio.html#cdvalet apps conference Main Menu