China DOS Union

In many people's impressions, DOS is a single-task, text-mode operating system, so how could there be or be better multimedia functions? Actually, it's not the case. For example, Windows 3.x and Windows 9x are just large protected-mode applications built under DOS. Why can they also play wonderful multimedia files? So, multimedia is by no means the "patent" of operating systems like WIN. It is completely possible to implement multimedia functions under DOS. Moreover, with the development of the times and the introduction of new developers and programming libraries, it has become easier and more powerful to implement multimedia functions under DOS, which you can see in "The Development of DOS in Recent Years".

Note that if you want to play sound with a sound card under DOS, you first need to set up the sound card. The specific method can be found in "The Use and Setup of Hardware Devices under DOS" in this column.

Of course, the DOS operating system itself does not come with multimedia commands and requires special multimedia software, just as we need special game software to play games. There are many multimedia software under DOS. There are old ones like SEA, etc. But in recent years, with the development of multimedia technology, the number of multimedia software under DOS has also increased significantly, such as QuickView Pro, Cubic Player (OpenCP), MPXPlay, DSS, etc. You can download them in "Media Software" in "DOS Software Classification Download". These software generally can play files in formats like WAV, MP3, etc. Some support more formats. For example, Cubic Player not only supports many formats including WAV, MP3, MID, RMI, ASF, MOD, S3M, IT, ASF, 669, CD audio, etc., but also has a very good interface. Note that most MP3 file players are best used on computers above 586 to achieve the best effect. When playing MP3 on 486 or lower computers, there may be audio stuttering, while formats like WAV have no problem.

Some people used to use DOSAmp to play MP3 files and thought the playback effect was not good, so they concluded that playing MP3 under DOS was all bad. Actually, this is incorrect. Because DOSAmp is actually the oldest and worst-performing MP3 player under DOS. Although the interface is not the worst, it is just average and has long been eliminated. Although I often listen to MP3 songs under DOS, I very much dislike using DOSAmp and instead use other MP3 players with very good playback effects under DOS. You can find them in "Media Software".

Among so many software, I recommend QuickView Pro to everyone. It is a very powerful multimedia software that supports many formats, including various music formats (such as WAV, MP3, etc.), various graphic formats (such as BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, etc.), and many multimedia formats (such as AVI, MPG, MOV, FLC/FLI, VCD, etc.). It has been continuously developing. For example, its latest version 2.50 was just released at the end of this August. The specific usage method can be seen in the article "The Use of QuickView - DOS Multimedia Player" in the "DOS Articles" column. Of course, other MP3 players are also recommended. For example, MPXPLAY is also very good. It has many functions, such as playing and converting media, etc. Its interface is also very good and supports mouse operation, which is very convenient and practical. It has been continuously developing and updating, and its latest version was just released in October this year.

In addition, there are also full-screen MIDI players like MegaMid, MidPlay, etc., which are also very good. They not only have a good interface but also powerful functions. They can all display subtitles in MIDI music (if available), and the operation is also very simple. As for playing other various multimedia formats under DOS, for example, the playback of VideoCD (VCD), in addition to the above QuickView Pro, Mpegone, etc., can also do it, and the effect is also very good. Of course, it is best to play on a computer above 586, and the newer the better. And the playback of formats like RealAudio can be seen in the "Common Questions and Answers (FAQ) in DOS Use" column.

In conclusion, the multimedia functions under DOS are very powerful. If you are interested, you can also develop some multimedia software under DOS for the "DOS Development" column to keep up with the development of foreign DOS software, and help the majority of DOS users and enthusiasts, and also promote the development of domestic free software. It is really of many benefits.

Wow, four years have passed, the sofa upstairs is really big!!!!!

The bench upstairs is not small either