Fresh View 8.40

Overview

Fresh View 8.34 is a robust multimedia library management/playback application that lets you organize and view audio, video, and images. The software also facilitates slideshow creation, as well as various other advanced features.

Installation

The file size is minuscule at a little more than 2 MB, so downloading and installing is a quick breeze. Can be installed in all recent version of Windows, including ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7. Some users have reported false alarms issued by their antivirus software upon installation. However, the software has been tested and rendered safe as you can see from our antivirus report. One aspect of the installation that we particularly liked was the fact the developer did not program the software to automatically change your file type associations, so you don't have to go through the annoying process of making your old media player your default player again if you don't like Fresh View.

Interface

The intuitive user interface is neatly split into panes that make navigating through folders and playing/organizing files an enjoyable experience. The convenient left navigational bar shows the names of files and folders in your operating system, while content is displayed in a media wall that takes up most of the main window. The toolbar at the top is equipped with a host of task icons that provide easy access to all of the main features.

Pros

• Compatible with more than 85 multimedia formats, including but not limited to MP3, Photo CD, TGA, MIDI, AVI, MPEG, and MOD

• Lets you quickly and easily import images from a scanner or camera

• Makes it easy to organize your media into playlists, slideshows, and sub-libraries.

• Categorizes files based on various criteria, including artists name, genre etc.

• Advanced slideshow production features, including transitional effects and HTML gallery creation

• Supports batch processing of files

• Available in several languages

• Extensive help documentation accessible within the main interface

• Open source development ensures that software is being continually improved by multiple sources.

• Supports graphic conversion (converting an image from one file type to another) to and from multiple formats, including but not limited to JPEG and PNG

Cons

• Functionality may be lacking in comparison to more established media management suites.

• The interface is a bit crowded with features that may not be needed by the average user. Although some feel these features would be better placed in a context menu or tucked away in a submenu, this ease of access is preferred by more advanced users that prefer increased productivity over ease of use.

Alternatives

There are a plethora of free multimedia playback/management utilities out there to rival Fresh View. The most popular are Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, QuickTime, ACDSee Pro and VLC. While Fresh View certainly offers an extensive feature list that is comparable to the aforementioned alternatives, VLC media player is generally accepted as the most powerful and efficient when it comes to audio/video playback.

Conclusion

If you're looking for something new that differs from the classic Windows Media Player interface, Fresh View can provide a refreshing change.