Zoom Player is a fast, lightweight media player than can handle most types of audio and video files.

In part this is because the setup program installs much more than the player itself, though. It will also download and install components like FFDShow, Haali's Media Splitter, DirectVobSub, Gabest MPEG and Blu-ray splitter, FFMPEG core files and many other media-related components. And so if you've had problems with these or any similar tools, and you want to make sure Zoom Player doesn't disrupt your current system configuration, then be sure to choose a custom installation here. This will then allow you to choose which components you'd like to install, and which you really wouldn't.

Once set up, you can use Zoom Player to play CDs, DVDs and all the main audio and video formats (H.264, XVID, DIVX, DVD, FLV, WMV, QuickTime, MPEG 1/2/4, MP3, AAC, DTS, Dolby Digital, FLAC and many more), even in situations where other programs might fail. So it can play incomplete AVI files, for instance, and files that are locked by other programs.

A familiar interface then makes it easy to browse each file, move through individual tracks, DVD chapters and more.

And you also get extensive playlist support; a Playback History that lists all the files you've played recently; a Chapter Editor which allows you to store locations in particular media files - the most interesting parts of a video, say - and return to them in a speedy double-click; and many other useful features.

Please note, Zoom Player is also available in Pro and Max versions that add many other features, from integrated eMule/uTorrent file tracker, to Blu-ray playback, extensive command line support, HTML/ Flash/ QuickTime interactivity, Windows Media DRM support, and much more. Prices start from around $39.95 and you can find out more at the Inmatrix site.