Your PC holds key to multimedia

It's not rocket-science to turn your computer into a mean, multimedia machine.

All you need, basically, is one or both of the two leading players - your computer will probably have come loaded with Windows Media Player; but if it didn't, or you would like a free upgrade, go to www.microsoft.com/windows.

For its rival, RealPlayer 8 - either free or in an enhanced Plus version ($US30) - visit www.real.com.

Both players will install themselves after downloading. But if you're on a dial-up modem connection be prepared for a bit of a wait - about 20 minutes to download RealPlayer and around 40 minutes for Media Player.

Two caveats: Media Player 7 has been known to cause problems on some machines (mine among them); and I would steer clear of RealPlayer's two companion utilities: RealJukebox and RealDownload. The first, a music-library and player isn't as good as NullSoft's WinAmp. And the second has been accused of phoning home with information about your surfing habits.

They swear they've reformed, but do we believe them?

Links:

www.microsoft.com/windows

www.real.com

www.winamp.com