Extra: Alarm Clock, Sleep mode....

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There may have been that function in Winamp, I don't know.

In foobar2000, it is possible to schedule some task. Cool examples include:
-Sleep mode: close foobar2000 and shut down the computer when the playback stops
-Alarm clock: Start playback automatically at a given time, to wake you up....
-... and automatically increase volume at some given times, in case you don't wake up.

etc.

The component: foo_scheduler.
Setup: "Menu>File>Preferences, General/Scheduler"
-Enable scheduler.
-First, create "actions" in the bottom part, to which you give an arbitrary ID (a name for example). Once you chose an ID, you can add concrete actions.
-Then, create triggers in the top part (either time-related or event-related) and associate the actions ID to them.


Now try to find cool applications for that =)

NB: If you just want your computer to shut down when the playback is finished, you can add this smaller component: foo_shutdown
It will add the option Menu>Playback>Shut down when noise stops

Bonus: Great DSP plugins

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Foobar2000 offers loads of great sound processing plugins.
For example, you can:

-Change the tempo, pitch, and speed of the playback (in real time and in two clicks) with foo_dsp_soundtouch

-Cut out the voice or the instrumental part (actually, the center, and side components; but in most recordings, the voice and the drums are center, and the rest is on the sides) with foo_dsp_centercut

-Simulate any reverberating environment (provided you have the impulse response) with the convolver

-Convert stereo to binaural...

-And finally, use any Winamp DSP plugin, with foo_dsp_winamp

A full list of DSP components here.

Bonus: Lightweight

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Foobar2000 has a relatively small memory footprint, compared to similar featured media players.
I don't know if there are benchmarks, and it also depends largely of your foobar2000 configuration, but in my personal case, it loads much faster than winamp.

Also, the library search is instant (with an old hardware config and about 9.000 tracks), whereas it's getting a bit slow with winamp these days.

I don't know if use graphic skins changes that.

Bonus: Highest customizability

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Imagine you buy a wardrobe in a furniture shop. Then you realize it's not quite the right size to fit it where you wanted, so you have to figure out another place. You wish the color was a little lighter. You still don't really like that handle. it would be good if there was more shelves in there, and less drawers. etc.

now imagine you buy wood and screws and make your wardrobe exactly how you want it to be. It takes some time, but when it's finished and you push it in the little space where it fits perfectly, look at it: you're satisfied. Plus, with your tools and stuff, you can change the handles, the number of shelves, the appearance, everything, anytime.

Once you configured your foobar, the satisfaction is similar. It's exactly how you want it to be, and you can change it anytime. And you won't hurt yourself.

Also, your foobar can keep improving. It's a bit like tuning a car. You can just regularly check components catalogs, and find out which component looks interesting. Foobar2000 core is made in such a way that 3rd party developers have extremely rich possibilities to make plugins. As a consequence, the developer community is rich, and there are many many many components available, making the possibilities of foobar2000 infinite.

Titleformatting allows you to write proper programming everywhere. For example, in the setup of a component, there can be a box "Folder" to setup the folder where the lyrics will be stored, for example. In another media player, you would probably just put a folder, maybe you would have a few options like "separate by artist" or whatever.
Here you can write a proer programm. Like, "if the genre is rock, put them on my external disk, otherwise, if the artist name contains a Z, put them in a folder with the intials of the artists, otherwise put them in folders by year and album." Whatever.