Powerful open-source media player supporting nearly all formats, streaming, conversions, and extensive customization
Powerful open-source media player supporting nearly all formats, streaming, conversions, and extensive customization
Vote (44 votes)
Program license Free
Developer VideoLAN
Version 0.0.3 Beta
Works under Windows
Vote
(44 votes)
Developer
VideoLAN
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Version
0.0.3 Beta
VLC is probably the best open-source multimedia video player for the Windows operating system.
VLC, once named VideoLan Client, is one of the most widely used media players on the market. A small, but powerful video platform, with an executable file under 40MB, yet has virtually illuminated the need for any codec download or added video plugins, as VLC supports 3GP, MKV, MPEG-2, AAC, DV Audio and many other file formats.
Interface
VLC’s interface is conveniently designed to allow users to navigate throughout the platform with efficiency. The central panel is divided into two parts, the right side is where the video is displayed, and the left is the Media Library. The Media Library is modelized in four sections:
My Library
My Library contains customized playlists and Media Library, which is the master list of all media files.
My Computer
My Computer section contains three areas, which are My Videos, My Music and My Pictures
Devices
This menu option is for any external media devices connected to the local machine.
Local Network
The Local Network allows users to access media from multicast DNS, server access points, and universal plug and play.
Internet
The Internet section includes support for podcasts including Icecast and the Luxembourg-based music platform, Jamendo
All of the interfaces mentioned above are accessible from the “Media” drop-down menu located in the upper right corner.
Video File Conversion
VLC for Windows also supports video file conversion. The developers packed virtually every conversion file format option into VLC for Windows. The file conversion interface is accessed from the “Media” down menu. The interface allows users to select convert multiple files from the local disk, network, or external media player.
File Playback
VLC’s file playback is pretty straight forward with the ability to jump ahead or backward by ten secs or customize the time and navigate by chapter. There is also a bookmark feature that allows you to bookmark a specific time during a video, to pick up where you left off effortlessly.
Audio
VLC supports using both integrated sound cards and external speakers.
Video
VLC video playback supports zooming from 1:4 ratio up to 2:1 and aspect ratio from the video files to 16:9 to 5:4. The video play options also include support for converting interlaced video to non-interlaced video. VLC also supports video snapshots.
Subtitle
VLC supports playing subtitles integrated with the video during playback, as well as allowing users to upload a subtitle file from the local disk.
The “Tools” drop-down includes the following:
Video Effects
VLC includes audio and video effects as well as audio and video synchronization management capabilities.
VLM Configurator
VLC allows users to manage streaming and VoD from multiple sources in one area. The VLM only supports control from telnet and HTTP.
Preference and Customization
VLC for Windows supports customization features, including toolbar position, toolbar elements and widget adding, and full-screen playback options.
The VLC media player for Windows is an excellent tool, which will play virtually any video file and is packed with added features, making it a must-have.
Pros
- Portable
- Most codecs supported out of the box
- No ads, spyware or user tracking
Cons
- Buried features
- Oriented toward advanced users
VLC for Windows 8 is a powerful and portable media player and streaming media server.
The VLC media player, often known simply as VLC, is developed by VideoLAN and was first released in 2001. Since the beginning, VLC has been free, cross platform and open source, and the developers have strived to support the full range of multimedia that people consume. The program can play just about anything, including files, discs, streams, webcams and other devices. It also supports most popular audio formats with no codec pack needed, including MP3, MKV and H.264, and if you ever come across a format it doesn’t support, you can usually add support by installing the appropriate codec.
VLC for Windows 8 is a version of VLC that’s specifically designed for the Windows 8 operating system. More specifically, it includes support for the Windows 8 user experience called Metro. At its core, this version is very much the same as any other version of VLC for Windows. Where it differs is that it comes with a modern UI that’s consistent with Metro. This means that the application can switch between desktop mode and tablet mode seamlessly and is well suited for use on a Windows 8 HTPC.
Despite coming with a modern UI by default, this version like all iterations of the VLC media player is highly customizable. Skins allow you to transform the look of the program completely. The software has a built-in skin editor that you can use, but there’s also an active community of users who develop custom skins that you can download and install at no charge. VLC also supports feature customization through extensions. This is one of the most powerful add-on platforms for a media player, and you have many options that allow you to dial in the experience to your tastes in both desktop and Metro mode.
VLC is one of those software tools that you’ll appreciate more with time. It offers an impressive feature set, but many of those features are tucked away so as not to overwhelm new users, but once you’re aware of all these advanced controls, there’s little VLC won’t let you do. You can record video, grab screenshots, increase volume beyond the standard 100, manipulate individual audio tracks, have complete control over subtitles and so much more.
Pros
- Portable
- Most codecs supported out of the box
- No ads, spyware or user tracking
Cons
- Buried features
- Oriented toward advanced users
