CNET Editors' review
Despite lacking a Help file, KMPlayer is one of the most powerful freeware video players we've seen. It includes a vast array of video- and audio-capturing options, as well as skins, a plethora of playback controls and tweaks, and broad DVD support.
You'll have to learn the ropes yourself, perhaps a hindrance to newcomers. But if you're familiar with where things ought to be in programs, and willing to patiently wait for mouse-over labels to pop up and then click on them for the actual menus, KMPlayer has the potential to be immensely rewarding. It supports all major file formats, and all of the minor and obscure ones we tested. It did have problems with the RealPlayer 11's video capture IVR format, but not much else.
Advanced options include frame capture and a frame-forward feature, which is actually a fractional Play button, but the difference is negligible. The Pause button is a fast responder, too. Combined with streaming TV and HDTV compatibility, playlists, and the ability to select which codec is used on a video-by-video basis, and you get a media player that demands attention.
Watch the CNET video review of KMPlayer:
Publisher's Description
From KMP Media:
The KMPlayer is all in one media player, covering various formats such as VCD, DVD, AVI, MKV, Ogg Theora, OGM, 3GP, MPEG-1/2/4, WMV, RealMedia, QuickTime etc. It has an extra feature to play Incomplete/Damaged AVI file, Locked Media Files while downloading or sharing, Compressed Audio Album (zip, rar) and so on. It handles a wide range of subtitles and allows you to capture audio, video, and screenshots in many ways. The player provides both internal and external filters with a fully controlled environment without grappling with DirectShow merit system. The player can set multifarious audio and video effects, control playback speed and octave, select parts of a video as favorites, do a powerful A-B repeat, remap the keys of remote interface for HTPC including overlay screen controls, change a skin dynamically depending on a media type playing, and many more. It is completely customizable thanks to a wide selection of skins and color schemes, and configuration options are extensive. KMPlayer is one of the most powerful video players in the world and trying to offer the best media entertaining environment for users. With new vision and dedication for the better user experience of video entertaining, we will keep listen and communicate with users of KMPlayer.
What's new in this version: Version 3.1 updates Open Album Art; adds 3D Video subtitle handling; supports MKV File's WEBM format.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 732 votes
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Current version:
3.8 starsout of 8 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-8 of 8
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"This is still the best media-player ever!"
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
It plays almost any video-file format you would ever need, including .avi .mkv and .mp4
It's pretty easy to use once you get into how it works, and it is perfect to use to take screenshots of a movie.Cons
It seems to have become a tool of Pandora (whatever that is, and I'm not interested in finding out), and I honestly liked it better before.
When installing it will install a toolbar and something of Pandora's no matter what you choose, but this is easily fixed; see Summary.
If you still have the old 3.0.0.1442 you might as well keep it. I don't see a big difference other than a little tweaking of the design from the old version, and of course, the addition of the spamware that it will install no matter what.Summary
It's a very good and relieable, easy to figure out and is easy on the eyes. Make sure though that once you have downloaded it and installed it, you remove the toolbar and the other useless things that follow it.
For newbies, you do that by closing your browser(s) and open your control panel. There you should have a tool to remove programs. Open it and scroll down until you find the KMPlayer toolbar. It should have an Ask search icon. Uninstall it. Once everything that has Ask search in it is uninstalled, look further down and uninstall the Pandora-program. Once that is done, it's ready to use :) -
"Works great!"
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
Plays all formats (except Real Network). Website has help and user guide.
Cons
None that I have found.
Summary
I have tried all the popular players but always come back to KMPlayer. It's simple but feature rich and powerful editing capabilities.
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"KMP is much better than the players you have to pay for"
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
the player has it all
Cons
I could find no cons. I may have had to study up on a few featurs. This only enhanced my knowledge of how all the media players work.
Summary
why use the limited programs that are one your system when you can download a safe and do all player.
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"suck,crash"
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
no,this software is useless
Cons
suck,cannot play 3D,don't waste your broadband fee
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"very good desktop universal video player"
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
has advanced settings
Cons
which can prove difficult to master
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"It works, it's fast and takes little computer resource."
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
FAQ are clear and useful. Program is efficient, clear and it works. And it's free.
Cons
Can't think of any.
Summary
Excellent
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"Good product."
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
High quality picture and sound.
Cons
Sometimes it is rather difficult to start, especially when i change to a different DVD.
Summary
Good product, but certain bugs need to be eliminated.
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"Too much whistle and not enough bell"
Version: KMPlayer 3.1 R2
Pros
Still probably one of the better players out there with it's range of formats. But ....
Cons
Took over system without consent, literally. Even when clicking off on the crapware it has on their install. Very disapointed. There is more negative then positive with this freeware and it lets you know it. Went back to the previous version. Good thing I saved it. Was not happy with this version at all.
Summary
Will keep version 3.0.0.1442 until the KMPlayer people get their what used to be the best around player straight. Or it's a big uninstall. The bottom line is if you don't care for the intrusiveness, then leave this version of the KMPlayer alone.
Results 1-8 of 8
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