CNET Editors' review
Once you get past its nightmare of an installation process, KMPlayer's sheer power and flexibility are impressive. 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.
When installing KMPlayer, be sure to keep your eyes peeled, as the process is less than straightforward. It presents a number of different jargon-filled installation options ("Extender Plus External Codec?"), an offer for a bundled Ask.com toolbar, and inexplicably another offer for a "Clean Water Action Reminder." It's also worth noting that my install experience included a prompt for me to "re-start as an admin" in order to update the app. I did this and was stuck in an eternal update loop that forced me to restart the program.
Installation issues aside, I am actually pretty impressed with the number of features KMPlayer offers. I was able to play DVDs without a hitch, and I didn't run into problems with any video file types. Also, the extensive menus include controls for brightness, contrast, hue, and so on, subtitles, screen size, aspect ratio, color, capture tools, and so much more. There's even a built-in audio equalizer and 3D playback capabilities. It's nice that there's so much packed under the hood, but it can be overwhelming if you're not completely comfortable with advanced video terminology.
With so many features, it's a shame there isn't a clear and concise Help file to get users started. Instead, the F1 Help command brings you to KMPlayer's online forum, where you are forced to sift through user-generated instructions and tips.
The bottom line is, if you are a discerning video enthusiast, looking for extreme flexibility in a video player, then KMPlayer should do the trick (once you get past the install process). On the other hand, if you're a more casual viewer looking for a simple player, then this download might be overkill.
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. We are guided by simple and solid philosophy "Motivated and inspired by how our users use and talk about our Product" Learn and communicate more about our KMPlayer: http://www.kmplayer.com/forums
What's new in this version: Version 3.2.0.0 added support for 3D Formats. (Side-By-Side, Top-and-Bottom) to (Anaglyph, Interlaced); support for 10-bit H.264. (Libcodec.dll); support for Intel Widi. Added video codec "DV5P". Added new function album art (Thumnail image extraction from FLAC file). Thumbnail image display enhancement when playing audio files. (MP3, FLAC, WMA). Fixed ColorSpace bug. Fixed Intel Codec H.264. Fixed Winamp plugin. Error correction of images infected with malicious codes. (EIP register Corrupti... See all new features
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 756 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 7 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-7 of 7
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"Forget this not worth getting-"
Version: KMPlayer 3.2.0.19
Pros
None.Not user friendly at all.
Cons
Complicated difficult to figure out how to use. Crashed several times.
Summary
I first tried KM player last year when I was looking for an alternative to Windows Media Player. But I found it was not user friendly at all,complicated to figure out how to use. Unfortunately nothing has changed since last years version, and also,when I played audio files they did not play right. KM player has some good visualisations,it is one of the few players that does. But I found the sound was not very good and the player slowed down and crashed several times. And it is so difficult to use I could not figure out the settings. With VLC player,Gom player and Windows Media Player,I don't have this problem. In Gom player there are no visualisations, but at least you can use it.In KM player I also found the visualisations made the audio sound playback wrong. That is not good. So forget KM player and go for VLC if you are looking for visualisations or Gom player.Which does not have visualisations, but works well on all versions of windows,as does VLC player.Andrea Borman.
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"Perfect Player plays everything that I throw at it."
Version: KMPlayer 3.2.0.19
Pros
Plays every format that I've introduced to it, supports 10bit videos only few players out there are able to play, multi-sub is awesome, sleek interface but for the newcomers it's a little bit awkward at first. One of my favorite features of this player is the panic mode that other players don't have. Last but not the least is the 3D mode.
Cons
The desktop mode is gone in this version of KMPlayer, well it's not completely gone but I think it's not working at the moment
Summary
Great video player it has everything you'll ever need as a standard user but also for us power-users it has an outstanding features that needs time to get used to if you've come from a different player
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"A Good Player but developers should remove some errors"
Version: KMPlayer 3.2.0.19
Pros
many controls are provided
Cons
sometimes crashes for dual audio videos
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"Have some error in windows 7"
Version: KMPlayer 3.2.0.19
Pros
Great in Video Advance.
Cons
sometimes, when selecting file to play, KMPlayer has errors with dll and non responding
Summary
Need to fix errors above
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"Excellent player"
Version: KMPlayer 3.2.0.19
Pros
Easy to use and sleek design.
Cons
None! I find absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Summary
Great DVD player. Simple to use and very easy to navigate controls.
I would recommend this player over VLC any day of the week. -
"Excellent Attempt"
Version: KMPlayer 3.2.0.19
Pros
First it has "always on top" kinda minor but not all players care.
It has gray and black text around the display screen, so much better than black text on a stark white background.
It can hide surrounding text and options except on mouse over- a huge plus.Cons
Some of the features appear to be in development.
Cryptic help manual what you find in a translated document.Summary
Great player, some great features.
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"This is one of my greatest discovery here on CNET !"
Version: KMPlayer 3.2.0.19
Pros
Great video (3D) and audio quality.. its multimedia !
Cons
Seriously, i have nothing bad to say with this program
Summary
My goodness, indeed, it deserves a spectacular rating !
Results 1-7 of 7
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