CNET Editors' review
Its small size, low memory footprint, and numerous features make this the media player of choice, but you must add the proper codecs to perfect this freeware.
Media Player Classic's interface reflects its title--retro, old school, basic. This single player easily replaces the four or five video players installed on most systems. The only caveat is that you must download a complete set of codecs to play your favorite video formats. Media Player Classic also easily loads and plays DVDs. We liked how you can easily increase or decrease playback speed.
This program also plays most audio formats. We were surprised this tiny player includes sound filters and playlists. Hot keys are easily changed, but some users complain the process to set a key isn't apparent. The help file isn't included, but is easily downloaded.
The promised video subtitle search and download function is Media Player Classic's only disappointment. The default subtitle databases are both offline. (By the time you download this player there may be a new database available.) The address is easily changed under Options. It doesn't matter if you're a novice or system administrator. If you watch video or listen to audio, this freeware player is a must-have program.
Publisher's Description
From Guliverkli:
Media Player Classic is the perfect substitute for Windows Media Player. Aestetically is identical to version 6.4 and has the same lightness in terms of RAM occupation, but it has much more usefull functions. Features: with 'right' and 'left' keys it's possible to go forward/backward of one single frame; with 'Ctrl + right'/'left' it's possible to skip one predefinite quantity of frames; with 'Ctrl + up' it's possible to change faster the speed of reproduction; it's possible to visualize with media player Quicktime and RealMedia movies (but that programs must be installed); in full screen modality it's possible to show a scroll bar putting the mouse in the lower portion of the screen; in full screen it's possible to do the redimension images and adopt a cinema format or a TV format; it work as a DVD player too; keys are completely customizable; it can show subtitles.
What's new in this version: Library updates, all known security vulnerabilities fixed.
More Popular Media Players downloads
- Windows Media Player
26,580 downloads
- Media Player Classic
19,510 downloads
- Total Video Player
8,792 downloads
- Windows Media Player (Windows XP)
8,737 downloads
- Apple QuickTime
8,481 downloads
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 290 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 78 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Well it does play some video files other programs wont!"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
It works at times and it's free
Cons
too many downloads when using with AVI to DVD
Summary
It don't take up much space and it might help you access media pother programs wont
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"WARNING! Invasive! CHANGES TO REGISTRY and PC FREEZE!"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
As the file size suggests this player is bare-bones but functional.
Channels the default windows WAV player.Cons
Not preferable for mp3s. Poor playlist feature. Did not try videos.
I don't know if it was the cNet Installer, or the Media Player Classic program, but this produces CHANGES TO YOUR REGISTRY and web browser without permission!
SEE BELOW for what it did to my computer.Summary
I downloaded the software WITH the cNet Installer and ran it. After completing the cNet Installer process (there are 4 click-thru steps), try to close the Installer and it opens your download folder, and re-opens the Installer, dozens of times. Every time these windows are closed, 2 more pop back open.
This cause PC to freeze for a few minutes. It CHANGED 2 REGKEYS without permission & reset the desktop (cleared background, changed to lowest resolution).
I closed all programs & waited for the PC to calm down. Then ran the zip file with the software in it. Unzipped file and it ran ok.
Then I ran my browser, chrome. My default search engine (type in the address bar) is Google. However when I type in it, it has suddenly and inexplicably changed to BLEKKO without permission!
DO NOT USE CNET INSTALLER!
DO NOT INSTALL THIS PROGRAM! -
"plays only left part of widescreen movies"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
kind of works( if you dont want to see the right side
Cons
see summary
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"What a life saver!"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
Very light program. Opens in seconds off a flash drive. Video quality is excellent.
Cons
None so far. I've only tried playing Flv, mp4, and Avi files.
Summary
This thing was a life saver when I kept trying to transport flv files (which I play using a codec pack in windows media player) on someone else s' laptop who refused to install any software (due to paranoia). Just popped in my flash-drive and ran it from there.
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"The earlier version was better"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
Seems to freeze too often
Cons
Still think it is better than other players
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"Good enough"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
quick to access a few files that didn't need a many codecs.
Cons
since there is a few movies that i had from web's is need codecs so make an easier to getting codecs.
Summary
after all the better costumer care makes the better quality.
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"simply awful"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
I do not see any pros
Cons
it does not allow you to create libraries
Summary
it does not allow you to create libraries nor to navitage easily in your media
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"Yes,this works-surprisingly good-"
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
Installs as a zip file but you just unzip it to programs files on C drive,where your other programs are and run it from there. This is based on an early version of Windows Media player-WMP 6.4 and looks and is exactly like it. except that this player plays MPG3 and FLV file-Windows Media Player does not.A must have for Windows 7 and Windows Vista users who cannot install or run WMP 6.4,as Windows will not let you. So Media Player Classic is the next best thing,if not better than the original WMP 6.
Cons
None except it tries to take over as the default player.
Summary
Media Player Classic is a clone of Windows Media Player 6.4,except unlike WMP 6.4 it plays all file formats. Windows XP has WMP 6.4 bundled with the default WMP 9,10 or 11. In windows XP WMP 6.4 can be found under mplayer2 exe. But WMP 6.4 does not play all files-Media Player Classic does. So this is great for Windows 7 and Windows Vista users who want a player exactly like Windows Media player 6. And Windows XP users should also install this,player,Media player Classic. As it works better than the default WMP 6.4 or mplayexe. And Media player Classic works fine in Windows XP too.and does not conflict with any of the other versions of WMP6.4 or WMP 9.So Windows XP users can go ahead and install this player,And it is great for Windows 7. There is another player called Media Player Clasic Home Cinema-but forget that and just get this player-Media Player Clasic. Andrea Borman.
Media Player Classic works alongside your other media players. And will play any video and audio file.Works on Windows 7,Windows XP and Windows Vista and will work on older versions of Windows too,Windows 2000,98. Andrea Borman.
Updated on Oct 29, 2011
Updated on Nov 2, 2011Get this version above-Media Player Classic NOT Media player Classic Home Cinema. Andrea Borman. -
"Basic, no frills player that works fine."
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
With the right codec pack installed, this player plays everything and doesn't freeze, crash or eat system resources.
Cons
It's basic.
Summary
As above really, no matter what other player I've tried they always have "issues" of one sort or another, while this has soldiered on regardless.
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"Very usable and versatile free player."
Version: Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1
Pros
Will play almost anything you ask it to. Mpg1 MpgII .vob (dvd) mp4 .mov .avi and on the sound file side, .amr mp3. .wav. .wmv -
Very easy interface and settings.
Does well with audio too.Cons
Doesn't play msdvd or .FLAC audio without extra codecs
Poor on video and sound adjustments
Finding codecs to expand it is a nightmareSummary
Whenever I've had trouble getting a file to play in Windows applications or rarely in the VLC media player, I always turn to Media Player Classic.
It does what it sets out to do. It's easy to adjust pictures to 16:9 wide screen aspect ratio or back again to 5:4 or 4:3 format. When you override the video's recorded format it re-shapes it the way you want it.
My only problem was trying to navigate through the forest minefield of trouble when trying to find Codecs to improve the program's versatility. For example it wouldn't play an flv file downloaded from You Tube unless I converted it to a format that this media player could manage. Other than that I've no complaints.
It's way ahead of windows media player because it doesn't seem to "phone home" or bully you into playlists or confusing libraries, it just plays what you ask it to. Though granted, it doesn't burn files but that isn't what it was for.
I like it and would recommend it to anyone needing an easy to use player that doesn't bite you back.
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