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 The KMPlayer:
Publisher's Description
From Pandora TV:
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.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 734 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 120 votes
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My rating:
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"ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Pros
Plays every type of file imaginable. Skinnable and highly customizable. The search for the perfect all-in-one media player stops here.
Cons
Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Summary
Over the past few months I've tried every free media player known to man, and it's been exhausting and frustrating, to say the least. I often wonder if the people who design these players actually use them, because if they did, they?d probably flee in horror. When I came across The KM Player, I had very low expectations. But I couldn't have been more wrong. People, this media player does EVERYTHING. It's so dense with options that it took me an entire day to go through it and customize it to my specifications, but it's worth every second of time invested. Once you set it up to your liking, this player is a one-stop powerhouse that simplifies your media environment. I just wish I had discovered it sooner.
After installing The KM Player, I immediately uninstalled Media Player Classic and Winamp, which I was using for video and audio, respectively. I had already disabled the revolting Windows Media Player long ago. The KM Player allows me to automatically start my videos in full screen, yet start my audio in compact mode. And the best part is that it allows me to use my arrow keys to fast forward and rewind video AND audio (in customizable increments), as well as control my volume. That may sound like a small thing, but to me, it's a revelation?and the simplicity is amazing.
The KM Player comes out-of-the-box with all the codecs you need to play every type of media file--and after downloading Real Media and QuickTime Alternatives, I was able to play .rm, .mov, and .mp4 flawlessly--and without the need for the full, horrendous programs. To sum up, I can't imagine anyone not being highly satisfied with this player. It's fast, smart, flexible, and customizable. Not one of the multitude of other players I?ve tried has its capabilities. Not one. It makes the competition look ridiculous, and basically renders them instantly obsolete. In my honest opinion, it's the Holy Grail of all-in-one media players. -
"Hands down - the best video player"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Pros
As well as supporting virtually very video format, KM Player contains an almost endless number of settings. It even has a normal and advanced setting for less or more experienced users, respectively.
Cons
Not much - I guess I wish it had a help feature, but I really don't miss it and I'm no expert.
Summary
It has every feature you want, you can add Audio & Video DSP's just like in WMP and others, and you can watch anything on it.
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"Amazing"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Pros
Like nothing i've ever seen. I can't believe this thing is free. I've used PowerDVD and Win DVD and they have nothing on this software - 'No Joke'.
Very Impressive.
Cons
"Are you kidding"?!! how can there be a con. Just play with the settings until you get it looking and sounding the way you want.
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"Exellent Find"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Pros
I was trying to find a program that could play FLV with srt files, without results. But then after extensive googling I found TMplayer, it was awesome; no need to convert my FLV to AVI anymore. Just play the FLV straight from the folder with srt.
Cons
No complaints
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"tat's great"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
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"A powerful player. Can play the files that Windows Media and Real Player can't!"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
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"Nice."
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Cons
Help file should be simple,easy to use.There should be a feature when windows media player fails this should take over.
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"Decent but hard to control"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Pros
Many features
Many good-looking skins prepackaged.
Cons
Lacks a full-feature view mode that displays all the tools at the same time. You have to right-click and go through 2 or 3 menus to click on a single feature.
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"Windows and Mac should've given us this concept in their media players and didnt"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Pros
Compatibility with almost ALL video file types; an A-B looping feature which usually was reserved for some DVD apps; my PC has NEVER frozen as a result of installing this app; advanced features which most of us mere mortals can only guess at, and did I mention it's FREE?????
Cons
I wish the resolution on playback was as good as WM &QT; files are a bit grainy at fullscreen, using the features takes a bit of practice; there is a forum page, but no home page to assist you with issues that I've found
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"Everything I could ever need in a media player!"
Version: The KMPlayer 2.9.3.1214
Pros
If you want a great quality, great looking, mutli-functional, media player, this is the one for you!
Great sound quality. Plays video files that I normally had to download two different codecs for. I downloaded this because with my other audio players (Winamp, Musicmatch, and Quintessential) the sound was only coming out the front two speakers (rather than all 5 speakers). This plays through all 5 speakers very nicely.
It has a shade mode that makes it a small bar (with the default skin), very convenient. I personally like the default skin just fine and haven't yet downloaded a new skin.
It has a 3D sound effect feature, which sounds great, really gives the sound dimension.
Cons
Took me a while to figure out where you could manually adjust the equalizer (in the Control Box). Some of the options for various things (like the media library) seem to only be on the player and not in the menu. It would also appear that you must have Winamp to use the library. Nothing major at all.
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