CNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will download a small installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual 13MB download.
CNET Editors' review
UMPlayer stands for Universal Media Player, and this open-source freeware aims to be a universal media solution. With hundreds of codecs, it plays most video and music files as well as audio CDs, DVDs, SHOUTcast, and live radio and TV from tuner cards. Of course, it plays YouTube videos; in fact, it has a built-in YouTube player/recorder feature and search field on its toolbar. With a skinnable interface, hot keys, subtitle sync, and the regular free updates of an active open-source project, UMPlayer poses a serious challenge to VLC, MPC and other popular free media players.
UM Player
As an efficiently configured desktop media player, UMPlayer's user interface can only be so different from other free players without looking freakish, but its attractive layout has enough simple differences to make it stand out without screaming, such as its subtle but effective highlighting of the title and counter section or its user-selectable toolbar that includes a screenshot tool, DVD player, quick access to files and Web links, and access to the program's Preferences, as well as the aforementioned YouTube search box. You can quickly toggle this toolbar off for a more traditional look, but we suspect many users will find it handy for daily use. The Help menu includes FAQs, Tips and Tricks, and Web links; the Skins menu offered six styles with a link to get more.
The proof is in the playing with digital media, and UMPlayer didn't disappoint, even in direct side-by-side comparisons to VLC, our default media player. We didn't run through the entire list of supported formats for each player; suffice to say that each does most of what the other does, and just as well. Few users will notice any difference for most file types. It comes down to a matter of choice. If VLC has a fault, it's that it just does too much. If you like the idea of a free, open-source media player that can handle just about anything but find VLC a bit overwhelming, give UMPlayer a spin.
Publisher's Description
From UMPlayer:
UMPlayer is an advanced yet simple to use open-source cross-platform multimedia player that aims to fill all your needs; with over 270 built-in Audio and Video codecs UMPlayer can play any media format including AAC, AC3, ASF, AVI, DIVX, FLV, H.263, Matroska, MOV, MP3, MP4, MPEG, OGG, QT, RealMedia, VOB, Vorbis, WAV, WMA, WMV, XVID as well as Audio CDs, DVDs, (S)VCDs, TV / Radio cards, Youtube videos, SHOUTcast Radio streams and even incomplete or damaged media files. It also comes equipped with some unique features such as a built-in subtitles search, YouTube player / recorder, SHOUTcast Radio player, skinable interface, customizable hotkeys, audio / subtitles sync, and many more.
What's new in this version: Version 0.98 includes many bug fixes and better picture quality rendering.
More Popular Video Players downloads
- VLC Media Player
171,183 downloads
- GOM Media Player
155,479 downloads
- UMPlayer
138,064 downloads
- RealPlayer
73,264 downloads
- Media Player Codec Pack
32,898 downloads
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 96 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 48 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Forget this-waste of space-"
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
None pretty much useless.
Cons
Poor sound quality in video and audio playback. No customisation options or visualisations in audio.Downloads You Tube videos but cannot play them!
Summary
Forget this player it does nothing.It downloads You Tube and other videos from the web but cannot play them. Also the webcam videos had poor sound in them. And so did the audio files.Real player and Miro media player can play video and audio files in all formats. And both Miro and Real Player can download videos from the You Tube and the web and can play them without any problems.But UM player cannot.So forget this player and if you want a player that can download videos and play them stick with Miro,which also plays all video and audio files great.
Before today I had never heard of UM Player and it is not very well known.Probably because it is not all that wonderful. In fact it is a terrible player. So stick with miro,VLC player or Gom player as they work and are better and far superior to this player-UM Player.Andrea Borman. -
"Okay, but..."
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
Plays most formats okay.
Cons
Plays some files not okay. Skips, lags, etc.
Summary
VLC is number one. Gom, number two, Um, three. I get by with having just VLC and Gom and between the two can play most anything. Um bugs out more that the first two and hassles you occasionally (though not as much as Gom does nowadays) and was more difficult than it should have been to completely uninstall.
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"Excellent Produce."
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
The reviews were good, so I though I'd give it a try. It down loaded & set up quite easy.
Cons
None so far.
Summary
Before you download UMPlayer make sure you get your free Pc backup at ****************.com just in case u get some viruses!! Better to be safe then sorry!!
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"Nice feature, but some technical doubts"
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
I like the feature where UMPlayer fetches subtitles directly online on opensubtitles.com. Unfortunately, it did not work that well, though the difficulty to find the subtitles is probably most to blame.
Cons
The app had problems running a movie. The picture was sort of lagging. Maybe it was just bad luck, or something else, but it was enough for me to switch back to VLC.
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"NFG NFG NFG NFG"
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
NONE I don't know whats going on here but all this software
here is a joke whats wrong with everybody. Can't you see that all
these programs are pulling your leg! They either have adware,
spyware or viruses or they just plan don't work!FAKECons
NONE I don't know whats going on here but all this software
here is a joke whats wrong with everybody. Can't you see that all
these programs are pulling your leg! They either have adware,
spyware or viruses or they just plan don't work!FAKE
It's free for a reason!Summary
NONE I don't know whats going on here but all this software
here is a joke whats wrong with everybody. Can't you see that all
these programs are pulling your leg! They either have adware,
spyware or viruses or they just plan don't work!FAKE
It's free for a reason! JOKE -
"Good player"
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
I downloaded several video players from CNET. This was the ONLY one that played all the formats I needed.
Cons
None none none
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"Honestly, i can give this 5 stars but..."
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
can play a lot of formats like VLC does
Cons
but... the my Haley reinhart videos' ( like benny and jets) about 3 to 4 seconds repeats at the end and i don't know why,, maybe its a bug.. and one more thing, i can't play multiple videos/music in series.. i mean, whenever i choose about 10 songs for instance and click "play selection".. UMPlayer is just playing one song out of those ten.. Can anyone help me with this use.. please hit reply underneath and i visit here some time to check ur answers guys (by the way, i am using an windows 7 64-bit HP laptop)
Summary
UMPlayer can compete with VLC.
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"Very User-Friendly !"
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
Plays every type of format I use with very intuitive controls. Only uses about half the memory and CPU usage as VCL and has better picture quality and audio quality that's nearly as good. Flexibility is quite good with the settings used most often readily available.
Cons
Does not like to do setting changes "on-the-fly", and some changes have a bit of a lag before taking effect.
Summary
The picture and sound quality, the ease of use, and light hit on system resources are quickly making UM Player my favorite. It's a great example of the value of the open-source software movement, and I give it my highest recommendation !
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"Does Not Burn CDs"
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
Good Media Player
Cons
Does not make copies of CDs
Summary
This programs tries to overtake my computer as the main media player...Have to constantly close it.
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"Great Media Player"
Version: UMPlayer 0.98
Pros
Program is much smaller than VLC. Picture is far better that VLC and its easy on the resources. Video loads very fast. Plays all videos I have. It takes 77 mb of HD space. Less than half of VLC. No pop ups or nagging screens
Cons
A couple of things. When you change the options (skins) the frame will flicker. Since I never perform this while watching a video, its not a problem at all.
Summary
Looking for a new player. This is a great media player. Hands down my favorite. Out performs WMP, DivX and VLC.
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