Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' note: The VLC Media Player source code is also available.
CNET Editors' review
What's the top media player? Opinions differ, but if you mean one that's open-source freeware, plays more files than the others, can be totally customized and configured to suit, and is not only updated frequently but also regularly offers new features and options created by a huge community of programmers and users, the answer is VLC Media Player.
Our default media player for years, VLC has managed to stay ahead of the competition in features and performance, if not always looks, though that's easy enough to fix if you want to. VLC and its source code are maintained by the all-volunteer VideoLAN Organization.
VLC is quick and easy to install. You can make VLC your default media player for various (or all) file types, but if you just want to try VLC without giving up your current player, you can skip the file associations. We clicked the familiar orange-and-white traffic cone icon to open VLC's famously plain interface, which is also a model of efficient layout design (and completely customizable, in any case: clicking the skinned player option in VideoLAN's Start Menu folder opens VLC in a sleek new view).
Effects? VLC has 'em: Audio, Video, and Synchronization effects, including a graphic equalizer with many presets; totally customizable dynamic range compression; an audio spatializer tool; AtmoLight video effects; interactive zoom; logos and overlays; and even special effects like blur, wave, water, and mirror effects. VLC's minimized interface hides the player's controls until you need them, and a raft of hot keys make it easy to toggle between views and to quickly access any of VLC's features. Playback quality is as good as it gets. We've used VLC to play MP3s, WAVs, CDs, DVDs, Flash video, and other formats. As for support, few programs of any sort can match VLC's Help files and wikis, and its dedicated community of users, forums and other online resources.
From myriad file types to playlists to codecs and video capture, if it's useful to have in a media player, VLC has probably got it or soon will. VLC plays everything: if there's a media file it can't play but should, just ask!
VLC Media Player:Publisher's Description
From VideoLAN Project:
VLC (initially VideoLAN Client) is a highly portable multimedia player for various audio and video formats, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, MP3, and OGG, as well as for DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It also can be used as a server for unicast or multicast streams in IPv4 or IPv6 on a high-bandwidth network.
What's new in this version: Version 1.1.10 has fixed some security issues and the removal of the font-cache building for the freetype module on Windows and updates of codecs.
More Products to Consider
-
Play audio and video files in real-time and streaming modes. -
Play video files of multiple video formats. -
Play digital media of various formats with 3D and WiDi support. -
Play virtually any media file in open-source cross-platform mul... -
Convert, edit video and audio files for multimedia devices. -
Play all the most popular video and audio formats. -
Convert your videos, audios, and pictures to preferable file fo... -
Play various types of video, audio, movie, music files in Media... -
Convert video and YouTube to AVI, WMV, MP4, FLV, MP3, burn vide... -
Play 99.9 percent of files with a collection of codecs for Wind... -
Discover and play online videos, download, save, organize, and ... -
Convert any formats video to iPad, iPhone, AVCHD, Blu-Ray, DVD. -
Convert your videos to iPod, iPhone, 3GP, PSP, MP4, H264, AVI, ... -
Add audio/video codecs and filters to playback any video file. -
Convert and edit your video files adding slide shows and titles... -
Get fast and flexible digital-media playback with access to sma... -
Listen to audio files with light and simple audio player from t... -
Record video on your screen or with a webcam. -
Play video and audio files in various popular formats. -
Open FLV encoded video files. -
Get flexible audio and video playback with access to smart orga... -
Convert video files to various formats and extract audio tracks... -
Plays more music and video than ever, including Flip Video and ...Visit Site Or, Learn More About Windows Media Player 12This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
Play MPEG-4 movies with AAC sound with latest version of Apple'...Visit Site Or, Learn More About Apple QuickTimeThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
All versions:
4.3 starsout of 3,431 votes
-
Current version:
4.4 starsout of 67 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Possibly great, no user's manual (for most of us)!"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
Purportedly plays a variety of media
Cons
1. Verges on the impossible for a regular user to get help
2. Opaque users manual (at best)
3. Most information is outdated
4. Not designed for everyday users
5. Typical condescending IRC help channel
6. "Help" feature isn't helpfulSummary
VLC's functionality is overshadowed by its legacy of bad behavior on the part of a few of those who purport to offer their assistance.
-
"excellence"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
More information
Cons
Good support
Summary
Create program
-
"The best Media Player ever!"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
This app lets you use one program for ALL MEDIA
Cons
There are no cons regarding this program. None!
Summary
Get it. You will be well pleased.
-
"really wonderful"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
It is the best software I have ever used,comfortable interface and so many options to choose,you will like it if you choose one.
Cons
sometimes a litter slow to run,but not often
-
"Awesome, Best Player on the market bar none"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
I use VLC for most of my media needs
Cons
None that I have found so far
Summary
Don't bother with any other video player this is by far and away the best..
-
"Great Software"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
Just about any codec you might need, very useful.
Cons
*Always* claims to have crashed on previous use when started.
-
"excellent player"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
it plays a lot more movies than most players ive used it is quick and very easy to use
Cons
ive not found any but there must be some
Summary
best player ive used it has all and more of the things you need to show and listen to great music also your movies can be viewed in various screen sizes very good player
-
"always works never a glitch!"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
opens every file!
Cons
never a problem
Summary
the best media player out there!
-
"the best player I ever used!"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
supports most of video formats, has built-in volume regulator
Cons
no cons found
Summary
excellent player!
-
"Great player"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.10
Pros
Easy to use, reliable and fast.
Cons
None from me
Summary
Best player, only one I use on my computer.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
