Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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 1.1.11 contains improvements in the fullscreen mode of the Win32 Mozilla plugin and fixes security issues in the real and avi demuxers.
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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
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 3,430 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 158 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"a hijacker and thief no stars."
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
a good player to trap you
Cons
after deleting this player which seemed to be good, it hijacked my files and stole videos and pictures from my laptop. I should have listened to my heart telling me no, because there is no name on the download retriever. it says unknown publisher. You can't find it on the program files. Also when connected my camera to replace a picture they all had the blank icon to not allow replacing the video or picture. will have to use another laptop.
don't panic just find a way to send your videos and pix to a other source or will be robed of them.Summary
vlc player wouldn't send my video to youtube so I deleted the player.
After that all the files on my computer were hijacked and some of my videos and pictures were stolen. a white paper icon wouldn't allow me to access them. also couldn't get it opened. a good player with a built in hijacker, ugly. -
"To the future...of video"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Does it all and it's free
Cons
None that I can think of
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"Good multi-platform media viewer"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Good video display
Multi-platform. Excellent on Linux
Fairly easy to configure.
Seems to work with any video format!Cons
Hard to make appear on the display in a particular size.
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""Good quality + Video = VLC Media Player""
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
This is my favorite media player and can play many video types easily.easy to use. perfect media player.
Cons
nothing post to here!
Summary
This is the best media player for free. only thing to post here that is EXCELLENT!!!!
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"Great Media Player"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Very simple to use and easy to learn. No need for endless calls for tech support or 1000's of pages of manuals!
Cons
To be honest I haven't seen anything major. As others have stated, I've yet to see any program from any company come out totaly bug free and a free program? Well they are seldom free from minor glitches, part of the reason they are free is for us, the users, to find those problems and report them. This will help programmers to make the program better and next round those problems will be fixed, though something else may be a problem.
Summary
Great little program with an amazing amount of power. And, the fact that it's open code makes it just that much better. If people want to make it better maybe they should check out the site and see what it's all about rather than just checking c|Net and getting another freebie.
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"pffff what's the big deal?"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Doesn't crash at certain files
Cons
no shortcuts to certain features, slow for DVD player, navigation to certain features too long.
Summary
I tried this app because my Kmplayer would crash at certain files but I still like kmplayer than VLc
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"absolute worst program ive ever downloaded"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
absolutely none
Cons
WAY too many settings that mess up other settings often gets stuck on fullscrean leaving no option but control alt delete to close.
now stuck in playlist window with movie still playing with no way to watch it except to close the program and start the movie over being extra careful not to click anything or id have to close the movie. this is retarded
program writers should quit and never make another program ever.Summary
unusable
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"a must-have app"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
i think this one is a must-have software in everyone's computer,free software,quite popular
Cons
nothing i want to say
Summary
one sentence,it is so good
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"good software,should work with steelsoft tv better"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
I like it.
it is a good software.Cons
it is a good software.
but need to input streaming url while play online tv.Summary
it is a good software.
but need to input streaming url while play online tv.
I choose steelsoft tv to play online tv. -
"NO SO GREAT MEDIA PLAYER"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Plays many different kinds of media, including MKV'S.
Cons
Will not play MKV'S CORRECTLY IN 1080 HD, 720 Plays just fine.
Summary
NO NEW UPDATE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE ..........
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