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 2.0.1 includes fixes for HTTP Live Streaming, CDDB, UDP/RTP support, Support for MxPEG files and streams, and fix for splitted RAR files playback.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 3,430 votes
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Current version:
3.8 starsout of 69 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"great version"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
great version
Cons
great version
Summary
great version
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"The best for me"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
It is free and beat a lot of must pay players!
Cons
Still need certain codecs to play unusual files.
Summary
I recommend this player highly!!!
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"Still the best"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
The first one to fix the Green Skin perfectly
Cons
None. I didn't find any
Summary
I'm still going to use VLC as my default media player
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"GOOD MUSIC PLAYER"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
IT CONSUMES LEAST CPU RESOURCE WHILE PLAYING MUSIC.
Cons
CONSUMES HIGHER CPU RESOURCE WHILE PLAYING VIDEOS LIKE .VOB, MPEG, MKV etc.
Summary
HIGHER CPU USAGE WHILE PLAYING VIDEOS,NEED TO BE REDUCED IN FUTURE UPGRADATION.
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"One of the best"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
I like that its simple and plays any kind of files.
Cons
Not as functional as bs player or zoom player.
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"Good and .... bad !"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
Plays a variety of files. Provision of the red button to record a clip is unique and commendable. Picture and sound quality is good.
Cons
Reads only the first chapter on Home VCD which is just an introduction or a kinda ad of the maker. VCD2 of the same movie plays well as it has no introductory chapter. No such problem with other players. Freezes at fast forward/backward.
Summary
Overall, a good player to play various files. Improvement needs to be done to achieve perfection.
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"The Best media player i've used"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
plays all sorts of files and can use subtitles without problems.
has tons of features and is customizable.
plays hd files and 720p files like you're wathcing it on an hd tv vs. wmp that makes it look grainy
you can literally double the volume if you have bad speakersCons
ugly interface and crashes alot
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"It's the best media player out"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
1 fast
2 doesn't color music
3 free
4 it will play anythingCons
there's no thumbnail generator
Summary
This is in my top ten programs
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"Terrific player from VLC"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
Plays a lot of formats with controls
Cons
Could have more automatic and memorized features the next round including rotation and color adjustment.
Summary
Must have on any machine.
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"Great Software but contains Malware!"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.1
Pros
Great video, I really love it and all the controls. It even plays video microsoft couldn't even after I added all extentions to my MS Media player.
Cons
You can expect to get a pricegrabber type malware included in the installation without being asked if you want it. Anytime you visit a site that has any product advert whether it be in a banner or body of the site page, you will get competitors pricing all over the place along with numerous pop-up adverts.
Summary
If VLC sold this software, it would be worth buying out of being bombarded with pop-ups and annoying adverts and should be an option in a paid version. Pop-Up blockers won't help you.
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