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 2.0.5 fixes some regressions of the 2.0.x branch of VLC.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 3,405 votes
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Current version:
4.2 starsout of 37 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"VLC and WMP-HC are the best media players as of 4/4/13"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
1. Plays all video formats
2. Sound amplification to 200% which is extremely useful for laptops. Even WMP-Home Cinema produces similar sound levels when set to max volume. But VLC seems to have a slight edge. (This is the main reason why I use VLC)
3. simple interface- no flashy things. Straight to business. (Some consider this ugly, but I consider it being "to-the-point"
4. Highly customisableCons
1. Hangs when fast forwarding/changing subtitle synchronisation.
2. Unable to save equalizer setting.
3. Tries to gain default rights to unrelated file extensions like .bin , .cue which are actually virtual CD formats and not media -
"This was just awful"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
none that I can think of.
Cons
too many to list here.
Summary
Maybe it's me but I hated this.
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"Best one I have found"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
VLC media player is the best one I have found yet. So far, it has played anything I open with it.
Cons
Music interface could be a little more intuitively designed.
Summary
For a free program, this one shines out from all the others.
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"Plays Anything you throw at it"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
Plays every possible format,whether audio or video
Cons
None i can think of
Summary
the best player
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"It plays videos"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
It works, it's free
Cons
none, but I've used it to play videos
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"ugly!!!!!!"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
for windows 8 it comes in handy for playing dvds because windows media player 12 wont do it. for some reason Microsoft changed the media player which makes no sense because you are upgrading to supposably a better o.s. but they actually took things away. Lame...
Cons
very plain and boring interface and too many confusing options. I don't see what all the fuss is about this player. I still choose win media player over all and just do without playing dvds.
Summary
don't waste your time.
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"It runs practically everything"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
For a long time, this has been my go to media player. It has been able to play every file I give it so far. Even more odd ones like .spc, .sid, .flv, and .midi. It can also convert video and audio quickly and efficiently. The built in video options like frame blending can be easily accessed with tons of keyboard shortcuts, even allowing you to re-sync messed up audio.
Cons
I wish the odder file types would be associated with VLC so that people with weird audio file would know what to do with them.
Summary
Great program. I would recommend this as you're default media player.
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"Does Plays Everything, using litte resouces"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
of all the media players this the one uses the least amount of CPUs. Infinite customizable buttons & placements in & out of full screen use etc. etc... for all intents & purposes it's perfect. I;ve been using it for over 6 years with very few problems ever.
Cons
If I have to be picky I'd say the layout is to cluttered & not that intuitive ; would like it the be skinable :-}
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"NO STARS TERRIBLE"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
NONE TERRIBLE PROGRAM
Cons
TERRIBLE PROGRAM LOADED WITH VIRUSES RECEIVED 25 VIRUSES INCLUDING 2 TROJANS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DOWNLOAD YOUTUBE! A COMPANY NEEDS TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE IN WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING!
Summary
A COMPANY NEEDS TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE IN WHAT THEY OFFER,FURTHER I THINK THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM CNET,ESPECIALLY FROM A COMPANY WHO SO MANY HAVE LEARNED TO TRUST AND RESPECT[ CNET ]
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"Excellent, no less."
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.5
Pros
Plays everything I put on it
Cons
None. It does seem to be perfect
Summary
The very best player going
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