Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: The VLC Media Player source code is also available.
CNET Editors' review
VLC Media Player is a longtime open-source favorite, and the latest version offers fixes and feature enhancements for the Mac version that make it a must download. It's not the only option for free video playback, but it's one of the best, and it's often the go-to media player for Mac users who can't seem to play a specific media file.
VLC Media player offers a number of tools and customization options to manage and watch video. Users get frame-by-frame advancement; granular speed controls allowing for on-the-fly slower or faster playback; and live recording of streaming video. The toolbars are fully customizable, so you can have only the buttons you need in the interface.
This version comes with improvements to the interface, support for MxPEG files and streaming, and more. Along with minor tweaks, VLC continues to offer robust support for a wide range of video and audio formats, including OGG, MP2, MP3, MP4, DivX, HD codecs like AES3, Raw Dirac, and even support for playing back zipped files. It can also be used as a server to stream in unicast or multicast in IPv4 or IPv6 on a high-bandwidth network.
The default interface was improved in recent updates, but integrated skinning can make it even better. Behavior can still be a bit unpredictable depending on the quality of the skin, but VLC's open-source foundation and community ensures that it evolves quickly and often, with new features and fixes released frequently.
Overall, VLC Media Player is a must-have application for its ability to open just about any type of video file you throw at it, making it a great option for Mac users having trouble playing certain file types.
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.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 325 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 10 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-10 of 10
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"vlc keeps its promise"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Plays just about any format.
Cons
no cons detected
Summary
vlc reads so many formats, that if you could stick your hand in it, it would probably "read" your future ;-)
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"gooooooood"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
thes programs gooooooooooooood
Cons
gooooooooooooooooood
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"unable to open .mpg and .wmv files attached to emails"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
no pros.; I can't use it.
Cons
I can't find a way to use it on .wmv and .mpg files attached to emails
Summary
I want to use some software on my iMac that will open .wmv and .mpg files attached to emails in an easy and smooth way, e.g. double-click on eithe file type and activate VLC instead of quicktime(?).
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"Best ever."
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Plays everything and anything I throw at it.
Cons
Not the prettiest media player out there.
Summary
I love when things just work and work like they are supposed to.
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"does what it is supposed to do."
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
works well many codecs built in.
Play lists are usefullCons
sometimes slight delay in launching program
Summary
use it as main video player
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"Worked fine with the 64bit Handbrake"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Does exactly what it says
Cons
For some reason this app only works in the Applications folder. I keep things like this in a subfolder (DVD tools or Utilities), do that and the other apps cant find it.
Summary
Very good. Thanks.
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"Does what I need"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Simple, complete
Cons
Need more information
Summary
useful
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"The Best Media Player on any platform."
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Easy to use, works with minimum configuration also,
Cons
Not available on android
Summary
Must for any computer user.
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"Great program, hard to configure"
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Great program for converting just about any kind of video.
Cons
There are so many options it's hard to figure out the proper configuration. Not really VLS's fault. You have to know what you want before you start. Not intuitive.
Summary
Nothing else does so much for such a great price.
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"A must-have. Can play anything you throw at it."
Version: VLC Media Player 1.1.11
Pros
Versatile, extremely thorough controls
Cons
Loads just a little slowly. Just mentioning it because I'm stretching to find something to write in this section. it's really not a big bloated pig like some other (ahem, Adobe, etc) apps
Summary
Don't waste any more time reading this or any other review. if you watch video on your Mac/PC just get it!
Results 1-10 of 10
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