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 2.0.6 has added support for Matroska v4 files and fixed some HTTPS certificate rejection.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 3,433 votes
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Current version:
4.8 starsout of 26 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"The best media player"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
Plays any format, simple to use, free
Cons
Didn't find yet
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"Plays almost every video formats"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
1. Free.
2. Plays almost every video format.
3. Video file analysis (information) cool.
4. A portable video player that can be carried on a pen-drive.Cons
There should not be any cons noted for a free product. No cons.
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"Record and Loop Lkie No Other"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
Plays very thing I tried except FLVe. Record, Loop, and Snapshot are the best free things ever. Great for recording the nudies from disks. Wors when Microsoft Media does not.
Cons
I can not remember any cons.
Summary
This program is a must have if for nothing else, the record function.
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"IT WORKS , ALL THE TIME , EVERY TIME,, & IT'S FREEEEE!"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
#1 IT WORKS, #2 IT PLAYS,#3 IT RECORDS, #4 IT STREAMS LIVE, #5 IT VOLUME SETTING GOES UP 200%, #6 ANY KIND OF FORMAT YOU HAVE,, IT WILL PLAY IT,,,
Cons
YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO READ, & FOLLOW THE STEPS,, NOTE: IF ALL ELSE FAILS,,, UTUBE IT,, SEE IT, DO IT, YOUR SELF,,, & TELL A FRIEND,,
Summary
BLA, BLAA, BLAAA,,,
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"Plays Everything!"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
plays any types of files, without downloading annoying codecs.
Cons
None that I can tell...
Summary
This is a fantastic and easy program to use. I have ran about 6 different types of media files through this (video and audio) and it played everything no problem!
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"It can play everything"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
It can play everything, easily. Light software and easy to use.
Cons
It can play everything, easily. Light software and easy to use.
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"Still awesome"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
Plays everything
Cons
Getting bigger and slower, please don't add too many features!
Summary
I originally used it as my normal media player, but it's gotten too bloated so I've switched to a different player and use this one as the backup because it plays everything.
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"Unhappy with the newest update from VLC"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
I like the menu that keeps track of the things I have watched, but every time I quit VLC it erases everything from my menu and I wish that they would stay put.
Cons
Ever since the new update, when I click the forward button to fast forward my television program or movie, it now only forwards in 3 second increments instead of 10 second increments. Nothing would make me happier for it to go back to 10 second increments. Also now when I use the forward button outside of fullscreen, it skips either to the last movie or television show I watched causing me to have to relaunch whatever I was watching, which can be frustrating.
Summary
I've always been real happy with the the way that VLC functions, but this last update has made me wish I hadn't updated.
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"excellent and essential"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
it can play any media format
Cons
no playlist auto save
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"best player"
Version: VLC Media Player 2.0.6
Pros
-works on everything
-doesn't spy on you
-can get it in portable
-open source
-no hidden startupsCons
-none really.
Summary
my player of choice for many, many years.
