VLC Media Player screenshot
VLC Media Player

VLC media player is a highly popular, open-source multimedia player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats. VLC media player, short for VideoLAN Client, is a free, cross-platform multimedia player developed by the VideoLAN project. It's available for various operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more...

VLC is known for its versatility and ability to play almost any media format you throw at it without requiring additional codecs.

VLC media player features:

Wide Format Support:
VLC supports an extensive range of audio and video formats, including popular codecs like MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, MKV, WebM, WMV, MP3, and more. It can handle various multimedia files and streaming protocols seamlessly.

Hardware Decoding:
VLC incorporates hardware decoding on most platforms, providing efficient playback by utilizing hardware capabilities. This includes 0-copy on the GPU, enhancing performance, and allowing fallback to software when needed.

Comprehensive Control:
VLC offers an advanced feature-set over the video, including precise control over video playback, subtitle synchronization, and the application of video and audio filters, enhancing the viewing experience.

Input Media and Formats:
VLC supports a wide range of input media, including UDP/RTP Unicast, UDP/RTP Multicast, HTTP/FTP, MMS, File, DVD Video, Video CD/VCD, SVCD, Audio CD, DVB, MPEG encoder, and more. It also supports numerous input formats like MPEG, AVI, ASF/WMV/WMA, MP4/MOV/3GP, OGG/OGM, Matroska (MKV), and more.

Customization:
Users can customize VLC by adding or creating skins, providing a personalized appearance and interface. Additionally, VLC supports extensions, allowing users to enhance its functionality to suit their specific needs.

Advantages of using VLC media player:

Cross-Platform Compatibility:
VLC is a free and open-source multimedia player and framework that is available on a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, iOS, and Android. This cross-platform compatibility ensures users can use VLC on their preferred devices.

Simplicity and Speed:
VLC is known for its simplicity and speed, providing a fast and straightforward solution for playing multimedia files, whether they are local files, discs, webcams, devices, or streams. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and ease of use.

No Codec Packs Needed:
VLC stands out by eliminating the need for additional codec packs. It inherently supports a wide variety of codecs, including popular ones like MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, and more, ensuring seamless playback without any codec-related issues.

Community-Driven Development:
As an open-source project, VLC benefits from a dedicated community of developers and users who contribute to its continuous improvement, bug fixing, and feature enhancements. This collaborative effort keeps VLC reliable and up-to-date.

Ad-Free and Privacy-Focused:
VLC is completely free and devoid of advertisements, ensuring a clean, distraction-free user experience. Additionally, it prioritizes user privacy, making it a preferred choice for those concerned about data tracking and privacy invasion.

Hardware Acceleration for Smooth Playback:
The incorporation of hardware decoding and GPU utilization allows VLC to provide efficient playback, leveraging hardware capabilities for smoother performance, especially when dealing with high-resolution or demanding media.

Robust Protocol and Format Support:
VLC's extensive support for various streaming protocols and formats, along with its ability to handle DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs, and more, makes it a versatile and reliable multimedia player suitable for diverse media needs.

VLC media player remains a popular choice due to its ability to deliver a powerful, versatile, and user-friendly multimedia playback experience while staying true to its open-source, ad-free, and privacy-focused principles.

VLC Media Player - Changelog.

Download VLC Media Player:

For windows 32 bit:

Install version - Size: 41.12 MB - Download

Portable version - Size: 35.42 MB - Download

For windows 64 bit: 

Install version - Size: 42.86 MB - Download

Portable version - Size: 37.11 MB - Download