VLC Media Player – Universal multimedia playback 29

VLC Media Player – Universal multimedia playback

Simple, fast and powerful multimedia player

Free, open-source media player supporting nearly all formats with 8K, HDR, and Chromecast capabilities.

Audio/VideoMedia PlayerMultimediaFreewareVersion 3.0.21

About VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free, open-source multimedia player and framework developed by the VideoLAN organization since 2001. It has become the most widely-used media player globally, supporting virtually every audio and video format without requiring additional codec packs. The player delivers high-performance playback through hardware acceleration and supports advanced features including 8K resolution, HDR10, 360-degree video, and Chromecast integration. VLC's minimalist interface combined with powerful customization options through skins and extensions makes it suitable for both casual users and power users. Available across all major platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, VLC provides consistent multimedia experience everywhere.

System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows XP SP3 to Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 10.7 or later, Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch)
  • Processor: Intel Pentium 2 @ 166MHz or AMD K-6 @ 166MHz or faster (SSE2 support recommended)
  • RAM: 128 MB
  • Disk Space: 100 MB
  • Additional Requirements: 64 MB graphics card (Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA). Optional: Chromecast device, AirPlay receiver, DLNA-compatible device

Features Of VLC Media Player

  • 8K resolution support with hardware decoding acceleration
  • 4K and Ultra HD video playback with HDR10 compatibility
  • Chromecast and Google Cast streaming to compatible devices
  • HDR video support with automatic tone mapping for SDR displays
  • Subtitle synchronization with delay adjustment controls
  • Playback speed control from 0.25x to 4x normal speed
  • 360-degree video and 3D audio support including Ambisonics
  • Audio passthrough for HD audio codecs including DTS-HD
  • Network browsing for SMB, FTP, and NAS systems
  • Local library management with customizable playlists
  • Advanced audio filters including equalizer and karaoke mode
  • Watermark removal filters and deinterlacing options

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free with no ads, spyware, or user tracking
  • Comprehensive format support without external codec packs
  • Cross-platform compatibility across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
  • Lightweight application consuming minimal system resources
  • GPU acceleration enabled by default for optimal performance
  • Active open-source community providing regular updates
  • Extensive customization through skins and extensions
  • Native support for modern streaming protocols and devices

Cons

  • User interface can appear dated compared to modern media players
  • Advanced features have steep learning curve for beginners
  • Lacking native video editing or transcoding capabilities
  • Recent updates sometimes introduce playback glitches
  • Playlist management requires manual file organization
  • Limited support for proprietary formats like DRM-protected content

Changelog

Version 3.0.21 (June 2024):
- Enhanced Opus ambisonic support in audio decoders
- Improved ASS subtitle rendering for better text display
- Fixed Opus codec support in MP4 containers
- Fixed VAAPI hardware decoding issues
- Added Super Resolution scaling for AMD GPUs
- Improved HDR options in D3D11 video output
- Better subtitle rendering on Apple platforms for Asian languages
- Fixed macOS audio device crashes with 9+ channels
- Updated FFmpeg to 4.4.4 for improved codec support
- Updated dav1d decoder to 1.4.2 for AV1 support
- Fixed security integer overflow in MMS module
- Various bug fixes and stability improvements across platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

Is VLC Media Player safe to download?

Yes, VLC is completely safe. It's open-source software maintained by VideoLAN, a non-profit organization. Source code is publicly available for review. Download only from videolan.org to avoid malicious versions.

Can VLC play copyrighted or DRM-protected content?

VLC can play standard video formats but cannot decrypt DRM-protected content from services like Netflix or iTunes. It's intended for personal video libraries and lawfully obtained content.

Why does my video have audio sync issues?

Use Tools > Track Synchronization to adjust audio delay. Keyboard shortcut H increases delay, G decreases it. For persistent issues, try different audio output options in Preferences.

How do I stream to my Chromecast?

Ensure Chromecast and VLC are on same network. Click the cast icon in VLC player or use Playback menu to select your Chromecast device. VLC will stream even unsupported formats.

Does VLC support subtitle downloads?

VLC doesn't have built-in subtitle search, but supports loading SRT, ASS, and other subtitle files. Use external services to download subtitles, then drag them onto VLC player.

Can I customize VLC shortcuts?

Yes. Open Tools > Preferences > Hotkeys to view and customize keyboard shortcuts. Double-click any shortcut to change it or assign new keys to different actions.