Best Free Media Player

4:13 AM Munix™ 0 Comments


Media Player ClassicMy personal favorite is Media Player Classic. Available for Windows (95 through Vista), MPC looks like the old Windows Media Player v6.4, but that's where the similarity ends.

codecs for viewing DVD discs, MPEG1, MPEG2, and MPEG 4 video files, MP3 and Ogg files. MPC can also use the QuickTime and the RealPlayer architectures (if installed on the computer) to play their native files. If you really want to extend MPC's functionality while avoiding the installation of RealPlayer, WinAmp and Quicktime, download ffdshow, Real Alternative, QuickTime Alternative and WinAmp Alternative packages.




The KM PlayerMany subscribers have asked me to look at The KM Player, and for good reason... This is one exceptional media player. Originally the work of one programmer, the project is now owned by Pandora TV and continues to be developed. This is an impressive program. On a default install, it is configured to play almost any media file available without the need for additional codecs, making it easy to use for those with less experience.Weighing in at over 13 MB, THe KM Player is the largest download of the products reviewed here.


VLC Media PlayerAn excellent alternative to MPC is VLC Media Player. VLC is available for multiple OSs, including all versions of Windows (98 through Vista), Mac OS X, and many varieties of Linux. VLC can also be installed and run directly from a flash drive. Most versions will support playback of most video files and DVD discs without the need to download external codec packs, including flv files, which MPC cannot natively play. VLC has another unique feature as well. There are 5 different DVD region codes. DVDs manufactured for one region will not play in players made for a different region. This applies to PC DVD drives as well... until now. VLC plays them all. There is no need for any shady


GOM PlayerAnother good alternative is GOM Player. Available only for Windows (98Se through Vista), it also will play most media files, including flv files with its own internal codecs. If, however, you come across a file it cannot play, it will direct you to the appropriate open-source codec to install. The program is a little quirky, though. I tried to play a DVD disc on two different PCs using GOM... On one it would not play it at all (and this was a machine I've been able to play DVD discs on before), while on the other PC it played it fine. One very noteworthy feature of the GOM player is its ability to play broken media files. According to subscriber Ash, "GOM Player's claim that it can play broken avi files is very true. We have a file sharing network on campus which uses DC++. Usually avi files which are being downloaded stop partway due to too much traffic. GOM Player was able to play every one of those files on my system up to the point where they stopped downloading."




Quick Selection Guide

Jadi mana satu lebih baik?
Which is better?



Media Player Classic Rating 10 of 10 Gizmo's Top Pick

Pros
No installation required, extremely easy to use, extremely small memory footprint for the features it offers
Cons
No support for syncing music, no picture quality controls
Developer Home Page
http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli2/
Download link
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=205650
File Size
2.12 MB Version 6.4.9.1 License Type Open Source Freeware (includes program code) Installation Requirements Windows 95 - Vista
Portable version available
Portable version available
Info
Understanding Codecs" article can be found here: http://www.techsupportalert.com/dr/understanding-codecs.htm Additional software to enhance Media Player Classic can be found here: 1. ffdshow: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/FFDShow.htm 2. Real Alternative: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm 3. QuickTime Alternative: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/QuickTime_Alternative.htm 4. WinAmp Alternative: http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Winamp-Alternative-Download-23376.html

The KM Player Rating 9 of 10

Pros
Modern looking interface, capable of playing most media without additional codecs, extremely customizable
Cons
Larger download size, many options can be confusing to non-technical types
Developer Home Page
http://www.kmplayer.com/forums/index.php
Download link
http://www.kmplayer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8351
File Size
13.5 MB Version 2.9.3.1428 License Type Open Source Freeware (includes program code) Installation Requirements Windows 98-Vista
Portable version available
Portable version available

VLC Media Player Rating 9 of 10

Pros
Available on multiple platforms, can read DVD's from all regions
Cons
Large download size, many options can be confusing to non-technical types
Developer Home Page
http://www.videolan.org/
Download link
http://www.videolan.org/vlc
File Size
13.9 MB Version 0.9.8a License Type Open Source Freeware (includes program code) Installation Requirements Windows 98-Vista, OS x, Various Linux distros
Portable version available
Portable version available

GOM Player Rating 7 of 10

Pros
No extra codec packs are needed, capable of playing broken avi files
Cons
May not play DVD discs on some systems
Developer Home Page
http://www.gomplayer.com/main.html
Download link
http://www.gomplayer.com/download.html
File Size
4.48 MB Version 2.1.9.3754 License Type Open Source Freeware (includes program code) Installation Requirements Windows 98SE-Vista


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