VLC Media Player (32-bit)

VLC Media Player (previously VideoLAN Client) is a highly portable free multimedia player that supports a variety of audio and video formats, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, MP3, and OGG, as well as DVDs, VCDs, and streaming protocols. It may also offer unicast or multicast streams in IPv4 or IPv6 over a high-bandwidth network.

2.1 is a significant improvement for VLC 2024, featuring a new audio core, hardware decoding and encoding, a transfer to mobile devices, preparation for Ultra-HD video, and extra care to support more formats. 

Rincewind features a new audio rendering pipeline that improves efficiency, loudness, and device management to better support VLC audio. It supports many new device inputs, formats, and metadata while improving the majority of existing ones in preparation for next-generation codecs. 


VLC Media Player is a popular and adaptable media player software that can play a variety of audio and video formats. It is a free and open-source multimedia player created by the VideoLAN project.

Key Features

VLC supports a variety of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This makes it available to a diverse variety of people across multiple devices. 

Format Support: The program is well-known for its comprehensive format support. It supports practically any music or video file format, including popular ones such as MP4, AVI, MKV, MP3, FLAC, and others. It can even play back incomplete or corrupted media files. 

Streaming and network capabilities: It enables you to stream material across local networks or the internet. It supports a variety of streaming protocols, including HTTP, RTSP, RTP, MMS, and more. VLC can also be used as a server, streaming media to other devices. 

Advanced Playback Features: VLC offers a variety of playback settings to improve your viewing experience. It has customized playlists, playback speed modification, audio and video filters, subtitles, and synchronization capabilities. You can also capture screenshots or record your screen while watching media. 

It offers a number of video and audio filters and effects. You can change the brightness, contrast, and saturation of the image, as well as apply sharpening or denoising effects. It also has audio equalization settings to fine-tune the sound output. 

DVD and Blu-ray compatibility: It can play DVD and Blu-ray discs straight from the optical drive or ISO files. It has basic navigation features, such as chapter selection and menu access, making it an easy choice for movie fans. 

VLC's interface is simple and intuitive, but you can change it to your liking. VLC's skin editor allows you to alter the skin/theme, tweak the toolbar layout, and even build custom skins. 

Plugin and Extension Support: VLC includes a number of plugins and extensions that expand its capability. Additional capabilities include compatibility for webcams, interaction with online streaming providers, and more. 

Advanced Options: It offers advanced features and settings for power users and enthusiasts. These choices include network caching settings, audio output configurations, subtitle rendering options, and more, allowing you to fine-tune the player to your specifications. 

Advanced formats: Input media options include UDP/RTP Unicast, UDP/RTP Multicast, HTTP/FTP, MMS, TCP/RTP Unicast, DCCP/RTP Unicast, File, DVD Video, Video CD/VCD, SVCD, Audio CD (no DTS-CD), DVB (Satellite, Digital TV, Cable TV), MPEG encoder, and video acquisition. 

Input formats include MPEG (ES, PS, TS, PVA, MP3), AVI, ASF, WMV, WMA, MP4, MOV, 3GP, OGG, OGM, Annodex, Matroska (MKV), Real, and WAV (including DTS). Raw audio formats include DTS, AAC, AC3/A52, Raw DV, FLAC, FLV (Flash), MXF, Nut, Standard MIDI/SMF, and Creative™ Voice. 

Miscellaneous: SAP/SDP announces. Bonjour protocol, Mozilla/Firefox plugin, ActiveX plugin, SVCD menus, localization, CD-text, CDDB CD information, IGMPv3, IPv6, MLDv2, and CPU acceleration. 

Plays all formats, including DVD, text files (MicroDVD, SubRIP, SubViewer, SSA1-5, SAMI, VPlayer), closed captions, Vobsub, Universal Subtitle Format (USF), SVCD/CVD, DVB, OGM, CMML, and Kate. ID3 tags, APEv2, Vorbis comments.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows (7, 8, 10, 11), macOS (10.7 or later), Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, and more.
• Processor: 1 GHz or faster processor (multi-core recommended for HD playback).
• RAM: 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended for HD playback).
• Storage Space: Around 200 MB of free disk space for installation.
• Graphics Card: Most modern graphics cards are supported.
• Sound Card: Any compatible sound card.
• Internet Connection: Required for online media streaming and some additional features.

PROS
 

• Versatile Media Support
• Cross-Platform Compatibility
• Customizable Interface
• Advanced Playback Features
• Open-Source Development

CONS
 

• Limited Streaming Capabilities
• Complex Preferences Menu
• Occasional Playback Issues
• Outdated User Interface

Conclusion

Overall, VLC Media Player is a dependable and feature-rich media player that supports a wide range of formats, has significant customization options, and can handle a variety of streaming and playing functions. Its open source nature, regular updates, and active community make it a popular choice for people all over the world.