Version Latest
VLC Media Player 3.0.20 (64-bit)
Requirements
Windows / Windows 10 / Windows 11 / Windows 7 / Windows 8
Size
42 MB

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.

How to Use

  • To use VLC, first download and install the application into your computer. Once installed, you can open it and follow the steps below to play a video or audio file:
  • To open the file or folder containing the media you wish to play, pick "Open File" or "Open Folder" from the "Media" menu. 
  • Alternatively, you can drag & drop a media file into the window. 
  • Once the file is opened, it will start playing automatically. 
  • The controls at the bottom of the window allow you to play, pause, fast forward, and rewind the video or audio. 
  • You can also use the "Audio" and "Video" menus to change the volume, brightness, and other options. 
  • To play a playlist, use the "Media" menu and select "Open Playlist", or drag & drop the playlist file into the window. 
  • To alter the interface, you can utilize the "View" option to access multiple skins, as well as the preferences from the tools menu. 
  • To play a DVD, go to the "Media" menu, then pick "Open Disc" and the DVD option. 
  • To stream media, pick "Open Network Stream" from the "Media" menu and input the stream's URL.

Here are some basic examples of how to use VLC Player 64bit. You can explore the program's many other features and options.

Advanced formats

Input Media
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, Video acquisition.

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

Miscellaneous
SAP/SDP announces, Bonjour protocol, Mozilla/Firefox plugin, ActiveX plugin, SVCD Menus, Localization, CD-Text, CDDB CD info, IGMPv3, IPv6, MLDv2, CPU acceleration.

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

FAQ

Is VLC Safe to Use?
Yes, VLC Media Player is generally considered safe to use. It is open-source software that has been widely used and trusted by millions of users worldwide. The source code is publicly available and has been reviewed and audited by many security experts, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities.

What formats does VLC Media Player support?
VLC supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including MP3, MP4, AVI, FLAC, and more.

Is VLC Media Player free to use?
Yes, VLC Player is free and open-source software.

Can VLC Media Player play DVDs and Blu-rays?
Yes, it can play DVDs and Blu-rays.

Can VLC Media Player stream online content?
Yes, It can stream online content through various protocols, including HTTP, RTP, and RTSP.

How do I take screenshots in VLC Media Player?
To take screenshots in VLC, go to Video > Take Snapshot.

How do I add subtitles to a video in VLC Media Player?
To add subtitles to a video in VLC, go to Subtitle > Add Subtitle File.

How do I change the aspect ratio in VLC Media Player?
To change the aspect ratio in VLC, go to Video > Aspect Ratio and select the desired aspect ratio.

Can I customize the interface of VLC Media Player?
Yes, It allows customization of the interface through skins and customization settings.

Does VLC Media Player support audio and video effects?
Yes, It has audio and video effects, including equalizer, audio spatializer, and more.

Can VLC Media Player be used on multiple platforms?
Yes, VLC Player is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

 

Features and Highlights
 

  • 8K support (hardware decoding is on by default)
  • Chromecast/Google Cast support
  • HDR and 10-bit video
  • HMDI Audio passthrough
  • Network browsing for NAS systems
  • 360 video and 3D audio
  • Modifying subtitle size live
  • Drag and drop support
  • HD DVD support
  • Rewritten video output core and modules, allowing blending in GPU.
  • Shader support in the OpenGL output, for conversion, including 10bits.
  • Video outputs for Windows 10 64-bit, 8 and 7, Android, iOS and OS/2.
  • Debanding, grain, denoising, and anti-flickering filters.
  • Deinterlacing filter, including an Inverse Telecine algorithm.
  • Resamplers for higher quality audio.
  • Dynamic range compressor and karaoke filters.
  • Simplification of the audio core for faster processing.
  • Audio outputs for iOS, Android, and OS/2.
  • Multi-threaded decoding for H.264, MPEG-4/Xvid, and WebM.
  • Support for 10-bit codecs, WMV image, and some other codecs.
  • Rewritten support for images, including jpeg, png, xcf, bmp, etc.
  • Important changes in RealVideo and Real Format support.
  • CrystalHD cards and Android OpenMAX support for hardware decoding.
  • And many more features...

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

VLC Player is a free, open-source, cross-platform media player that supports a variety of multimedia files and streaming protocols. It is noted for its versatility and ability to play practically any format without the use of additional codecs. 

It also has an equalizer, playlist management, and compatibility for a variety of subtitles. With its user-friendly interface and configurable settings, it is a popular choice for audio and video file playback.