

Enriched playback experienceįor music, VLC plays more or less any audio file and features an equalizer and playlist creation. Functions such as changing the video's size, jumping to a specific time point in the video, and taking a quick screengrab are available using the hotkeys. VLC media player also has great hotkey support and, if you learn the shortcuts, it can be controlled without touching your mouse. It's simple to watch and pause videos, and to control their volume, using your mouse. There is also a timeline that shows the full length of the video with a slider to move through the video. In playback mode, the play, pause, stop, full-screen and volume controls are easily accessible onscreen.

During software installation, a user can set VLC as the default media player, meaning that whenever they click on an audio or video file it will automatically open in VLC. Visually, the player is not very exciting, although a selection of audio visualizations - graphic shapes and signs that respond to the audio being played - can be used to add color and interest to the display.įor those who prefer a more visually interesting interface, KMPlayer is fully customizable and allows users to open multiple windows for controls, playlist, or equalizer.Īt a very basic level, VLC media player is an easy program to use for simple viewing of videos and listening to audio. The VLC interface for Mac is lightweight, fast, and simple with a single-window for everything. Simple interface and easy basic functionality Users can also use VLC to convert files and, in addition to all the formats and physical media it will play, many streaming protocols are supported. Compressed files are decoded using GPU, which takes the strain off your CPU so you can efficiently watch video while performing other tasks.Because the software plays almost anything, VLC is a great alternative to iTunes, RealPlayer, and Quicktime. It plays just about everything you throw at it, whether it's a file, a stream, or a disc image of a DVD or BluRay. Is VLC the best media player on the planet? Possibly. It doesn't hurt to have all three at your disposal, just in case. They're all free, and they should play most formats you come across.

These are the first apps you should download if you're after a rock-solid tool for video playback and other media. These apps let you play just about any format you come across, build playlists, grab subtitles, convert files, and even stream from a variety of sources. You might even be able to make do with the one that comes pre-installed with macOS.īut if you are searching for an alternative, there are a few top quality free options that have everything looking for. There are a lot of video players out there, but you probably only need one.
