Watching movies on your pc. What options do I have when it comes to the movie player?

[Kaspian]

I've never had the need/want to do so. But now during down time at work I could squeeze a movie every now and then. I've tried media player (windows). Its ok, I'm just not happy with the quality of the picture. The monitor being watched on is a Samsung syncMaster 226bw. I was just wondering if there were better alternatives....although not critical.

Thank you
Kas

 

[Turkish]

I like PowerDVD but it is not free.

 

[mc866]

Media Player Classic or VLC media player both are free and will play back DVD.

 

[jjones]

I use VLC, works well and free is always good.

 

[KeithTalent]

Another vote for VLC! I've been using it for a dog's age and have yet to find a reason to switch.

KT

 

[frythecpuofbender]

VLC is great and free and continously updated. You don't even have to install it. Just extract the zip-file into a Directory.
It still has the occasional menu/slide show bug when playing DVDs but PowerDVD/WinDVD and all the other bloated shitware has this too most of the time.

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: mc866
Media Player Classic or VLC media player both are free and will play back DVD.

/thread

 

[0roo0roo]

media player classic
gomplayer
vlc

i prefer windvd/powerdvd because it has time stretching.
gom has timestretching for mp3/avi type files but it doesn't seem to work in dvds i find its good for special features/commentaries

 

[jaqie]

media player classic, ffmpeg, qtlite, and realalt are all I ever get anymore for video watching - everything I need in four little installs with no nags, no crud, and just bleeding works.

 

[Snapster]

VLC

 

[Chapbass]

VLC plays virtually anything. no codecs needed, no fuss, no problems. what a great program.

 

[Modelworks]

The KMPlayer
Plays anything and has more options than VLC.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/M...Players/KMPlayer.shtml

 

[likethat]

personally on my unattended install i have qlite, realalt, media player classic and ffdshow. this coupled with a RPC1 dvd drive = play anything

 

[Flapjacks]

VLC, no need to search or buy propiertary codecs.

 

[Kaspian]

Thank you all for the replies/suggestions. VLC is working out perfectly on my set up.

Thank you
Kas

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Chapbass
VLC plays virtually anything. no codecs needed, no fuss, no problems. what a great program.

not only that, you can stream to to other clients, which is FTW

 

[vailr]

VLC works great, except it lacks one important feature: volume control via mouse wheel.
The Core Media Player does; however, no updates since Jan. 2006.
The Core Media Player v4.11 Matroska' Edition:
http://www.corecoded.com/

 

[WildHorse]

Another fan of VLC.
VLC is the Swiss Army Knife of players.

There's another player I've read a little about but haven't yet experimented with (I plan to):
MPlayer

edit: typo fixed

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell

Originally posted by: mc866
Media Player Classic or VLC media player both are free and will play back DVD.

/thread

Yep.

Although WMP 11 is certainly a polished beast, it still pales in comparison to these programs for video playback.

As I posted in another thread, MPC has a more intuitive interface IMO, but VLC has more compatibility with files. I know it is probably a codec issue and not the program itself, but I try not to mess around with those too much and just install what works with minimal adjustments. I don't exactly have a hi-fi setup here anyways.

 

[velillen]

VLC is the best out-of-box player you can get. no downloading codec packs or anything. That doesn't mean it is the most feature full or best but it does a damn good job. It does have its flaws in using built in codecs. Your stuff with its x264 codec and cant use coreAVC for example. But thats when you open WMP11 and watch it in there instead.

 

[Continuity28]

The best, to me, are VLC and Media Player Classic. They work a bit differently though.

VLC comes with it's own codecs (most of which are provided by FFmpeg), while Media Player Classic relies on DirectShow like most media players. By using FFDShow (also FFmpeg), you give Media Player Classic essentially the same codecs to work with.

The decision comes down to preference. VLC is easier overall. For those that know how to manage DirectShow codecs, Media Player Classic (representing the best amongst DirectShow type players) probably gives more control overall.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Continuity28
The best, to me, are VLC and Media Player Classic. They work a bit differently though.

VLC comes with it's own codecs (most of which are provided by FFmpeg), while Media Player Classic relies on DirectShow like most media players. By using FFDShow (also FFmpeg), you give Media Player Classic essentially the same codecs to work with.

The decision comes down to preference. VLC is easier overall. For those that know how to manage DirectShow codecs, Media Player Classic (representing the best amongst DirectShow type players) probably gives more control overall.

VLC = Best video streaming ever. So, more useful for many such as myself.


(LAN party streaming ftw)

 

[Modelworks]

Still prefer The KMPlayer.
Has all the options and is still easy to use and looks great.
Supports watching video off capture cards with all the filters.
Has tons of filters built in and doesn't require installing of codec packs.

 

[FriedToast]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell

Originally posted by: mc866
Media Player Classic or VLC media player both are free and will play back DVD.

/thread

Exactly. MPC is what I use, but don't know that I've ever heard a bad word about VLC.

 

[ShawnD1]

I have 2 media players I use.

Media Player Classic (MPC)
Good
-simple interface, nothing flashy
-plays any kind of file, including .rm and .mov
-very low CPU usage
-several different rendering modes
-mousewheel volume control

Bad
-the controls are always attached to the video window (sucks for dual monitors)


BSPlayer
Good
-controls and video are always separate windows (great for dual monitors)
-it remembers that I want the controls on monitor 1 and the video in fullscreen on monitor 2
-lots of different rendering methods
-very low CPU usage
-can skip frames to keep the video and sound in sync
-supports vsync
-intelligently adds files to the playlist if they have the same file name except for the last few digits (gaysexCD2.avi is automatically added to playlist when you play gaysexCD1.avi)
-BSPlayer automatically opens to where it was when it was closed, such as gaysexCD1.avi at 10:31

Bad
-installs spyware which can easily be removed
-your gf finds out you're gay because it automatically opens gaysexCD1.avi at 10:31


For watching movies on a second monitor, I think BSPlayer is by far the best. Media Player Classic is all around good since it plays all file types. VLC is the last resort player because I hate the interface but it works on any file. My gf's Mac couldn't play any of my xvid movies through Quicktime, even with the codecs, but VLC worked right away.