Here are some of most popular media player software along with a quick description of their features. They help you play audio/video files, organize your digital media collection, rip or burn CDs, play videos in full screen and much much more.
Which one of these media player is your favorite ? Please tell us through this quick 10 second poll. (If your personal favorite is missing in this list, do mention the name in the "Others" category).
Windows Media Player - This popular digital media player from Microsoft can play most common audio-video formats, audio CDs and DVDs. WMP can be also used for copy tracks from music CDs to your computer or for burning new CDs with your music files. Excellent support for organizing music through tags and ratings.
Media Player Classic - It's like the light-weight edition of the official Windows Media Player from Microsoft. Once you install the k-lite codecs separately, the Media Player Classic can play most video formats including Quicktime and Real Media. Everything is great about this software except the interface which is so 90s.
VideoLan VLC Media Player - It can play almost every audio and video file format (including Flash Video), records streaming videos and music, rip DVDs and can also capture screenshots from DVD movies. Available for all platforms.
WinAmp Media Player - The most popular MP3 player that can also play video files in Full screen mode. Winamp also supports streaming media content and ripping of Audio CDs. This media player probably has the largest number of skins, visualizations and plug-ins than any other media player.
iTunes + Quicktime - If you have an iPod, you probably need this media player from Apple. Good interface, excellent support for podcast feeds but this Apple jukebox has a slightly large memory footprint. Best features include Smart playlists, seamless integration with iPod (and now iPhone) plus it can backup your entire digital media collection into DVD disks.
Miro (formerly, Democracy Player) - Like iTunes, you can use Miro to subscribe and download Audio or Video podcasts. Miro supports full-screen mode, can play virtually all video formats, supports file downloads via BitTorrent and best of all, it search and save videos from most video sharing sites and watch them for new videos.
JetAudio 7 - Can play most audio and video formats, convert among audio file formats, cross-fading for a smooth transition between two songs and CD burning support.
GOM Media Player - GOM Player supports file formats such as AVI, DAT, MPEG, DivX, XviD, WMV, ASF and even FLV video. GOM Player is capable of playing incomplete or damaged AVI files by skipping the damaged frames. It can also play locked or partially downloaded files. Can also take screen captures of the current video frame.
Real Player 11 - The new version can rip video clips from YouTube and other video sharing sites and downloads them offline in the background. A lot of streaming audio content on sites like BBC is still available in Real format so you probably need the Real Player on your system.
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2007/06/pick-your-favorite-media-player.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
You should have had two separate polls for audio and video. Hardly anybody uses the same player for both.
Written on 29/6/07 7:30 PM
I personally use a combination of VLC & Winamp under windows.
For linux I use amarok & VLC.
If amarok for windows comes out and is just as good, I will probably replace winamp with that.
Written on 29/6/07 8:21 PM
my vote for iTunes. I love the simplicity, the elegant design and cool features.
Written on 29/6/07 6:47 PM
VLC gets my vote. On linux it is the only media player that plays everything that is thrown at it. And the best part is that it allows the capture of streaming videos on your hard disk.
Mplayer with smplayer as GUI comes a close second.
Written on 29/6/07 11:53 PM
I agree with Nosh.
Written on 30/6/07 12:15 AM
given the advanced plugins now being at ease for use in WMP 11, there is really nothing VLC and winamp can do that WMP 11 can´t.
just a thought
Written on 30/6/07 2:44 AM
how can you NOT INCLUDE MPLAYER??
those who love vlc should know that mplayer can also play everything but nobody bothers to update the codecs!
heck i am so disappointed by this post of yours
been following your blog for almost a semester
only to see this shitty post about a poll for favorite media player?
and what pissed me to take pain of writing this comment is YOU DID NOT INCLUDE MPLAYER!!!
X-(
i should be cautious about your opinion from now onwards
though past blogs have given me ample amount of knowledge
and if you think that i am over reacting
yeah i am, but i still respect you :)
~$udhi :)
Written on 30/6/07 11:37 AM
Sudhi - is MPlayer available for Windows ?
Written on 30/6/07 11:56 AM
vlc came and conquer my media needs last year. today, i use gom player, as a second player.
Written on 30/6/07 12:51 PM
I think Songbird is the best. Songbird™ is a desktop Web player, a digital jukebox and Web browser mash-up.
Written on 30/6/07 2:06 PM
@Sudhi: For most users VLC is a one click/one command install under linux & they don't wanna know what new codec is gonna play the video they are about to watch. I am guessing you have used mplayer for as long as you have used linux, which why you are still loyal to it.
@Amit: Looks like mplayer is available for windows. Just tried using it, played an mp3 and an avi just fine, was kinda surprising that I did not have to install any codecs.
Written on 30/6/07 7:20 PM
Well, I use Linux. So, these never matter to me.
Its really rude of you Amit, you should've included Linux players too. I didn't know you were such a hater of Open Source. I really respected you and your writing. But now, I'm not happy. :(
Written on 2/7/07 1:43 PM
quintessential and k-lite..
Written on 2/7/07 8:30 AM
Crack the real player and it can play almost every format and even if it can't it goes online and download the latest codec required and plays. Simply the best. I've tried others and rate real player as best, just that it should be made free. windows media player i'll rate next to it with good sound quality for audios but vedios are not great. K-codec used in conjunction with real player provides good result and awesome vidio and sound quality. VLC player need to do something to look good, its bit ugly at present although playback quality is very good. Winamp is where it was 5years back and equalizers settings are not very distinct. Speaking abt. the equalizers, only player which provides good distinct audible is Real Player. In fact, I feel its value for money in investing in it. Its update feature is great for downloading newly released/unknown codecs. Apart from this only player worth mentioning is Seabird, but at present its in nascent stage.
"A Happy Real Player User"
Written on 1/7/07 9:06 PM
Mplayer is available for windows. I have used it in both linux and windows and it is the best player ever for video and audio. Playes ALL kind of files(including flv), broken, half complete, while getting downloaded and you name it. It is fast, less memory hugging. I too am disappointed that Mplayer was not included in your list. Once you use it, VLC or Real Player will seem crap.
Written on 1/7/07 5:16 AM
i'd highly recommend KMPLAYER - portable, easy to use, the most sensible controls i've seen and looks just brilliant - has replaced WinDVD as my favourite - it's free
my only problem was slow seek times (cured by selecting the KM splitter)
DON'T MISS IT!
Written on 7/7/07 3:05 AM
i am using JetAudio version 6.2.8 plus vx... and i have installed K-Lite Mega codec Pack 2.20
and as i have ipod , so itunes is ibstalled in my PC... Dat's all about my media players..
Written on 28/7/07 12:26 PM
i am using JetAudio version 6.2.8 plus vx... and i have installed K-Lite Mega codec Pack 2.20
and as i have ipod , so itunes is ibstalled in my PC... Dat's all about my media players..
Written on 28/7/07 12:28 PM