MPlayer 2011-05-25 Build 90

Overview

MPlayer supports, and is compatible with, files such as OGG, OGM, NUT, FLI, YUV4MPEG, PVA, RoQ, MPEG, VOB, VIVO, AVI, MP4, MOV, QT, and so on. In fact, this small program includes around 200 video codecs and approximately 100 audio codecs, meaning that it will pretty much open any media file you want, regardless of how new it is. All in all, this media player program ensures that you will never have to bother with searching and installing the right media codec on your computer in order to open a newly released video or movie.

One great feature about the MPlayer is that you can install it on your iPod, portable hard drive, USB flash drive, and even a CD. Moreover, this software allows you to take all your favorite media files with you, regardless of where you go. Let’s review this software in greater details so that you can know whether it’s worth a grab or not!

Installation

The MPlayer software is a 37MB program that allows you to watch almost all of your media files. If your computer runs on a Windows operating system, then installing and uninstalling the software is a breeze. In order to install it, all you need to do is download the Windows version from the manufacturer’s website and extract the contents of the .zip archive into the folder you want.

It is important to note that this media player was initially intended for the Linux operating system. However, considering the different versions of Linux users have on their computer, it would be advisable to check the ‘readme’ file attachment. The best way you can install the MPlayer on Linux is to compile it from the source code, as this way you will have more customization options and the software will be fully optimized according to your processor, video card and other hardware.

Interface

The interface of this MPlayer version is unexpectedly simplistic and the minimalistic appearance only includes a few menus. The main menu of the MPlayer enables the user to control the software, while the sub-window is the part of the program where the media files are displayed. It is important to note that some media files do not contain an image and hence, the sub-window will not show anything. However, if the media file contains video files then you will notice a play bar that appears once you switch to full screen view.

The play bar allows the user to skip parts of the video and go directly to the part he is interested in seeing or hearing first. What is interesting is that you can place different items on the play bar that include labels, a pot-meter and even some other buttons. Lastly, the MPlayer contains a skin menu that, unlike its name suggests, is a method of controlling the software according to new entries.

Pros

Considering that you can watch and listen to almost anything you want with the MPlayer, the main advantage of the software is that you will not need to download any codecs. This is an especially important feature for people that still have limited storage space on their computers. The simplistic appearance can also be interpreted as an optimization and hence, you should expect to see a very fast response from the software whenever you open a media file.

In addition, the appearance of the MPlayer makes it one of the very few players that will not consume a lot of your system’s resources. First timers can manage it easily, as it includes the basic features of any media player, such as taking screenshots or displaying subtitles. At the same time, it offers support for adding keyboard shortcuts on it and it is powerful enough to serve advanced users as well.

Cons

The main disadvantage of the MPlayer is that its interface is rather ugly and unfit for Windows users. Therefore, if you love customizing your player’s interface, this is not the right software for you.

Alternatives

The main competition of the MPlayer is the VLC Media Player. Similar to the MPlayer, the VLC includes most of the audio and video codecs, however, the interface is a bit more attractive.

Conclusion

The MPlayer is a powerful media player that will simplify your media watching experience a great deal, as it consumes very little of your machine’s resource and it has one of the fastest response rates.