Free Software Download of the Week: VLC Media Player
Product Review: Play DVDs, Music, Stream Video and More
Product: VLC Media Player (VideoLAN)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Other
Purpose: Free cross-platform media player (DVD, VCD, CD, and various media files) Also includes the ability to stream media and capture media.
Pros: Speed, Options, Memory-friendly
Cons: High DVD Player Spin Rate / Noise
Bottom-Line: Makes a good commercial alternative.
Background
Using a temporary 10 GB hard drive that lacks DVD player codecs, I lacked the inclination and computer memory to install WinDVD or Nero.
While In search of a hassle free download, to play my latest Netflix DVD, soon enters VLC Media Player, by VideoLAN. Color me impressed.
Even on a normal-sized hard drive, commercial DVD software programs may be sluggish. VLC Media Player is not. Some cause errors or conflicts, such is the case with Nero on my PC. VLC Media Player, thus far, has been trouble-free.
Experience with VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player loads quickly and playback is equally fast. This is pure heaven for impatient people. Additionally, by sheer accident, I found that the mouse wheel allows for rapid fast forwarding, a nifty feature.
The stock VLC Media Player is rather drab looking, but one skin was included (black and silver) and others may be available for download.
Some will find the setup less novice friendly. For basic use, such as a DVD player, users can largely skip over the advanced options or return to them later. A VLC Media Player support forum is also available.
VLC Media Player Issues
The one problem I noticed with the VLC Media Player is that my DVD player spins much faster and is quite loud. This may not be a universal problem, varying with user, but a fix for it is not obvious. Additionally, my PC presented with a rdbss.sys Blue Screen error, the day I installed the VideoLAN product. No mention of such exists in the VLC Media Player forum, so it is assumed to be unrelated.
Final Notes on VLC Media Player
Even when my 500 GB hard drive arrives, I plan to keep VLC Media Player handy, pending no unforeseen issues with the program. Its speed is impressive and I suspect it will work well when other memory intensive programs are running.
Given that it is cumbersome to find and install free DVD codecs, the software served its purpose well as a free DVD media player and then some.
VLC Media Player's enhanced features such as screen capture, media capture and streaming are intriguing and may also be worth investigating. VideoLAN offers a volunteer support forum and additional documentation on their free software.
Free VLC Media Player Download: http://www.videolan.org
Unlike my standard technology reviews, these Free Software Download finds are informal, designed primarily for efficiency and as a starting point with which to conduct more research.
VLC Media Player - Related Articles and Videos
VLC Media Player Tutorial Video
How to Convert Video Files for AC and Other Formats
Published by Donna Porter
Writer / Journalist -- A Yahoo News! Contributor Donna began her writing and internet career in 1995 in the health industry and became an early dot-com entrepreneur soon after. Masters certified in Internet... View profile
Portable Applications - The Future of ApplicationsEver wish you didn't have to carry around a laptop just because all of your files and software are on it? Now, we can stop having those problems and all you need is a simple USB...- Free Alternatives to DVD DecodersDVD decoder software is not available for free. Here are free alternatives that you can use instead.
Tips on Keeping Your Windows PC Running FastMany users think their computers are obsolete within 6 months of purchasing them. This often has more to do with the software installed on them than obsolete hardware. By follow...- An Overview of the Matroska Multimedia FormatMatroska is a fairly new entry into the multimedia field of formats and codecs. What is it, and should you care? More and more people are using Matroska files, and hopefully this overview will give you a better unde...
- Free Software for WritersEveryone loves free stuff. Yet, we writers may like it more than most people, especially the writers who are the true starving artist types. For these writers and for all writers, here is a listing of some valuable...
- VLC Media Player Download: The (Almost) Universal Free Media Player
- Most Useful Free Software for a PC
- Free Software Programs for Writers!
- How to Watch Windows Media Videos on Your Mac
- The Free Desktop
- Miro: The Video Podcast Player Formerly Known as Democracy Player
- Use GPodder for All Your Podcast Downloading Needs
- VLC Media Player is prefferred over some commercial media players.
- The high spin rate may be a problem. Check with VideoLAN support.
- The best things about VCL Media Player is its speed and that it is 100% free.
24 Comments
Post a CommentI always enjoy your articles, especially the technical ones! You speak my language, it seems.
FYI - I have another free find pending but I guess until both AC and I are more regular at publishing time (after the holidays) - these will be retitled as simply Free Software Download Find (Software Title) and published ever 1-2 weeks. Hope these are helpful and thanks for reading!
cool thanks for sharing
That's ok Larry, just please don't leave your fans, and your most avid one, waiting much longer. :-)
I'm diggin' your review! the vlc player is a good viewer to play youtube vids offline, as well.
Thanks, Donna. Although I have my own sources, and prefer to buy software when there is a full dollar rebate.
great review! Thanks Donna
Love it! Thanks!
Good review, but I'm skeptical about any free downloads
First, I really like the way you layed out your product review. Second, thanks for the info....My computer came with Vista and DVD software that isn't compatible with Vista...no updates nearly a year later...so I'm giving this a shot. Thank you.