VLC Media Player Review

By Luke

Company – VideoLAN

Operating Systems – Windows, Mac, BeOS, Syllable

General Ratings:

Interface – 34/5
Ease of use – 5/5
Memory Usage – 4/5
Popularity – 5/5
Price($0.00) – 5/5
No. of bugs – 4/5

Software specific Ratings (features that are only present in Media Players):

Audio Codec – 4/5
Video Codec – 5/5
Playlist Navigation – 2/5
Privacy – 5/5

Other important features:

Spyware, Adware & Virus Free?

Totally spyware, adware and virus free, guaranteed by most software sites, and tested at Computer-Stuff using Kaspersky Antivirus & Ad Aware.

Disk Space usage:

Installer – around 9-10MB

Installed disk space occupied: ~ 32MB

Portability – Fully portable, special portable version may be downloaded from PortableApps.

Rating Description (for ratings that may require an explanation):

Interface

Uses an excellent Menu based interface, position of command buttons placed methodically, earning it 3 out of 5. The skin being a default windows ‘classic’ style interface is the main weakness of the application. With VLC’s update to version 0.9, the default skin is now a notch better than the previous ‘classic’ interface. Skins are also available off the VideoLan Home page, but the use of these skins are hampered as they are not entirely bug free.

Ease of use

Very easy to use, mainly because of the fully customizable hot keys for each feature the program carries. Also supports general features like Drag ‘n’ Drop functionality.

Memory usage

Generally uses very little memory though slows down the computer after a high resolution, bitrate motion picture is viewed.

Popularity

Always in the ‘top downloads’ or ‘top rated’ downloads in most software sites totaling to several million downloads.

No. of bugs

Perfect except for a few noticeable bugs usually that occur when using the skinned interface of VLC, also though optimized to play broken content, the video may be played with a ‘shadow’ over it

Audio Codec

Supports most audio codec though does not play rare codec.

Video codec

Plays virtually all video codecs without any interruption, also attempts to repair broken content.

(Read the ‘Play PS2 game videos on a PC’ article to find out how to play PS2 game videos using VLC!)

Playlist Navigation

Supports creating basic playlists, more like a ‘favorite’ or ‘link list.’ Doesn’t contain features like rating playlist items, etc.

Privacy

Does not store temporary files or MRU’s.

Overall (5/5):

A must have media player on any pc, you’ve got nothing to lose, its virus free and it’s a free product as well. Possesses sufficient features to act as a primary media player in most situations.

Visit the VideoLan Home Page

Was the above review helpful? Please leave your comments.

Updated – 02/12/08

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About The Author

Luke is a Software Developer and the main writer behind Computer Realm.

4 Comments so far

alice in wonderland halloween costume September 12, 2008 1:36 pm

Cool blog.
Thanks, webmaster.

Reply
Real estate Phoenixville PA March 10, 2009 2:31 pm

thx since many time searching for player for some format, vlc is fantastic player.

Reply
Nathan March 29, 2010 7:38 pm

Dissatisfied with Windows Media Player, this application is a far better alternative. It has more options and is easy to use. I recommend it for anyone who uses a DVD ROM or CD ROM.

VLC Media Player is a very user friendly, intuitive application that allows me to use my music libraries or ‘movie of the day’ without any struggle. It lets me gets started, the ‘disappears’ while in use. Then it comes easily to use when I am done.
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