VLC 0.9.9, The Best Media Player Just Got Better

Matt Asay points out a recent update to VLC as they narrow in on a 1.0 release. Already a favorite of many, the open source project has made great strides in recent history towards really solidifying the position as best-in-class. This update, 0.9.9, fixes several display bugs and sees some definite performance improvements. "If you've yet to try VLC, do so. Whether you just want to play media files or also want to convert them, VLC can handle just about anything you throw at it. When all other media players fail, whether on Windows, Linux, or the Mac, VLC will almost always deliver. You can download VLC media player 0.9.9 here. It's open source, but that's not why you'll want to keep using it. You'll use it because it's better than its proprietary peers — by a long stretch.

Comments

Re:VLC is OK.

[MightyYar]

why someone would prefer it over using mplayer

On Mac machines. VLC is one of those rare applications that works best on Macintosh. My personal preference for it stems from the clean GUI, the working DVD support, and the fact that it will actually play full-screen on your second monitor while still letting you work on the first monitor in other applications.

It's also a fine player on Windows and Linux - though not as compelling as those platforms have other very good choices.

Re:Revert interface to 0.8.6, or use OSX GUIfor wi

[TypoNAM]

I too absolutely hate the new QT interface and I want them to bring back the ability to use the wxWidgets interface that was used in 0.8.6 releases. Apparently the wxWidgets interface of VLC is no longer maintained, therefore they dropped it in the 0.9 releases. Because of this I still continue to use 0.8.6 on my machines. :(

VLC is illegal in the US

[Todrael]

I'd love to use VLC legally in the US, but that doesn't seem like it'll happen any time soon.

VLC FAQ

Re:Better than mplayer?

[UnrefinedLayman]

I experienced this with BSG Razor on DVD; it would not play properly in VLC or Media Player Classic on Windows, or VLC on Mac OS X. It played fine on Apple's DVD player. This is because of the way deleted scenes are included in some DVDs: rather than having two full copies of a film on the disc, they have the original copy and the deleted scenes, and if you choose to play the DVD in the unedited/director's-cut/whatever mode, then those scenes get spliced into the playback of the original. It's that splicing that causes the trouble. Whoever invented it should eat a back of dicks for breaking something that everyone believed worked just fine.

NOW SEEKS IN FLV FILES!

[Philip K Dickhead]

I'm surprised that this isn't listed as one of the improvements anywhere.

That was what made Miro a PITA. Miro is based on VLC for playback support. It is now going to be USEFUL for me! Fantastic.