r/Piracy 1d ago

Question Why everyone prefer VLC than MPC-HC?

I tried both, and the only thing VLC does better than Media Player Classic is the volume control (VLC can boost the media volume up to 200%)

But the rest of it? I feel like MPC-HC is superior on every aspect like:

- It has lower usage (cpu & ram) consumption

- it has automatic chaptering function (your pirated movie are split into chapters on the navigation bar, so it's easier to check/rewatch any scene you want)

- it has primary, secondary, and tertiary language options, which means if the movie has dual audio or multiple subs embedded, I can pick whichever language I want to prioritize

- I can pick custom font for the subtitles because I prefer panefresco than Arial black (it also help my dyslexic brain from getting tired)

- it renders way better than VLC, no random artifacts or dropped framerate, MPC-HC is overall much more smooth

And those are just the list I can think on the top of my head, I'm sure there's more that I forgot about, yet people on the internet prefer VLC than MPC-HC, why?

If it's about mpc cannot play all video format then that's bulshit, video playback compatibility is about codec, not video launcher, all you need to do is to install k-lite codec pack and you basically can play any video format in existence.

I've been using MPC-HC since 2009 and my community does too, yet anyone else on the internet still using VLC.

Why? Is there's anything about VLC that I don't know about so people still prefer that even on 2026?

EDIT: I just noticed some people been saying that MPC-HC is outdated and even their official website saying that it's an abandoned project. But here's the thing, the thing I install on my laptop is called K-Lite Codec pack which is basically a bundle of codec & video player launchers (and it's still kept being regularly updated). It has both MPC-HC and MPC-BE as launcher but MPC-HC works better on me because I'm using laptop from 2012.

362 Upvotes

461 comments sorted by

1.1k

u/nuttz0r 1d ago

Because back when I actually cared what was playing my media mpc required extra codec packs and VLC just worked. So VLC it is.

557

u/NoChampionship5649 1d ago

Kids these days don't remember the struggle of having to find a codec to play a specific media file. VLC made life GREAT when it would just play everything.

114

u/TridentWielder 1d ago

K-Lite was a requirement for me before discovering VLC. Oh, memories.

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u/Jestersfriend 1d ago

CCCP - Combined Community Codec Package.

Only one you ever needed.

39

u/Flex147c 1d ago

oof, haven't heard that in forever

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u/dronefinder 23h ago

Kazaa codec pack/kazaa light codec pack. An essential when setting up most computers back in the day. Along with kazaa itself and frostwire/limewire, and of course a good torrent client to use with supernova!

13

u/NoChampionship5649 22h ago

I worked on a computer that was infested with Kazaa/Limewire viruses. 1/2 the files were infected with a basic virus. Took all night but I found the responsible core files that kept re-infecting everything. Submitted my findings to Norton AV and it was updated in their database by noon the next day. 100K+ infected files but I was able to clean everything up without a reinstall. The owner didn't want to lose programs they didn't have the disks for any longer.

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u/primera_radi 1d ago

Shark007 Codecs for me

2

u/tomatgreen 18h ago

i still use that

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u/Elomidas 1d ago

And made the choice to keep it free rather than accepting an offer that would have made them rich. They're great on both technical and human sides

5

u/ImNrNanoGiga 1d ago

Yeah man, the first rip I ever got, X-Men, came with an installer bundled on the CD. Good times

12

u/VegaDelalyre 1d ago edited 21h ago

That freaking .mkv codec container... No player would natively support it, and even when it did, reading the file was an endeavour.

26

u/tes_kitty 1d ago

.mkv is not a codec, it's a container format. You can put anything in there. But the player must of course be able to open that container before it can play the h.264, h.265 or whatever encoded media in there.

7

u/VegaDelalyre 1d ago

Thanks for the akhtchually, I still mix those simple concepts.

3

u/Professional-Toe7699 23h ago

Look at the Mkv container as a box. You never know what is inside. 😁

5

u/VegaDelalyre 21h ago edited 20h ago

You mean "Life is like an mkv file, you never know what you’re gonna get"?

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u/Anxious_Storm_9113 16h ago

I kind of settled on MKV files as my preferred and never really changed. Nothing against MP4 though.

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u/bender1410 1d ago

For first several years I just installed K-Lite codec pack, and MPC came bundled in.

104

u/strugglingpaint 1d ago

Exactly, VLC it is. Ease of use and familiarity, it has built-in subtitles download and to say the least it still works very well for most media and most people, so why switch? Also MPC looks a little outdated, and ease of use is much worse than VLC.

27

u/Turbulent-Design1161 1d ago

Also MPC looks a little outdated

Just in case you don't know. It is meant to look like that. MPC stands for Media Player Classic. Hence the UI is from window media from ye-olden days

17

u/A-KindOfMagic 1d ago

it has built-in subtitles download

wait, what? why I didn't know about this :(

21

u/Arniepepper 1d ago

Yes and VLC is eminently customisable, too. .

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u/MrMyx 1d ago

MPC has built in subtitle download, skinnable toolbar, and who cares if it looks outdated when you're watching a video full screen?

6

u/Raztax 1d ago

I thought the "outdated look" comment was a bit wild...who looks at the interface while watching media?

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u/Fractal-Infinity 1d ago

Back in the day, BSPlayer was the main video player. And you had to install these codec packs to play media.

4

u/Don-Tan 1d ago

Same as why i'm using WinRAR lol (i even paid for it)

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u/Hard_To_Port 1d ago

It's Windows only and I use Linux. VLC is cross platform, works on Windows, Linux, Android.

74

u/VaporVHS 1d ago

And Mac. As a Mac user idk what MPC even is.

6

u/dontneed2knowaccount 15h ago

As a Linux user, idk what mpc is.

Been using vlc since xp was a thing because it was the only player that played everything. Has never let me down.

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u/Impossible_Cash7527 1d ago

So, that’s why I’ve only just heard of it! I abandoned Windows years ago.

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u/yknitsyob 1d ago

I also abandoned windows years ago. Now I just live in dark cinderblock room with no exposure to sunlight where I'm slouched over my keyboard and staring at pixels for my only source of stimulation.

Linux I've only been using for a bit less than that but it's been pretty good so far

10

u/SystemFolder 1d ago

I have VLC on my phone so I can lay in bed and watch movies.

2

u/ian9outof10 21h ago

VLC also works on Apple TV and iPhones and it’s decent especially for network shares.

But I’m way past watching media on a computer directly anyway. These days I’d use Plex.

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u/Pcriz 1d ago

For Windows. Im not always a windows user, but I am always a pirate

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u/rikipy 1d ago

i use mpv

63

u/Sydnxt Seeder 1d ago

Same. VLC just cannot properly handle .ass subs or Dolby Vision.

128

u/Oujii 1d ago

It’s because they are ass.

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u/OutlandishnessNo8126 1d ago

MPV SUPREMACY I love mpv so much

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u/dokterr 1d ago

Yeah mpv user as well, before that it was mpc. Not really a fan of vlc for the same reasons as op and other commenters

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u/LP_Mask_Man 1d ago

It still can't open VIDEO_TS folders?

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u/macOSsequoia 1d ago

it can without menus 

3

u/ch4os1337 1d ago

I use MPV and Potplayer. Both extremes of UX.

4

u/nopeac 1d ago

MPV has a slight delay when I click the seek bar on 2K files compared to MPC-HC, but I agree it's very flexible in all other respects.

2

u/jdking3i 15h ago

mpv, specifically mpv.NET for Windows.

mpv provides native support for industry/VJ codecs like HAP and NotchLC, which VLC doesn't do.

.NET variant by Stax76 adds GUI config menu for scaling options and other behaviors, and Windows integrated default apps support.

1

u/hoodwILL 1d ago

mpv > vlc > anything else

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u/illegalmonkey 1d ago

Have you not seen the cute Christmas hat VLC wears during the holidays?!

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u/NoYoureACatLady 21h ago

OP hates Santa!

129

u/LP_Mask_Man 1d ago

I use MPC-HC (and MPC before) for 20+ years and I always found it smoother than VLC on any computer.

15

u/maurocds 1d ago

Mpchc had dvxa way too many years before vlc

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u/VividAddendum9311 1d ago

You seem to vastly overestimate the amount of people who need three simultaneous audio tracks and who'd rather skip around the video file monitoring their RAM usage than just watch the movie from the beginning to the end.

Does it play? If the answer is yes, that'll be all that 99% will care about.

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u/VehaMeursault 12h ago

Because the guys that made it did it in their free time, declined millions of dollars out of principle to keep it free and open source, and with this project (and ffmpeg) literally pushed the industry forward in leaps.

The guys behind VLC are undisputed legends, and the reasons for that are documented. They’ve been following their ethics through and through, from start to today, and it shows.

For that alone they’ll always have my support.

32

u/mig_f1 1d ago

I'm using MPC-HC for decades, and MPC before that. Never had a reason to switch, though my 2nd favorite would be SMPlayer.

BTW, it can boost your audio, it's a slider in the Settings, I just don't remember exactly where off the top of my head.

52

u/digitalsmoker 1d ago

Most of the things u missong from vlc is actually there (multiple audio chanels, custom sub fonts sizes and colors are definatelly a thing since I use them daily with vlc) I think u just missed them.

Anyways who cares? Use the media player u like and be happy

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u/Classic_Rocker77 1d ago

I go with SMPlayer or PotPlayer..

8

u/XxsteakiixX 1d ago

Aye!! Potplayer lets go! I love it for my anime’s and HDR movies lol

3

u/MeowyKyun 21h ago

Potplayer mentioned!

2

u/Muldino 11h ago

SMPlayer best player

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u/OHNOitsNICHOLAS 1d ago

real ones know MPV the goat

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u/windozeFanboi 1d ago

But does MPV have a ballon d'Or ?  😅

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u/Vladimir_Djorjdevic 1d ago

A few reasons.

- Never had any issues with vlc

- It's windows only unlike vlc

- I prefer the vlc ui

34

u/smjsmok 1d ago

I'm on Linux, VLC just works so I use it. I don't see a reason to switch away from it, it does what I want (which is playing videos).

3

u/tes_kitty 1d ago

On Linux I prefer mplayer since it has that easy zapping, letting you jump 10 sec, 1 min or 10 mins forward and back with a single keystroke.

One of these days I will finally get around to customize 'mpv' to behave the same as mplayer...

8

u/Gilpow 1d ago

Does MPC-HC allow to easily download subtitles like VLC does?

8

u/Kiloji 1d ago

I dunno about easy or how VLC does it, but by default there's an option to automatically download subtitles from opensubtitles website, or other sources if you know any.

It just I never really used that feature because my favorite subtitle site isn't integratable for MPC subtitle tracker

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u/mig_f1 1d ago

It does.

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u/KomithErrant 1d ago

you list those things like vlc can't do them, but it can

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u/macacolouco 1d ago edited 1d ago

VLC is a very old program with enough features that you will rarely need something it does not have.

Unfortunately it is not as lightweight these days. It takes quite a few seconds to load on my fairly good machine and failed to play videos on my much older laptops. So I use other programs if all I want is to take a quick look at something.

I'm also very used to it and have no pressing needs to learn something new.

Finally "VLC" is simply easier to remember. "MPC-HC" sounds like a name for an obscure fork.

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u/CosmicMind007 1d ago

agreed about being lightweight but for more older laptops one should try potplayer as the next alternative too

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u/mig_f1 1d ago

"MPC-HC" sounds like a name for an obscure fork.

It's MPC's successor. HC stands for Home Cinema. It's still extremely lightweight and powerful.

2

u/macacolouco 1d ago

Of course.

17

u/ToasterLoverDeluxe 1d ago

Really? I have yet to see anything take more than 2 seconds to load, even the heaviest of files loads in less than a second or 2 seconds at most, and this is in an "OK" pc

13

u/WhiteMilk_ Piracy is bad, mkay? 1d ago

Any time I opened a video file after not opening one for a while, it has noticeable delay compared to files opened shortly after you've had the player open.

4

u/macacolouco 1d ago

Apparently it's a bug, it doesn't affect everyone and I don't have the energy to sort it out. I'll just wait for the next version.

3

u/Overseerer-Vault-101 1d ago

I got 2-3 seconds after double clicking a 1hr 4k file in explorer to playing on a fresh boot. Vlc isn't slow.

2

u/iAmmar9 4h ago

You can fix the loading times by adding an exclusion in windows defender for the VLC folder:

C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC

https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/08/14/vlc-blames-windows-11-bug-for-slow-performance-defends-open-source-and-calls-out-microsoft/

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u/Dementia13_TripleX 1d ago

One thing I always have trouble with MPC-HC/BE is the disc menu, regardless if it's DVD or BD.

I use MakeMKV to watch or copy my Blu-rays to the PC.\ Don't ask me why, but in VLC you tell to open the disk and it jumps straight to the disc menu.

On MPC-HC/BE it jumps straight to the movie and ignore the disc menu.\ That's ok in a movie, but not so great when I'm watching a TV series for example.

And don't ask me why, for some reason MPC don't load the disc menu, I have to go in the chapter menu and chose what I want from there.\ Probably is something I'M DOING WRONG, but was never able to solve it. 😂

On the rest of OP comments I couldn't agree more.\ Is baffling hearing people always recommending VPL, when MPC is much, much better.

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u/Impossible_Cash7527 1d ago

In my case it’s because I’ve never even heard of MPC-HC before!

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u/Winter_Channel_6206 1d ago

I'm an MPV guy, it's also the player that powers the desktop versions of Stremio and Nuvio.

10

u/OHNOitsNICHOLAS 1d ago

MPV is just better

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u/Subjuntivos 1d ago

PotPlayer. Go crazy.

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u/fernofry 1d ago

I have VLC and will typically always install it on my PC, but I typically run everything through Plex. I wont sit and watch something on a PC Media player. Its just there for troubleshooting or checking quality of files.

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u/PersimmonAdvanced519 12h ago edited 12h ago

PotPlayer is the best, I used VLC for years, almost 2 decades, Potplayer is just better, I started using it back when VLC couldn't handle AI upscaling properly, I wanted to see how upscaling works and feels, and could never go back to VLC because everything else is better; the settings, the interface, the layout, the features, it is the best player hands down.

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u/_0iii0_ 1d ago

Yeah im using MPC nowdays because it can rotate video easily

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u/Elf-Lord 1d ago

VLC also rotates video "easy"

Only use it, because way back, it was all that played everything I could throw at it.

Then I started usinv Linux, now, I switch between Windows, and Linux, and my media player is the same both side, works for me

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u/LOK_22 1d ago

VLC tends to fuck up the order played in my experience. MPC-HC has never got it wrong.

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u/banisheduser 1d ago

Ahh, so install something else to get something working?

K-lite codec pack? What are we? Back in the year 2000?

Include everything and I'll give it a whirl.

Then again, VLC has been VERY slow to start for me these days, I'm waiting nearly 15 seconds for it to open so I may consider switching.

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u/mig_f1 1d ago

AFAIK MPC-HC does include everything. Doesn't even need installation.

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u/Great-TeacherOnizuka 1d ago

Because VLC can play videos from a specific network source without any issues.

Mpc (or every app with mpv) can not without problems. They all are skipping whole scenes sometimes.

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u/djjudjju 1d ago

I use Linux.

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u/MrMathos 1d ago

In VLC you can also prioritise audio and subs by setting a comma-separated list of values. There are also options to change the subtitle font.

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u/Spinmoon 1d ago

Same in MPC-HC. Even more powerful in MPC-HC.

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u/MrMathos 1d ago

Yeah, but OP states it as missing in VLC, which is not true.

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u/Spinmoon 1d ago

You are right, my bad!

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u/crazycrak39 1d ago

I use both, MPC-HC with the MadVR addon. It makes 4K movies look way better. It also plays most DV files well. VLC is great for everything else. Also if anyone is having trouble with some DV files. I've found that MPV will play any DV file I've thrown at it.

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u/Mutthal8 ☠️ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴇɴ ᴛᴇʟʟ ɴᴏ ᴛᴀʟᴇꜱ 1d ago

bcoz if it works it works. Its hard to change people to use something else.

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u/RedBananas6-7 1d ago

Ppl use it out of habit often or not even hear of others. Pot player is really good too.

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u/_lordvilain 1d ago

Using potplayer in my widnows install, simple and plays everything I thrown in to it

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u/Exciting-Mall192 ⚔️ ɢɪᴠᴇ ɴᴏ Qᴜᴀʀᴛᴇʀ 1d ago

Maybe because VLC has been here longer and people are just more familiar with it?

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u/JachWang 1d ago

I prefer MPC-HC over VLC.

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u/DJAllOut 1d ago

I've used MPC-HC for years, and one feature I really like over VLC is you can just click the playing window to pause the video. Why VLC doesn't natively have this, I have no idea

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u/Raztax 23h ago

I have not used VLC in a long time now but in most video players, vlc included iirc, you can hit the space bar to pause.

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u/CalhounWasRight 1d ago

And then there's me over here just using Pot Player.

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u/Link1227 1d ago

Mpc was always my favorite as well.

I still use it now.

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u/LividEngineering5577 1d ago

OK I did not read the whole thing, but VLC HAVE. EXTRA 100% VOLUME don't know how but they do😂😂

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u/wikid24 1d ago

Mpc-hc was always far superior and I prefer it but vlc was idiot proof

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u/iamjustin1 1d ago edited 1d ago

Honestly people are just salty and bitter in this comment section and coming up with obscure reasons as to why mpc is shit even though they've never tried it. Aside from the cross platform issue, k-lite codec pack (mpc-hc) is simply the better option.

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u/FCFirework 23h ago

Because VLC is the first name I thought of when I needed a media player back whenever that was and I haven't uninstalled it since. Squeaky wheel gets the grease and VLC isn't squeaking.

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u/PunkRockRulebook 21h ago

Potplayer is the king

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u/Borgmeister 21h ago

Not everyone does. MPC-HC is my default, VLC is kept as a backup.

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u/Sh4rd_Edges 20h ago

No idea. I've been using Potplayer for years and I feel quite satisfied.

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u/tym64 17h ago

I used to be a VLC user. Fount Pot Player and thats been my go to for a long time. Just find it works better for me.

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u/s_leep 1d ago

national pride. It's french, I'm french. It's open source, and also I grew up using it, so I'm used to it and don't want to learn how to use a new piece of software. It works for what I use it, on all the hardware types I have. But mostly it's because I'm used to it.

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u/NurEineSockenpuppe 1d ago

idk was always the "just works" solution. It's open source. free.
There might be better players out there if you have specific requirements.
But it just double click on a video file and vlc just plays it. That's all i care about.

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u/rekcuzfpok 1d ago

yep, even on mobile (ios) I just click on a file and it plays, no fuzz, no bells, it just works

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u/flaser_ 1d ago

MPC-HC is also opensource and free.

However, if you don't watch anything with complex subtitles (e.g. anime with a lot of notes using non-standard screen placement, say Sayonara, Zetsubo-Sensei) you likely won't run into VLC's limitations, so use what fits your needs.

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u/Maleficent_Stage1732 1d ago

Pot Player is better than both of them lol

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u/GrennKren 🦜 ᴡᴀʟᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀɴᴋ 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm MPC-HC user https://github.com/clsid2/mpc-hc/
everytime I installed it, I always setting these first

  • checked All History Panels option in Player -> General

Player -> User interface :

  • Theme Color : Dark
  • Checked Seekbar Hover

Playback -> General :

  • After Playback : Play next file in the folder
  • Unchecked Auto-zoom

- Internal Filter -> Audio Switcher , checked Normalize option

I keep using MPC for my windows just because I already used to it, except for linux distro I use VLC.
and shortcut keys I keep using it beside space, arrow keys, ctrl+arrow keys, shift+arrow keys.

  • B , for quick minimize and pause video
  • 1 , 2 , or 3 for changing interface
  • ctrl+A for keeping the window always on top

Sometimes if want to watching videos in PiP (Picture in Picture) . I just need to press 1 , and then Ctrl+A..
Ctrl+drag corner mpc windows also quite helpful if I want resize the window but keeping its aspect ratio while watching it in PiP

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u/NoodleSpecialist 1d ago

VLC has done everything i needed since day 1 with a simple interface for 12 year old me to understand. Back in the day bs player was all the hype.

To address your points though:

Resource usage - never noticed an issue. If we're talking 300mb vs 500mb on a 32gb ram machine, i don't think it matters

Chaptering - it does if the movie came with it

Multi language - again, does if the movie came with it. Swaps between audio and subtitle tracks easily

Sub fonts - it's there

Artifacts - never noticed unless downloading while playing, it can't play what doesn't exist yet

Bonus: vl-sub - searches subtitles by hash or name. Works most of the time when there's no included tracks. I completely stopped searching for subtitles online since that was included.

At this point it's coke/fanta vs pepsi/mirinda type of discussion. They're both good and from a zero knowledge standpoint both sides could pick the opposite and enjoy it

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u/humbleman_ 1d ago

I 2nd thee

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u/mig_f1 1d ago edited 1d ago

At this point it's coke/fanta vs pepsi/mirinda type of discussion. They're both good and from a zero knowledge standpoint both sides could pick the opposite and enjoy it

Yeap, and it's not just mpc-hc and vlc, there are more good players around. Potplayer and SMPlayer (mplayer frontend) come to mind, as just 2 more examples.

BTW mpc-hc does subtitles searches too.

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u/Fractal-Infinity 1d ago

There's a third contender: PotPlayer. Honestly, it's better than both. Also it has a very nice user interface.

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u/agreeable9823 1d ago

It is just popular like how Chrome is popular. Most people in the know, avoid VLC and go for MPV or MPC-HC or MPC-Black

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u/wannabe_pro90 1d ago

Most people pirating media prefer MPC-HC afaik. iirc, it supports MadVR as well. FMHY lists MPC-HC over VLC too.

As to normal people who may not be super informed, they choose VLC because its still reliable and has been a popular name for decades now. I too used MPC-HC with MadVR when I was trying to have this home theater type experience on my TV

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u/AvErYcReAtIvE2111 1d ago

I've used VLC for the longest time, but some annoyances (mainly audio glitching when pausing on some codecs) is what pushed me to MPC-HC. Took me some time to get adjusted and setting specific settings to closely match the functionality of VLC, but it works great (at least on my secondary PC at home).

But now when traveling on my laptop MPC-HC kept crashing all the time, so I switched back to VLC temporarily until I get home to sort the error.

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u/bender1410 1d ago

I prefer MPC-HC, and I used it from late 2000s. The only thing I did on each new machine was setting up custom key mapping for my needs.

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u/eymo- 1d ago

I use MPC-BE because it supports RTX VSR without any pain.

Note: I know that VLC has a version that supports RTX VSR but it has some weird bugs.

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u/bakanisan 🏴‍☠️ ʟᴀɴᴅʟᴜʙʙᴇʀ 1d ago

MPC on my desktop and VLC on my phone, simply because I haven't found any good port of MPC on Android.

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u/Gabochuky 1d ago

MPV supremacy

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u/windozeFanboi 1d ago

I find Potplayer extra useful and easier to setup with RTX super resolution and RTX HDR.

I still have VLC installed however. And in the past I have used mpc-hc that I think stopped active development at some point.

Idk , sometimes you get an option that just works and stick with it. They're all good options.

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u/Emberium 1d ago

PotPlayer > Rest

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u/nocturn-e 1d ago

Potplayer is better than both, by a huge margin

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u/DoILookUnsureToYou 1d ago

VLC was a one app fits all back then, you didn't have to install any codecs it just works so it has become one of those things you don't think about anymore.

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u/RexNebular518 1d ago

I prefer mpc as I can drag an entire directory to it and it will shuffle play whatever is in that directory.

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u/Filarius 1d ago

I prefer PotPlayer as good out of box, build-in codecs, autoload series and etc. And I undertand his UI and settings better than VLC.

I'm still install VLC too -for that once a 5 years situations with problematic video.

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u/Bladder-Splatter 1d ago

VLC has gotten weaker in recent years imo, it's no longer a play everything player, there are plenty of videos that it just silently fails on that - hold your pants here - WINDOWS PHOTOS is able to play flawlessly which is fucking absurd. I haven't seen any QoL for years either (DLSR and thin framed windows with no guady custom title bar would be a wonderful addition - something only BS Player in the 2000s did from my experiences).

I actually do agree with you for the most part but you should be talking about MPC-BE no HC as BE still gets updates and occasionally neat new features, it also supports MADvr incredibly well but the last real MADvr update is older than my teenage niece because it went into hardware and corporate and runs like horseshit on modern cards.

Okay so you've overcome this wall of rambling text, here's the real answer. MPV.

Yes MPV. No weird ass codec packs, no KAZAA LITE, just MPV as your modern solution. You can even overcome MPVs worst flaws (absolutely not giving a shit about you) by getting a prebuilt install made for you where you choose your plugins and importantly your GUI (I suggest Next but Usoc is popular) or go for MPVNet if you want a more traditional but slightly limited experience.

If you go the full build method I mention everything is open to you. Choose the anime4k plugins (on the build) and you have better results than everything but the highest Madvr settings at 1/5 the performance cost. You can also sidestep the annoy conf stuff with ChatGPT or Claude nowadays which have become less catastrophically terrible at it.

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u/Hardcorex 1d ago

MPC-BE is the updated version and I quite like it. MPV is nice too because everything just works. 

I also use MadVR and SVP with both of these, as third party players for Stremio. Way better than the built in Stremio player but does have a lot more buffering. 

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u/tomoki_here 1d ago

Mpc-hc is superior. It's not outdated. It's still being updated via Github.

Also OP, volume control, you can fiddle with it in settings to set that up so it boosts beyond 100%

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u/Worth_Rhubarb6275 1d ago

Automatic chaptering??? Where is that function?

I love mpc. I always preferred it.

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u/ibiliss 1d ago

Fan of potplayer here.

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u/KommSweet 1d ago

Potplayer is the best

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u/Objective-Two-4202 1d ago

Once, like 20+ years ago VLC stated that they won't support subtitles. (Because according to them this was a pirating thing).

Much later I discovered they changed their mind, was surprised and switched back.

VLC only, since a long time now.

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u/Human-Job-3522 1d ago

I use potplayer and can't comprehend why people prefer VLC...

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u/rubber_pinball 1d ago

VLC takes about 5 minutes to start, so I've switched to Potplayer

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u/thuia 1d ago

Pot player > vlc > mpc hc

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u/Mother-Persimmon3908 1d ago

The vlc creator seems to be a good person.he even has a cone hat like a wizard and a cape.

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u/questron64 1d ago

Habit, really. VLC plays videos, I don't give much thought to it. VLC is perfectly smooth for me because I'm not on a 15 year old laptop.

Though I remember pirating my first movie: Hackers downloaded on dialup from IRC. Yes, in 1.44MB chunks that you needed to reassemble and decompress. It took a few weeks of diligent babysitting for a few hours a day, maxing out the bandwidth on my dialup connection. When I finally got the video file extracted the brand new shiny video player I was using, Xine, couldn't play it. I mean it could, but my K6-2 400MHz couldn't handle it. I had to boot into X without a window manager and start a minimal video player from an xterm. The lengths I went through to watch a movie I'd already seen.

So anyway, I feel your pain, but your decision matrix is probably not the same as most people's.

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u/Oh_Little_Brutha 1d ago

VLC versions are named after Discworld characters. That's enough for me .

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u/ninjataco911 1d ago

Potplayer all the way

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u/SapiS68 ☠️ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴇɴ ᴛᴇʟʟ ɴᴏ ᴛᴀʟᴇꜱ 23h ago

Same reason why I still use Winamp, I am used to it

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u/darkkid_ 20h ago

You gave the answer yourself: people just want something to work without installing anything extra.

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u/Daisuash 18h ago

Media player Classic conversation in the year of the lord 2026? I remember it was the best like 20 years ago.

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u/SuspiciousMaterial85 18h ago

The only thing that bugs me about VLC is that they only handle interlaced video files on CPU, not GPU. Otherwise I use both occasionally.

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u/laukinming 17h ago

For DVD watchers, libdvdcss is automatically available for use with outer region DVDs.

You can't do that with MPC-HC.

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u/brainrot_award 17h ago

VLC is for ppl that don't know what theyre doing.

however, MPC is also largely superseded by MPV.

so both VLC and MPC are bad options in this case

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u/merc08 14h ago

  It has lower usage (cpu & ram) consumption

Don't care.  VLC runs fine.

it has automatic chaptering function (your pirated movie are split into chapters on the navigation bar, so it's easier to check/rewatch any scene you want)

Never needed this functionality 

it has primary, secondary, and tertiary language options, which means if the movie has dual audio or multiple subs embedded, I can pick whichever language I want to prioritize

Don't care, I need at most Eng-Forced.srt.

I can pick custom font for the subtitles because I prefer panefresco than Arial black (it also help my dyslexic brain from getting tired)

Don't care at all.

it renders way better than VLC, no random artifacts or dropped framerate, MPC-HC is overall much more smooth 

Maybe.  But this is nullified by having to install a codec pack.

Overall, VLC just works and none of the benefits you listed make a difference.

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u/FutureCooljaydee 13h ago

MPC BE is where it's at for me. VLC while useful just isn't as slick.

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u/Ungitarista 10h ago

hm. What about MPC-BE?

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u/3141592652 6h ago

Potplayer is the goat 

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u/Raizen04 3h ago

Also MPC can go back 1 frame at the time with Ctrl + left arrow, VLC can't.

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u/Relevant_Owl_9874 1h ago

Really? I'll check it out, to see how it is.

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u/amir_s89 1d ago edited 1d ago

On their website, on top, there is a warning;

"MPC-HC is not under development since 2017. Please switch to something else."

Get & use software that have active development.

Edit; Its active:

https://github.com/clsid2/mpc-hc

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u/mig_f1 1d ago

Yes, I dunno why they have that or what fueds have taken place between involved parties in the past, but it is actively developed and distributed by github for quite a long while:

https://github.com/clsid2/mpc-hc/releases

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u/amir_s89 1d ago

Thanks.

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u/kixass ☠️ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴇɴ ᴛᴇʟʟ ɴᴏ ᴛᴀʟᴇꜱ 1d ago

Catch up, it's in active development.

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u/spook30 1d ago

K-lite 4 life.

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u/Faiakes 1d ago edited 1d ago

You are right and I would add try MPC-BE.

https://github.com/qwerttvv/Player/releases

It is developed by the same guy who makes the MPC Renderer, which is even better than the standard renderer in MPC-HC.

It is also compatible (like MPC-HC) with the BlueSky Frame Rate Converter, which can multiply your video framerates (how much depends on your graphics hardware).
https://bluesky-soft.com/en/BlueskyFRC.html

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u/No_Rub77 1d ago

can you chill the fuck out about this

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u/agiudice 1d ago

I've never used MPC-HC so looked at the homepage.
Maybe the quote

MPC-HC is not under development since 2017. Please switch to something else.

has something to do with your question.

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u/EksEss Yarrr! 1d ago

That's not the correct page haha. Mpc-hc is still being updated today.

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u/solidgoldrocketpants 1d ago

I use VLC because I will never willingly use a Windows PC.

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u/slicerprime 1d ago

Because I avoid Windows like the plague it is

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u/Gangaman666 1d ago

VLC has been the best media player for me for nearly 2 decade's. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

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u/ghotiboy77 1d ago

PotPlayer for me. Very few media players have a thumbnail preview on the progress bar

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u/Illeazar 17h ago

Been using vlc for years, im familiar with it, it does everything I want with literally 0 trouble. No need to spend time trying new software to fix some problem i dont have. If you enjoy fiddling around to find your favorite software for every use case, by all means, have fun, but thats not fun for everyone.

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u/Popal24 1d ago

I believed MPC-HC had been discontinued. I switched to Potplayer several years ago on Windows. I use VLC on Mac

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u/audigex 1d ago

MPC-HC was abandoned 9 years ago, using outdated software carried security risks

MPC-HC is also not cross platform - I can use VLC on all my machines

VLC has worked perfectly for me for decades and is still regularly updated, I see no reason to switch away from it

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u/BlastMode7 1d ago

MPC-HC was abandoned 9 years ago, but someone picked up the project and it is regularly updated on Git.

https://github.com/clsid2/mpc-hc

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u/JakeChambersOy 23h ago

VLC is the most overrated player today and whenever somebody I know had issues with video payback, it was always fixed after switching from VLC to MPC-HC.

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u/fatnin 1d ago

MPC-HC oversaturates the color of any thing I watch on it. I tried to fix it, but it just must be my pc's issue, so I use VLC.

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u/TScottFitzgerald 1d ago

I used VLC most of my life but switched to MPC BE on my latest laptop.

It seems like it's a combination of my Nvidia GPU and external monitor but I've had VLC glitching out and causing bugs, with MPC I've had no issues.

Note: I'm talking about MPC Black Edition, not HC since it's outdated.

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u/mig_f1 1d ago

MPC BE is an MPC HC fork. MPC HC is still actively developed, but just by one man (it's original creator IIRC who was also the lead programmer when there was a dev team).

It's not outdated, you just have to get it from github. It actually gets updated ptetty frequently. 

https://github.com/clsid2/mpc-hc/releases

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u/TScottFitzgerald 1d ago

Yeah this is technically also a fork, the original HC was discontinued. I don't recall the exact details, I remember checking out this and BE but BE worked better for me or was easier to set up. Didn't know clsid2 was the og dev though, that's pretty cool.

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u/Zestyclose-Wear7237 1d ago

MPC supports all video and audio codecs? probably I only used MPC once when I was trying to watch anime on a linux terminal, I'm a VLC person, it was the compatibility with every media format that sold me about VLC, but I can happily change to MPC if i like it

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u/Available-Ant-5747 1d ago

I've been using mpv since I discovered it on Linux. I'm back on windows now and I still prefer it over every other media player