News - VLC 2.0 receives makeover

[shaithis]

Wow. I cannot believe all the "VLC is all you need" crowd.......It's failed me on numerous occasions to the point where I only use it when my usual solution(s) has failed.

The big problem with it, is it's strength: It has no external codecs.

While that's all nice, clean and tidy......it's a complete show-stopper when it cannot play your video correctly.

I prefer codecs.......yes, they are an extra level of annoyance but when you look at the options available through Shark codecs, you can customise to a level VLC will never ever allow.

[Biscuit]

Wow. I cannot believe all the "VLC is all you need" crowd.......It's failed me on numerous occasions to the point where I only use it when my usual solution(s) has failed.

The big problem with it, is it's strength: It has no external codecs.

While that's all nice, clean and tidy......it's a complete show-stopper when it cannot play your video correctly.

I prefer codecs.......yes, they are an extra level of annoyance but when you look at the options available through Shark codecs, you can customise to a level VLC will never ever allow.

I don't understand how you're in the minority yet seem to be suggesting we are crazy because everything works for us?

What the hell kind of videos are you trying to use with it?

[shaithis]

Not suggesting anyone is crazy....hmmm

And what videos am I playing? A selection of tons of different ones.

From downloads to my own DVD, HD-DVD and BD rips.

[Agent]

Wow. I cannot believe all the "VLC is all you need" crowd.......It's failed me on numerous occasions to the point where I only use it when my usual solution(s) has failed.

mmm...no one has actually claimed that you don't need to use other players, but rather VLC is pretty good for most people.

My question was genuinely asking for the other options that were being claimed were available, it wasn't a dig at anyone who uses something different.

[Biscuit]

Not suggesting anyone is crazy....hmmm

And what videos am I playing? A selection of tons of different ones.

From downloads to my own DVD, HD-DVD and BD rips.

Im yet to find a download that wont play in VLC, are you downloading from a wierd source maybe?
If its stuff you are making yourself that doesn't work then surely its your own fault, all the most popular codecs are contained.

I used to do live visuals which requires using material from a massive range of different devices and codecs. Yeah, VLC couldnt handle those formats but i tended to slap them straight into editing software anyway and rarely had a need to PVW them in anything other than the visuals software i was running at that point. Thats the only exception i have found really but its to be expected as its more of a 'professional video' issue.

[Hicks12]

MPC requires to much effort to find the required codecs and for me even when ive set it up properly its useless, out of sync and isnt that fast. VLC works 99% of the time, supports a crap load of formats and has never been slow for me and syncs fine without me making yet more effort!.

Thankyou developers for making VLC even better (the interface could do with changing, same as MPC tis naff!) And thank the gods they have added bluray support!!!!!! I havent watched a bluray on my system for ages, because the powerdvd 9 supplied with the samsung has been messed up by cyberlink so essentially the updates required to play any recent (last 2 years i think) wont play due to new features or something and after you update to the required version it then freezes on playback, crash loop ive never been able to fix . Hate cyberlink and refuse to pay money for their laggy software and ontop of the fact i have a legit copy why cant i play!.

Quick VLC ill pay £30 for the license in the heartbeat if it means i can play them .


edit: how have they got the avengers? Or are they just playing the old tv series .

[shaithis]

If its stuff you are making yourself that doesn't work then surely its your own fault, all the most popular codecs are contained.

No, it's not my fault......

It's the AV streams on certain films/disks. I demultiplex and then remux into mkv. The AV streams are essentially untouched, only the container has changed.

[blueball]

No, it's not my fault......

It's the AV streams on certain films/disks. I demultiplex and then remux into mkv. The AV streams are essentially untouched, only the container has changed.

Why not just use MakeMKV because VLC plays MKV files just fine.

[Hicks12]

i ripped my blurays to mkv, plays fine on vlc? even streaming the audio to my AV receiver... you clearly are the unlucky one . I best not jinx myself! Although if i can play my bluray discs it wont matter .

[malculator]

My main gripe with VLC is the look of it. Without skins it's not exactly the prettiest media player imo, and the skins I've tried all seem a bit buggy. How come OSX users get a nice slick interface? I prefer MPC HC, but one slight advantage VLC may have over it, is the ability to play rar archived media, or so I'm told.

[jim]

The big problem with it, is it's strength: It has no external codecs.

While that's all nice, clean and tidy......it's a complete show-stopper when it cannot play your video correctly.

I prefer codecs.......yes, they are an extra level of annoyance but when you look at the options available through Shark codecs, you can customise to a level VLC will never ever allow.

That's a bit of an odd criticism though, it's like saying that you don't like MS Paint because you make a slideshow with it.

If you want a simple piece of software that can be installed on a PC and work with absolutely no messing around, then VLC is perfect.

If you want to muck around with Haali splitter and ffdshow and all the rest of it, then you need a different type of software.

[Biscuit]

No, it's not my fault......

It's the AV streams on certain films/disks. I demultiplex and then remux into mkv. The AV streams are essentially untouched, only the container has changed.

Well i have never tried this with BD/HDDVD but i have never had issue with regular DVD. Perhaps the new blu ray support will sort out the problems you were previously having?

Why not just use MakeMKV because VLC plays MKV files just fine.

MKV isnt a codec, simply a wrapper to keep the video, audio, subtitles and any meta-data together as a single file. Think of it as a Zip file that doesn't compress the contents.

[SiM]

Think of it as a Zip file that doesn't compress the contents.

Or think of it like a folder (that you can't open in windows explorer)

I prefer MPC-HC, but I have to agree that VLC is great for a one stop solution or for noobs. MPC-HC is more suited for the advanced user and as others have noted has come with in built hardware acceleration for H.264 for many years.

Haven't tried the new one yet though, will give it a go to see what it's like

[tribaljet]

Or think of it like a folder (that you can't open in windows explorer)

I prefer MPC-HC, but I have to agree that VLC is great for a one stop solution or for noobs. MPC-HC is more suited for the advanced user and as others have noted has come with in built hardware acceleration for H.264 for many years.

Haven't tried the new one yet though, will give it a go to see what it's like

^This.

VLC is what I like to call the convenience player, suited for uninformed users and those who just don't care enough and simply want to play videos, akin to people who use iTunes to listen to music.

Using an integrated codec pack, like what's found on self contained players, is very constraining, while external codecs allow the flexibility of choice and quality per user's preference. But then again, not everyone is familiar with proper codec installation and maintenance, for which self contained players like VLC are a safer option.

[blueball]

MKV isnt a codec, simply a wrapper to keep the video, audio, subtitles and any meta-data together as a single file. Think of it as a Zip file that doesn't compress the contents.

Please read what I said. If you use MakeMKV to rip your fims VLC will play the MKVs just fine. I am fully aware of all the nuances but were not discussing that.

[Biscuit]

Please read what I said. If you use MakeMKV to rip your fims VLC will play the MKVs just fine. I am fully aware of all the nuances but were not discussing that.

ok...

Why not just use MakeMKV because VLC plays MKV files just fine.

Still reads the same second time round im afraid. What you just posted and what you posted before suggest different understanding from where im sitting.

What Shaithis is saying is that he doesnt adjust/convert the video or audio stream at all and VLC isnt playing it, so if that doesnt work then i dont see why Make MKV would be any better unless that does transcoding... which he doesnt want.