Features

Version 2 ("Twoflower") brings a new interface, faster decoding, support for more formats and the ability to play HD and BluRay. It still remains however the most stable, flexible and lightweight audio and video player around today. While other media players will play unusual formats after downloading a codec, or simply refuse to play things,

VLC media player handles tons of formats, from MPEG to FLV and RMBV files. Version 2 has seen some important additions too such as support for 10 bit codes plus multi-threaded decoding for H.264, MPEG-4/Xvid and WebM.

Also useful is the fact that you can use VLC media player to preview files you are downloading since it plays incomplete parts of video files. VLC media player is not just for video playback however. It also offers superb integration with video channel streaming services such as Channels.com giving you access to channels such as ESPN, Reuters and National Geographic. Just right-click or CMD-click on the playlist, select Services Discovery and Channels.com.

Channels.com will then appear in your VLC media player playlist. Click on it to reveal the the different categories of channels available. Click on the category you want and a drop down list of all available channels appears in VLC media player. Just click on the channel you want to watch and streaming should begin almost immediately.

Usability

VLC media player also has great hotkey support and if you take the time to learn the shortcuts so it can be controlled without touching your mouse. If you're watching DVDs or video files through it, this is not an issue. For music, it plays more or less any file and features an equalizer and playlist creation. VLC media player isn't as intuitive as iTunes as a media manager, but it's a much more flexible player in terms of file formats. You can even use VLC to convert your files, and on top of all the formats and physical media it will play, many streaming protocols and TV capture cards are supported.

VLC media player makes it easy to add subtitles to your video files too - just add the SRT file to the folder where your video is kept, and it will automatically play with subtitles.

Finally, the interface in VLC media player has been somewhat improved in version 2 although it remains strictly functional. However, you can download skins to completely change VLC media player's appearance. The preferences menu is comprehensive without being overwhelming, and there is extensive documentation online.

Conclusion

VLC Media Player is quite simply the best multimedia application for Windows and Mac. It plays just about anything, hassle free - what more could you need?

What's new

Rework and fixes of the Mac OS X interface

Fix Pulseaudio initial synchronization

Fix MKV, SWF, AIFF and subtitles demuxer crashes

Translations updates and new Welsh translation

DVB-S delivery system detection

Fix audio and video track selection through libVLC

Fix system sleep issue on Mac OS X 10.5

Download VLC media player 2.0.6 in Softonic

Kantaris Media Player is a polished multimedia player that enables you to play files in a wide variety of formats. It features a simple but nicely designed interface with not many configuration options which makes it very easy to use.

Videos in Kantaris Media Player can be played in full screen mode with control panel only appearing when you move the mouse. As for music, Kantaris Media Player offers four visualization modes that add a touch of color to your songs.

However we noticed that if you show the playlist, the visualization is not properly centered. Another problem we had with the playlist is the fact that you can only add tracks one by one.

Download Kantaris Media Player 0.7.7 in Softonic

While hardly the most interesting piece of software, the AC'97 Audio Codec is a comprehensive addition to your audio set-up. It incorporates proprietary converter technology to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio above 90dB. It also supports multiple codec extensions with variable sampling rates and built-in 3D effects.

AC'97 Audio Codec provides two pairs of stereo outputs with independent volume controls, a mono output, and multiple stereo and mono inputs, as well as mixing, gain and mute functions that provide a complete integrated audio solution. The codec can be used to equal advantage in both PCs and netbooks.

The AC'97 Audio Codec also supports a SPDIF out function which allows easy connection from the PC to consumer electronic products. The codec comes bundled with Windows drivers and various sound effects (including Karaoke, emulation of 26 sound environments, and 5-band equalizer), features that round off any PC sound system.

If you need an audio codec solution for your PC, AC'97 Audio Codec is a great option.

Download AC'97 Audio Codec A4.06 in Softonic

Users are very picky when it comes to installing codec packs on their PCs - nobody wants to bloat their system with useless files and tools that won't be of any use or will only cause incompatibility issues. You won't have this problem with XP Codec Pack. This compact, handy codec pack has always been Softonic's first choice whenever we need to install codecs or upgrade them on a PC.

Why? Well, we like the fact that XP Codec Pack focuses on the most popular formats, and so it's not overloaded with codecs most users will hardly use. Secondly, it's easy to install and lets you choose exactly what you want, both for codecs and tools. Finally, XP Codec Pack is incredibly stable and highly compatible: we've never had a single problem with codec since we began to use it.

Of course, that doesn't mean to say that XP Codec Pack is perfect. There are a few flaws that should be pointed out. The most demanding users will surely miss a wider array of formats in XP Codec Pack, as well as more codec-related tools like the ones you find in other codec packs.

XP Codec Pack is a great choice for those who don't need a massive selection of codecs and prefer a simpler, hassle-free codec kit for the most popular audio and video formats.

Download XP Codec Pack 2.5.1 in Softonic

Most multimedia publishing programs only allow you to publish one type of format be it photos, video or audio - Gallery Designer allows you to publish all 3 at once and does all the HTML coding for you.

Everything is explained and taken step by step until your gallery is online with no further effort required on your part. To get going, first of all you're asked which image files you want to upload. Secondly, you're asked what title you want to give the album and the layout parameters - how big, what style etc. Then, you simply click "Build" and the software whizzes into action building a perfect HTML gallery, complete with thumbnails, for publishing on the net.

Once ready, you are given detailed control over exactly how you want the gallery to look such as by changing the thumbnails to full image size, the titles, layout gallery style, border colors etc. If you see another gallery online that you like developed using Gallery Designer, you can even borrow that template or alternatively, design your own.

With support for for a wide range of video and photo formats and even support for text files, Gallery Designer takes the pain out of coding your own online gallery.

Download Gallery Designer 1.0.9 in Softonic

Although on the face of it, MyWakeUpTunes passes as a simple MP3 player, the application can actually be used as an alarm clock on your PC. This can be used either to wake you up, or simply to remind you of an important event or task.

If you´re one of those people that sleeps next to their computer this program is ideal for you. If you´re a travelling businessman you could run MWUT on your laptop. You could even set it up on your development machine to rouse you after that all-night coding session.

MWUT plays audio from a variety of different sources, including a MWUT soundtrack, MP3 file, audio CD or DVD chapter, or even a playlist from either iTunes, WinAMp or Windows Media Player.

If you choose to use MWUT as an alarm clock then every element of your multimedia wake up experience can be configured. In addition to the audio you can select an image or a favourite DVD chapter to be displayed upon wakeup.

You can fade in and out the overall audio volume using an interface similar to the waveform level controller in Flash. One of the most innovative features is the program´s ability to sync your wake up time to coincide with your local sunrise.

Download MyWakeUpTunes 1.0 in Softonic