VLC Media Player for Mac

VLC Media Player for Mac is a fully featured open-source media player that supports the reproduction of a wide range of video and audio formats and excellent compatibility with modern PC, Mac, Linux, and mobile hardware.

It was first released in 2001 and has since become one of the most recommended choices for users of all technical knowledge levels who want to enjoy multimedia on their home, school, or work computers.

One of the key aspects of its success is its focus on being a complete package or more precisely, not requiring users to have any other piece of software (such as drivers for each individual media format) installed in order to perfectly reproduce audio video files of the user’s choice.

Over the years, this popular player app has received a dramatic set of updates that enabled users to compress media files, easily reproduce CD/DVD/BD media, access internet streams via many industry-standard protocols, transcode multimedia files, stream media over computer networks, become an embeddable player in other local apps, and much more.

Today, over 23 years after its original release this software continues to expand its reach and solidify its place as one of the best video players ever created.

Main Features

• All-encompassing media playback – Effortlessly play audio and video files in various formats without the need for additional codecs.
• Support for ALL formats – Reliably open hundreds of audio, video, and subtitle files.
• Streaming – Enjoy streaming media from the internet and local networks.
• Subtitles – Add and customize subtitles for all media files, including easy subtitle synchronization.
• Plugins – Extend the functionality of this versatile app with a large library of plugins.
• Reproduce Damaged Files – Extract all viable data from damaged multimedia files.
• 100% FREE and available for all modern computing platforms and operating systems.

Installation and Setup

To get this popular video player up and running on any modern Mac, users simply have to download the latest version of the installer archive from its official VideoLAN website or the secure FileHorse servers.

After a successful download, simply move the DMG file into the application folder to start the automated installation process that requires users to follow a few simple on-screen instructions.

It is important to note that the open-source development team of this app has produced two versions of this app for the Mac platform, one optimized for Intel-based processors and one for the newest Apple Silicon hardware.

Once installed, the app does not require any additional setup, but users are encouraged to visit its extensive Preferences module (accessible via the Tools dropdown menu).

How to Use

To use VLC Media Player for macOS, simply drag and drop media files into the app's interface or use the "Open File" option in the Media menu.

The app can also automatically associate multimedia file types with the Mac OS, enabling effortless multimedia playback by simply double-clicking on the video or audio files from inside any file browser app.

Multimedia playback can be heavily customized with an incredible amount of options this community-driven app holds, including in-depth subtitle tweaking, video/audio reproduction formats, assigning custom hotkeys, and much more.

User Interface

The VLC Media Player interface on Mac is straightforward and user-friendly, with a minimalist design that allows users to focus fully on their media content while retaining the option to fully customize the way they enjoy audio/video files.

The app's main window displays the media file being played, along with basic playback controls and a playlist view.

The bottom of the app hosts shortcuts for the smart audio signature equalizer, media browser, full-screen toggle, and basic media playback controls.

FAQ

What is VLC Media Player?
It is a free, open-source media player that supports various video/audio formats and extensive customization controls.

Alternatives

QuickTime Player – A native macOS media player that supports various video and audio formats.

MPV Media Player – A lightweight, open-source media player with advanced features and a minimalist interface.

Kodi – A versatile media player and streaming media hub that supports a wide range of media formats and offers customizable add-ons. Requires Intel-based Mac hardware.

5KPlayer – A versatile media player that supports 4K/5K video playback, music streaming, and AirPlay/DLNA screen mirroring, combining media management with online video downloading.

Pricing

This open-source app is 100% free. It does not feature any in-app ads, premium features, or subscriptions.

System Requirements

VLC Media Player requires macOS 10.7.5 or later and a 64-bit processor (both Intel and Apple Silicon are supported).

Users with older Mac hardware and OS releases can get this app up and running by downloading older versions of this popular video player.

PROS

• Support for all modern and legacy video, audio, and subtitle formats.
• All-in-one package that does not require any external codec pack.
• Excellent cross-platform compatibility.
• Ability to reproduce CD/DVD/BD discs and stream internet content.
• Open-source development.
• Versatile features and extensive customization options.
• Regular updates that introduce new features.
• 100% free!

CONS

• Retro interface that did not change its style in over 2 decades.
• Not available in the Mac App Store.

Conclusion

VLC Media Player for Mac is a powerful and versatile media player that offers a wide range of features for macOS users.

While its interface may be complex for some, its open-source nature and perfect compatibility with various media formats make it one of the best multimedia reproduction apps on the modern market.

Also Available: Download VLC Media Player for Windows