Windows Media Player is set as the default player for music and video output on every computer with the Windows operating system. There are often problems with the player, such as missing codcs, which make it impossible to play a video. However, there is a very good alternative on the web that can do much more than just play videos and music. The VLC Media Player is free open source software, which you have to download and install before you can use it. In this short post, we list you the biggest advantages of VLC media player.
Windows Media Player and VLC Player in direct comparison
The standard Windows player and the VLC player are well-known players for playing music or videos. But there are big differences between the two players. The manufacturers follow different philosophies: Microsoft offers with your player not only a player for playing content, but the player has an integrated media library and it can also be used as a burning program and synchronization tool.
Accordingly, it has two separate modules: the library with the integrated burn and sync module and a separate video playback window. The VLC Media Player, on the other hand, consists of only one main window, in which all functions and a gigantic arsenal of video files are located. With it, it is possible to convert video files into another format and adjust image and sound with various filters.
Dealing with codecs
The biggest difference between the Windows Media Player and the VLC Player is in dealing with the codecs. The so-called codecs are small modules that are used to compress and decompress image and audio material. The Microsoft player has only the basic set of Microsoft codecs and if a codec is missing when running a movie or song, the playback will fail.
Such playback problems often occur, especially with MKV videos, OGG audio files, iPhone/Ipad videos, recordings from media receivers and Smart TVs. If you want to play DVDs on your computer, you also have to retrofit the player with a media center pack for around 10 euros.
The VLC player, on the other hand, solves all codec problems and brings all the important codecs with it, making it possible to play almost all movie and music files. Unlike the Windows Media Player, the VLC Player does not access Windows codecs, so you don't have to search the Internet for the right codecs, but with the VLC Player you have them all on board.
This is how files are played
Both players have windowed and full-screen playback with the associated controls to fast forward, pause, stop and change volume. Unlike the VLC player, the Windows Media Player lacks the volume control via the mouse wheel and therefore the volume can only be adjusted via the slider in the corner. A special feature that the VLC also has is a function that makes it possible to correct distorted image reproduction if the side proportions are not recognized by the player itself.
