Choosing a quality multimedia player for Windows is not an easy task. The fact is that only a few can boast rich functionality, excellent playback quality and support for all existing formats. Some of the players are free, while others require a fee (often symbolic) for the full version.
But which player is better to choose for home use? It depends on the specific tasks and personal preferences of each user. This review will help to make a choice. Let's start with the oldest members of the class.
Windows Media Player
Once, users used this particular player only because there were no alternatives at all. But even in those days, this player managed to annoy unhappy users with its “inhibition”.
The reason for this is a bunch of unnecessary options that Microsoft has generously implemented in its player. Thanks to these very options, the Windows Media Player began to work very badly. As a permanent program for watching movies, it is in no way suitable, since it does not know how to reproduce the HD and Full HD formats. Not to mention 4K.
In addition, this player cannot work without third-party codecs. In the days of Windows 95, this was normal. But now it looks like a blatant anachronism. "Windows Media Player" refers to the category of outdated programs. But it can be called a full-fledged “combine”, since it knows how to “rob” CDs with music. However, you should not expect much from him. It clearly does not belong to the category of the best players for Windows.
Light Alloy Multimedia Player
This is another old-timer. He was in use at the time when XP just appeared. And then he was considered the best player for multimedia files under Windows. He had a lot of advantages and was very different from the standard system player. LA was able to play almost all formats of audio and video, did not load the computer and had a pretty appearance. Such a set provided him with the love of users for many years.
However, if you answer the question of which player is better, then Light Alloy has long since given way to other peers. At one time, the player was good, but now its mechanisms are a bit outdated.
Now Light Alloy simply does not compete with more modern and powerful players. If users use it, it is only because of nostalgia for the old days. This Windows player is definitely a thing of the past. Like all his merits. Therefore, it is worth moving to more modern utilities that can boast of functionality and additional options.
Gom player
This player is well known to many users. It is still actively used to play this or that multimedia content. It can play almost all formats. This is facilitated by the fact that the player is able to search the network and load the necessary codecs.
The player also has advanced functionality, which is very good for fans of all-in-one programs. The player is able to take screenshots in real time, which is very useful. Also, the player can play damaged or incompletely downloaded files. There is no such opportunity in any known player.
A Windows player of this kind will appeal to many users. However, there is one drawback: the player consumes a lot of resources. For its full use and high-quality video playback, a rather powerful PC or laptop is required.
If you are looking for an answer to the question of which player is better, then GOM Player may well come up, but if you do not like its work with system resources, then you should look further.
Kmp
This is a powerful player originally from Korea. He knows everything that can be done. A lot of settings let you choose the most suitable configuration for a particular computer. A huge selection of themes allows you to fully customize the player for you. It consumes relatively few system resources (when compared with the GOM) and boasts high-quality playback of video and audio files.
The player is also “omnivorous”: it reads all known formats, due to the huge number of built-in codecs. Free players on a computer can do a lot, but only KMP has the richest functionality.
Many users prefer this particular player also because it is completely free. However, in the age of torrents and various file hosting services, only lazy people cannot find “free” software. But users appreciate KMP not only for its "free". Many of them have already decided which player is better. And this is definitely CMR.
Daum potplayer
This player is a lightweight version of the popular and legendary KMP. It is also made by Korean developers and is distinguished by a more gentle use of system resources. If you compare this player with the CMR, then they look like twins. Only work with PC capacities is completely different. Therefore, there is no reason to be surprised that most users choose Daum. They have already answered the question of which player is better.
Daum has rich functionality, provides high-quality playback of video and audio files, is omnivorous and can easily be used as a universal player.
This player has almost no flaws. It supports various themes and is able to work with many effects for both video and audio. There is also a built-in equalizer and special effects to enhance the sound. You can choose the type of speaker system for your speakers. Also, the player is completely free, which makes it even more attractive in the eyes of the average user.
Finally
So, we examined the most popular players. The review would be incomplete without a summary. It can be said that in modern realities there is a considerable number of high-quality players. But the best among them is Daum PotPlayer.
It has rich functionality, a lot of settings, a huge number of themes, provides high-quality video playback and reads all known file formats. In addition, the player is completely free. This player is almost perfect.