best Media Players + codec packs

[GarSpear]

Hello

On my old Athlon computer for nearly ten years I used media play classic (MPC) together with its included codec packs. Never had a problem with it.

Will I get better picture quality with other newer players, even players that you have to buy? Is there any reason why I shouldn't just go with what I know again i.e. MPC.

Cheers

 

[itmoba]

I don't think you need to buy a media player (software solution). In fact, I can't think of a single one that's good that costs money. My suggestion? Go with VLC -- it's great software that's open-source and comes out-of-box ready your "media du jour."

Here's a link to VLC's website: https/www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

 

[GarSpear]

Thanks for the suggestion, but after weighing up the pros and cons I am going with MPC, though the ability to paste in youtube url's into VLC almost swayed me...

http/www.techhive.com/article/2892383/which-is-the-better-free-video-player-mpc-hc-176-vs-vlc-22.html

Do I still need to download a codec pack?

 

[itmoba]

If you need to download a codec pack, I'd go with K-Lite. The "mega" and "update" will just about cover everything there is for typical playback.

 

[madmatt30]

Kodi mate - best full on free media center by far - has a YouTube plugin too.

No codecs need at all -one time install.

 

[GarSpear]

What about playing blu ray discs?

 

[GarSpear]

Do I need a separate software player to play blu ray discs from my new LG Blue Ray 5.25in blu ray player?

I haven't got any blu ray discs to try with it yet...

 

[madmatt30]

Blurays (retail) are encrypted .
You therefore need decryption software installed (anydvd is $10).
3rd party apps will then play retail bluray content as the decrypting is done on the fly.
Vlc,Kodi,mpc will only play main movie content this way with no menus or special features.

For full bluray playback with all menus you will have to pay for cyberlink or similar.

 

[GarSpear]

Thanks madmatt... you've helped a few times now!

Man I made a meal of putting this system together but I may post pics of it later.. if anyone is into that sort of thing.. I did some interesting funky ghetto mods to the case...

I want full menus. So cyberlink is fine with Kodi or MPC? I need to google cyberlink.. god it's never ending!!!!!!

 

[itmoba]

A variety of Blu-ray encryption schemes cannot legally be decrypted by third-party software. Engaging in such activity is a breech of the EULA and DRM license agreement.