The problem with the heavyweight audio and video players is that they prefer their standards and will always encourage you to use the codecs that they supply with their player. This often means you'll need more than one player installed just to play back different video types. As you'll know, you'll then be bombarded with questions on whether you want to associate the player with different media types when you start up the player. Annoying.

VLC Media Player 0.8.6e is a free media player that's not dependant on particular codec types or in favour of a particular format. As long as you have the various codecs installed, then VLC Media Player will attempt to play back the audio or video. It's not new, it's been around for years, so you know you're using tried-and-tested software.

VLC Media Player link.

29 Feb 2008