Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (64-bit)

Media Player Classic Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is a lightweight media player for Windows. It looks just like Windows Media Player Classic v6.4 but has many additional features. You can use the player as a Media Player Classic Home Theater.

It has built-in codecs for MPEG-2 video and codecs for LPCM, MP2, AC3, and DTS audio, and also contains an improved MPEG splitter that supports playback of VCDs and SVCDs using its VCD, SVCD, or XCD Reader. An AAC decoding filter makes MPC suitable for AAC playback in MP4.



MPC-HC, short for Media Player Classic - Home Cinema 64bit, is a Windows-based, free, and open-source video and audio player. It is an enhanced version of the original Guliverkli project, offering a wide range of additional features and bug fixes.

Highlights

Comprehensive Format Support: It supports an extensive list of media formats, including popular ones such as MP4, MKV, AVI, FLV, MP3, FLAC, and more. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of multimedia content.

Customizable Interface: The user interface of MPC-HC is clean, intuitive, and highly customizable. Users can choose from various skins and apply different color schemes to personalize their media player.

Advanced Playback Controls: It offers a plethora of playback controls, including play, pause, stop, fast forward, rewind, and frame-by-frame navigation. It also provides keyboard shortcuts and supports multimedia keyboard shortcuts for easier control.

Subtitle Support: It allows users to load external subtitle files and adjust settings such as font, size, color, and synchronization. It supports a wide range of subtitle formats, ensuring an optimal viewing experience for users.

Audio and Video Filters: The media player incorporates a robust set of audio and video filters, allowing users to enhance their playback experience. These filters enable adjustments to brightness, contrast, sharpness, noise reduction, audio equalization, and more.



Overview of Features

Dark Interface
Easily switch to a dark theme: Menu > View > Dark Theme

Customizable Seekbar and Toolbar
Adjust the height of the seekbar and size of the toolbar buttons: Options > Advanced

Video Preview on Seekbar
Enable video preview on the seekbar: Options > Tweaks > Show preview on seek bar

Adjustable Playback Speed

• Change playback speed: Menu > Play > Playback rate
• Customize the playback rate increment: Options > Playback > Speed step

Enhanced Playback Control

• Improved playback experience with the SaneAR audio renderer: Options > Playback > Output > Audio Renderer
• Automatic pitch correction with SaneAR audio renderer

Resume Playback Position

• MPC-HC remembers the playback position for easy resuming: Options > Player > History

Quick Video Seeking

• Fast seek through a video using Ctrl + Mouse Scrollwheel

Navigation within a Folder
Jump to the next/previous file in a folder: PageUp/PageDown

After Playback Actions

• Set automatic actions after playback: Options > Playback > After Playback (permanent setting)
• Apply actions for the current file only: Menu > Play > After Playback

A-B Repeat

• Loop a specific segment of a video: Press [ and ] to set start and stop markers

Video Manipulation

• Rotate, flip, mirror, stretch, and zoom the video: Menu > View > Pan&Scan
• Convenient hotkeys available for these functions

Customizable Controls

• Customize keyboard hotkeys and mouse actions: Options > Player > Keys
• Use the search box above the table for quick access to specific settings

Streaming and Downloading Videos

• Stream videos directly from YouTube and other websites
• Place yt-dlp.exe in the MPC-HC installation folder
• Open website URLs in the player: Menu > File > Open File/URL
• Download videos: Menu > File > Save a copy
• To enable downloading in the best quality, place ffmpeg.exe in the MPC-HC folder
• Additional configuration options for yt-dlp are available: Options > Advanced

HDR Video Support

• Play HDR videos using madVR or MPC Video Renderer: Options > Playback > Output

Subtitle Search and Download

• Search and download subtitles automatically or manually (press D): Options > Subtitles > Misc

Performance and Stability Improvements

• Numerous bug fixes and internal improvements for better performance and stability
• Updated internal codecs with added support for CUE sheets, WebVTT subtitles, and more.

How to Use

Download and Installation: Visit the official MPC-HC website or FileHorse and download the latest version of the software. Follow the installation instructions provided by the setup wizard.

Opening Media Files: Launch the app and either use the File menu or drag and drop media files into the player window. Alternatively, you can right-click a media file in Windows Explorer and select "Open with MPC-HC."

Playback Controls: Use the toolbar or keyboard shortcuts to control playback, adjust volume, switch between audio tracks and subtitles, and navigate through the media file.

Customization: Explore the various settings and options in the Preferences menu to personalize MPC-HC according to your preferences. You can modify video and audio settings, subtitle options, and interface appearance.



FAQ

Q1. Is Media Player Classic - Home Cinema FREE to use?
A1. Yes, the app is completely FREE and open-source, making it an excellent choice for users who want a high-quality media player without any cost.

Q2. Does MPC-HC work on macOS?
A2. No, MPC-HC is primarily designed for Windows operating systems, and there is no official version available for macOS. However, Mac users can explore alternative media players such as VLC media player or IINA.

Q3. Can I use MPC-HC to stream online videos?
A3. The app is primarily a local media player and does not have built-in streaming capabilities. However, you can download videos using third-party software and then play them using MPC-HC.

Q4. Does MPC-HC support hardware acceleration?
A4. Yes, it leverages hardware acceleration capabilities to provide smooth playback of high-resolution videos. This feature enhances performance, especially when dealing with 4K or HEVC-encoded content.

Q5. Can I use MPC-HC to take screenshots while playing videos?
A5. Yes, it allows users to capture screenshots during video playback. Simply press the designated hotkey or use the toolbar button to take a snapshot.



Alternatives

VLC Media Player: Known for its wide format support and cross-platform availability, VLC is a popular choice among users looking for a versatile media player.

PotPlayer: Developed by the same team behind KMPlayer, PotPlayer offers a customizable interface, comprehensive format support, and advanced playback features.

KMPlayer: An intuitive media player with support for 3D video playback, KMPlayer offers a range of features, including subtitle customization and visual effects.

GOM Player: GOM Player boasts a user-friendly interface, 360-degree VR video support, and the ability to play damaged or incomplete files.

5KPlayer: A multimedia player that supports 4K, 5K, and even 8K video playback. It includes features like AirPlay support, and DLNA streaming, making it a versatile option for both local and online media playback.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP.
• Processor: 1.5 GHz or higher.
• RAM: 512 MB or more.
• Hard Disk Space: 50 MB or more.

PROS

• Lightweight and resource-friendly
• Extensive format support
• Customizable interface
• Advanced playback controls
• Subtitle support and filters for enhanced viewing experience
• Open-source and free

CONS

• Limited platform support (only available for Windows)
• Lacks streaming capabilities
• Less frequent updates compared to some alternatives

Conclusion

Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is an exceptional media player that offers a lightweight, user-friendly, and feature-rich experience. Its extensive format support, customization options, and advanced playback controls make it an excellent choice for Windows users. While lacking some features found in other media players, MPC-HC's simplicity, stability, and open-source nature make it a top contender for those seeking a reliable media player without any cost.

Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or enjoying other multimedia content, MPC-HC is a solid choice to fulfill your media playback needs.

Also Available: Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (32-bit)