Every year, the screen sizes of mobile gadgets are increasing. Now on modern smartphones you can comfortably watch not only photos, but also feature films. Such constructional qualities may not be the best for ergonomics, but on long journeys a large screen will definitely be in place.
However, some users have some problems viewing the content. The fact is that each audio and video format requires specific codecs. They decipher the video sequence. The Android platform, or rather a specific firmware, has its own specific set of similar codecs that a standard media player has.
But not all standard utilities for viewing video and listening to audio have the necessary tools for playback. In addition, most of the players embedded in the platform cannot boast of intelligent and flexible functionality. Therefore, many people have to install a good media player for Android separately.
It is also worth mentioning the owners of set-top boxes running thisplatforms. Here we see similar problems that smartphone and tablet users face. These are the meager features of regular software. Many users study forums and ratings of media players for Android TV in search of the best option for their needs.
But even in this case, third-party applications do not always meet all the requirements. We will try to deal with this problem in our article.
Best media players
We present to your attention the rating of media players for Android. It includes the most popular products, distinguished by stable operation, efficiency, as well as a large number of positive feedback from users. All the software described below can be found on Google Play, so there should be no problems with testing.
Rating of media players for Android:
- MX Player.
- VLC for Android.
- KMPlayer.
- HD Video Player.
- BSPlayer.
- Plex.
Let's take a closer look at each program.
MX Player
Many owners of mobile gadgets, when asked which media player is best for Android, will immediately answer that this is MX Player. And they will be right. The application is really recognized as the best among both ordinary users and the most advanced. As you know, the latter are very picky about the choice of such programs. Media player for Android MX Player has almost 7 million downloads. This is a great indicator.
The installation of the utility takes place in the regular for the platformmode, so there should not be any difficulties here. After installation, the program will immediately prompt you to download specific codecs that your processor and related system applications can work with. Media player for Android supports multi-core video decoding, which allows you to greatly increase the performance of the stream. When playing content in 4K resolution, this feature will clearly benefit.
Features of MX Player software
This media player for Android is in Russian, so it will not be difficult to deal with the menu and tools. The interface of the application is by no means confusing or complicated. It is also worth noting that many people use this media player for Android in set-top boxes, where simplicity and intuitive control are highly welcomed.
Most popular commands are performed using gestures. For example, you can rewind the video with a horizontal swipe, and vertically increase or decrease the volume. The application fully supports external sub titles, video streaming, and step-by-step image scaling.
This good media player for Android is completely free, but ads are embedded in it. It occasionally occurs during video playback. You can remove it by touching the banner with your finger. Users are very positive about the player and its capabilities. Many do not pay attention to advertising, being content with chic functionality and seamless playback of content.
VLC for Android
Let's considermedia player, which occupies the second position in the ranking. VLC media player for Android is a proprietary development from the creators of the product of the same name for personal computers. The desktop solution showed itself from the most positive side. The same can be said about the mobile version.
Judging by user reviews, this is a very effective and generally good media player for Android. On Google Play, the program has been downloaded more than 1 million times, which is quite impressive. The player allows you to play both audio and video content. Hardware decoding is also included.
The application interface is simple and intuitive. All the main tools are located on the main screen, so you don't have to "wander" through the menu.
Features of VLC for Android software
The player also supports the usual swipe - horizontal, vertical and zoom. Using the sensor, you can scroll the video forward and backward, adjust the volume and set the display mode. There is support for external sub titles, there is a separate nice desktop widget for audio content.
This simple, clear and generally good media player for Android is distributed under a free license. There is practically no advertising here, only sometimes banners pop up indicating other products of the developer.
KMPlayer
He is ranked third in the rankings. As in the case of VLC, this is a version ported from desktops to mobile platforms. The program received a recognizable design, whichsimilar to those available on a personal computer, as well as extensive functionality. Judging by the reviews, many users are satisfied with it. The application has been installed by more than 300 thousand people.
The media player supports all known formats, including such exotic ones as SRT, SUB, RT and SSA. The utility is also capable of playing streaming video. You can watch video while downloading from the Internet.
The program supports all popular swipes - horizontal, vertical and zoom. You can easily rewind the video, add sound or set a comfortable resolution using the sensor. It is also possible to change the screen orientation without regard to the position of the mobile gadget.
KMPlayer software features
Those who previously used the player of the same name on a personal computer experience no problems after switching to the mobile version. Other users, judging by the reviews, sometimes face some difficulties. The fact is that the location of the local tools cannot be called intuitive, as it was with previous utilities. The menu will take some getting used to. However, there is nothing complicated there. Users experience no discomfort after an hour of work.
The app is free, but the developer added his own promotional code to it. Pop-up banners are not aggressive. In addition, they talk about other products in this group: players for virtual reality and a professional version. The last one is comingwith more extensive functionality and completely free from ad blocks.
HD Video Player
With its appearance, the application is very similar to a simple standard media player for Android. Many people love the classics and prefer it instead of catchy and fancy programs, the design of which sometimes distracts from watching video content. In addition, extra chips consume memory, and this is not the best option for owners of budget gadgets.
Here we have a simple player without any serious functional difficulties. But the obvious advantage of this application over standard counterparts is a rich set of codecs. If the standard player plays video from time to time, then HD Video Player can handle almost all formats.
As for the entry threshold, it is practically absent here. It is simply impossible to get confused in the application interface. All tools (there are not very many of them) are placed on the main screen and are available on the first click.
HD Video Player Software Features
After the first launch, the program automatically scans the drives for video content and neatly sorts it in the library. Filters can be configured as you wish: author, date, size, etc. While watching, you can change the volume and skip the video with a swipe. It is also possible to adjust the screen brightness specifically for the player.
The streaming video program, alas, does not play, and it works mediocrely with titles: not alwayssees the text, sometimes refuses to perceive it. Judging by the reviews, users liked this player. It is mainly valued for its "lightness". Therefore, the application is widely in demand among owners of old and inexpensive mobile gadgets. According to Google Play statistics, about 300 thousand users have installed the program.
The product is distributed completely free of charge, there is no advertising in it. Some users mention the presence of banners in their reviews, but others claim that they do not notice anything.
BSPlayer
The program is also ported from PC to mobile platforms. The PC version has great functionality, but the Android version has a truncated toolkit. But it is quite enough to solve the tasks set by ordinary users.
The application has an impressive list of codecs and plays all popular formats, including SRT, SUB, RT and SSA. Properly using the power of the processor and RAM, the program quietly works with content in 4K resolution. Judging by user reviews, they do not notice any friezes or other freezes.
It is also worth noting a very convenient library. After the player is installed and then launched, the program scans all available drives and arranges files according to the user's filter. Thanks to a competent layout, the desired video can be found in seconds.
Users in their reviews note that working with the player is a pleasure. The interface looks extremely attractive, clear and does not cause unnecessary questions. In addition, some menu items can be customized (change location, color, design). In terms of customization, the player is quite flexible. You can control playback not only with buttons, but also with gestures.
BSPlayer software features
The application is capable of streaming over wireless protocols. That is, you can transfer the video you are watching over Wi-Fi to other devices, including desktop ones.
As a small drawback, we can name the system requirements of the utility. Judging by user reviews, the player is terribly slow on ultra-budget smartphones and tablets. Therefore, in this case, you will have to look at other, "lighter" options.
The product comes with a free distribution license, so sometimes ads pop up while watching the video. But these banners are by no means aggressive, because they appear rarely and are easily removed.
Plex
This media player is an excellent option for budget and weak mobile gadgets, where every byte on the hard drive and a small amount of RAM count. The application works on the principle of streaming. That is, using a media server on a desktop device, you can watch videos on a smartphone.
The program is especially in demand on set-top boxes, where there is always not enough free space. For the app to workyou need to install the utility of the same name on a personal computer, and then enable synchronization with a mobile device. Files played on a PC will be streamed on a smartphone, tablet or set-top box. Synchronization can be configured both via wireless protocols and via a USB connection.
Plex software features
All playable files are in the library. It has many filters where you can arrange content in different ways. The interface of the application itself is by no means complicated or incomprehensible. All the main tools are located on the main screen, and you can control them using gestures: scroll through videos, adjust the volume and change the resolution.
The product is distributed for free, so ads sometimes pop up. She, judging by the user reviews, is not very intrusive. You can disable it by purchasing a license for the professional version.
We reviewed six of the most popular media players for Android and told what users think about their functionality.
