Which is the best video player/decoder for PC?

[Marione]

Hi guys, I’m new here, I’ve a very simple questions: suppose that I’ve no space constraint and a notebook with a normal 15.4 screen at 1024*768.
Which is the best video player? (the player that when played shows me the best picture).
Is there any difference among decoders? (suppose that I’m able to view a video: is it enough or I have to wonder about which decoder to use?)
Is there any objective metrics to argue that a player/decoder is better than another?
Personally I’m using windows media player classic just because it is user friendlier than others

[zoobie]

Each human actually perceives every image slightly differently. There will be as many answers to this question as there are codecs.

Once loaded with appropriate codecs, Windows Media Player is used by the masses for it's convenience.

A lot of members here use VLC as their player because it already comes with all major codecs.

[Marione]

that's all?

[handyguy]

Why don't you try them first? VLC is wonderful.

[Krispy Kritter]

Quality is subjective and is more dependant on codecs and video drivers than the actual player. Do a Google search on media players and you will get plenty of player choices (the more popular ones are already listed on this site in the Tools section under video players).

[jagabo]

MPCHC, VLC, and KMplayer.

[SpectateSwamp]

Swamp Video and Desktop Search is by far the best mpeg player there is. It has more features than any player on any platform.

I can't give you more details right now or this post will be removed. The posted exe is from a couple days ago and the 10,000 lines of source code is there too.

In a video player showdown. The rest wouldn't stand a chance.

Me and my Swampies at Dreamincode are calling you out. Now.

http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/topic/201834-digital-video-showdown/

[classfour]

What jagabo said

[Seeker47]

MPCHC, VLC, and KMplayer.

I would definitely include the first two of these, not familiar (yet) with the third. The thing is, if you get around online, you're going to encounter all sorts of media files. No single player -- or even two -- is going to be enough, if you want a shot at playing whatever you may run into. Having at least 3 good options is the way to go. (Same story with stream finder / capture programs.)