Download Media Player Classic Home Cinema 2.4.2

Media Player Classic – Home Cinema: A Comprehensive Overview

Media Player Classic – Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is a robust, open-source media player designed specifically for Windows users. Building upon the foundation of the long-shelved Guliverkli project, MPC-HC has integrated numerous enhancements and bug fixes that ensure it meets modern standards. While not the flashiest option on the market, MPC-HC excels in compatibility, supporting an extensive array of audio and video formats.

Performance and Compatibility

Utilizing DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA), MPC-HC leverages your graphics card to optimize playback and enhance your viewing experience. The player is adept at managing both physical and software DVDs, providing features such as menus, chapter navigation, and subtitle support that enrich user interaction.

Key Features You Should Know

Despite its under-the-radar status, many features have been added to MPC-HC over the years which are worth exploring:

Dark Interface Option

Enable the dark theme through Menu > View > Dark Theme.
Customize the height of the seek bar and size of toolbar buttons in Options > Advanced.

Video Preview on Seek Bar

Activate video previews via Options > Tweaks > Show preview on seek bar.

Playback Speed Adjustment

Access playback settings through Menu > Play > Playback rate.
By default, the buttons increase playback speed in 2x increments, but this can be adjusted to more granular steps (e.g., 10%) in Options > Playback > Speed step.
Optimal performance is noted when using the internal audio renderer, which includes automatic pitch correction: Options > Playback > Output > Audio Renderer.

Resume Playback Functionality

MPC-HC can retain your last playback position, allowing you to resume from where you left off via Options > Player > History.
Navigating through videos can be facilitated with Ctrl + Mouse Scrollwheel or by utilizing PageUp/PageDown to switch between files in the same folder.
Set automatic actions for files upon playback completion: Options > Playback > After Playback.
An A-B repeat feature allows looping within videos using markers set with the [ and ] keys.

Video Manipulation Options

Manipulate video display through Menu > View > Pan&Scan or using preset hotkeys.

Customizable Control Options

Explore customizable keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions in Options > Player > Keys.

Streaming Capabilities

MPC-HC allows streaming from platforms like YouTube and others provided you have the yt-dlp.exe or youtube-dl.exe files placed in the installation directory. You can open these URLs via Menu > File > Open File/URL

Videos can be downloaded: Menu > File > Save a copy.
YDL configuration settings are accessible through Options > Advanced for user convenience.

HDR Video Playback

For HDR content, installation of madVR or MPC Video Renderer is necessary: Options > Playback > Output.

Subtitle Support

MPC-HC offers the ability to search and download subtitles, both automatically or manually with the D key: Options > Subtitles > Misc.

Improvements and Updates

Alongside its numerous new features, MPC-HC has benefited from a series of bug fixes and internal upgrades, leading to enhanced performance and stability over recent years. It now includes updated internal codecs with official support for CUE sheets, WebVTT subtitles, and more.

MPC-HC 2.4.2 Changelog Highlights

Updates

Updated LAV Filters to version 0.79.2-28-gd35a3.
Updated MPC Video Renderer to version 0.9.7.2387.

Changes and Improvements

Tweaks to the volume normalization algorithm have been implemented.
Enhanced clipping behavior for floating point audio with volume boost to resolve quality concerns.
New warning prompt added to suggest better solutions for common audio issues related to quiet voice levels.
Improved handling of.cue files that reference multiple audio tracks.

Fixes

Addressed a dragging issue involving the exclusive mode seek bar.
Numerous additional minor fixes have been made.

Download Links

Download MPC-HC 2.4.2 (x64): MPC-HC 2.4.2 (x64) | Standalone (~20.0 MB, Open Source)

Download MPC-HC 2.4.2 (x86): MPC-HC 2.4.2 (x86) | Standalone

For more information, visit the official MPC-HC Home Page or view a Screenshot.