
Exploring Media Player Classic – Home Cinema (MPC-HC)
Media Player Classic – Home Cinema, commonly referred to as MPC-HC, is a versatile, free, and open-source media player designed specifically for Windows users. This player builds upon the legacy of the original Guliverkli project, now discontinued, and has introduced various enhancements, features, and bug fixes to create a user-friendly experience. Although MPC-HC prioritizes functionality over flashy designs, it remains compatible with almost every media format you might encounter.
Key Features That Enhance Your Viewing Experience
Many users may not fully appreciate the extensive features available in MPC-HC. Below is a curated list of essential functionalities that enrich your media playback experience:
Customizable Dark Interface
- Activate via:
Menu > View > Dark Theme
- Change the seek bar height and toolbar button sizes for better accessibility.
- Navigate to:
Options > Advanced
for further customization options.
Video Preview on Seek Bar
- To enable the preview, go to:
Options > Tweaks > Show preview on seek bar
.
Adjustable Playback Speed
- Access settings via:
Menu > Play > Playback rate
. - Customize playback rate control buttons for smaller increments (e.g., 10%) at:
Options > Playback > Speed step
. - The internal audio renderer facilitates optimal speed adjustments, complete with automatic pitch correction settings at:
Options > Playback > Output > Audio Renderer
.
Playback Position Memory
- MPC-HC can track playback positions for easy resumption. Access history settings at:
Options > Player > History
. - Quickly seek through videos using
Ctrl + Mouse Scrollwheel
. - Jump to the next or previous file in a directory using
PageUp/PageDown
. - Configure automatic actions at the end of a file, such as proceeding to the next file or closing the player via:
Options > Playback > After Playback
. - A-B repeat functionality allows you to loop specific segments, marked by pressing
[
and]
.
Video Manipulation Capabilities
- Rotate, flip, mirror, stretch, or zoom your videos through:
Menu > View > Pan&Scan
. - These actions can also be performed using designated hotkeys for convenience.
Keyboard Shortcuts & Mouse Controls
- Customize hotkeys and mouse controls through:
Options > Player > Keys
.
Streaming from Popular Video Platforms
MPC-HC allows direct streaming from platforms like YouTube and others:
- Place
yt-dlp.exe
oryoutube-dl.exe
in the MPC-HC installation folder. - Open URLs through the player via:
Menu > File > Open File/URL
. - Download videos by selecting:
Menu > File > Save a copy
. - For additional configuration, visit:
Options > Advanced
.
Support for HDR Video Playback
- Utilize madVR or MPC Video Renderer for HDR playback, selectable in:
Options > Playback > Output
.
Subtitle Management Options
- Search for and download subtitles automatically or manually (press
D
), via:Options > Subtitles > Misc
.
In addition to these exciting features, MPC-HC has experienced numerous bug fixes and internal enhancements over the years, resulting in improved performance, stability, and updated codecs, including support for CUE sheets and WebVTT subtitles.
Recent Updates in MPC-HC 2.5.1
-
Updated LAV Filters to version 0.80-2-g30060
-
Updated MPC Video Renderer to version 0.9.10.2418
-
The internal audio decoder now has AC-4 audio decoding capabilities, though some high channel count streams may still face issues.
-
Implemented various minor fixes and improvements.
Call for Graphic Designers
- MPC-HC is planning to introduce a new customizable toolbar with additional buttons, moving away from the existing custom designs.
- The development team invites contributions from graphic designers to create new button designs. Interested parties are encouraged to visit this dedicated information page.
Download Options
Download MPC-HC 2.5.1 and elevate your media playback experience:
- MPC-HC 2.5.1 (x64) | Standalone | ~20.0 MB (Open Source)
- MPC-HC 2.5.1 (x86) | Standalone
For more details, visit the MPC-HC Home Page.

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