Download Media Player Classic – Home Cinema 2.5.5

Media Player Classic – Home Cinema: A Comprehensive Overview

Media Player Classic – Home Cinema (MPC-HC) is a reliable and free open-source media player designed specifically for Windows. This software is a modernized continuation of the original Guliverkli project, which has ceased maintenance, and offers a plethora of enhancements, added features, and bug fixes. While MPC-HC lacks extravagant visuals, its functional capabilities allow it to efficiently handle nearly all media formats.

Enhanced Viewing Experience

MPC-HC leverages DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA) technology, enabling it to transfer decoding processes to your computer’s graphics card, resulting in smoother playback. Additionally, it accommodates both physical and software DVDs, complete with features like menus, chapter navigation, and subtitle support.

Key Features and Functionality

Users may overlook many powerful functionalities integrated into MPC-HC over the years. Below, we summarize some essential features that enhance user experience:

1. Dark Interface Option

Access via: Menu > View > Dark Theme
Customize the height of the seek bar and toolbar button sizes while using the dark theme.
Settings can be adjusted in: Options > Advanced

2. Video Preview on Seek Bar

Enable this feature at: Options > Tweaks > Show preview on seek bar

3. Adjustable Playback Speed

Find options under: Menu > Play > Playback rate
Customize step increments for playback rate from the default 2x to smaller values, such as 10%: Options > Playback > Speed step
Opt for the internal audio renderer for the best pitch correction: Options > Playback > Output > Audio Renderer

4. Resume Playback Functionality

Save playback positions with: Options > Player > History
Quick seek using Ctrl + Mouse Scrollwheel.
Navigate through files using PageUp/PageDown keys.
Set actions to be performed at the end of a file: Options > Playback > After Playback (permanent setting)
Implement A-B repeat functionality for looping video segments by pressing [ and ] to define markers.

5. Video Manipulation Capabilities

Access rotation, flipping, stretching, and zooming options at: Menu > View > Pan&Scan
These adjustments can also be made using hotkeys.

6. Extensive Control Options

Utilize customizable keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions: Options > Player > Keys

7. Streaming Capabilities

MPC-HC allows you to stream videos directly from platforms like YouTube and many others:

Place yt-dlp.exe or youtube-dl.exe in the MPC-HC installation directory.
Open web URLs using: Menu > File > Open File/URL
Download videos easily with: Menu > File > Save a copy
Configure additional YDL options in: Options > Advanced.

8. HDR Video Support

Compatibility requires using madVR or MPC Video Renderer.
Select these renderers under: Options > Playback > Output

9. Subtitle Management

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

In addition to these features, MPC-HC has seen numerous bug fixes and internal enhancements over the years, leading to improved performance and stability. Updates have also included modern codec support, such as CUE sheets and WebVTT subtitles.

Latest Version: MPC-HC 2.5.5 Changelog

Updates

Updated the MPC Video Renderer to version 0.9.17.2472

Improvements

The feature to hide the capture settings panel is now saved.
The automatic subtitle search now utilizes OpenSubtitles only if you have set up an account, optimizing the daily download quota.
Introduced two new toolbar skins for aesthetic enhancement.

Fixes

Enhanced support for long paths when loading external subtitles.
Addressed several minor bugs and made additional refinements.

OpenSubtitles Download Limitations

Subtitle downloads from OpenSubtitles may periodically fail due to time-based restrictions.

The current download quota often reaches its limit within the day; hence, creating an OpenSubtitles account can help bypass these restrictions. Configure this in MPC-HC under: Options > Subtitles > Misc > OpenSubtitles.com setup for username/password.

Download Links

Access the latest version of MPC-HC:

MPC-HC 2.5.5 (x64) | Standalone | ~20.0 MB (Open Source)
MPC-HC 2.5.5 (x86) | Standalone

Visit MPC-HC Home Page | Source & Images